Wine College at University of California, Davis

I love to visit college campuses.  If I’m traveling, and there’s one nearby, it’s a pretty sure bet that I’ll stop by, walk the campus, look a the architecture, talk to a few students about what’s fun to do in the neighborhood, and maybe even stop off at the bookstore to pick up a t-shirt or sweatshirt.  If you’re looking for a cheap meal, you can usually find on one, or in the vicinity of, a college campus, and someone will be able to tell you where the best happy hour or cheap beer can be found.

On a recent trip for some wine tasting, I flew into Sacramento, rented a car, and drove to Napa.  En route I saw signs for UC Davis (University of California at Davis map), and on the return trip, I had to take a brief foray off the freeway to check out the campus.

Mondavi Center, University of California Davis

UC Davis is one of the ten campuses in the University of California system, and was established in 1905 as the University Farm.  It ,was originally an extension campus of UC Berkeley, and as you might guess from the name, focused on hands-on agriculture subjects and granted farming degrees.  Finally, in 1959, it became a full university campus in its own right.

Looking around the campus, it’s clear that the university has stayed true to its roots, and you’ll find farms, livestock, and agriculture related buildings (equestrian center, dairy, meat-processing plant, etc.) around the campus. The university boasts impressive Agricultural and Resource Economics programs and a large Department of Animals Sciences. While drinking may be discouraged at most campuses around the US, at UC Davis wine is part of the curriculum.  The university has a Department of Viticulture and Enology (the scientific study of grape-growing and winemaking), and you’ll find vines growing alongside the drive in to the campus.

Before you start thinking of this college as merely a “cow college,” it also boasts an impressive Graduate School of Business, School of Medicine and School of Law, among it’s other academic programs.  If it’s business and management experience you’re looking for, consider this – the Associated Students of  UC Davis (the student body association) has an operating budget in excess of 10 million dollars, and operate a number of businesses, including a bus system and a coffee shop.  And yes, that’s right, MILLION!  Getting involved in student government here will make for some impressive experience for your just-out-of-college resume.

I didn’t have a long time to spend on campus, but it gave me a wonderful taste of what life must be like at UC Davis.

Do you visit college campuses?  Have a favorite?

Photo credit: Mary Jo Manzanares

Related places:

1. A
   Mondavi Center

   View Details and Book