Whether it’s a Wednesday night out after a final or a three-day weekend, Davis has many bars that are popular among students. G Street Wunderbar is one of the most notable, with the Wednesday night event “Funk Night” being a pinnacle Davis tradition for many legal drinkers. Since it opened on October 24, 2011, it has reportedly become one of the most well-known bars to visit in Davis.

Nicole Chin, a fourth year psychology major, thinks the G Street Wunderbar is not only a great place to dance, have fun and drink, but also a place with great food. The Smokin’ Ewe BBQ restaurant contains a lot of burgers, fries, wings and sandwiches.

“I like to go to the Wunderbar for the entertainment, especially to see people do karaoke,” Chin said, “But I always like to see what kinds of foods each bar has because I think it makes them kind of unique. The Wunderbar definitely has some bomb food.”

Regille Rodriguez, a fourth year design major, remembers the first memory she had at the G Street Wunderbar, “I actually didn’t go to the Wunderbar for a while after I had turned 21 because I just didn’t know much about it. When I actually went a couple months after, it ended up being a lot of fun and I even learned how to play pool properly there.”

With a relaxed yet fun atmosphere, the G Street Wunderbar has provided many UC Davis students with memorable moments.

“I definitely recommend going if it’s your first time. Everyone is nice and it’s a different environment compared to other places in Davis. One of the things that I like about it is how spacious it is, so you can have fun but also have time to chill if you need it,” Chin said.

Written by: Sierra Burgueno — features@theaggie.org

The post Best of Davis: Bar appeared first on The Aggie.

A college campus is incomplete without a great library. Most libraries, while mostly used to house books, fulfill another purpose instead; being a comfortable, quiet and reliable space for people to study. Peter J. Shields Library at UC Davis is no different. With many different rooms and areas to fit everyone’s needs, it is no wonder why it was voted by UC Davis students as the best place on campus to study.

Second-year computer science and engineering major Sophie Bolotin agreed with this finding but also provided a differing opinion.

“I think Shields is the best study spot when I need silence, but I study in other places when I need some sound in the background,” Bolotin said. She also added that when she does study there, she prefers the third floor.

This is a common thought also expressed by second-year neurological, physiology and biology major Valerie Betsis.

“I enjoy studying on the third floor where it is more quiet and separated from others, allowing me to focus better,” stated Betsis.

First-year English and political science major Yuri Yi further spoke about this feeling.

“I do like the library as a study spot. It is quiet and the little cubicles allow me to fixate on my work and not deviate too much,” Yi said.

WRITTEN BY: ISABELLA BERISTAIN — features@theaggie.org

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Clinking with ice in the back of a crowded lecture, the Hydro Flask makes its presence known. You turn to see a student with a sideways Farmers Market hat, Birkenstocks and an old Aggie Pack shirt with holes in the armpits (it’s from 2015). These are all iconically Davis fashion pieces, but held up high in the gleam of the fluorescent lights is the queen of college town fashion: the Hydro Flask with stickers and a couple of dents (you know, from when it was dropped in the middle an intimate lecture and slammed into a desk).

Hydro Flasks are becoming more accessible than ever for Davis students. They’re sold in the campus bookstore and they continue to come out with new colors. Anything from a soft lilac to a vivacious rainbow ombre can be found with the help of the Internet, and students take the opportunity to customize their hydration to say something about themselves constantly.

“[My Hydroflask tells everyone] that I still love vine a lil’ too much,” said third-year animal science major Camille Larsen. Her water bottle is plastered in stickers referencing jokes from the app of six-second-long comedic videos that famously shut down and disappeared from the world in 2017.

Many students see their Hydro Flasks as a canvas for their own self-expression. Some have inspirational quotes, stickers from different campus clubs, souvenirs from trips to national parks or famous landmarks or just images they found pretty, like a flower or unique design.

Larsen believes the reason that Hydro Flasks are the most popular water bottle in comparison to other brands like Klean Kanteen stems from the fact that they’re everywhere.

“I think they’re a thing across like all college campuses,” Larsen said. “Everyone wants that specific brand just because they’ve heard so much about them and seen them everywhere. It’s the ‘popular brand’ nowadays.”

