Farm to Fork Events Fall 2014

October

Art Farm Juried Exhibition Opening Reception, presented by Yolo Arts, Woodland (10/3/14)

This event will feature art submitted for the Art Harvest Fundraising Gala in November. Local artists and patrons will enjoy art displays and have the opportunity to discuss art with esteemed California painter and guest curator Greg Kondos at Gallery 625. (530) 406-4844, www.yoloarts.org.

Hoes Down Harvest Festival
Photo Credit: http://bit.ly/1wjtXwP

Hoes Down Harvest Festival, Full Belly Farm, Guinda (10/4/14)

Fresh food, activities, and live music will accompany you during this day-long agricultural celebration from 11am-11pm. Tickets are $20 online and $25 at the gate. 1 (800) 791-2110, www.hoesdown.org.

Open Farm Day, Capay Valley Grown, Capay Valley (10/5/14)

Visit Capay Valley farms, including Full Belly Farm and Manas Ranch, from 10am-4pm. Entry is free for all participating farms, which will host tastes, tours, and demonstrations throughout the day. (530) 787-3242, www.capayvalleygrown.net.

Master Milling Certificate Course, UC Davis Olive Center, Robert Mondavi Institute, Davis (10/9-12/14)

This four-day course taught by Pablo Canamasas, one of the world’s top olive oil experts, will teach you the basics of olive oil production. The course will be from October 9 – 12^th at the Silverado Vineyard Sensory Theater at the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science in Davis. (530) 752-5170, www.olivecenter.ucdavis.edu.

Capay Organic Farm
Photo Credit: www.capayorganic.com

Capay Organic/Farm Fresh to You Farm Tour, Capay Organic Farm, Capay (10/11/14)

Take a tractor tour, pick pumpkins, and enjoy hands-on activities at the celebrated Capay Organic Farm. Admission is $5 per person, children 12 and under are free! 1 (800) 796-6009, www.farmfreshtoyou.com.

Annual Mill-In, Yolo Wool Mill, Woodland (10/25/14)

Enjoy a mill tour, demonstrations, vendors and a barbeque and learn how wool is converted into the clothes you wear. Events start at 11am and the barbeque starts at 1pm. Admission is $5 for adults and the barbeque is $15. (530) 666-1473, www.yolowoolmill.com.

November

Art Farm: Yolo Art and Food Harvest, presented by Yolo Arts, Woodland (11/7/14)

Held at the Daily Democrat building in historic downtown Woodland, this fundraising gala will feature an art auction, a juried awards presentation for local artists, food, and live music. Proceeds from the Art Harvest will benefit the Art and Ag Project, the Yolo Land Trust, and the Yolo Farm to Fork Foundation. The event is from 6-8:30pm. (530) 406-4844, www.yoloarts.org.

December

50^th Annual Holiday Parade, Woodland (12/6/14)

The parade will take place on Main Street in historic downtown Woodland and will feature marching bands, tractors, horses, and floats from dozens of local organizations. (530) 662-7327, www.woodlandchamber.org.

Sushi Roundup

Despite the fact that well more than 5,000 miles of ocean separates California from Japan, it is very easy to find quality sushi in Yolo County. Most sushi restaurants are located in Davis, with budget-friendly all-you-can-eat buffets popular with the large student population. There are also more upscale sushi establishments that local residents frequent, as well as a number of restaurants in Woodland. A quick stroll through downtown Davis will make the large number and popularity of sushi restaurants quickly evident, with lines that often reach around the block for the more popular sushi buffets.

Davis

Fuji Sushi Boat and Buffet ~ $13 gets you a full lunch sushi buffet, with all-you-can-eat rolls that travel around the restaurant on sushi boats. Very popular with students due to the relatively cheap cost, but make sure to get there early because the wait line often travels around the block. This is likely the most popular sushi restaurant in Davis.

Photo Credit: http://bit.ly/1t2w72p

213 G St; (530) 753-3888; www.fujisushiboat.com

Lunch: Mon Sun 11am-2pm

Dinner: Mon-Sun 5-9pm

Davis Sushi Buffet ~ Cost range is $14-$20, popular with the all-you-can-eat student crowd. Dishes are ordered through a waiter instead of off sushi boats. Not as popular as Fuji but it still can get crowded in the evenings.

