frugal sightseeing Archives - Page 2 of 30

Admire the Lights, Napa Lighted Art Festival

January 24, 2025February 3, 2025Silvia

From now until February 16th, 2025 Napa illuminates their downtown in their annual Lighted Art Festival.

Most of the holiday lights are taken down these days, but it is still getting dark around 5:30. Napa is taking advantage of the early sundown and lights up the night with eleven light art installations. Until January 26th you can also marvel at three projection artworks. The projection art is displayed at the Presbyterian Church, the Napa County Historic Courthouse, and the Native Sons. The church was especially impressive with a technical beautification by artists Leslie Epstein & Camille Gross. Elementa is a projection mapping artwork that presents a symphony of earth, wind, fire, and air fresco-like images.

[Due to rain this event has been canceled!]

On February 1 from 5 pm till 6 pm, Bookmine, Napa’s independent book store, will hold a storytime in front of the Oxbow Public Market. The Glow Party on February 8th, 2025, is a family-friendly art after dark experience. Find the party at the Pearl Street bus depot from 6 pm to 8 pm.

All of these ambient displays are fun to scavenger hunt all around downtown. You might even see an art installation that is there year round.

Download the map for the Lighted Art Festival and enjoy a fun free activity!

Acquire Crystals, Rock Shop in Vacaville

January 18, 2025Silvia

It was on a hunch that we stopped at the Rock Shop in Vacaville. Mainly we liked the name and it looked intriguing from Hwy 80. Entering the place you immediately know that it is quite an attraction.

The Rock Shop is possibly the largest rock and mineral store in the world! There are beads and spheres, geodes, chrystals, and clusters.

Rooms reserved for amethyst cathedrals, each priced so high I’d advise you not to come with little kids. But if you have a little explorer they might like the fossil stones.

One room is dedicated to the fish of Fossil Lake. This lake is known for its abundance of fossils and is located within the Fossil Butte National Monument, in Wyoming.

I also like the jewelry and little trees made from polished stones. One of these trees near the entrance is possibly over 15 feet!

The Rock Shop is open Monday – Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm, Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm. Located on 5115 Quinn Rd, Vacaville, CA.

Do you enjoy the look and feel of rocks?

Climb up to See the Wave Garden, Point Richmond

January 4, 2025Silvia

The Wave Garden in Point Richmond, built in 2007, is a privately owned succulent garden with a unique design that is open to the public. I was a bit rushed looking at the amazing view of the San Pablo Bay since the address for the garden, 607 Grandview Ct, Richmond, CA, does not allow you to park. I recommend that you park legally and walk up to the garden.

Nevertheless, the garden itself is worth it! The aesthetically pleasing concrete curves were designed by artist, Victor Armador. The fencing and ironwork, equally artistic, are by the late blacksmith, Robert Sharpe. The gardener Kellee Adams filled the structure with waterwise plants.

While the plants are in need of some TLC, the overall experience is well worth the hike up to Grandview Ct. The view is stunning and the generosity of the owners to allow people to enjoy this is heartwarming.

Some websites give the address as 615 Western Drive in Point Richmond. Like I said before, please park somewhere legal and walk up to the garden.

Have you seen the wave garden?

Visit the Fairies in Little Point Richmond

December 27, 2024Silvia

The fairies in Little Point Richmond have been on my bucket list for a while. It was magical to see the entire block of 300 Washington Street accommodate these little habitants.

Right at eye height for the youngest humans, the fairies invite you to open the doors and look inside their homes. How do the shy magical fairies live here? Your imagination is ignited by a hardware store, the school of magic, the little point fairy library, and of course their residences.

Start exploring on the north side of Nicholl and Washington. You’ll notice the ‘Welcome to Little Point Richmond’ sign. From here it is a relatively steep climb up Washington Street. It is doable because you move slowly and stop at each little house. And, fear not, you can return down on the other side of the street for more of the tiniest of houses.

