Nevada City Guidebook

Lindsey
Nevada City Guidebook

Sightseeing

Downtown Nevada City will not disappoint with all the shops and restaurants. There is always so much going on!
131 locals recommend
Nevada City
131 locals recommend
Downtown Nevada City will not disappoint with all the shops and restaurants. There is always so much going on!
Definitely don’t miss checking out downtown Grass Valley which has great shops and restaurants.
86 locals recommend
Grass Valley
86 locals recommend
Definitely don’t miss checking out downtown Grass Valley which has great shops and restaurants.
This local mine is now a state park that is fun to explore.
187 locals recommend
Empire Mine State Park
10791 E Empire St
187 locals recommend
This local mine is now a state park that is fun to explore.
This local state park, which is now a ghost town and former mine, is a neat place to explore.
52 locals recommend
Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park
23579 N Bloomfield Rd
52 locals recommend
This local state park, which is now a ghost town and former mine, is a neat place to explore.
In spring, check out the tulip blooms at the Crystal Hermitage Gardens.
9 locals recommend
Crystal Hermitage Gardens
14618 Tyler Foote Rd
9 locals recommend
In spring, check out the tulip blooms at the Crystal Hermitage Gardens.
This former mining facility turned cultural center is a Mecca for concerts, events, festivals, weddings, and more. It even has a coffee shop on the weekends. The Stone Hall is a stunning venue. Definitely check it out.
44 locals recommend
Miners Foundry Cultural Center
325 Spring St
44 locals recommend
This former mining facility turned cultural center is a Mecca for concerts, events, festivals, weddings, and more. It even has a coffee shop on the weekends. The Stone Hall is a stunning venue. Definitely check it out.
If you’re here in early August, be sure to check out the Nevada County Fair! There’s a lot to see and do, but my favorite is the food on Treat Street. My top choices are a corn dog from Job’s Daughters and an orange julius. Also a sticky bun. And a baked potato with the works…. Also the buttery corn on the cob…. And…
23 locals recommend
Nevada County Fairgrounds
11228 McCourtney Rd
23 locals recommend
If you’re here in early August, be sure to check out the Nevada County Fair! There’s a lot to see and do, but my favorite is the food on Treat Street. My top choices are a corn dog from Job’s Daughters and an orange julius. Also a sticky bun. And a baked potato with the works…. Also the buttery corn on the cob…. And…