707 2^nd St; (530) 297-1999; www.davissushibuffet.com

Lunch: Mon-Sun 10:30am-2:30pm

Dinner: Mon-Sun 4:30-9pm

Mikuni ~ Part of a Northern California chain, Mikuni is located in the popular Davis Common and caters more to the upscale crowd than to students. It is more expensive at $12-$30 per dish, but it is a sit-down restaurant rather than a buffet and serves traditional Japanese dishes in addition to sushi. Mikuni also has outdoor seating and a bar with happy hour.

Photo Credit: http://bit.ly/1t2wkm4

500 1^st St, Suite 11; (530) 756-2111; www.mikunisushi.com

Lunch: Mon-Thu 11:30am-2pm, Fri-Sun 11:30am-4pm

Dinner: Mon-Thu 4:30-9:30pm, Fri-Sat 4-10pm, Sun 4-9pm

Zen Toro Japanese Bistro and Sushi Bar ~ This is the most popular sit-down Japanese restaurant in Davis, and with good reason. Like Mikuni, it attracts a more adult crowd. Prices range $12-$25 for dinner, but the portions are generous and the food quality excellent. Zen Toro has a quaint location in Mansion Square in the heart of downtown and boasts a stylish, modern interior. A reservation is recommended, especially for dinner on weekends.

132 E St, #1A; (530) 753-0154; www.zentorosushi.com

Lunch: Mon - Fri 11:30 am-2pm

Dinner: Mon - Thu 5:30-9pm, Fri-Sat 5:30-10pm

Jusco ~ This is a small family-owned restaurant in downtown that offers made-to-order sushi rolls and a large menu as well as a buffet. The price range is reasonable at about $11-$20. Jusco is low-key, has an unimposing façade and is rarely crowded, giving it an undiscovered feel.

228 G St; (530) 750-2869

Lunch 11am-3pm

Dinner 4:45-10pm

Moshi Moshi

A small establishment in South Davis, Moshi Moshi offers sushi and traditional Japanese dishes in the $12-$20 range. Its location outside of downtown means it is relatively quiet, but it’s popular with local residents on the weekends. Service is friendly and efficient and the food is generously portioned.

2120 Cowell Blvd; (530) 758-8889

Lunch: Mon - Fri 11am-4pm, Sat 2-3pm

Dinner: Mon - Thu 4-9pm, Fri 4-10pm, Sat 3-10pm

Photo Credit: http://bit.ly/1wlB2xE

Sushi Unlimited ~ Like Mikuni, Sushi Unlimited is also part of a Northern California chain. It offers a large menu including sushi rolls, nigiri, and a variety of traditional Japanese dishes. Its location in North Davis well away from downtown makes this a very quiet restaurant that is almost never crowded. It offers dine-in and takeout options and is a sit-down restaurant, not a buffet.

620 W Covell Blvd # B; (530) 758-4560; www.sushiunlimited.net

Mon-Thu 11am-9:30pm

Fri-Sat 11am-10pm

Sun 11am-9pm

Enju ~ A new sushi restaurant in Davis, Enju offers a more traditional menu with a fusion influence in the $9-$18 range, making it popular with students. The service is excellent and the waiters friendly and attentive.

305 1^st St; (530) 746-2326

Sun-Thu 11am-9:30pm

Fri-Sat 11am-11:30pm

Oshio Café ~ Oshio is a small café located right next to the UC Davis campus, making it very popular with students. It offers a Japanese/Korean mix of dishes mostly less than $10 for the budget crowd.

Photo Credit: http://bit.ly/1q7sQv0

207 3^rd St; (530) 750-5012

Mon-Sat 10:30am-9:30pm

Nami Sushi ~ Nami just opened and is located outside of downtown, making it less crowded than some of the other popular sushi restaurants. It offers a polished, traditionally decorated interior with a full menu, made-to-order sushi, and a bar. Lunch is $13 and dinner is $18 for all-you-can-eat sushi.