The village was created by Jimmie Robinson, a comic artist. Apparently, the houses match his neighbors.

Have you seen any fairies lately?

Paper bags filled with produce from the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), Urban Tilth

Seed Power and Grow Justice at Urban Tilth, Richmond

December 20, 2024Silvia

When we arrived at the Urban Tilth, an urban farm in North Richmond, we struggled to find the entrance. But after we walked around it was clear we found much more than just a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) produce distribution center and urban farm. Urban Tilth’s vision is to be North Richmond’s farm and a neighborhood anchor for the whole community.

Multiple information signs show the future farm. Here are architectural drawings of a cafe, a native plant nursery, a workshop area, and many more ideas. You can see some of the buildings already in place. It was exciting to see how this idea takes shape. We also met some people working for the CSA. Everyone was passionate about being here. The produce looks great and walking around the old greenhouses we could see the potential.

They are not just organizing a fair food system. They want to transform it into a life-affirming system that creates a healthy, sustainable, and just community. I know they have the power to drive for change.

There are so many ways to become part of this movement. You can support Urban Tilth and get involved as a volunteer, learn about their educational programs, order their Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) produce, or donate.

Redefine Contemporary Art at the NIAD in Richmond

December 6, 2024Silvia

‘Art is what you like,’ is a German proverb. When the NIAD Art Center in Richmond proclaims that it redefines contemporary art I wonder if they also had this liberating view of art in mind.

NIAD stands for Nurturing Independence Through Artistic Development and is a progressive art studio for adult artists with developmental disabilities. For more than 40 years this place has given opportunities to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. NIAD artists have been recognized by the Whitney Museum, the Studio Museum of Harlem, and OMCA. They are part of the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, SFMOMA, MADMusée, Belgium, and the Institute of Contemporary Art in Miami.

I felt the art come to life when I visited NIAD. There were many vibrant pieces, including the Pom-Pom Wallhanging by Felicia Griffin. In addition the space and the people were welcomed us warmly. The only thing I was disappointed about was the fact that the nice outside sitting area didn’t offer coffee, but it invites you to sit down and admire the fountain.

The founding couple, Dr. Elias and Florence Ludins-Katz, believed strongly in the Progressive Art Studio methodology, to focus on acceptance rather than assimilation of artists with disabilities. It also allows the artists to earn from their art sales.

Current Exhibit

From December 7th to the 27th, 2024 More than enough is NIAD’s Holiday Shop. This celebration of community and art is inspired by a collectively written “Abundance Poem”.

NIAD Gallery Hours are from Monday – Friday, 10 am – 4 pm and every second Saturday, 1 – 4 pm.

For the Holiday Season there is a special gallery open hour on December 7th, from 1 – 4 pm. On December 21st, from 1 – 4 pm, there will be a Holiday Spectacular.

You can visit NIAD Art Center at 551 23rd St. in Richmond, CA.

Shop for Local Art, aRt Cottage Gallery, Concord

November 22, 2024Silvia

The aRt Cottage Gallery is a charming gallery and art workshop space near downtown Concord. When I visited I was warmly invited to look at the current exhibit of Mark Jezierny and his Students. I entered the cottage while there was a class in progress, but everyone smiled at me and assured me that they did not mind the interruption.

There is much love for art in this place – from the cozy planters outside to the white wood-paneled rooms decorated with art. And love for the owner FROgard Schmidt who shares her space and this love for art with all visitors. That’s why aRt Cottage is spelled with a capital R for ours, stressing the importance of community.

If you like to gift local art you should visit the aRt Cottage during the Holiday season for their 13th Annual Holiday Boutique. Shop for large and miniature paintings, jewelry, tree ornaments, and much more. All items will be available until December 22, 2024.

The aRt Cottage is located at 2238 Mt. Diablo Street in Concord. You can visit Wednesdays – Saturdays 11am – 5pm.

