Event Date
WELCOME, NEW AGGIES! These celebratory and casual gatherings bring together incoming parents, students and family members from similar regions to meet each other and learn more about their upcoming UC Davis experience. New Aggie Welcomes are hosted by the Aggie Parent & Family Association in partnership with our regional alumni networks. This year we are excited to offer Aggie Welcome events in the following locations:
- Northern California
- Southern California
- Virtual Welcome
- Central California (note: these events will be in English and Spanish)
- Washington State
Texas
Scroll down to register and for more information.
Bay Area: East Bay, Alameda & Contra Costa
Saturday, July 26, 2025 @ Lake Chabot Regional Park; Turtle Picnic Area (Address: 17600 Lake Chabot Rd, Castro Valley, CA 94546; Link to pdf map). This event is free to attend however a $5 parking fee per vehicle is required by East Bay Regional Parks if you choose to park at the site. The Turtle Picnic Area is located near the park's main entrance from Lake Chabot road (see pdf).
10am-11:30am; program at 10:30am
Bay Area: South Bay, Santa Clara, San Jose & Los Gatos
Saturday, July 26, 2025 @ Blossom Valley Picnic Area at Vasona Lake County Park (Address: 333 Blossom Hill Rd, Los Gatos, CA 95032; link to pdf map) This event is free to attend however a $6 parking fee per vehicle is required by Santa Clara County Parks if you choose to park at the site. The Blossom Valley Picnic Area is in the center of the park off Garden Hill Drive. To access the park, please use the main entrance at Blossom Hill Road and Roberts Road.
4:30pm-6pm; program at 5:00pm
Southern California: Orange County
Thursday, July 31st, 2025 @ Mile Square Regional Park, Picnic Shelter Space 3.e. (Address: 16801 Euclid St, Fountain Valley, CA 92708). Picnic Shelter Space #3 in Fountain Valley is part of a 607‑acre urban oasis featuring lakes, sports fields, playgrounds, paddle‑boat rentals, and more. The park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. during spring and summer (7 a.m. to 6 p.m. in fall/winter). Parking is available via two main entrances off Euclid Street and Ward Street. Fees are $3 per vehicle on weekdays and $5 on weekends/holidays, with RVs and vehicles over 20 ft directed to designated lots. Free curbside parking is commonly found on the outer streets bordering the park, namely, Brookhurst, Edinger, Euclid, and Warner.
4:30pm-6:00pm; program at 5:00pm
Southern California: Los Angeles North, Glendale
Saturday, August 2, 2025 @ Bette Davis Picnic Area. (Address: 1850 Riverside Dr, Glendale, CA 91201) Bette Davis Picnic Area is along the Los Angeles River and north of Griffith Park. Although it is a part of Griffith Park, it is separated from the rest of the park by the Los Angeles River and Ventura Freeway. Street parking is available off Rancho Avenue and in the surrounding neighborhoods. There is limited picnic table seating. While we will spend our time together mingling, we recommend bringing a blanket if you would like to sit in the grass. We plan on gathering on the east side of the park away from the equestrian center however please check your email the morning of the event for specific instructions on where to meet up. We will also have signs visible from the street.
10am-11:30am; program at 10:30am
Southern California: San Diego
Sunday, August 3, 2025 @ Waterfront Park Picnic Area 4 (Address: 1600 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA 92101). Waterfront Park is located in downtown San Diego between N Harbor Drive and Pacific Hwy. The park is adjacent to the Maritime Museum of San Diego on the waterfront. The Picnic Area is on the corner of Ash Street and Pacific Highway (near the playground). Street parking and pay lots available nearby. Public transportation is recommended. If driving, we recommend viewing parking options in advance as there is no free public parking at Waterfront Park. Metered street parking is available in nearby neighborhoods and may be available on a first come first serve basis. Please read all signs carefully to best understand the required timing and rates of each space. Nearby parking garages/lots are at the Wyndham San Diego Bayside, B Street Pier, and Kettner/Ash Boulevard. If taking public transportation, the County Center/Little Italy station of the San Diego Trolley system is a short walk away from the park and is accessible by the Blue Line and Green Line.
11:00am-12:30pm; program at 11:30am
Northern California: Davis
Wednesday, August 6, 2025 @ Walter A. Buehler Alumni Center (Address: 530 Alumni Ln, Davis, CA 95616; pdf link to map). The Walter A. Buehler Alumni Center is located off the Vanderhoef Quad near the Mondavi Center and Welcome Center. We recommend parking in the Gateway Structure which is just across Old Davis Road. This event is free to attend however visitor parking rates will be in effect either hourly or up to $17 for a full day which can be paid through Aggie Park.