Hydro Flask advertises its water bottles to have a “unique combination of temperature, taste, and transport.” On this same page, they profess TempShield double-wall insulation, stainless steel that won’t retain or transfer flavor and a powder coat for easy holding. A lot of students cite the longwear and durability of these bottles as attractive features that make it worth the investment.

When asked what stickers and dents she’d have if she were a Hydro Flask, Larsen had her answer in her back pocket.

“I would definitely have both dents and stickers because we like to play it fast and loose in life,” Larsen said. “Honestly, I’d probably be covered in Bigfoot stickers.”

Written by: Olivia Luchini —features@theaggie.org

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Early last November, Davis was hit with a gust of smoke that originated from Camp Fire in Butte County. For almost two weeks, the air quality index of the surrounding cities of Butte County had been deemed “unhealthy” by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The smoke had reached Davis right around the time the dreaded season of midterms crept its way in, sending students into a frenzy because of the health concerns of being on campus during this time.

Each morning students would lay in their beds checking the air quality index and praying for an early Thanksgiving break. As a result, the students of UC Davis banned together and created numerous memes regarding the fires. This year, the student body voted for “save the Tercero cows” as the featured meme of the year, with a N95 mask covering the nose of and iconic Davis cow.

Second year NPB major, Haris Terovic, prides himself as being an active member on the UC Davis Meme of Egghead Teens on Facebook. Terovic described what he think makes a meme.

“A meme is basically a startical image that makes a joke out of ironic or relatable events or moments,” Terovic said. “It could also be a funny picture that portrays a reaction or mood. I think irony is what makes a meme funny and more relatable.”

Terovic explained why “save the Tercero cows” was voted best meme.

“The Tercero cows are almost another mascot of Davis and has always been a fairly popular subject in Davis memes,” Terovic said. “When the fires happened, access to clean air was a concern and making a meme of masks for cows was an ironic way of bringing up a serious issue in a joking manner. In a way this meme was used almost as a funny way to bring up a real issue to a wider audience.”

Written by: Sneha Ramachandran — features@theaggie.org

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Taking a nap in the arboretum takes some effort. Walking 20 minutes to the far west end of the arboretum where patches of grass are shaded by Oak Grove is not always convenient. Biking down past the students taking pictures of ducklings to the redwood forest takes a bit of time. However, sometimes a bit of extra effort pays off.

The Arboretum is perhaps the most unique part of the UC Davis. Most of the campus is comprised of uniform concrete buildings and sterile modern structures that can be found at most American universities. The slow-moving waterway sits in refreshing opposition. The Arboretum is a quirky combination of different types of parks. Some parts of it are beautifully landscaped with native plants, reminiscent of the zero-scaped, drought-tolerant modern parks common in California. The Arboretum’s man-made lakes and large lawns are more reminiscent of the urban parks in the center of big American cities like Echo Park in Los Angeles and Boston Common.

All throughout the Arboretum you can find people sleeping on benches, in hammocks and on the grass. Students chose the waterway for all the obvious reasons. Senior Austin Decker said he liked to nap there because of the serenity.

Anjuli Kapila, a third year music major, chose the Arboretum for its temperature.

“It’s warm and there are nice sounds” Kapila said.

There are plenty of more convenient places to take a nap. The back row of a calculus class or the comfortable chairs in the Memorial Union will do just fine. Often students at UC Davis take the sleep they can get. Walking to the Arboretum seems like an exorbitant waste of time for something you can do almost anywhere, but is that really the best way to think about a quality sleep session?

At the beginning of this year, I was sleeping in the basement of Shields Library in between math problems when a tour group walked by. I woke up and realized that parents were excitedly taking pictures of me sleeping, seemingly celebrating sleep deprivation. After all, it is usually representative of productivity and hard work, an expectation in college.

Walking to the Arboretum for a nap is a small rejection of this idea. It is a deliberate action to increase the quality of sleep. Yes, it might lead to a shortened nap, but it will be a better nap. Somedays the grass in the central quad is just a little too close to Wellman Hall; the aroma of education, of integrals and prepositions is a bit too strong. Taking a short walk, laying down in the grass, listening to the ducklings and watching the clouds pass by overhead as you drift off to sleep is a luxury that many college students don’t take advantage of enough. Yet those who are able to take a nap in the arboretum know the great benefits it provides. That is why the Arboretum is the winner of the best nap spot Best of Davis 2019.