Do you shop for local art?

Take a Ferry to San Francisco

July 19, 2024Silvia

I think ferries are a great way to use public transportation. I remember visiting New York City, a much younger me, and enjoying a view of the Statue of Liberty.

In the Bay Area you can see Alcatraz or the Golden Gate Bridge from a distance. And if you want to go to Alcatraz, you have to take a ferry. One of my greatest Ferry outings was with a city friend: we rented bikes; biked across the Golden Gate Bridge; and took the ferry back from Sausalito.

Most of the ports here are used for commuting. You’ll find the schedules serving the working community, most likely not running on the weekends and mid day. But many people take the ferries to visit the city. They do have seasonal sport routes for seeing games at Oracle Park and Chase Center.

The San Francisco Bay Ferry serves the terminals of Alameda, Oakland, Richmond, South San Francisco, and Vallejo. The Golden Gate Ferry will connect Larkspur, Sausalito, Tiburon, and Angel Island. Both of these companies accept Clipper cards and credit card payments. The shortest ferry ride is from Treasure Island to San Francisco. In 8 minutes you can hop over to the artificial island that was created for the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition. This ferry is not part of the Clipper system and accepts cash and credit cards.

Do you enjoy ferry rides?

Sign for the Flea Market at Berryessa, San José

Go bargain hunting, Flea Market at Berryessa, San José

July 5, 2024July 5, 2024Silvia

The Flea Market at Berryessa in San José is an institution established in 1960. On our last visit to San José I finally got to check it out. We were there late, close to closing time on a Friday. While some stores were already shutting down it was great to enjoy some stalls without hordes of people.

I got the impression that many of these goods are made in China. If you have someone in your life that collects Miss Kitty, for example, this is the place to go for gifts. I marveled at the cookware – restaurant–size pots and sieves! You can also find fruits and vegetables, and I heard, great Mexican food. I also loved the different types of piñatas!

The Flea Market at Berryessa is located at 1590 Berryessa Rd. San José. Opening hours are Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, from dawn to dusk. Admission is bundled with parking (Wednesdays free, Fridays $5, Saturdays $10, Sundays $20). If you decide to walk in you must enter through the Garden at the Flea entrance next to the Berryessa BART Station. Walk-in entry fee is free on Wednesdays and Fridays, and $3 on Saturdays and $5 on Sundays.

While someone once said to me that flea markets were their version of hell, I do enjoy finding treasures and bargains.

What is your take on flea markets?

Admire a Small Rose Garden, San José

June 8, 2024Silvia

Did you know there was a hidden gem rose garden on the outskirts of San José? I have talked about the two major rose gardens downtown before, but there is a third rose garden in the San José hills. Joseph D. Grant County Park, Santa Clara County’s largest regional park, can be reached on the winding Quimby Rd.

While spring is an excellent time to see the wildflowers bloom in the park, May and June are best to discover the small rose garden that Joseph D. Grant cultivated next to his ranch. A quiet place with a fountain in the middle.

Adam Grant, Joseph’s father, made his fortune selling supplies to gold miners. Joseph later managed his father’s dry goods business. He was also a member of the Sierra Club, and president of the Save-the-Redwoods League for 21 years. On this ranch he entertained among others Leland Stanford and Herbert Hoover. In fact Hoover stayed at the ranch after his election loss to Franklin Roosevelt.

If you would like to, you can tour the ranch house this Saturday, June 8th, 2024 from 1pm to 2:30 pm. Other tour dates for 2024 are Saturdays, July 6th, August 3rd, and September 7th.

Joseph D. Grant County Park is open year round from 8 am until sunset. It is located at Yerba Buena Trail, San José, CA 95127. Daily parking fee is $6.

Did you know about the rose garden in the San José hills?

Resources:

Joseph D. Grant County Park Cultural History

https://parks.sccgov.org/plan-your-visit/activities/cultural-venues/grant-house