Do Something Active This April in the Sutter Buttes
by Leah Champagne
As temperatures rise and flowers bloom in northern California, you don’t want to waste any time staying indoors. But how do you take advantage of the great spring weather? What can you do differently this month?
The Sutter Buttes are home to an array of outdoor activities where you can enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. You can ride your bicycle on the scenic highways, enjoy a hike around the world’s smallest mountain range via Middle Mountain Interpretive Hikes, or visit the rookery at the Wildlife Refuge. But perhaps the best way to spend a different kind of day is to sign up for Bike Around the Buttes.
Bike Around the Buttes
As the sun starts warming the hills on April 23, bring your bicycle to the road to enjoy a taste of the outdoors during Yuba Sutter’s annual bicycling event. There are rides for all ages and experience levels with staggered start times so everyone can enjoy a few hours cruising through nature and enjoying the sights.
There are sag stops along the way so you can rest your legs, grab some water and a snack or call it a day and catch a ride back to the finish line. At the finish line, you’ll find food and fun. There will be free meals for participants (just $9 for everyone else) and live music to keep your spirits high.
Bike Around the Buttes started in 1985 as a fundraiser for diabetes care. Today, the local Lions Club still uses the proceeds from the run to benefit the Diabetes Programs of the Lions Health Foundation. They have since scrapped the original route, which took riders from Yuba City to Red Bluff, in favor of four options to fit all experience levels and cleverly named after ice cream orders:
- The Lil Scoop - 20 miles
- The Classic Sc0op - 40 miles
- Single Scoop with Nuts - 70 miles
- Double Scoop with Nuts - 100 miles
Make Yuba City Your Basecamp
With ride times starting as early as 6 a.m., biking around the Buttes shouldn’t be a one day adventure. You can make a weekend out of the ride by checking into one of the many hotels in Yuba City and enjoying the town before and after your ride.
For healthy snacks you can take on the go, you can pop into New Earth Market before race day. They have a wide variety of health snacks, fruits, vegetables and ready-to-go meals so you can enjoy some nutritious options to get you ready for the big ride.
If you find yourself with time to fill, either before or after your biking adventure, there’s lots of spots to check out in Yuba City. Visit the Yuba Sutter Marketplace to grab those last summer outfits or the Sutter County Museum to pick up a few unique finds and memorabilia from your trip.
After the ride and the finish line party, you’ll still have a whole evening to explore the city. Treat yourself to a dinner for champions at The Happy Viking to put some much-needed carbs and proteins back into your body. Enjoy some California-brewed beers along with burgers, wings or pizza at this laid back sports pub.
With your stomach full and your legs tired, you can mosey back to your room and enjoy a good night’s rest before tomorrow’s adventure.
Recover in the Munger Family Vineyards
Instead of driving home on Sunday morning, spend some time stretching your legs and relaxing at a local family vineyard.
The Munger Family Vineyard started as a passion project when owners Danny and Stacy were engaged. The two had taken up wine making as a hobby, so when they got married and moved to a house with some property they decided to start their own vineyard. It took a few years to get off the ground, but in 2013 they had their first harvest and started making wine.
The vineyard will be open April 23-24 from 12 - 5 p.m. for wine tastings and flight tastings at the bar. You can call ahead for more information about availability and what wines will be available.
Events All Month Long
Making a weekend out of the Bike Around the Buttes ride is just one great way to do something different in Yuba Sutter this April. There are tons of other events scheduled that fit a variety of interests and activities.
John Paris Spring Explosion
Make your way to the Clark Family Theater at the Sutter Theater Center for the Arts on April 8 to see John Paris perform his original piano compositions. He might not teach anymore, but his show is sure to bring the wow factor he’s most famous for. It all starts at 7 p.m. and you can purchase your tickets online or at the window on show night.
North Sierra Wine Trail
For only $25, you can gain access to the rich products of northern California wine country. The North Sierra Wine Trail features samples from 14 different vineyards in the area, as well as food, music, art and more! If Biking the Buttes isn’t your scene, spend the April 23 weekend sipping wine instead.
The trail starts at Live Vine Vineyard and Winery in Oroville, and snakes its way west then south around the Sutter Buttes. Spend the weekend hopping from vineyard to vineyard and tasting all the best Yuba Sutter has to offer.
Smartsville Pioneer Day
To close out the month in Yuba Sutter, Smartsville will host its annual Pioneer Day on April 30. The Smartsville Historic Church throws the event as a tribute to the state’s history, complete with live music, children’s activities and era-specific garb. Enjoy a day full of fun, educational activities and tours with the whole family.
Explore Yuba Sutter this April
As you can see, there’s no end to the activities in Yuba Sutter this month. From biking the Buttes to exploring Yuba City to spending a weekend visiting vineyards, there’s something different for every interest. Instead of spending another weekend inside, come enjoy the weather and events in Yuba Sutter!