Spend those ever-lengthening days shopping, wine tasting, hiking fields of wildflowers – or enjoy our cafe culture, fabulous live music and theater productions – there’s something for everyone in our pick of the best spring activities in the area. After all the adventures, come back to your home away from home for a decadent meal and fall into our luxe beds for a rejuvenating nights sleep!
TRAILS & EXPLORING
Buttermilk Bend
Located at Bridgeport State Park, Buttermilk Bend is a perfect location for a beautiful riverside hike or an afternoon picnic. Swaths of wildflowers cover rolling hills next to the South Yuba River, framed by the Bridgeport Bridge, the longest single span covered bridge in the world.
Empire Mine
Step back in time at Empire Mine – one of the oldest, deepest, and richest gold mines in California. Take a guided tour of the breathtaking Bourne Mansion and sprawling formal gardens or venture forth and explore the 856 acres of forested backcountry and fourteen miles of hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails.
Crystal Hermitage
Ananda Village, a yoga and meditation retreat located a half hour drive from downtown Nevada City, is home to the Crystal Hermitage gardens: terraced acres of blooming cherry trees, dogwoods and literally tens of thousands of tulips in a sprawling garden perched on the edge of a canyon, offering unparalleled vistas.
EVENTS
Strawberry Music Festival
Mountains. Magic. Music. A lively four-day event at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in May featuring dozens of bluegrass, blues, folk, swing, indie rock, gospel, Cajun and Celtic music acts—and probably some unlabelled genres too. A uniquely participatory music festival where attendees are encouraged to join in!