Local Attractions
Nevada City is a beautifully preserved Victorian town that dates back to the California Gold Rush. It has National Historic Preservation status, and staying here is a lovely way to step back in time and still have all the amenities and attractions of a very cosmopolitan community. There are outstanding restaurants, wonderful shops and galleries, cafes,and bars to suit every taste. Throughout the year there are numerous fairs, festivals, art, music and activity events in both Nevada City and Grass Valley. See the Chamber of Commerce schedule of events. The surrounding Sierra foothills are a natural wonderland with pristine forests, protected rivers with wonderful swimming areas, and relics from the gold rush era including ghost towns and small rural communities to explore. There are three championship golf courses in Grass Valley and Auburn, within a half hour’s drive.
Spring, summer and fall are gorgeous for outdoor activities. The fall foliage is magnificent, and winter brings its own charms. Nevada City’s famous Victorian Christmas, celebrated throughout the month of December, draws visitors from all over. And the occasional snowfall blankets the town and countryside in white. Skiing is only an hour or so away, up Interstate 80 towards Truckee. If you want a more temperate climate to stay in and not have to go too far to ski, Nevada City is the perfect spot.
Nevada City, and it’s close neighbor, Grass Valley, another vibrant historic town, host a wide variety of cultural activities all year long. There are music and art festivals, fairs, the Nevada City Fourth of July Parade, and the famous Nevada City Bike Race held in downtown Nevada City each year on Father’s Day. The North Columbia Story Telling Festival, also held every year, has gained wide notoriety and draws folks from all over to hear some of the country’s best storytellers. North Columbia, just a short drive from Nevada City, is a former gold rush town, now just a crossroads with the old two room schoolhouse converted to a community center as the venue for the festival. Check the local Chamber of Commerce site above for the schedules of all the events in the area.
Top 10 rated DarkHorse is 12 miles away. The course was laid out on what was once a 1,100-acre cattle ranch and features magnificent elevation changes. Holes were gently placed into the curving valleys on the site; the greens are subtly contoured; the bunkers are strategically placed and offer a variety of different shot making opportunities.
Nearby Lake Tahoe and the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains are home to world famous ski resorts.