Pick Your Own Peaches and Your Own Path in Yolo County

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Located in the vast Sacramento Valley, Yolo County serves as a prominent agricultural region with a bounty of fruits, flowers, and of course, rolling hills coated in line after line of precisely placed grapevines. Yolo County summons visitors of all ages and holds world-class educational programs, organic farms, and incredibly rich soil. The healthy soil, generally warm weather conditions, and gentle breeze lend themselves to the diverse flavor profiles and playfully vibrant characteristics of the many grape varietals growing in the county, including Syrah, Chardonnay, and Malbec. 

Yolo County: A Traveler’s Haven

Travel through the air, high above the valley in a hot air balloon overlooking the delicate purple hues of Rumsey’s lavender fields, discover the complexities of creating sustainable agricultural practices, tour around the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame, and climb aboard the Sacramento River Train for an experience truly unique to this Northern California destination. Thanks to its convenient location between San Francisco and Sacramento, this portion of the state is frequently traveled through, though it is easy to overlook all of the hidden gems in Yolo County residing just beyond the freeway exits.

Thrill-seekers rejoice just outside of Rumsey at Cache Creek Canyon Regional Park, where exciting activities are endless. Whether white water rafting down Cache Creek, kayaking along calmer streams, hiking amongst the grassy meadows and fragrant pine trees, or picnicking beneath the oak trees, Yolo County provides opportunities for various types of thrills.

Entering this county plunges visitors into a world full of family farms and artisans eager to share their stories and immense knowledge. Pick your own peaches, cherries, and pumpkins throughout the year in Davis on a U-pick farm; learn how olives are grown, harvested, and processed to create world-class olive oils in Capay; and visit an organic farm in Guinda for wondrous memories and tales to share for years to come.

Of Sunflowers, Almonds, and Olive Oil

If there’s one reason to visit Yolo County, it’s the local provisions that come out of the area. Head over to the Davis Farmers Market to stock up on fresh supplies such as Skyelark Ranch eggs, Macdonald Orchard walnuts, and Yolo Press Olive Oil. For a truly unique experience, the River Fox railbike takes you on a 10-mile tour along a decommissioned track that passes through sunflower fields, almond orchards, and grapevines.

Those sunflower fields do more than just add a splash of yellow to Yolo County’s verdant landscape. During their peak season, which is mid-June to mid-July, they take center stage as they draw waves of visitors who come to behold and photograph their vibrant splendor.  

A Taste of Yolo County

Being an agricultural hub, it comes as no surprise that Yolo County is exceptional when it comes to good food. Stop by the famous Farmer’s Kitchen in Davis to try their signature Bioregional Salad, containing over 15 different fruits, vegetables, and nuts from various farms in the area.

Another local delicacy to sink your teeth into is the grilled pork chop at the Preserve in Winters, tastefully garnished with seasonal produce like chopped asparagus, red oak lettuce, and marigold petals. Located in the heart of Yolo County, Morgan’s on Main is a must-try gastronomic gem in Woodland, California. This charming steakhouse is known for its tender prime rib as well as its huge iceberg wedges. And we definitely can’t forget to mention Sweet Ville Candy, an old-fashioned candy shop where you’ll find nostalgic and rare confections from all corners of the world. It’s safe to say that when it comes to gastronomy, Yolo County is one of the best places to visit in Northern California. 

Yolo County Culture… and Shopping

Once you’ve had your fill of salads, ribs, and candy, dodge the food coma by going for a shopping spree at Winters Collective. You’ll come across a variety of Yolo County-based vendors such as The Local Floret plant shop and Christian’s Corner clothing boutique. Another popular destination to check out is the Yolo County Fairgrounds. Located in Woodland, California, the site is home to an RV park as well as the annual Yolo County Fair (every August). The event is jam-packed with carnival rides, various exhibits, live entertainment, and much more.

Immerse yourself into the rich agricultural history of the region by heading over to the California Agricultural Museum in Woodland. Spanning over 45,000 square feet, this Yolo County museum exhibits a one-of-a-kind selection of tractors and farming artifacts. Its interactive displays and events showcase the story of how the Golden State became an agricultural powerhouse due to abundant natural resources and clever innovation. If you’re visiting for the weekend, consider spending the night at Park Winters. This historic, Victorian-style inn boasts gorgeous gardens, a beautiful barn, and insanely comfortable beds, making it ideal for a romantic getaway. 

Hiking Your Way Around Yolo County

The untapped wilderness of Yolo County creates the perfect setting for a hiking adventure — and a unique opportunity to explore one of the best-kept secrets of Northern California. Spanning 16,600 acres, the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area is a wetland conservation zone between Davis and West Sacramento. This spread of land provides habitat to over 200 species of birds such as mallards, yellow-billed magpies, and marsh wrens. Mammals including muskrats and river otters also thrive in this area. During summer, you’ll find Mexican free-tailed bats filling up the sky in the thousands as they emerge from under the bypass. Make sure to time your hike accordingly so that you can witness this natural spectacle known as “batnado”.

If you’re looking for a real challenge, go for the notorious 5-mile looping trail at the Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve. This quad-burning trek in Winters takes you through lush oak woods, open chaparrals, and fields of wildflowers. For a more casual hike, head over to the UC Davis Arboretum. The 3.5-mile loop features gardens lush with acacia trees, California poppies, and other species of plants that thrive in the Mediterranean climate of the region.