Maps, Directions & Parking Information

The UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden spans thousands of acres and, for new and experienced visitors alike, it can be difficult to figure out where to park depending on the location you are attempting to go. Below is a list of locations where we frequently hold events along with links to maps and parking information.

In general, we recommend using our online campus map to get directions and find nearby parking information.

Parking

Parking on campus costs $10/day on weekdays. Only Visa or Master Card credit cards may be used to obtain a parking permit from machines in Visitor Parking lots. The permit may be used in all Visitor Parking lots on campus. Parking is free on weekends and holidays. There is one-hour free parking on Garrod Drive across from the Gazebo.

Also note that members of the Friends of the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden are eligible for free parking passes — quantities vary depending on your level of membership (UC Davis students and employees are not eligible for this benefit.) LEARN MORE

Arboretum

If you are interested in visiting the UC Davis Arboretum, we have created a map complete with three different loop trails and parking options that we hope will introduce new and frequent visitors alike to something undiscovered. LEARN MORE

Putah Creek Riparian Reserve

If you are interested in visiting the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden's Putah Creek Riparian Reserve, there are multiple trailheads and options for parking. LEARN MORE

Mobile map

While in the Arboretum, you can use Google maps or the map feature on UC Davis mobile to identify the locations of individual gardens. Simply type the full name of a garden (i.e. Mary Wattis Brown Garden of California Native Plants) when searching. 

Event Venues

• Arboretum Teaching Nursery
• Take I-80 to Highway 113 North towards Woodland (from Sacramento, pass the UC Davis exit on I-80 to reach 113). Take the Hutchison Drive exit and turn right towards the central UC Davis campus. Turn right (south) on La Rue Road and pass the stadium. Turn right on Garrod Drive. Follow Garrod Drive as it curves to the right and you will see the nursery on your left-hand side. At the stop sign, continue straight to park in the visitor parking lots across the street from the nursery: #55 (to the left) or #50 (to the right). Please do not park in marked spots that are reserved for clients of the veterinary clinic.
  
  SEE IT ON THE CAMPUS MAP, get directions online and find nearby parking by clicking the "Campus Parking" link in the left-hand navigation bar.
• Arboretum Headquarters
• Take I-80 to the UC Davis exit. Go north into central campus. Turn left at the first opportunity. Go straight across the creek, then turn left on La Rue Road. The headquarters are located in Valley Oak Cottage, a shingled building on the left. There is all-day parking in Visitor Lot 47, further down La Rue on the right.
  
  SEE IT ON THE CAMPUS MAP, get directions online and find nearby parking by clicking on the "Campus Parking" link in the left-hand navigation bar.
• Arboretum Gazebo
• Take I-80 to Highway 113 North towards Woodland (from Sacramento, pass the UC Davis exit on I-80 to reach 113). Take the Hutchison Drive exit and turn right towards the central UC Davis campus. Turn right (south) on La Rue Road and pass the stadium. Turn right on Garrod Drive. Follow Garrod Drive as it curves to the right and turn left again at the T in the road. Follow Garrod until you see the Gazebo on your left. If you go straight at the T in the road, parking is available in Visitor Lots 54 and 55. There is also one-hour free parking on Garrod Drive across the street from the Gazebo.
  
  SEE IT ON THE CAMPUS MAP, get directions online and find nearby parking by clicking on the "Campus Parking" link in the left-hand navigation bar.
• Nature's Gallery Court
• Follow the directions to the Gazebo. Nature’s Gallery Court is located between the Gazebo and the Arboretum Teaching Nursery.
  
  SEE IT ON THE CAMPUS MAP, get directions online and find nearby parking by clicking on the "Campus Parking" link in the left-hand navigation bar.
• Arboretum Terrace Garden and Lois Crowe Patio
• The Terrace Garden is located next to Whole Foods at the northeast end of the Davis Commons Shopping Center (500 First Street, Davis). The parking lot behind the Davis Commons Shopping Center is for shopping center customers only. If you need to park a car to visit this location use one of the public parking lots at First and F Streets. 
  
  This location is closer to public parking than campus parking.
  SEE IT ON A GOOGLE MAP, get directions online and find nearby public parking options.
• Arboretum GATEway Garden
• Take 1-80 to the Richards Blvd. Exit (toward downtown). Go through the underpass tunnel. Turn left at the light onto 1st Street. Make the next left onto D Street. Go straight to the end of the parking lot to get closest to the trellis area. Two-hour parking is available for free in this lot. Go through the Shovel Gateway Sculpture visible from the southwest corner of the parking lot. The trellis is just on the other side. 
  
  This location is closer to public parking than campus parking.
  SEE IT ON A GOOGLE MAP, get directions online and find nearby public parking.
• Lake Spafford
• Lake Spafford is the large pond located in the Arboretum's East Asian Collection, near Mrak Hall. Nearby parking lots can also be found there.
  
  SEE IT ON THE CAMPUS MAP, get directions online and find nearby parking by clicking "Campus Parking" in the left-hand navigation bar. 
• Wyatt Deck
• Take 1-80 to the Richards Blvd. Exit (toward downtown). Go under the underpass. Turn left on 1st Street. Turn left onto Old Davis Road and cross a small bridge over the Arboretum Waterway. Parking is available at Visitor Parking Lot 5, straight ahead from the stop sign at Old Davis Road and Arboretum Drive. Wyatt Deck is located at the west end of the Redwood Grove, across Arboretum Drive from the Wyatt Pavilion Theater.
  
  SEE IT ON THE CAMPUS MAP, get directions online and find nearby parking by clicking on "Campus Parking" in the left-hand navigation bar.
• 146 Environmental Horticulture
• Take I-80 to the UC Davis exit. Go north into central campus. Follow Old Davis Road past Hyatt Place. After Hyatt Place you will arrive at a stop sign. Just beyond this stop sign you’ll find Parking Lot 5A on the left which is free most weekends and Visitor Parking Lot 5 where you can pay to park during the week. The Environmental Horticulture building is west of these parking lots on Arboretum Drive (Arboretum Drive is the large, closed-to-traffic pathway, that borders the north side of both parking locations). Walk west on Arboretum Drive; you will see the Environmental Horticulture building on the south side of the path past the Wyatt Pavilion Theatre and the Nelson Gallery. Go into the courtyard and look for this classroom and event space (off the southwest end of the courtyard). 
  
  SEE IT ON THE CAMPUS MAP, get directions online and find nearby parking by clicking on "Campus Parking" in the left-hand navigation bar.
• Walter A. Buehler Alumni Center
• Take I-80 to the UC Davis exit. Go north into central campus. Parking is available in the Gateway Parking Structure on the right or in Visitor Lots 1 and 2 behind it. The Alumni Center is located across the street from the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts. 
  
  SEE IT ON THE CAMPUS MAP, get directions online and find nearby parking by clicking on "Campus Parking" in the left-hand navigation bar.