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Crystal Hermitage Gardens

Spring at the Crystal Hermitage Gardens at Ananda is worth the trip, open every day in April, the beautiful gardens are home to 17,000 tulips with 111 different varieties.  Visitors can explore the pools, waterfalls, chapel and lower gardens, the admission price is $8-$10 or you can get a season pass, kids 12 and under are free.  On the weekends of April 13th/14th & 20th/21st the Master Gardener and designer will available to chat with folks about the gardens.  While they don’t allow picnics in the gardens if you arrive early you may treat yourself to a maple scone.  Ananda Village, renowned for being one of the longest existing cooperative spiritual communities in the world, is 20 minutes outside of Nevada City.  Many thanks to Cathy Stewart Photography for sharing photos from a previous visit, if you visit and share your photos on Instagram, make sure to use #VisitNevadaCity.  Or you can join Nevada City Scenic’s photo walk with Kial James for a meet up with other photographers (if you can’t make this photo walk, click here for the list of the other 2019 meet ups).  While the gardens change every day, the peak of the flowers in generally in the middle of April, to keep tabs check out the Tulip Watch on their website.  Regardless of when you go this month, it’s worth the trip.

Please post a comment on this blog post and one lucky winner will win two tickets to the gardens, winner will be announced on Monday, April 8th.  Edited to say the winner is Denise Bryant.

Tulips

Crystal Hermitage, photo by Nevada City Scenics

Crystal Hermitage Photo Walk

© 2019 InnSide Nevada City, Photos © by Cathy Stewart Photography and Nevada City Scenics

44 replies
  1. Vicki Stremel
    Vicki Stremel says:

    We went to Crystal Hermitage Gardens for the first time last year and we were blown away by the beauty of the gardens, the architecture and the view. Absolutely stunning. Even though we went in early May when the tulips were almost done for the season. We look forward to going this month while the flowers are in full glory!

  2. Lisa Johnson
    Lisa Johnson says:

    To be surrounded by such beauty ….. a spring time tradition! Thanks for sharing the photos and information.

  3. Kim
    Kim says:

    I’ve never been there and have always wanted to it looks amazing! We will have to check it out this year. Thanks for the opportunity to win tickets!

  4. Vanessa Saavedra
    Vanessa Saavedra says:

    Beautiful! I’ve never been but would really like to attend one of their weekend retreats.

  5. Judy Silberman
    Judy Silberman says:

    This is one of Nevada County’s seasonal treats. So spectacular. And so lovely to be in the serene atmosphere of Ananda.

  6. Diane Richards
    Diane Richards says:

    I was told about this paradise by a docent at South Yuba River State Park at Bridgeport on my first wildflower hike on Easter Sunday a few years ago. I went on Mother’s Day that year, since they had a mild spring, the garden still had some tulip bloom, left. The garden was that and more! I’ve had the privilege to introduce a number of friends about this incredible place. I am thankful Ananada Village continues to open up their gardens to all to enjoy! The BEST kept secret!

    • Diane Richards
      Diane Richards says:

      An oh yes, please remember to bring some one dollar bills so you can purchase one of those incredible scones. Don’t forget to try one with the homemade whipped cream. YUM, YUM, YUM!

  7. Denise Bryant
    Denise Bryant says:

    Beautiful photos. It must be a spectacular display of tulips. I’ve never visited before but I hope to get a chance to go this year!

  8. Elizabeth Miller
    Elizabeth Miller says:

    I’ve been hearing about these gardens for years. This year I am definitely going!

  9. Megan
    Megan says:

    I would love to see the tulips and gardens. I have only seen friends’ photos and imagine it would be superior in person.

  10. Hindi Greenberg
    Hindi Greenberg says:

    I first traveled to Ananda from San Francisco in 1972 to visit a friend who lived there, and there was only one building and open land. Now I live in Nevada County and Ananda is a visual treat, and the thousands of tulips, other flowers and design are spectacular–including the cherry tree that drops blossoms in the pond and the view of the river far below.

  11. Alice Blandy
    Alice Blandy says:

    April 9 Is my birthday and I’d enjoy winning 2 tix to take a friend to the gardens on my birthday and take photos.

  12. Timarie
    Timarie says:

    I have heard of Ananda for years, never really knew where it was till now. Your blogs are always worth the time spent.reading

  13. Kelly O'Neil
    Kelly O'Neil says:

    I have never been to this place before but all of the pictures I see from it make me swoon! I love that there is a tulip watch on their website. Thank you for the reminder – I’ll be sure not to miss out this year!

  14. Ingrid Knox
    Ingrid Knox says:

    I went several years ago and it was lovely. This year, it would be great to take my husband up there.

  15. Rachel C.
    Rachel C. says:

    I have always wanted to visit the gardens, Im not sure how I have lived here for so long and have never been. And flowers really are my favorite thing, they make everything beautiful and bright.

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