Guidebook for Nevada City/Grass Valley

John & Audry
Guidebook for Nevada City/Grass Valley

Food Scene

Our favorite for Italian food. We love the caesar salad and short rib lasagna. Reservations recommended 530/477-6000
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Cirino's at Main Street
213 W Main St
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Our favorite for Italian food. We love the caesar salad and short rib lasagna. Reservations recommended 530/477-6000
Mexican food. They don't take reservations and the place is popular. We like to sit at the big circular bar, have a Margarita and chat with the other locals. Full menu served there. If you prefer to sit at a table, the wait is never long.
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Maria's
226 E Main St
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Mexican food. They don't take reservations and the place is popular. We like to sit at the big circular bar, have a Margarita and chat with the other locals. Full menu served there. If you prefer to sit at a table, the wait is never long.
Small, quiet, sit-down restaurant in the heart of historic downtown Nevada City. Closed Sunday and Monday. Reservations necessary on weekends and strongly recommended otherwise – call a day ahead if able. 530/265-5757
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Sushi Q
238 Commercial St
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Small, quiet, sit-down restaurant in the heart of historic downtown Nevada City. Closed Sunday and Monday. Reservations necessary on weekends and strongly recommended otherwise – call a day ahead if able. 530/265-5757
Brewery and café. Good for a casual lunch or just an appetizer.
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Three Forks Bakery & Brewing Co.
211 Commercial St
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Brewery and café. Good for a casual lunch or just an appetizer.
Wonderful shop-made ice cream. No visit to NC is complete without stopping here.
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Treats
210 Main St
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Wonderful shop-made ice cream. No visit to NC is complete without stopping here.
Small and very casual. 530/265-0284
Miner Moe's Pizza
102 Argall Way
Small and very casual. 530/265-0284
Huge continental menu. They have a beautiful patio available during nice weather. We like Tofanelli’s for lunch, but they are open for breakfast and dinner as well. Audry likes the pulled pork sliders, and their salads are lovely. This restaurant can be busy, so you may have to wait a few (no reservations for less than 4).
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Tofanelli's Gold Country Bistro
302 W Main St
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Huge continental menu. They have a beautiful patio available during nice weather. We like Tofanelli’s for lunch, but they are open for breakfast and dinner as well. Audry likes the pulled pork sliders, and their salads are lovely. This restaurant can be busy, so you may have to wait a few (no reservations for less than 4).
Only the locals know about this one ... run by a woman from Venice, Italy. VERY authentic Italian pizza and pasta. We find the lasagna a bit too salty, but everything else is delicious. Open for lunch and dinner.
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La Gastronomia
760 S Auburn St
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Only the locals know about this one ... run by a woman from Venice, Italy. VERY authentic Italian pizza and pasta. We find the lasagna a bit too salty, but everything else is delicious. Open for lunch and dinner.
Meditteranean-style food. Casual, walk-in kinda place in downtown Grass Valley for lunch or dinner. Small and frequently quite busy. We recommend the Chicken Shwarma and falafel.
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MeZe Eatery Grass Valley
106 Mill St
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Meditteranean-style food. Casual, walk-in kinda place in downtown Grass Valley for lunch or dinner. Small and frequently quite busy. We recommend the Chicken Shwarma and falafel.
Many prefer Sopa Thai in Nevada City (it has a beautiful dining patio), but we like Taste of Thai's food better. Pay attention to the address because you go down a hallway to get to the front door, and the signage isn't great. 530/274-2968
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Taste of Thai
204 W Main St
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Many prefer Sopa Thai in Nevada City (it has a beautiful dining patio), but we like Taste of Thai's food better. Pay attention to the address because you go down a hallway to get to the front door, and the signage isn't great. 530/274-2968
Popular local’s spot for burgers, dogs, and milkshakes. We also like their salads. Everything we’ve tried is good and fresh. You can order ahead online.
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Pine Street Burgers-E. Main & Dorsey Drive
1249 E Main St
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Popular local’s spot for burgers, dogs, and milkshakes. We also like their salads. Everything we’ve tried is good and fresh. You can order ahead online.
Wonderful for salads and toasts. Primarily vegetarian/vegan.
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Heartwood
237 Commercial St
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Wonderful for salads and toasts. Primarily vegetarian/vegan.
Friar Tuck’s is a staple of Nevada City, known for fondue. A generally nice place for dinner with great service - Audry likes the ribs, and John is partial to the duck. Reservations recommended 530/265-9093
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Friar Tuck's Restaurant & Bar
111 N Pine St
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Friar Tuck’s is a staple of Nevada City, known for fondue. A generally nice place for dinner with great service - Audry likes the ribs, and John is partial to the duck. Reservations recommended 530/265-9093
Pasties are a Grass Valley tradition, stemming from the Cornish miners who populated the area during the gold mining days. These are handheld savory pies (they offer a vegetarian option). This little shop makes really good ones if you just want to pick up something quick for lunch or dinner. Takeout only. Bring your appetite, the pasties are huge.
Grass Valley Pasty Co
