By Marion Franck

Most students have no idea how much thought their parents put into visiting them—especially those parents who don’t live nearby and can’t visit often. If you’re coming to Davis for what might be your only trip this year, what should you do when you get here?

These 10 ideas are drawn from people who live in Davis, from students who enjoyed their parents’ visits and from my own personal biases, based on visiting my own children in faraway towns.

I’m a big believer in eating together, especially when you can invite your student’s friends and get to know them. But many students like shopping just as much. I also sometimes repeat a great pleasure from when the children were younger: exploring a new place as a family. I include all three categories on my list.

1. Eat cheap. Pizza is the universal reward and study break at college, and I used to think that students would get sick of it. But, no, pizza restaurants outnumber all others in Davis. Try one, or make your visit the occasion to check out the Mexican, Italian or Asian restaurants in town. If you’re a UC Davis grad yourself, you may remember the Graduate, opened in 1973, which is still popular, or you can try newer restaurant-bars like Cantina del Cabo or Sudwerk. If your student hasn’t eaten at the just-opened Segundo Dining Commons on campus, check it out. One of my colleagues calls it “the eighth wonder of the world.”

2. Eat pricey. When I think pricey, I picture a quiet restaurant. This means I’m getting old, because the fashion nowadays is noise. Still, students expect parents to behave like parents, and if you want a quiet meal with your student, a few Davis restaurants fit the description. Check out Soga’s, Seasons, Mustard Seed or Osteria Fasulo. Some places are lively indoors but quiet outside, like Fuzio and Pasta?, or the new restaurant in the former police station, Bistro 33. Our neighbor to the north, Woodland, has a few possibilities and Sacramento many more. If your student is like mine, he or she will know how to search the Web for places that appeal to your family.

3. Shop for the student. A student without a car will appreciate this. Davis has a number of clothing stores that cater to young adults, including one national retailer (Gap), but the other big names require a trip to Sacramento. Apartment-dwelling students often appreciate being taken to a big-box store to stock up, and roommates may pile in for the trip.

If a parent doesn’t like shopping, he or she should go along anyway, advises my friend Sue Williams, director of physical education at UC Davis: “It’s not about shopping; it’s about seeing how your student’s tastes are changing. It’s about getting to know what your student likes now."

4. Shop for yourself. My favorite souvenir from visiting my son at college is the T-shirt I bought at the university bookstore. I wear it often. Your student may want to come along and buy a little UC Davis gear, too.

5. Farmers Market. If I had to name one activity that’s perfect for parents and students to do together, it’s shopping at Davis Farmers Market on Saturday. Yes, it starts a little early for students (8 a.m.), but it continues until 1 p.m., with interesting local produce and lots of seasonal entertainment. Many students have never been to the Farmers Market, and it might not become a regular haunt, but it’s a great place to stroll with parents and perhaps end up at a lunch spot. Farmers Market is perfectly situated between the university and downtown.

6. Music. The Mondavi Center on campus is an obvious choice (buy tickets in advance by phone or via the Internet) but not the only one. Has your student tried the small, much-loved Palms in Winters? Is there something special going on at Arco Arena in Sacramento? Music is the language of students, and this is your chance to join the conversation.

7. Art. Some of my favorite photographs were taken hugging or making faces at the famous Egghead sculptures by Robert Arneson that punctuate—and tease—our campus. But that’s not the only art to be found. Many students have never visited the excellent galleries on campus: the C.N. Gorman Museum, the Memorial Union Art Gallery, the Design Museum and the Richard L. Nelson Gallery. Art abounds in the city, too. A Public Art Walking Tour and Gallery Guide is available in galleries and at the Davis Conference & Visitors Bureau, 130 G St.

8. Athletics. If your student is an athlete, you may want to schedule your visit to see his or her sport. Physical education director and former cross country coach Williams warns, however, that this is not a time to focus on your child’s performance. Just as students resist the question, “What are your grades?” no one likes to be hounded about their athletic “scorecard.” If your student is a freshman or sophomore, he or she may not be playing much, anyway. Your goal is to meet the teammates and to learn a little about the coach, while giving your student an opportunity to show you the world where he or she spends a lot of time.

If your student is not a varsity athlete, he or she may want to show you the big new recreation center known as the ARC, where students work out or play intramural sports. A guest pass costs $7.50.

Or how about a walk or a bike ride in the arboretum? You can rent a bike for $10 a day from the Bike Barn on campus. If you like to watch sports, check out the UC Davis athletic schedule.

9. Nature. Here’s your chance to share a new experience. Unless your student is a serious outdoors person, much of nature goes undiscovered during college, especially in the first two years. You can change that. If you’re looking for a short hike not too far from Davis (45 minutes by car) I recommend the Homestead Trail at Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve near Lake Berryessa. It’s owned and managed by UC Davis. The hike isn’t long (two miles roundtrip) but it’s scenic, with a good picnic area at the end of the trail. The Vic Fazio Yolo Wildlife Area is even closer and another favorite of mine.

10. Your student’s daily haunts. You’ve probably toured the Davis campus, but when your student says on the phone, “I hung out at the arboretum yesterday,” many parents want to be able to picture the exact location. What you need is the special tour, the one only your student can give. Ask to see your student’s favorite eating or study spots, or the location on campus your student finds most beautiful. If you are a UC Davis grad yourself, this idea could be reversed. Show your student your favorite haunts—if they’re still there.

Is Picnic Day a good time to visit? My answer is a strong “Yes!” With the parade, exhibits, parties and excitement, Picnic Day is the perfect time to visit. It’s easy. It’s fun. Two of my favorite events are the dachshund races and the Battle of the Bands. The date this year is April 22. Find out more on page 28 of this magazine.

For more:

Calendar listings: www.ucdavis.edu/calendar
Mondavi Center: www.mondaviarts.org
Athletics: www.ucdavisaggies.com
Picnic Day: picnicday.ucdavis.edu
City of Davis: www.city.davis.ca.us/visitors.cfm
Farmers Market: www.davisfarmersmarket.org
Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve: nrs.ucdavis.edu/stebbins.html
Vic Fazio Yolo Wildlife Area: www.yolobasin.org