2880 5th St, Suite 105; (916) 999-1113

Lunch: Mon - Fri 11am-2:30pm, Sat - Sun 12-3pm

Dinner: Mon - Fri 4:30-9pm, Sat 5-9:30pm, Sun 5-9pm

Woodland

Jinju Sushi ~ A pleasant atmosphere and great quality food makes this a very popular restaurant. There is a bar and sit-down options, with friendly service and prompt food delivery. The price range is reasonable at $10-$20 per dish. This is one of the most highly praised sushi restaurants in Yolo County so make a reservation if you’re planning on going for dinner, especially on the weekend!

467 Pioneer Ave; (530) 666-7575; www.jinjusushi.com

Sun – Thu 11am – 9pm, Fri – Sat 11am – 10pm

Photo Credit: http://bit.ly/1t2xBd7

Osaka Sushi ~ Osaka is located in historic downtown Woodland and offers sushi and traditional Japanese dinners in a sit-down setting instead of a buffet. The cost range is $10-$30, making it slightly more expensive than other options. It has locations in Sacramento as well.

608 Main St; (530) 668-6288; www.osakasushi.com

Lunch: Mon - Sat 11:30am-2pm

Dinner: Mon - Sat 5-9pm

Run Away: Experience Davis on Foot

Stroll through downtown Davis or one of the city’s tranquil greenbelts and you are bound to encounter a runner. As ubiquitous as cyclists in this agricultural university town, it is no surprise that so many fitness enthusiasts head outside to exercise here. Davis is perfectly designed for a runner, be it a casual recreational weekend jogger or a serious marathoner. Its smooth, flat greenbelts and dirt farm roads beckon you to lace up and hit the path.

Running on one of Davis' many greenbelt paths

Photo Credit: Baxter Personal Collection

Not surprisingly, there is a healthy community of runners of all ages, abilities, and experience levels in Davis. The local running hub is the centrally-located Fleet Feet running store on 2^nd street, which hosts the Golden Valley Harriers running club. Members meet at the store three times a week for runs ranging in speed and distance. If group running isn’t your thing, then simply stop by the store to check out the selection of products and to speak with the friendly staff, which can help you with all and any running needs.

Head out to the city’s 50 miles of greenbelts and you’ll see the Golden Valley Harriers, high school cross country runners, and recreational joggers training for one of Davis’ numerous races. Most of these are organized by the local A Change of Pace Foundation, which has been directing top-notch races for over 30 years and offers events varying in length from 5K to half-marathon throughout the year. These include the Davis Stampede, the Davis Turkey Trot, and the popular Labor Day races.

                                                                                  The Davis Turkey Trot, a local favorite

                                                                                      Photo credit: A Change of Pace Foundation

If racing isn’t your thing, then there are plenty of opportunities for a leisurely run through the city’s charming streets and bike paths. For a scenic tour of Davis, try running a part (or all) of the Davis Bike Loop, a 12-mile route that showcases the best of the city. You’ll travel through the beautiful arboretum on the UC Davis campus, the leafy neighborhoods and community gardens in Village Homes, North Davis’ extensive network of greenbelts, and along the secluded Putah Creek path in South Davis. There is no better way to experience the city!

                                                                                         Davis Bike Loop street markings

                                                                                              Photo credit: davishomes2sell.com

For those looking to get away from it all, look to the outskirts of Davis to find dirt and gravel running paths into the surrounding agricultural fields. A popular route begins near Village Homes in West Davis, where the photogenic Olive Tree Lane takes runners and pedestrians to the tiny Yolo County airport and into the country beyond. Enjoy views of the coastal mountain range to the west as you make your way past the UC Davis agricultural extension buildings and to a levee that runs parallel to Putah Creek. From there, enjoy “Narnia”, Davis’ only single-track trail hugging the edge of the levee.

                                                                                      The beautiful Olive Tree Lane

                                                                                       Photo credit: BlueOakPhotos, flickr.com

After exerting yourself out on a run, stop by downtown Davis to refresh yourself at the various cafes and restaurants that line the tidy streets. Grab a coffee and a pastry at the popular Mishka’s Café or head to Pluto’s for a healthy salad or sandwich. For those looking to indulge, Burgers and Brew boasts the best burgers in town; alternatively, try Woodstock’s or Steve’s for mouth-watering pizza. Kick back, relax, and be confident that Davis will give you the best running experience you’ve ever had!