100 S Auburn St
Pasties are a Grass Valley tradition, stemming from the Cornish miners who populated the area during the gold mining days. These are handheld savory pies (they offer a vegetarian option). This little shop makes really good ones if you just want to pick up something quick for lunch or dinner. Takeout only. Bring your appetite, the pasties are huge.
Delicious bagels and bagel sandwiches. John is hooked on the Eureka (lox bagel sandwich). Open only for breakfast and lunch; can get crowded so you may have to wait a few minutes. 1943 Nevada City Hwy, Grass Valley
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Bubba's Bagels
1943 Nevada City Hwy
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Delicious bagels and bagel sandwiches. John is hooked on the Eureka (lox bagel sandwich). Open only for breakfast and lunch; can get crowded so you may have to wait a few minutes. 1943 Nevada City Hwy, Grass Valley
Breakfast and lunch restaurant. Great service and good food in downtown Nevada City. Audry likes their french toast and fresh orange juice. Recently opened, so menu and hours may change, but they are open early for breakfast. 110 South Pine St, Nevada City
The Place on South Pine
110 South Pine Street
Breakfast and lunch restaurant. Great service and good food in downtown Nevada City. Audry likes their french toast and fresh orange juice. Recently opened, so menu and hours may change, but they are open early for breakfast. 110 South Pine St, Nevada City
If you’re looking for a little coffee shop where you can sit and chat for a bit, this may be the place. Located in historical Grass Valley. They offer a good selection of teas and coffee, pastries, muffins, etc.
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Brew Bakers Coffee and Tea House
209 W Main St
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If you’re looking for a little coffee shop where you can sit and chat for a bit, this may be the place. Located in historical Grass Valley. They offer a good selection of teas and coffee, pastries, muffins, etc.
New cafe/coffee shop in the heart of Nevada City. They offer homey breakfast and lunch items, and gluten-free pastries. Audry likes the Norm Core Sandwich. Service can be slow when busy. Plenty of seating.
Communal Cafe
New cafe/coffee shop in the heart of Nevada City. They offer homey breakfast and lunch items, and gluten-free pastries. Audry likes the Norm Core Sandwich. Service can be slow when busy. Plenty of seating.
Very popular cafe near the historic center of Grass Valley. Great food and fresh juices. Often crowded on weekends so you’ll likely have to wait a few.
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South Pine Cafe-Grass Valley
102 Richardson St
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Very popular cafe near the historic center of Grass Valley. Great food and fresh juices. Often crowded on weekends so you’ll likely have to wait a few.
This restaurant is located in one of the oldest buildings in Nevada City (originally a brewery), and the food is great. Perfect place for a quiet, upscale dinner. Ask to sit upstairs in the main dining room (downstairs is the bar). Closed Monday and Tuesday, reservations strongly recommended on weekends. 530/265-5050
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The Stone house
107 Sacramento St
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This restaurant is located in one of the oldest buildings in Nevada City (originally a brewery), and the food is great. Perfect place for a quiet, upscale dinner. Ask to sit upstairs in the main dining room (downstairs is the bar). Closed Monday and Tuesday, reservations strongly recommended on weekends. 530/265-5050
Great for a quick pastry and coffee in the morning. Audry likes the pumpkin muffins, John is partial to the ham & cheese pastry. Usually lots of baked items to choose from; they also offer a variety of juices. There is seating available inside and out.
Flour Garden Bakery
Great for a quick pastry and coffee in the morning. Audry likes the pumpkin muffins, John is partial to the ham & cheese pastry. Usually lots of baked items to choose from; they also offer a variety of juices. There is seating available inside and out.
This is a neighborhood sports bar/taphouse frequented by locals. Don't expect much in the way of decor, but the selection of beer/cider on tap is good, and the food is unexpectedly delicious. Audry loves the patty melt. There is inside and patio seating available, and ample parking.
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Jernigan's Tap House & Grill
123 Argall Way
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This is a neighborhood sports bar/taphouse frequented by locals. Don't expect much in the way of decor, but the selection of beer/cider on tap is good, and the food is unexpectedly delicious. Audry loves the patty melt. There is inside and patio seating available, and ample parking.
Traditional coffee shop fare. Popular with the locals, but it’s a large place so the wait is never long. Try the fresh orange juice.
Humpty Dumpty Kitchen
1711 E Main St
Traditional coffee shop fare. Popular with the locals, but it’s a large place so the wait is never long. Try the fresh orange juice.
This small restaurant/bar is located in the historic Holbrooke Hotel in downtown Grass Valley. Nice for upscale dining/drinks. Everything we’ve tried has been wonderful. It’s not huge, so reservations are recommended. There’s also a lovely patio in back open during warm weather.
Golden Gate Saloon
212 W Main St
This small restaurant/bar is located in the historic Holbrooke Hotel in downtown Grass Valley. Nice for upscale dining/drinks. Everything we’ve tried has been wonderful. It’s not huge, so reservations are recommended. There’s also a lovely patio in back open during warm weather.
This beautiful, historic hotel is great for a nice dinner out. Food is good and atmosphere is lovely (try a drink in the bar before dining). We love the Beef Cheek entrée. The building is from the 1800s, and those high ceilings can make things noisy. Reservations strongly recommended.
Lola Dining
This beautiful, historic hotel is great for a nice dinner out. Food is good and atmosphere is lovely (try a drink in the bar before dining). We love the Beef Cheek entrée. The building is from the 1800s, and those high ceilings can make things noisy. Reservations strongly recommended.

