At the junction of Interstate 80 and State Route 113, Davis may be found in Yolo County, California, 385 miles north of Los Angeles, 385 miles northeast of San Francisco, and 11 miles west of Sacramento. West Sacramento, Winters, Woodland, and Dixon are nearby cities. At an altitude of roughly 52 feet above sea level, Davis is located in the Sacramento Valley, which is the northernmost part of the Central Valley in Northern California. The city spans 10.5 square miles in total, according to the United States Census Bureau. Its area is 10.4 square miles, of which 0.04 square miles (0.19%) are land and the rest are water.

Similar to Sacramento, Davis experiences hot, dry summers with daytime temperatures averaging 85–105 °F (29–41 °C) and nice chilly evenings below 70 °F (21 °C). Evenings are made more bearable by the Delta Breeze. The winters are milder, with daytime highs of 45 to 65 °F (7 to 18 °C) and lows of 35 to 40 °F (2-4 °C). From 46 °F (8 °C) in December and January to 75 °F (24 °C) in July and August, the average annual temperature ranges. Visibility may be impacted by tule fog, a dense ground fog that can develop in the late fall and winter. Annual rainfall in Davis is about 20 inches (510 mm), with the majority falling between mid-November and mid-March and very little falling during the summer.

The town of Davis is made up of a jumble of many neighborhoods. Old North Davis and the bustling downtown are included in Central Davis, which acts as the city's beating center. East Davis, where you can find a variety of neighborhoods such Davis Manor and Mace Ranch, is to the east. North Davis, home to Covell Park and Northstar, is located there. South Davis, which extends into El Macero, is proud of its distinctive charm and accessibility to top-notch schools. You'll come across varied communities like Westwood, Evergreen, and the environmentally minded Village Homes as you travel west. The University of California, Davis, which is in the town's southern region, gives it an academic feel.

The University of California, Davis, which serves as the center of Davis, has a big impact on the social and cultural life of the community. An American Indian heritage and traditions-focused, smaller university called D-Q University once stood close to Davis but was shut down in 2005. In West Village, Sacramento City College has an off-campus location that caters to people with a connection to the university. The Davis Joint Unified School District is in charge of managing the city's public education system, which consists of nine elementary schools, four junior high schools, two high schools, including Davis Senior High School, and alternative alternatives including Martin Luther King High School. The Davis Waldorf School, which serves children in Pre-K through 8th grade, is another private school in Davis. Davis offers an inclusive educational environment because to its wide variety of educational institutions.

Many activities and events are available in Davis. Student-run bands and workshops are included at the Mother's Day weekend Whole Earth Festival. Live music, food vendors, and fireworks are included at the Chamber of Commerce event called Celebrate Davis. A massive student-run festival involving parades and a variety of exhibits is Picnic Day at UC Davis. Interactive public sculptures and murals are on display during the Davis Transmedia Art Walk. The Manetti Shrem Museum of Art is distinguished by its distinctive design and ground-breaking exhibitions. Excellent performances at the Mondavi Center draw large crowds. Nature lovers will find paradise at the UC Davis Arboretum. Innovative housing is offered by the eco-friendly Domes. Offers fresh food at the Davis Farmers Market. The Davis Food Co-op, which promotes organic food, and the Toad Tunnel, a passageway that is animal-friendly, are two unusual attractions.