All Aggies who are interested in making the trip to campus are welcome!
4:30pm-6pm; program at 5:00pm
Making a day of it?
Tour Information: The Welcome Center will only be hosting official campus tours in the morning due to the summer heat. If you are interested in scheduling a tour that morning or taking a self-guided virtual tour later in the day, visit the Welcome Center website to plan your visit.
Downtown Davis: On Wednesday nights the Davis Farmer's Market offers Music in the Park with a local band and a festive atmosphere in Central Park. This is a family friendly event, bring chairs, blanket, and picnic or purchase food from one of the vendors or restaurants downtown. More information about this event can be found at their website.
Virtual Family Welcome
Thursday, August 7, 2025 over Zoom; Zoom link will be sent to all who register.
5:00pm - 6:00pm (pacific); 7:00pm - 8:00pm (central); 8:00pm-9:00pm (eastern); 5:30am - 6:30am (August 8, India); 8:00am-9:00am (August 8, Beijing); 9:00am-10:00am (August 8, Korean)
Can't make it to the other welcomes but still want to join in the fun? We host a virtual new family welcome for any new Aggie families over Zoom. This is a GREAT space for international and out of state families to connect however all are welcome. Register to receive the Zoom link!
Central California: Fresno
Thursday, August 21st, 2025 @ Woodward Park Gazebo. (Address: Woodward Park, Fresno, CA 93721). This is a bilingual Spanish/English event hosted by our Fresno Alumni Network, Chicanx Latinx Alumni Association, and Aggie Parent & Family Council. Woodward Park is a large regional park located in the northeast area of Fresno, California, near the intersection of Friant Road and Audubon Drive. The Woodward Park Gazebo is a popular feature within the park, surrounded by open lawns and walking paths. Parking at Woodward Park is convenient, with multiple lots available throughout the park grounds. Visitors can access parking near the gazebo and other major features like the Rotary Amphitheater. Daily parking is typically $5 per vehicle, with discounted rates for seniors and free parking for vehicles with valid disabled placards. Annual passes are available for frequent visitors. Parking kiosks and the ParkMobile app make payment quick and easy.
5:00 pm-7:30pm; program starts at 5:30
Central California: Bakersfield
Saturday, August 23rd, 2025 @ Riverlakes Park Section 1. (Address: 3825 Riverlakes Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93312). This is a bilingual Spanish/English event, hosted by our Kern County Alumni Network, Chicanx Latinx Alumni Association, and Aggie Parent & Family Council. RiverLakes Ranch Park is an 8-acre community park located at 3825 Riverlakes Drive in the Riverlakes Ranch neighborhood of northwest Bakersfield. Visitors can take advantage of the on-site parking lot located near the community center, along with free street parking on surrounding roads, typically available on a first-come, first-served basis. Public transportation is also accessible, with several local bus routes running along Coffee Road, just a short walk from the park.
11:00am-1:00pm
Washington State: Seattle
Saturday, September 6th, 2025 @ Heritage Park, Kirkland. (Address: 111 Waverly Way, Kirkland, WA 98033). Heritage Park in Kirkland is located right in the heart of downtown, and offers beautiful views of Lake Washington along a half-mile paved walking loop with open lawns and gardens. At the northwest end of the park, near the historic Heritage Hall, there is a paved parking lot with about 50 spaces, including designated accessible spots. In addition to the main lot, there is ample street parking available along nearby Market Street and Waverly Way. Several public parking lots are also located within a short walking distance, providing both free and paid options.
Texas: Dallas-Fort Worth
Check back for more info coming soon!
Texas: Austin-San Antonio
Check back for more info coming soon!
Texas: Greater Houston
Check back for more info coming soon!
These events are not intended to be an official orientation to UC Davis. Visit the Orientation webpage to learn more about UC Davis's official parent orientation. Unfortunately due to limited staffing we are unable to host welcome events in additional regions at this time.
If you are in a location that has an Alumni Network, we encourage you to get involved in these groups.
We look forward to also seeing you at the Moove-In Parent Socials happening September 16-18, 2025 at the Campus Bookstore and Save the Date for Parent & Family Weekend - November 1 & 2.