Drinks & Nightlife

For the Baby Boomers - Live music most nights, intimate bar.
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Friar Tuck's Restaurant & Bar
111 N Pine St
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For the Baby Boomers - Live music most nights, intimate bar.
Lovely, historic bar in the heart of Nevada City. Often has live music. This place is very popular, so you may need to arrive early if you want to snag a seat.
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Golden Era
309 Broad St
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Lovely, historic bar in the heart of Nevada City. Often has live music. This place is very popular, so you may need to arrive early if you want to snag a seat.
For those looking for a little rowdier evening, the Crazy Horse is a local favorite. Located in downtown Nevada City. They often offer live music and dancing, and decent pub food.
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Crazy Horse Saloon and Grill
230 Commercial St
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For those looking for a little rowdier evening, the Crazy Horse is a local favorite. Located in downtown Nevada City. They often offer live music and dancing, and decent pub food.
Upscale, beautiful historic lounge in the cornerstone of Nevada City. The hotel underwent a major restoration a few years, and the bar is gorgeous. A lovely place for a drink after touring the area. 211 Broad St, Nevada City
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National Hotel
211 Broad St
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Upscale, beautiful historic lounge in the cornerstone of Nevada City. The hotel underwent a major restoration a few years, and the bar is gorgeous. A lovely place for a drink after touring the area. 211 Broad St, Nevada City
Comfortable mountain atmosphere to enjoy a sip and a charcuterie board in downtown Nevada City.
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Nevada City Winery
321 Spring St
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Comfortable mountain atmosphere to enjoy a sip and a charcuterie board in downtown Nevada City.

Essentials

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Safeway
867 Sutton Way
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Launderland
871 Sutton Way

Shopping

A bit touristy but great souvenir shopping, and a nice daytrip from NC. During June, July and August they have a street fair on Thursdays starting at 5pm.
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Truckee
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A bit touristy but great souvenir shopping, and a nice daytrip from NC. During June, July and August they have a street fair on Thursdays starting at 5pm.
Lots of little shops to explore in historic Grass Valley. About a 10-minute drive from the apartment. There are public parking lots on S. Auburn St. and S. Church St. but they can be crowded - take a spot on the street if you see one.
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Grass Valley
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Lots of little shops to explore in historic Grass Valley. About a 10-minute drive from the apartment. There are public parking lots on S. Auburn St. and S. Church St. but they can be crowded - take a spot on the street if you see one.
Beloved for its Victorian charm. Cute little shops and restaurants. It's built on the side of a hill, so can be difficult for mobility-impaired. There's a public parking lot and restroom on the upper end of Commercial Street. A 5-minute drive from the apartment.
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Nevada City
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Beloved for its Victorian charm. Cute little shops and restaurants. It's built on the side of a hill, so can be difficult for mobility-impaired. There's a public parking lot and restroom on the upper end of Commercial Street. A 5-minute drive from the apartment.

