Thursday, December 18, 2008

Victorian Christmas in Nevada City, CA



One of our favorite little trips Steve and I like to take is just up the road (about 45 min.) into the Sierra Foothills to a quaint little historic town named "Nevada City". It's full of darling little shops in old buildings, great restaurants, and just an all-around quiet, relaxing 'feel' to it.

On our last trip up there, a shop-owner told us about their Victorian Christmas--told us to come early mid-week around 3 to get a good parking place..tootle around the shops till about 5, go have dinner, and when you come out, the streets will be transformed to all things Christmas.

We did exactly that--even arriving at 3! What was so wonderful is Nevada City received SNOW and that just added to the romance of it all.



I snapped a few pics of some darling old houses while it was still daylight....then tootled thru some shops before venturing into an Italian Restaurant for dinner....



And when we came out after noshing on Chicken Parmesan and Linguine Alfredo--it was nightfall and the streets were transformed to Christmas Carolers decked out in Victorian garb, vendors selling everything from crafts to Hot Spiced Wine and Cider, musicians strolling around...it all was so festive and wonderful!A large screen was up outside of a little cafe with tables set up playing "It's a Wonderful Life"


Christmas Carolers...."Fa la la la..la la la la laaaaa"

It was all so wonderful and fun! This experience is going to be added to our new list of Traditions that we've started upon moving here to Northern California!






































11 comments:

  1. Oh how wonderful, I would love to do that. I have a friend who lives in Elk Grove,she would love it, not sure she knows about it.
    We have a town close to us, they had a Historic Homes Christmas Parlor tour last weekend ,that is one of my traditions. I just loved it, this year some great homes on it. The Crowned Casa blog ( see my favs) has several of the houses showing on the inside, just scroll her recent blog enteries.
    Glad you had fun, thanks for sharing!
    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  2. Myrna, I'm glad you have found a special tradition like this. It sounds perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Looks like a fun and festive outing!! Thanks for taking us with you. Sally

    ReplyDelete
  4. Looks like so much fun. I would love to do something like that!

    ReplyDelete
  5. That would a fun thing to do. Going to Nevada City would probably be about a 3 hour drive or so for us from where we live. I did not know about the Christmas things there. I need to put that on a list of things to do around here. Won't work for this year, but we could plan for next year.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow, that is really nice and this is within driving distance for me too. I will have to check this out next year.
    Roberta Anne

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh.....I want to go there! :( But instead tomorrow night we get to take our grandson to see Santa at that wonderful place in Rancho Bernardo.....the next best thing to Disneyland....maybe better...it's FREE! Merry Christmas to you and yours! Love, Toni

    ReplyDelete
  8. That is a tradition I'd love...so lovely with thesnow...and those old homes...sigh! ;-) Bo

    ReplyDelete
  9. We LOVE to 'tootle' around the Victorian Christmas! Last time we went there were little children playing violins out in the street. It was absolutely magical! What a treat with the snow I bet that was a dream.

    Did you see the man roasting chestnuts on an open fire? ;) He's there every year complete with top hat and fingerless gloves.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Myrna that looks like the PERFECT Christmas tradition!! How wonderful!! And only 45 min away from your place? I love that they were playing "It's Wonderful Life"! It's my favorite movie!*winks* And everything looks so festive and fun!! I wish we had something like this in my neck of the woods! Vanna

    ReplyDelete
  11. It is a wonderful town. They have a website called www.nevadacountymall.com, where you can see the local shops, and lodging and all businesses, and what they have to offer. Then you can print your own coupon book for a wonderful trip to the area!

    ReplyDelete