The Serene Hummingbird Garden in Northern California That’s Too Beautiful for Words

Occupying approximately 100 acres of land on the UC Davis college campus, the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden is bursting with life. This gorgeous outdoor space is the perfect place to spend a few hours and bask in the glorious beauty of nature. You'll find a little bit of everything loaded into this garden in Davis: flowers from all over the globe, a redwood grove, a native California grass meadow, and much more. However, one of the most unique aspects of the arboretum is one of our favorites—the Hummingbird GATEway Garden.

The UC Davis Arboretum is a fantastic place to explore and lose yourself in nature for a few hours. Located along the north channel of Putah Creek, the arboretum was originally established in 1936 to help students learn about California's native plants. Since then, the arboretum has grown massively. It is currently home to more than 22,000 plants and trees, which are all arranged in 20 gardens that each represent various geographic areas, plant groups, horticultural themes, etc.

Take a walk along the arboretum’s trail, which takes you to many of the gardens and the gorgeous areas in the arboretum. This family-friendly trail is just over 3.5 miles, is flat, and is a loop. However, because there is so much to see and so many different areas to explore, a map of the arboretum has broken up the trail into three main walking tours. Each trail is approximately one mile and is delightful for nature lovers of all ages.

Along the north side of the Arboretum Teaching Nursery, you will find a favorite garden area—the Hummingbird GATEway Garden. Hummingbirds are extremely important in our ecosystems. They quickly fly from flower to flower, pollinating at a much faster rate than other insect pollinators. However, hummingbirds are also in danger due to habitat loss and climate change. Researchers are predicting that nearly 15 percent of hummingbird species are vulnerable to extinction. The hummingbird garden is both a way to support this beautiful creature and also teach people about the hummingbird's decline and the importance of creating habitats for them.

The UC Davis Arboretum and Public Gardens is open all year, and admission is free of charge. Pack a lunch, bring the family, and make a day of it! It's one of the best gardens in NorCal. Be aware, however, that there is no dedicated parking lot for the arboretum, and you will need to park in UC Davis campus visitor parking lots. There is a charge to park in these lots on weekdays. Weekends and holidays are free of charge. You can learn more on the UC Davis Arboretum website.

The arboretum is a great place to get away and immerse yourself in plant species from all over the globe. Take a few hours to relax and unwind, and learn a little something while you're at it. Everybody, from young children to adults, will be utterly mesmerized by this place.

If you are looking for even more incredible places to visit and explore in Northern California, check out this list of more than a dozen natural wonders that defy explanation. And, if you are ready to plan your own trip to Northern California, check out Only In Your State's itinerary planner for activity, lodging, and restaurant recommendations.