Shopping and Dining
Grocery Stores
In grocery stores, you’ll find fresh produce, dairy, meats, bread, and non-perishable food. They also sell a variety of drinks, and some grocery stores have their own section of freshly baked goods. Most have toiletries and a limited supply of household products, but these items may be more expensive than at other retail outlets.
Example of Local Grocery Stores
Davis
- Davis Food Co-op
- Grocery Outlet
- Nugget Market (2 locations)
- Safeway (2 locations)
- Save Mart Supermarkets
- Trader Joe’s
- Target
Sacramento (several locations)
- Bel Air
- Grocery Outlet
- Nugget Market
- Raley’s
- Safeway
- Save Mart Supermarkets
- Trader Joe’s
- Target
- Walmart
Cultural Grocery Stores
There is an “ethnic” food section in most grocery stores, but the selection can be rather limited. If you’re cooking a meal from home, you may need to visit a cultural grocery store to find the ingredients you need.
Examples of Local Cultural Grocery Stores
Davis
- Ho Ho Market | Cantonese, East-Asian
- International Food Market | Primarily Indian and Middle Eastern
- Kobe Mini Mart | Japanese
- Kim’s Mart | Primarily Korean, Chinese, and Japanese
- Tarad Thai Asian Market | Southeast Asian
Woodland
- Apna Bazaar | Indian, Pakistani
- La Superior | Mexican
Sacramento
- Asian Feed Center | Chinese, Vietnamese
- Babylon City Market | Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
- Corti Brothers | Italian, International
- European Delicatessen | Eastern European
- La Superior Mercados | Mexican
- Mediterranean Market | Middle Eastern, Mediterranean
- Osaka-Ya | Japanese
- Oto’s Supermarket | Japanese
- Panadería La Esperanza | Mexican
- Red Star International | Latin, Caribbean
- Red Sea Market | Middle Eastern, carries Halal meats
- SF Supermarket | East and Southeast Asian
- Shan Market | Pakistani, Indian, Fijian, Middle Eastern, carries Halal meats
- Sundays Asian Farmer’s Market | Asian produce from local growers
- Venera European Market | Eastern European
- 99 Ranch Market | Northeast and Southeast Asian
Restaurant Reviews and More Options For Your Next Meal
Yelp for Dining Out
Davis and Sacramento have many restaurants, some established, some new. Whether you are looking for specific food options, or curious about a restaurant’s menu and pricing, the review app Yelp offers a wide variety local reviews that can help you decide what new places to try in Davis.
Local Farmers Markets
The Davis Farmers Market, a well-known open-air market held on Saturday mornings year-round and seasonally on Wednesday evenings at Central Park (4th and C Streets). Other locations are seasonally available, but the Davis Farmers Market is a great place to buy fresh fruits andvegetables, fresh baked goods, flowers, and more.
There are several Farmers Markets in Sacramento and its surrounding areas.
Free Food For Those Who Need It
ASUCD Pantry Free Resource
No one has to miss a meal or live without basic necessities. This student-run, student-led organization provides food and other basic essentials to UC Davis students, faculty and staff for free. Visit them at their location in Memorial Union.
Fruit and Veggie Up
Free produce for UC Davis students! Check in with the Memorial Union Information Desk for the days and times.
Aggie Eats
This pay-what-you-want food truck operates on campus Monday through Friday during the academic year andserves students only. Each day, students will find a nutritiousand delicious meal. Order as much as you want (up to threemeals) and pay what you can, but there’s no pressure to pay. The truck is open from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. or until it runs out of food. Locations change daily.
Other Shopping Needs
Pharmacies
Pharmacies are retail establishments where you can getyour prescription medications, find over-the-counter medicine and receive limited medical services, like a flu or COVID vaccine. Similar to supermarkets, pharmacies sell some household items, baby-care supplies, menstrual products, and beauty and personal care products, and usually carry packaged snack foods and drinks.
Examples of Local Pharmacies
Note: These and other pharmacy options are available in Sacramento
- CVS Pharmacy (2 in Davis, 2 in Woodland)
- Target (1 in Davis, 1 in Woodland)
- Walmart (1 in Woodland)
- Walgreens (1 in Woodland)
Online Marketplaces
Not everyone coming to UC Davis will have a car or access to a car, and public transportation can make shopping difficult. Ordering products online–especially furniture–can cost more because of shipping, but may be easier for some students and scholars without transportation.
Amazon
Amazon is perhaps the most well-known online retailer in the U.S.
The Amazon@UC Davis store is located right next to the Campus Store in the Memorial Union, with its own entrance and hours (9 a.m.–9 p.m., daily). It provides a convenient location to pick up and return Amazon orders.
Amazon Lockers are self-serve kiosks on campuswhere you can have Amazon orders securely delivered.
Facebook Marketplace and Nextdoor
Community members and students from UC Davis sell used goods such as furniture, bikes, and electronics on Facebook Marketplace and Nextdoor. It can be useful to find discounted and low-cost daily-use items, but you’ll usually have to find a way to pick up the items. There are also local "Buy Nothing" Facebook Groups you can look for in your neighborhood. This is a great way to find household items and clothing for free.
Other Online Retailers
From Target and Walmart to TEMU and Wayfair, most large retailers, and some mid-size ones, have online shops where you can purchase products. The section below has more information about how to receive (and send) mail and packages.
Deliveries
Sending and Receiving Mail
Post Office
Post Offices are operated by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). You can buy stamps or send and receive larger packages.There are two locations in Davis. Learn more at usps.com.
Mailing Options
U.S. mail is delivered by USPS Monday–Saturday (except holidays), and campus mail is delivered Monday–Friday.
If you live on campus, service centers have designated areas for outgoing mail. There is a mailbox in front of the Memorial Union for outgoing mail.
If you live off-campus, check with your apartment complex if they have a designated area for outgoing mail. You should have a mailbox assigned to you.
If you’re in a house, you should also have a mailbox assigned to you. Your mailbox can receive outgoing mail, but packages must be shipped either by post, FedEx or UPS. Also, be sure there is a safe place to receive packages or seek another pickup location.
FedEx and UPS
FedEx and UPS offer packing, shipping, and printing services. They are a little more expensive than the U.S. Postal Service, and offer a full range of international shipping services.