Written by: Peter Smith— science@theaggie.org

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Given Davis’ agricultural background, it’s no surprise that Davis Farmers Market attracts a lot of attention from the surrounding community. Davis Farmers Market opens to the public Saturday mornings and Wednesday late afternoons until sunset, regardless of weather conditions. Yet in addition to serving as a hub for fresh produce and local cuisines, Davis Farmers Market provides another prospect: a prime date spot.

Couples of all ages can be seen walking around Davis browsing the stands and enjoying The Hotdogger’s Chili Dogs while listening to live musical performances. First year managerial economics major Jasmine Cheng believes that these performances make the experience much more enjoyable, as it contributes to the liveliness of the atmosphere. Cheng explained that she chooses this location as a date spot when she wants to sit on the grass and feel surrounded by others.

“The atmosphere of the farmer’s market is very relaxed and laid-back,” Cheng said. “It gives a homey and nostalgic feeling.”

This welcoming atmosphere attracts many college students. Second year design major Paige Talle comes to Davis Farmers Market every other week in order to buy locally made peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. Her boyfriend, Cade Keegan, a second year astrophysics major studying at Princeton University, vouched for her, stating that these were the most amazing things he’s ever eaten. He also described the apple cider as fantastically delicious.

Every time he comes to Davis, he said he comes to the farmers market and has found Wednesday nights to be crowded and lively. He recommends having cash on hand and walking around to support local businesses.

Ryanne Green, a senior from Woodland High School, loves coming to the farmers market on Wednesday nights.  

“I would say it’s probably the best date spot,” Green said. “I would bring anyone here. But only if I like them a lot.”

Green came to the Farmers Market with Woodland HS senior Abel Preciado, who had never been to the event. They sat on a blanket on the field while enjoying dishes from Montoya’s Tamales.

“There’s a lot of people out and there’s a really nice vibe going on,” Preciado said. “Positive. Lively. Very lively.”

Aside from the exploring the different food stands, Green enjoys watching the dogs, as flurries of fur can be seen dashing in and out chasing after frisbees. One of her favorite things to do is look for the cutest dog at the event.

Preciado added that it is important to take allergy medicine before coming to the farmers market. Green also recommended bringing a blanket to sit on, especially if you are allergic to grass.

What seems to be most appealing to students and Davis residents is how community-centered the Davis Farmers Market is.

“Especially for someone who’s not from around here I think it’s a really cool community gathering,” Preciado said. “It really makes it feel like the town really comes together around this event, and it’s a very comfortable space to be in and interact with people, so from an outsider’s perspective I think it’s a very unique, cool thing that you guys have going here.”

Written by: Michelle Wong — science@theaggie.org

The post Best Date Spot: Farmer’s Market appeared first on The Aggie.

It’s 2 a.m. You’ve been eating salad all day and you’re lying awake in bed thinking about spread, grilled onions and American cheese. You have been trying to eat healthy, but In-n-Out calls. Next thing you know you’re in the drive-thru, burger in hand, happy.

In-n-Out has been widely acclaimed for its quality food combinations, classic menu and affordable prices; therefore, it comes as no shock that it has been named best late night snack in Davis. The Davis community, especially students, rely heavily on double-doubles and animal fries to get them through stressful times and satisfy their late night cravings.

Fourth-year sociology major Justin Kern — whose In-n-Out order is a triple-triple with pickles, grilled onions and a side of animal fries — feels In-n-Out is set apart from other late night fast food restaurants due to the higher quality experience.

“What makes In-n-Out better than a lot of other places is its consistency, friendly staff and quality of food,” Kern said.

The famous fast food restaurant has also caught widespread online attention due to its signature look. The simple yet visually pleasing packaging has made it a staple on the Instagram feeds of many — there is nothing a millennial loves more than a burger, a solid aesthetic and a great photo-op.

