If you’re new to Yolo County summers, you’ll quickly learn: our mornings may be cool, our evenings may be breezy, but our afternoons are downright scorching. 

The average daily high in Davis in July is 93 degrees but at peak heat, temperatures can soar above 100. When temperatures reach that high, being outside—especially with little ones—can be dangerous. Staying indoors or finding water-based activities is essential.

When the garden hose no longer cuts it, you can head to one of Yolo County’s dozens of public pools or splash pads. Most pool facilities are designed with separate “kiddie pool” areas or shallower depths to accommodate different ages and abilities. The facilities are well-maintained, budget friendly, and make for a fun community-oriented outing. Before you go, make sure to check the public swim schedules online, as pools close on certain days.   

If you find yourselves going cabin crazy during those afternoon heat hours and the thought of schlepping the kids to an outdoor pool sounds like too much exertion, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite indoor, air-conditioned spaces to keep you and the family entertained. With electricity rates rising, getting out of the house during peak heat may even help save on your utility bill.  

Summer safety

Summer is prime memory-making time, with proper precautions. A summer safety refresh is important each season for parents and caregivers.

1. Keep watch to avoid drowning. Always supervise children in and around water, it only takes seconds for a drowning to happen.
2. Drink enough water. Protect your children from heat exhaustion by dressing them in light colored clothing and giving frequent water breaks. Children are more prone to dehydration than adults. A general rule is: your child’s weight divided by 2 is how many ounces of water they need per day.
3. Sun damage. Use SPF 30+ on your children 6-months and older when playing outdoors; reapply every three hours or after water play. Hats and sunglasses protect even the youngest eyes from sun damage. Limit exposure from 10a—4p, when the sun’s UV rays are the strongest.
4. Bug protection. Protect children from bug bites by checking all play areas and equipment before use, wearing bug protection, and doing full-body tick checks after play in wilderness areas.

Water play

• Arroyo Pool, Davis
  Public pool open through 8/18 featuring water slide, kiddie pool, & availability for private rental.
• Manor Pool, Davis
  Public pool open through 9/2 featuring splash pad, high dive, water slide, & availability for private rental.
• UCD Recreation Pool, Davis
  Open to community members with Rec Pool Summer Passes or Campus Recreation Passes. Features diving board, water basketball, water volleyball (Sat. & Sun), and sand volleyball.
• Charles Brooks Community Swim Center, Woodland
  Public pool open through 8/11, featuring inflatable obstacle courses on Fridays. Free to the public.
• Jack Slaven Park Splash Area, Woodland
  Giant splash and spray course open through 9/2 (Pro tip: consider bringing something to provide shade).
• Velocity Island Park, Woodland
  Aqua park with inflatable obstacles, paddleboarding, a wakeboarding cable park, and a sandy beach area.
• Bobbie Greenwood Community Swim Center, Winters
  Public pool open through October featuring family swim nights on Fridays, available for private rental.
• West Sacramento Recreation Center, West Sac.
  Community pool featuring lap swimming, recreation swimming, & water slide.

   

Air conditioned excursions

• California Agriculture Museum, Woodland
  A feast for your tractor-loving eyes, featuring museum exhibits & rides on toys for littles
  Address: 1958 Hays Lane, Woodland
  Hours: Wed.—Sun., 10a—4p
  Price: Free admission
  
• Gorman Museum of Native American Art
  Showcasing contemporary Native American and Indigenous art.
  Address: 181 Old Davis Road
  Hours: Wed.—Fri., 11a—5p, Sat.—Sun., 12p—5p
  Price: Free admission
  
• Pence Gallery
  Art exhibitions and educational programs for all ages, including family art program “Art in Action”.
  Address: 212 D Street, Davis
  Hours: Tues.—Sun., 11:30a—5p
  Price: Free admission
  
• Bohart Museum of Entomology
  Home to an extensive insect collection and some real life Madagascar hissing cockroaches.
  Address: Academic Surge Building, Room 1124, UC Davis
  Summer Hours: Tues., 9a—12p, 1p—4:30p
  Price: Free admission 
  
• Explorit Science Center
  Interactive science exhibits and hands-on learning for kids.
  Address: 3141 5th Street, Davis
  Hours: Wed.—Fri., 1p—5p; Sat.—Sun., 10a—5p
  Price: $5 per person, free for members
  
• Taller Arte del Nuevo Amanecer (TANA)
  Collaborative partnership between UC Davis’ Chicana/o Studies Program and the greater Woodland community, offers art programs and workshops with a fully functioning silkscreen studio. 
  Address: 1224 Lemen Avenue, Woodland
  Hours: Tues.—Thurs., 1p—5p
  Price: Free admission
  
• Yolo County Libraries
  In addition to books, many locations offer classes. Branch offerings for July include making pressed flower bookmarks, knitting and crochet workshops, bilingual storytime, line dancing classes, and back-to-school vision boards.
  
• Woodland Public Library Makerspace
  Square One is a large, free public library makerspace with equipment and supplies for various creative projects.
  Address: 250 1st St, Woodland
  Hours: Mon. & Tues., 9a—3p, Wed. & Thurs., 1p—7p, Sat., 10a—4p
  
• Avid & Co.
  Locally owned children’s store with weekly storytimes every Wednesday at 10a.
  Address: 605 2nd St, Davis
  Hours: Daily 10a—6p