Denair to Davis train

Denair is a small town between Modesto and Merced on the Amtrak San Joaquins route. Many of the restaurants, shops, and amenities are in the neighboring town of Turlock, and you won't find chain restaurants in this quiet, friendly community. Instead, you can find local favorites like Riveras Crazy Snacks, Denair Donuts, and the El Jidalguense taco truck when hunger strikes.

Plus, since you're in the agricultural embrace of central California, there is no shortage of foodie experiences in the area around Denair and Turlock. Bring an appetite to Resendiz Family Fruit Barn, where you can sample fresh fruit, baked goods, and to-die-for smoothies. Meet the local chicks at Hen and Harvest Farm, open in Turlock on Sundays.

There is also plenty of outdoor adventure in Stanislaus County. Turlock Lake State Recreation Area is just one of central California's gorgeous spots to go boating or camping. A little further west, you'll find Don Pedro Lake in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas.

Thanks to the San Joaquins trains that stop in Denair each day, it's easy to reach the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, or Bakersfield within a few hours. Plus, it's a straight shot on the train from Denair to Merced, one of the main gateways to Yosemite National Park. Although Denair does not have intercity bus service, Greyhound runs several routes to its neighbor, Turlock.

Davis, located west of Sacramento in California, is famous for its small-town charm, green spaces, and bike-friendliness. Bring your bike to enjoy 50 miles of bicycle paths packed into the city, and pedal just about anywhere – including to the US Bicycling Hall of Fame, complete with antique bikes and trophies. Or, if you’d prefer to stay on your own two feet, talk a walk through any of the 399 acres of park land with picnic spots and sports fields. Swing by Central Park on Wednesdays and Saturdays to bag some fresh fruit and veggies at the Davis Farmers Market.

The event of the year is the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, held in mid-April at Sudwerk Brewery. This hanami-inspired event celebrates Japanese and Asian culture with live music, local artist galleries, seasonal beer, and cultural activities like mochi pounding. The best part? The whole event is a fundraiser, usually supporting one or more charities.

Other unique attractions in Davis include the California Raptor Center, an educational and research facility, and the UC Davis Arboretum, botanical garden and research center. Pick your own boysenberries, blackberries, and cherries at Impossible Acres, just east of town. The Explorit Science Center is an interactive science museum perfect for hands-on kiddos– and adults.

For food and entertainment, visit Roots Of Happiness, a coffee and tea lounge with karaoke and a piano. Check out Putah Creek Winery to learn about (and taste) a variety of different wines. The Artery is the perfect place to find decor, gifts, jewelry and more all while supporting local artists in Davis.

Amtrak Station is the central train station in Davis, and trains connect to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, and Seattle. There are three main bus stops across the city with service from Flixbus and Amtrak Thruway, including popular routes from Sacramento – making it easy to get to the nearest airport, the Sacramento International Airport.