Healthy Outside

Research shows that spending more time in nature has a positive effect on our overall health. (Learn more on the Arboretum and Public Garden's Nature Rx page.)

Healthy Outside is a campuswide initiative to improve our community's physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being by including more nature into our everyday routines. Take advantage of the abundance of outdoor resources we have on campus to creatively incorporate "outside" into your regularly scheduled school, work or play.

Share your Healthy Outside story!

Share how you improve your physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being outside by sharing a photo on your public-facing Instagram, tagging @HealthyUCDavis and including #UCDHealthyOutside or submit a testimonial and photo by using this form. Review some of the ways our community likes to stay Healthy Outside in these testimonials.

Move Outside

Physical activity is essential to our health and well-being; find unique places at UC Davis that encourage movement.

Move Outside

Restore Outside

Taking time to restore yourself in a peaceful context outdoors can improve your capacity to cope with stress. Find your spaces here at UC Davis.

Restore Outside

Grow Outside

Gain sustainable gardening skills, cultivate your own food, and find volunteer and internship opportunities with these UC Davis programs.

Grow Outside

Healthy Outside Resource Map

Click for Map Tips
See the legend. Click the icon next to the title "Healthy Outside." This toggles the map's legend to appear.

Toggle layers. Click or unclick the boxes next to the different types of "Healthy Outside" categories to learn more about destinations that that meet your goals.

Full screen. To view the map in full screen mode, click the "four corners" icon in the upper-right-hand corner of the map. (Once in full screen mode you can click on the plus and minus icons located in the lower-left-hand corner of the map.)

Detail view. To get more information about a specific location, click on the legend name.

Legend Categories

Seeking Quiet or Community
Expansive public lawns perfect for picnics, power naps, and people watching. Look for the green pins if you are looking for areas of quietness and solitude or the yellow pins if you want to enjoy the bustling community life around you.

Reflect & Replenish
The Arboretum and Public Garden is home to various plant collections and gardens that support spaces of respite. Whether you are looking for a bench to sit on or a meandering path to follow, your time in nature will help replenish your energy levels.

Informal Meeting & Eating
Plazas and civic centers are the heart of public life on campus; these areas are filled with tables and benches perfect fo informal gatherings and food.

After Class Relaxation & Conversation
Our campus courtyards are great locations for resting after class, intimate conversations with your friends, or eating your lunchtime meal.

Active Recreation
Explore these pins and find great opportunities to hike, swim or participate in team sports.

Outdoor Classrooms
Great locations for small to medium-sized group meetings, often complete with long benches, seatwalls or amphitheater-style seating.

Animal Viewing
As the nation’s leading veterinarian school, there are ample opportunities for our community to view animals. While touching the animals is not allowed, taking a selfie with them is a must!