“I think the reason so many people love In-n-Out is its overall look and aesthetic,” Kern said.

Third-year cognitive science major Daniel De la Calle — whose order is a triple-triple protein-style with extra spread — has turned to In-n-Out in times of need. He feels comforted by the always reliable food as it brings back some of his most cherished late night memories and most shameful cheat meals.

“In-n-Out had been there for me when others haven’t, late at night, after prom,” De la Calle said. “It’s my dirty food.”

De la Calle believes In-n-Out is so popular amongst college students because it is one of the few places with decent food that is open later at night.

“They make a good midnight snack because there are not a lot of options out there that are open late,” De la Calle said. “In-n-out is better and healthier than many other fast food places.”

Second-year global disease biology major Tishtar Daruwalla — whose order is two hamburgers with grilled onions and regular fries — has been going to In-n-Out since she was a little kid. As a California native, In-n-Out has always been a staple in her life, accounting for some of her favorite food-related memories.

“Growing up as a kid in California, In-n-Out is your life sustenance,” Daruwalla said. “One time after a concert I forgot to bring my lactaid pills, and I cried because I wanted an In-n-out milkshake so bad.”

Now, as a college student, Daruwalla has a new-found appreciation for the affordability of In-n-Out’s food and believes this is the reason it is so popular amongst the student population.

“As college students we spend so much money on our education and other outside expenses that we really need to keep our budget tight, especially with food,” Daruwalla said. “When you’re really craving that late night snack and the grocery store isn’t open, you can always go to In-n-Out and get a burger for $3.50.”

Kern feels that while juggling many responsibilities and commitments, the convenience and cost of eating at In-n-Out relieves some of the pressures associated with collegiate life.

“The price and quality of food is unparalleled for college students who need something on the go,” Kern said.

Consistency is key with any popular food item and the harmony of flavors which In-n-Out achieves never fails to impress. While its menu is limited, the famous flavor patterns make it stand out.

“In-n-out is the best because of the combination of flavors. I don’t really see that thousand islands inspired flavor at any other fast food restaurants,” De la Calle said. “I also love how juicy everything is.”

The best food places have not only maintained their status on the basis of quality of flavor, but on quality of experience. In-n-out is no exception. The red-cushioned benches are always lined with smiling faces and the positive atmosphere is unparalleled. Because the In-n-Out in Davis borders the university, it has become a central part of Davis restaurant culture and is always a place to see a friendly, familiar face.

“I think it really brings people together,” Daruwalla said. “The Davis In-n-Out is always packed with students so anytime I go there in the middle of the night I know I will see a friend or two.”

Written by: Miki Wayne –– features@theaggie.org

The post Best of Davis: Late Night Snack appeared first on The Aggie.

Walking into the Philz in Downtown Davis, you’re immediately hit with the subtle smell of fresh coffee. This location opens at 6 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m. everyday, and throughout the day (as early as 8 a.m.) tables are packed. Most of these people have laptops and appear to be working, but there are a few people in serious discussions and others reading the newspaper or a magazine. There are even some who look like they’re on an awkward first date. They mostly appear to be students, but sometimes older people or young families walk in — they tend to stay for less time than the people intently working. Around the coffee shop, there are armchairs, sofas and a coffee bar, in addition to the many tables. The low strains of conversation are overpowered by the beats of contemporary R&B music from artists like Daniel Caesar, Frank Ocean and H.E.R.  

Philz Coffee was founded by Phil Jaber, who, according to the Philz website, wanted to “create a blend that was flavorful, complex, rich, smooth and low in acidity.” In pursuing this goal, Jaber traveled around the world and visited thousands of coffee shops. The first Philz opened in 2002 in the Mission district of San Francisco, starting its trend of personalized coffee. In 2005, Jaber’s son Jacob Jaber took over and became its CEO, leading expansion of the company, and Philz locations can now be found all over California as well as in Chicago and Washington D.C.

Paying attention to the little details of Philz makes it easy to realize how quintessentially Davis it is — with a bike and bike wheels prominently displayed on the walls along the E St. side and a wooden peg board with jars of spices, like cinnamon and cloves, sitting atop shelves on the opposite side of the shop. Along the coffee bar where baristas take orders, there are pride flags as well as stickers for sale that will benefit the Orphan Kitten Project. If a customer uses their own mug, they can get up to 24 ounces for the price of a small and there are mugs everywhere, so regular customers can leave one and use it when they go in.