Entertainment & Activities

Nevada Theater always has a variety of films and plays going on - you can find the calendar of events at http://www.nevadatheatre.com/calendar.html
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Nevada Theater Film Series
401 Broad St
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Nevada Theater always has a variety of films and plays going on - you can find the calendar of events at http://www.nevadatheatre.com/calendar.html
Lots of concerts, plays, and art shows. You can find the current events at http://thecenterforthearts.org/events/
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The Center For the Arts
314 W Main St
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Lots of concerts, plays, and art shows. You can find the current events at http://thecenterforthearts.org/events/
Periodic special events - art and craft shows, readings, musical performances. See events at https://minersfoundry.org/events/
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Miners Foundry Cultural Center
325 Spring St
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Periodic special events - art and craft shows, readings, musical performances. See events at https://minersfoundry.org/events/
If you enjoy live theater, you might like Sierra Stages. They present 3-4 productions a year, all at the Nevada Theater downtown. Check their site for availability http://www.sierrastages.org/
Sierra Stages Studio
828 West Main Street
If you enjoy live theater, you might like Sierra Stages. They present 3-4 productions a year, all at the Nevada Theater downtown. Check their site for availability http://www.sierrastages.org/
Upscale, intimate theater specializing in good Independent films. There are two theaters with only 29 seats each, so if you want to go on a Saturday night, consider getting your tickets early (less than 10 minute drive). They offer candy, sodas, popcorn, etc., as well as wine and beer. Sorry, no children. http://theonyxtheatre.com/
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The Onyx
107 Argall Way
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Upscale, intimate theater specializing in good Independent films. There are two theaters with only 29 seats each, so if you want to go on a Saturday night, consider getting your tickets early (less than 10 minute drive). They offer candy, sodas, popcorn, etc., as well as wine and beer. Sorry, no children. http://theonyxtheatre.com/
SugarBowl is the closest ski resort to us. A beautiful 1-hour drive, but you'll want to check the road conditions if there's been a recent storm as they often close Hwy 80 to clear snow.
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Sugar Bowl Resort
629 Sugar Bowl Rd
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SugarBowl is the closest ski resort to us. A beautiful 1-hour drive, but you'll want to check the road conditions if there's been a recent storm as they often close Hwy 80 to clear snow.
Small history museum with lots of interesting artifacts from the area, located in downtown Nevada City. Docents are super friendly and informative. Hours are limited.
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Fire House #1 Museum
214 Main St
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Small history museum with lots of interesting artifacts from the area, located in downtown Nevada City. Docents are super friendly and informative. Hours are limited.
This is a great little bike shop just down the hill that offers rentals.
Tour Of Nevada City Bicycle Shop
457 Sacramento St
This is a great little bike shop just down the hill that offers rentals.
If you are interested in trains, this little museum showcases the history of the railroad here in the area. There are several examples of different types of cars, and the docents are friendly and knowledgeable.
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Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum
5 Kidder Ct
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If you are interested in trains, this little museum showcases the history of the railroad here in the area. There are several examples of different types of cars, and the docents are friendly and knowledgeable.
Small museum jam-packed with all sorts of mining equipment and tools used in the area. The building was formerly part of the NorthStar Mine; one of the largest in the area. Ask about a tour - they are usually very informative and not too long.
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Northstar Mining Museum
933 Allison Ranch Rd
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Small museum jam-packed with all sorts of mining equipment and tools used in the area. The building was formerly part of the NorthStar Mine; one of the largest in the area. Ask about a tour - they are usually very informative and not too long.
Small, cabaret-style live theater. Usually quirky, low-budget, and popular with the locals. Shows are held in downtown Nevada City. They offer a few drinks and nice desserts during intermission. Reservations required. 530/265-8686
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Off Broad Street Theatre
305 Commercial St