Food scene

You have to check out the remodel of the historic hotel in downtown NC. Their brand new bar and restaurant (Lola) are both beautiful (and delicious!).
39 locals recommend
National Hotel
211 Broad St
39 locals recommend
You have to check out the remodel of the historic hotel in downtown NC. Their brand new bar and restaurant (Lola) are both beautiful (and delicious!).
This recently renovated hotel in downtown Grass Valley is absolutely stunning. Their restaurant, The Golden Gate Saloon, serves excellent food and cocktails. Be sure to check out their speakeasy, The Iron Door, downstairs.
39 locals recommend
Holbrooke Hotel
212 W Main St
39 locals recommend
This recently renovated hotel in downtown Grass Valley is absolutely stunning. Their restaurant, The Golden Gate Saloon, serves excellent food and cocktails. Be sure to check out their speakeasy, The Iron Door, downstairs.
South Pine Cafe is a great place to get brunch in downtown Grass Valley.
41 locals recommend
South Pine Cafe
110 S Pine St
41 locals recommend
South Pine Cafe is a great place to get brunch in downtown Grass Valley.
Great beer and pizza in downtown Nevada City.
171 locals recommend
Three Forks Bakery & Brewing Co.
211 Commercial St
171 locals recommend
Great beer and pizza in downtown Nevada City.
Yummy sushi!
43 locals recommend
Sushi Q
238 Commercial St
43 locals recommend
Yummy sushi!
Go to the SPD market to get a sandwich for your day trip to the river. You won’t be disappointed! (My rec: Dutch crunch with SPD turkey and SPD cheddar, plus avocado… Yum!)
59 locals recommend
SPD Market
735 Zion St
59 locals recommend
Go to the SPD market to get a sandwich for your day trip to the river. You won’t be disappointed! (My rec: Dutch crunch with SPD turkey and SPD cheddar, plus avocado… Yum!)
This is my favorite place for a fancy cocktail in Nevada City.
91 locals recommend
Golden Era
309 Broad St
91 locals recommend
This is my favorite place for a fancy cocktail in Nevada City.
Yummy Thai food! Great ambiance.
53 locals recommend
Sopa Thai Cuisine
312 Commercial St
53 locals recommend
Yummy Thai food! Great ambiance.
Great homemade ice cream. What a treat!!
61 locals recommend
Treats
210 Main St
61 locals recommend
Great homemade ice cream. What a treat!!
I love the healthy bowls here! They also just opened up the Heartwood Annex at night which serves really delicious and healthy ramen and pho.
65 locals recommend
Heartwood
237 Commercial St
65 locals recommend
I love the healthy bowls here! They also just opened up the Heartwood Annex at night which serves really delicious and healthy ramen and pho.
This roadhouse is right at the end of Willow Valley, close to the Ohana (and close to town). It’s a local favorite with no frills but good food! Can’t go wrong at The Northridge. I recommend the Popeye pizza, the burger, or the steak salad.
25 locals recommend
Northridge of Nevada City
773 Nevada St
25 locals recommend
This roadhouse is right at the end of Willow Valley, close to the Ohana (and close to town). It’s a local favorite with no frills but good food! Can’t go wrong at The Northridge. I recommend the Popeye pizza, the burger, or the steak salad.
A pasty (pronounced past- ee) is a a Cornish pastry, often filled with meat, brought here by miners in the 1840s. It is most similar to an empanada. This is a great to go food.
Grass Valley Pasty Co
100 S Auburn St
A pasty (pronounced past- ee) is a a Cornish pastry, often filled with meat, brought here by miners in the 1840s. It is most similar to an empanada. This is a great to go food.
I love this market for groceries as well as their hot food and prepared section.
93 locals recommend
BriarPatch Food Co-op
290 Sierra College Dr
93 locals recommend
I love this market for groceries as well as their hot food and prepared section.
I love the chicken shawarma with all the fixings at Meze.
58 locals recommend
MeZe Eatery Grass Valley
106 Mill St
58 locals recommend
I love the chicken shawarma with all the fixings at Meze.
This is my favorite place to get a burger after a backpacking trip.
19 locals recommend
Jernigan's Tap House & Grill
123 Argall Way
19 locals recommend
This is my favorite place to get a burger after a backpacking trip.
I love getting food from their deli and their pre-cooked, ready to heat meals are gourmet. This is a great place to get items for a fancy picnic.
10 locals recommend
BackPorch Market
135 Colfax Ave
10 locals recommend
I love getting food from their deli and their pre-cooked, ready to heat meals are gourmet. This is a great place to get items for a fancy picnic.
I like this tap house and restaurant. Great selection of beers and good food. Located downtown GV.
38 locals recommend
Thirsty Barrel Taphouse & Grille
116 Neal St
38 locals recommend
I like this tap house and restaurant. Great selection of beers and good food. Located downtown GV.
This is a fun brewery to meet friends. Good beer and good food!
13 locals recommend
1849 Brewing Company
468 Sutton Way
13 locals recommend
This is a fun brewery to meet friends. Good beer and good food!
This new restaurant in downtown Nevada City has healthy, fresh, and sometimes spicy takes on tacos, taquitos, bowls, and more. I enjoyed my first visit.
Delish Bish
This new restaurant in downtown Nevada City has healthy, fresh, and sometimes spicy takes on tacos, taquitos, bowls, and more. I enjoyed my first visit.
This is a great Chilean restaurant with good food and a warm ambiance.
48 locals recommend
Diego's
217 Colfax Ave
48 locals recommend
This is a great Chilean restaurant with good food and a warm ambiance.