“Our team personally changed [a lot of the decor],” said fourth-year landscape architecture major and Philz barista Hayley Chung. “It’s fun as a design student to get to do some stuff here and put some things up. Philz has a design team, and they try to get the essence of a place, so if you go to a different Philz anywhere else, it’s going to be a completely different aesthetic.”

There is a sign near the register that says that they have teamed up with local bakeries to “bring you the best.” They boast freshly made-to-order food and “wholesome (and delicious)” ingredients.

“We try to keep everything as local as possible,” Chung said. “It makes it fresher and also cheaper in terms of transportation costs and how much we’re impacting the environment. Most of these bakeries are Sacramento local bakeries […] it’s nice to keep it around here.”

According to Chung, about half of the baristas are students at UC Davis, and because of that and the age of people who generally come in, she’d describe the vibe as “young.”

“It’s laid-back, everyone who works here is pretty young,” Chung said. “I feel like we relate to our customers more, because we know [them] from classes and such.”

“If [Philz] were on campus, I’d be there all the time.” said first-year biological sciences major Anuprit Gill. “It’s a little bit of a bike, so I go at least every weekend. It’s the perfect place to study, because for me personally, I can’t sit in a dead-silent place. I can’t go to the library because there’s tension in the air. At Philz, there’s always music in the background [and] chatter. It’s just a nice vibe.”

Gill’s regular order is the iced Philtered Soul, sweet and creamy, and it’s her favorite because of its hazelnut flavor and because she finds it to be “refreshing” year round. Gill first tried Philz in Davis, because there wasn’t one where she grew up, and she strongly believes that Philz has the best coffee and is the best coffeehouse in Davis.

“Something about Philz, it’s just filled with love,” Gill said. “It feels like [that because] it’s hand-made. They make it in front of you. The vibe is [such that] you can go study there [or] just chill.”

Chung shared why she thinks that Philz is considered to be the best of Davis.

“I think Philz allows you to customize your coffee a lot more than other places do,” Chung said. “I think it has a younger feel than the other coffee shops. It has the convenience of a bigger chain, but it feels more Davis.”

Drinks at Philz can be ordered with differing sweetness and creaminess, and of all of the combinations, the Mint Mojito, sweet and creamy, and iced Philtered Soul, sweet and creamy, are the two most popular.

“Learning how to become a Philz customer is kind of intimidating, but we’re here to help people and it’s our whole job to do that,” Chung said. “So don’t be intimidated!”

Written by: Anjini Venugopal — features@theaggie.org  

The post Best of Davis: Coffee appeared first on The Aggie.

Behind the Tercero first-year dorms, groups of dairy cows rest in the sun, watching as curious students bike along or pause for a short visit. UC Davis has several homes for cows across campus, leaving each group of cows with their own unique experiences to share with students.

Aside from the Tercero dorms, students can find over 300 UC Davis cows at the UC Davis Dairy Teaching and Research Facility, the UC Davis Beef Barn, range facilities in Folsom and Vacaville, the University of California Reserve Putah Creek Restoration site, Browns Valley and the Sierra Foothills Research and Extension Center. At each facility, UC Davis students are the problem-solvers, critical thinkers and researchers, learning real-world world applications to start their own careers.

“We have these facilities to solve problems, our students can apply their education and knowledge from their classes from birth to production,” said Donald Harper, the animal resource manager at the UC Davis Animal Science Beef Barn. “It’s rewarding to see their light bulbs go off. Most of our students come from an urban area, when we first meet them they come with tunnel vision, but then their vision becomes full view, like a panoramic. They become independent and proud of their success and accomplishments because they can see the full view and understand it.”

The Dairy Teaching and Research Facility teaches students to manage cow and calves, offering vaccinations for dry cows and cows that are close to having calves, sterilizing calf environments and caring for sick cows with gut microbiome imbalances.

