The Sierra Nevada holds a golden nugget for those who love springtime and flowers, especially tulips. After a two-year closure due to COVID-19, Ananda’s glorious tulip garden will open in April. The Crystal Hermitage Garden is meticulously planted with over 17,000 tulips and other spring flowers each year. Just 25 minutes above Nevada City proper, this beautiful, pristine, and lovingly attended garden is well worth the drive (about 90 minutes from Sacramento).
Advance tickets are required this year. This allows proper social distancing and provides guests with safe and optimum enjoyment of this wonderful garden. No on-site tickets will be sold, so plan your visit and get tickets in advance HERE.
The Crystal Hermitage Garden provides a rare view across the wild and scenic Yuba River Canyon far below this refined garden, bursting with color and sequentially planted throughout the spring with many contrasting flowers. Wherever the eye falls, the attention to detail and care shines through in this treasured garden. Each year, thousands make the trip to soak in the stellar beauty of nature tamed so tenderly by gentle gardeners’ hands contrasting with nearby wildlands and Ananda’s 700 acres of rolling green hills.
Visitors can chat with Crystal Hermitage lead gardeners, visit the museum or quietly enjoy the peace and beauty. For lunch, visitors will find delicious vegetarian fare at the Expanding Light Retreat or at Master’s Market in Ananda Village. The Expanding Light Retreat Center also offers overnight accommodations, with advance reservations. Note: There is no picnicking allowed in the gardens.
The garden will be open seven days a week in April, from 10 AM to 5 PM. The cost for adults (13 years and older) is $10 on weekdays and $12 on weekends. Tickets are available HERE.
