Spring. A time of growth and renewal. A time to get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine. It’s also a time of new beginnings, and healing… and a little bit of magic! Here are 7 things you can do this Spring in Nevada City. From faeries and crystals to tulip gardens and cherry blossoms… Nevada City has it all.
Eat under the cherry tree at Ike’s, now to early April!
Spring is the perfect time for breakfast or lunch at Ike’s. Sitting outside under the huge, gorgeous cherry tree is truly magical. Ike’s has many options for everyone, including vegan and gluten free items.
For more information visit ikesquartercafe.com
Take a walk in downtown Nevada City and see the dogwoods blooming
With many Victorian homes sporting pink and white dogwoods, it’s hard to find a single dull area in Nevada City. The trees are definitely hard to miss! Wander through the downtown neighborhoods to see the dogwoods blooming in mid-March through April.
For maps and more information visit nevadacitychamber.com
See Wildflowers on the Buttermilk Bend trail now through early May
Each Spring, from mid March to the first weekend in May, docents lead wildflower walks on Saturday and Sunday. Meet at the trailhead at 11 a.m. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water for this easy hour and a half walk. This trail starts across the river from the Visitors Center just on the opposite side of the modern Pleasant Valley Road bridge and winds up the river. The trail follows the route of the old 1877 Caleb Cooley water ditch, so is mildly sloped and has been made wide enough for wheelchair accessibility. An upper trail from the parking lot with no severe climbs has been added recently by constructing two new bridges across river tributaries. Buttermilk Bend trail offers spectacular views of the river and is a showcase of color during Spring wildflower season.
For more information visit: southyubariverstatepark.org
Learn about Faeries on April 1st & 2nd at Haalo in Nevada City
On April first and second, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., we will study faeries with Matthew Wood and Sean Donahue, two of the most alternative herbalists on the continent. Bring your microscopes! Wear your best faery finery. We will discuss the herbs, smudges, and smokes that the faeries like, or have taught us about, or that are traditionally associated with them. Cost $300.
For more information or to register visit haalo.org
Visit the Tulip Garden at Ananda in April
The gardens, set against the backdrop of the Tahoe National Forest and the Yuba River Canyon, are beautiful and inspiring year round. April visits for Springtime at Ananda are magical with thousands of vibrant tulips mixing with the complementary colors of cherry trees, wisteria, dogwood, azaleas, rhododendrons, peonies and pansies, just to name a few. The summer garden peaks in late July and August. In the cooler fall season, many flowers still bloom among the radiance of brilliant fall foliage. While every visit to the garden may be different, it is always wonderfully peaceful and uplifting. The upper gardens are open by donation every day 9am to 5pm. The lower gardens are open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9am to 5pm, and by appointment. All donations directly help maintain the gardens as a special place for visitors.
For more information visit: anandavillage.org
Attend the Psychic Fair on April 28th & 29th at the Foundry
Nevada City’s 28th Annual Psychic Fair returns to the Miners Foundry Cultural Center, Saturday and Sunday, April 8 & 9, 2017. The Psychic Fair is considered Northern California’s largest gathering of metaphysical teachers, seers, crafters and readers. The Psychic Fair is open on Saturday, April 8th from 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 9th from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Admission is $5. Tickets are available online, at the Miners Foundry Box Office, or at the door. This year’s Psychic Fair offers attendees an array of vendors including psychics, medical intuitives, acupuncturists, massage therapists, herbalists, and alchemists. Take in a lecture or workshop and gain information and knowledge, re-kindle a past fascination, or discover a new interest. The Psychic Fair marketplace also features one-of-a-kind artisan jewelry, clothes, and accessories, natural skincare products, gem essences, crystals, and much more.
For more information visit: minersfoundry.org
Visit the Crystal Rainbow Rock Shop in downtown Nevada City
When a small rock shop on Commercial Street was put on the market roughly eight years ago, Mimi Musgrave saw it as an opportunity to continue to sell her jewelry and immerse herself into another of her lifelong passions: rocks. Today, Mimi’s Crystal Rainbow Rock Shop is known for its rare, extremely hard-to-find gems and minerals from all over the world. Each year, Musgrave travels to large gem and mineral shows, where she can buy from dealers from all over the globe. Unlike large scale mining – such as what is being done for gold and silver — mineral mining has a minimal impact on the planet, because it is just scraping away at the surface, speeding up the inevitable erosion process. Musgrave hopes that having an appreciation for rocks and minerals will encourage people to take better care of the earth. She makes an effort to buy from small miners. Her purpose, she says, is to spread beauty and bring gifts to people, hoping her stones’ energy will be of help.
Visit the Rock Shop at 310 Commercial St., Nevada City. For more information call (530) 265-3784