“At the dairy farm, we’re not just treating a cow to survive, we’re also treating them to produce calves and milk,” said Sara Baker, a fourth-year animal science major and student herd manager at the UC Davis Dairy Teaching and Research Facility. “We are also looking at what factors into these decisions to maximize animal welfare.”

When Baker was growing up, she did not have agricultural experience. By taking a course in the ANS 49 series, she spent three hours a week working with fresh and sick cattle, realizing how much she could learn at the dairy farm. She hopes to become a veterinarian who thinks about both production and veterinary needs in order to create practical ideas that can be implemented for food production animals.

Students can watch newborn calves grew up, applying ideas from their classes to new lives. When calves are born, they are born without any adaptive immunity. Students can then help the calves learn how to drink from a bottle, building up their immunity with their first milk in sterilized environments.

“It’s a great feeling to teach them how to survive,” Baker said. “When you cradle a calf, they like to suck on your finger. The goal is to get them to suckle on the bottle. Sometimes, they’re not interested in the nipple on the bottle. One time, I was there for 45 minutes feeding a calf and I had class right after, I had to remind myself that there are other people who can also help support the calves.”

The UC Davis cows support local areas just by grazing.

Last year, Vacaville burned during the Solano Country fire. Groups of UC Davis cows come out to graze on the Vacaville open rangelands, preventing the spread of wildfires. Although the Solano County fire burned 25% of the range, the damage could have been more severe without the cows.

When cows dry graze, they prevent grass from spreading fires to trees. Even after the wildfire had passed, native wildlife seeds were grounded, ready to grow back and bring new life.

The UC Davis cows offer a similar effect with the UC Reserve’s Putah Creek Restoration efforts. Every spring, the cattle are brought to restore native species, like oak trees, in the area.

Although cattle are notoriously associated with high methane emissions contributing to climate change, California cattle industries are placing their hopes of reducing greenhouse emissions with new technologies produced with UC Davis’ cows.

“In 2014, the state of California mandated that cattle industries lower methane emissions by 40%, there was no way to do it, so they turn to universities to find solutions,” said Braden Wong, a fourth-year animal science major.

The UC Davis Animal Nutrition and Environmental Modeling Applications Laboratory investigates ways to lower methane emissions with seaweed. Certain species of seaweed have been shown to lower methane emissions by working in their digestive pathways.

Student researchers come by the UC Davis Beef Barn twice a day, during the early morning and early evening, mixing up seaweed feed.

Cows can be picky eaters too. They hate seaweed, and refuse to eat it when they spot large clumps of it in their food.

“We take ground up seaweed, alfalfa silage and mix it with molasses because cows love molasses and it gets rid of the seaweed smell,” said Anna Wilson, a second-year animal science major. “We analyze their feed samples, refusals or leftovers, fecal samples, ruminal fluid [fluid within a cow’s stomach carrying gut microbiota] and capture 24 hours of their gas emissions once a week.”

Each week, students budget time with their classes and lives, choosing to spend the rest with the cows.

“The evenings go by pretty quick,” said Cynthia Martinez, a fourth-year animal science major. “They’re part of our routine, our normal.”

These cows have been part of the study since they were nine months old, moving towards the second phase of their production life. UC Davis cows live through three phases. In the first phase, they are born, navigating their development as calves. The cows grow during the second phase, often near the freeway, grazing to significantly gain weight. In their third phase, they continue to gain weight, nearing food production.

The methane emissions research study investigates the cows during their third phase with preliminary findings showing approximately 60% of methane emissions reduced. Towards the end of the summer, UC Davis researchers hope to investigate how seaweed consumption impacts meat quality and internal systems.

“This experience amplifies what you have been learning in classes,” said Daisy Castro, a fourth-year animal science major. “You don’t retain a lot from a slide, but here you learn there is a lot of more work in research because a lot of changes could happen.”

Students from both animal science and non-majors can build experience in navigating memorable and unpredictable cattle behaviors at each site through the ANS 49 series.

“We have lab and discussion, where we talk about how productions work,” said Viviana Escobar, a second-year animal science major. “It opens up new windows by coming out here. It’s different than being in class and it’s important to get hands-on experience.”