Outdoor Adventure

There are so many great swimming holes at the beautiful Yuba River! Please be sure to not bring glass to the river, pack out your trash, and to be respectful of nature and other river goers.
44 locals recommend
Yuba River
44 locals recommend
There are so many great swimming holes at the beautiful Yuba River! Please be sure to not bring glass to the river, pack out your trash, and to be respectful of nature and other river goers.
If you are into mountain biking then you know about Downieville. This is a fun day trip to see an old gold mining town and explore nature. Downieville has some good restaurants and shops.
23 locals recommend
Downieville
23 locals recommend
If you are into mountain biking then you know about Downieville. This is a fun day trip to see an old gold mining town and explore nature. Downieville has some good restaurants and shops.
This is my favorite ski resort, hands down. I worked here as a snowboard instructor a long time ago and know the mountain well. Shred the gnar!
127 locals recommend
Sugar Bowl Resort
629 Sugar Bowl Rd
127 locals recommend
This is my favorite ski resort, hands down. I worked here as a snowboard instructor a long time ago and know the mountain well. Shred the gnar!
Scott’s Flat Lake has two sides for access; one up Willow Valley off Scott’s Flat Road (has a campground, camp store, boat ramp, and more) and one up Red Dog Road (day use and boat ramp). It’s a fun place to go boating, paddle boarding, swimming, and more.
28 locals recommend
Scotts Flat Lake
23333 Scotts Flat Rd
28 locals recommend
Scott’s Flat Lake has two sides for access; one up Willow Valley off Scott’s Flat Road (has a campground, camp store, boat ramp, and more) and one up Red Dog Road (day use and boat ramp). It’s a fun place to go boating, paddle boarding, swimming, and more.
Tahoe is an hour to two hours away depending on where you are going. I can’t say enough about Tahoe- definitely one of my favorite places to camp, ski, swim, backpack, hike, sightsee, etc.
8 locals recommend
Lake Tahoe
8 locals recommend
Tahoe is an hour to two hours away depending on where you are going. I can’t say enough about Tahoe- definitely one of my favorite places to camp, ski, swim, backpack, hike, sightsee, etc.
This is my favorite local hike that crosses a stunning suspension bridge. Start and end in downtown!
41 locals recommend
Deer Creek Tribute Trail
Deer Creek Tribute Trail
41 locals recommend
This is my favorite local hike that crosses a stunning suspension bridge. Start and end in downtown!
This is one of my favorite places to paddle board. There are a ton of beautiful lakes and trails in this area to enjoy.
Fuller Lake
This is one of my favorite places to paddle board. There are a ton of beautiful lakes and trails in this area to enjoy.
Mountain biking is big in Nevada County! Pioneer Trail, Hoot Trail, and more will keep you entertained and are a short drive or ride away.
Pioneer Trail
Pioneer Trail
Mountain biking is big in Nevada County! Pioneer Trail, Hoot Trail, and more will keep you entertained and are a short drive or ride away.
Grouse Ridge is my favorite place to go backpacking and hiking. Stunning views.
Grouse Ridge Campground
Grouse Ridge is my favorite place to go backpacking and hiking. Stunning views.

City advice

Don't miss

Victorian Christmas (NC) or Cornish Christmas (GV)

Victorian Christmas in downtown Nevada City or Cornish Christmas in downtown Grass Valley are great street fair events to attend with art booths, food booths, mulled wine, and more. These events run the month of December, before Christmas, on different nights. Google for more info. They even filmed a Hallmark movie in downtown Nevada City at Christmas because it is so picture perfect!
Don't miss

Summer Nights in Nevada City

In the month of July, these weekly street fairs, complete with art, music, and food vendors, are a great way to explore downtown Nevada City. Google for more info.
Customs and culture

Wild and Scenic Film Festival

Every January, this amazing film festival takes over town. Get your tickets online and check out the events!
Customs and culture

First Friday Art Walks, downtown NC

All summer long, check out the scene in downtown Nevada City on the first Friday of the month.
Don't miss

Farmers’ Market, downtown NC, Saturday AM

I love this farmers’ market!
Don't miss

Nevada City fall colors

Take a walk on Nevada Street and through town in the fall to see the stunning leaves changing colors. It’s one of my favorite times in Nevada City.
What to pack

Don’t forget your bathing suit in the summer!

My pool, the local lakes, and the river are great this time of year.
Don't miss

World Fest Music Festival

This multi day music festival held at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley has a great lineup every year!