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Small, cabaret-style live theater. Usually quirky, low-budget, and popular with the locals. Shows are held in downtown Nevada City. They offer a few drinks and nice desserts during intermission. Reservations required. 530/265-8686
Fascinating if you are at all interested in the massive gold mining operations that took place in the area. There's an amazing model and presentation of the local mines. Be sure to go down into the mine entrance - a unique perspective on a miner’s life. If you choose to take one of the free tours, be aware that while informative, they can be long.
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Empire Mine ríkisvæðið
10791 E Empire St
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Fascinating if you are at all interested in the massive gold mining operations that took place in the area. There's an amazing model and presentation of the local mines. Be sure to go down into the mine entrance - a unique perspective on a miner’s life. If you choose to take one of the free tours, be aware that while informative, they can be long.
The longest covered bridge in the United States. Small little state park to explore with nice picnic areas next to the Yuba river (no glass containers). Easy access to the water. Parking is very limited, and there is a small fee.
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Bridgeport Covered Bridge
17660 Pleasant Valley Rd
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The longest covered bridge in the United States. Small little state park to explore with nice picnic areas next to the Yuba river (no glass containers). Easy access to the water. Parking is very limited, and there is a small fee.
A little bit of a drive, but a lovely one. The park is a testament to the damage humans can do to the environment (through strip mining), but the remnants are oddly beautiful and it’s interesting to peek into the historic buildings. There are no food vendors near the area, so take provisions.
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Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park
23579 N Bloomfield Rd
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A little bit of a drive, but a lovely one. The park is a testament to the damage humans can do to the environment (through strip mining), but the remnants are oddly beautiful and it’s interesting to peek into the historic buildings. There are no food vendors near the area, so take provisions.
The Yuba is considered one of our greatest treasures. Its crystal clear water is very popular for swimming in the summer... We understand there are some clothing-optional spots as well (Hoyt’s Crossing, upper Oregon Creek). One of the prettiest and most popular is the Hwy. 49 bridge. Be prepared to hike a little and climb boulders, as parking and access can be challenging in many places. Also, stay safe and don’t swim when water is raging, or near any falling water cascades. There is no cell service in the canyon. For the more conservative, we like Oregon Creek and Bridgeport for swimming. Not as gorgeous as other spots, but safer with easy access.
Yuba River, California, USA
The Yuba is considered one of our greatest treasures. Its crystal clear water is very popular for swimming in the summer... We understand there are some clothing-optional spots as well (Hoyt’s Crossing, upper Oregon Creek). One of the prettiest and most popular is the Hwy. 49 bridge. Be prepared to hike a little and climb boulders, as parking and access can be challenging in many places. Also, stay safe and don’t swim when water is raging, or near any falling water cascades. There is no cell service in the canyon. For the more conservative, we like Oregon Creek and Bridgeport for swimming. Not as gorgeous as other spots, but safer with easy access.
Interesting displays and a wonderful tribute to the pioneers - gutsy and determined people! While it tells their story, it doesn’t dwell on the gruesome. The drive up takes about an hour and is absolutely gorgeous. Not recommended when stormy – the highway through Donner Pass frequently closes in bad weather, and if it’s raining here, it’s probably snowing there.
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Donner Memorial State Museum
12593 Donner Pass Rd
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Interesting displays and a wonderful tribute to the pioneers - gutsy and determined people! While it tells their story, it doesn’t dwell on the gruesome. The drive up takes about an hour and is absolutely gorgeous. Not recommended when stormy – the highway through Donner Pass frequently closes in bad weather, and if it’s raining here, it’s probably snowing there.

Everything Else

If you're up for some pampering, we like this spa in downtown Grass Valley. http://wolfmountaindayspa.com/.
Wolf Mountain Day Spa
110 East Main Street
If you're up for some pampering, we like this spa in downtown Grass Valley. http://wolfmountaindayspa.com/.
Great little gym for those who want to get in a workout. Visitor pass is just a few dollars, and a personal trainer is available by appointment.
Ironworks Gym
153 S Auburn St
Great little gym for those who want to get in a workout. Visitor pass is just a few dollars, and a personal trainer is available by appointment.