Written by: Foxy Robinson — science@theaggie.org

The post MOOving the “best animal on campus” vote appeared first on The Aggie.

Golden light shines through the tree canopies, grazing the tops of bikers’ heads as they head home from class, bouncing off the hammocks and right onto the beaming soon-to-be graduated student, decked out in her navy blue and gold stole and white dress. Anytime between 4:30 p.m. and sundown, during “golden-hour,” many awaiting Aggie-Alumni stand on West Quad Ave, right in front of Wellman, taking pictures. Students voted “The Promenade” as the best place to take graduation pictures.

“It’s an iconic spot on campus with a beautiful scene,” said UC Davis 2016 graduate Ed Ju, who earned a major in managerial economics and has been a graduation photographer for five years. “The canopy of trees seem to hug you from above and make you feel at home.”

According to fourth-year textiles and clothing major, Isabella Sun, who recently took graduation pictures with Ju, she got good standing shots on “The Promenade.”

“I think the trees overlap each other nicely and when it’s ‘golden hour,’ you get good sun in that area,” Sun said.

“The Promenade” is an iconic place in Davis and is a good representation of the trees and lushness that people love about the campus, according to UC Davis 2016 graduate Marisa Morton, who earned a major in design, and also is a graduation photographer. The location evokes many memories for students as it is a common place to walk or bike through.

“For a lot of students, this place really captures the essence of Davis,” Ju said. “You’ve got the bikers, the trees, the classrooms. It’s a walkway down memory lane.”

Additionally, according to Morton, when people see others taking graduation pictures on this street, it makes more students want to take pictures there too. However, the street is pretty busy and this coupled with its popularity make private photo shoots difficult.

“Luckily, with just the perspective of the street, if you are far enough back from [the other people taking pictures], you can fit that entire group behind someone’s head,” Morton said. “My biggest issue is when there’s a dump truck or vehicles parked on that street. Sometimes you can just move to the other side of it, it just depends on the issue.”

Even though West Quad Ave is a popular place to take pictures, students take pictures on other spots on campus as well. Other streets, like Hutchinson Drive near the library, the Silo or Storer Mall near the Science Lab Building, are good places to take pictures according to Morton. Also the Arboretum, especially the west side near the fields and the big Oak trees, is a nice place to get shots.

“[The best to take pictures] depends on what defines you as a UC Davis student and where you want to take photos,” Sun said.

According to Sun, she likes pictures taken outside of Mrak Hall with the Egghead sculpture or by the UC Davis brick wall sign on East Field.

“I’m surprised the most popular spot was not voted the UC Davis sign,” Morton said. “It’s not the best spot, but it does have the word UC Davis written. It’s the perfect spot for lighting because the sun comes from behind.”

To get pictures taken at the UC Davis brick wall, there can be up to a two or three hour wait, according to Morton. There is always a line, so Morton usually tells people to get pictures in this place at another time or just skip the spot.

“To me, the best place isn’t always the most popular,” Ju said. “The best place could be an abandoned corner or a random field. The best place to me would be the place that you spent meaningful time with meaningful people.”

According to Morton, one reason students take graduation pictures is to boost their self perception of themselves and give them confidence in their next chapter of life.

“I take pictures of a lot of women mostly,” Morton said. “I can’t speak to everyone’s experiences, but having a photoshoot can be really good for your view of yourself. It’s nice to have pictures of your smiling self and people who are close to you at that time.”

However the main reason students take these pictures is to commemorate and document their graduation, which is an exciting and big turning point in one’s life.

“Students invest their time, energy and money into their college education,” Ju said. “With the support of family members, graduating college is a victory on many levels. You’re surrounded by the people you love and you’re moving onto something greater. It’s something you want to remember forever and pictures help do that.”

Lastly, taking graduation pictures is a way for students to say goodbye and remember some of their favorite places on campus, according to fourth-year theatre and dance and English major Victoria Casas.

“I also believe its a nice way to say goodbye to the campus that has been our home, by taking some final pictures with your stole at some of your favorite spots,” Casas said.

Written by: Margo Rosenbaum — features@theaggie.org

The post Best of Davis: Grad Photo Spot appeared first on The Aggie.