From historic saloons to year-round mountain biking, Nevada County Cultural District has plenty to offer.
TheNevada County Cultural Districtthat embrace Grass Valley and Nevada City was once the most famous Au mining expanse in California . Now the territory consist of two wizardly old towns satiate with historic landmarks , miles of outdoor trail , newly renovated hotels , and heap of pit stops for beer and wine . Less than 2.5 60 minutes from San Francisco and just one 60 minutes from Truckee , the field is a great name and address for a standalone weekend tripper or as an extension of a Lake Tahoe trip . Thinking about making a visit ? Here are 11 reasons to gas up the car and drive to Grass Valley - Nevada City Cultural District :
Visit ‘Uba Seo Gallery
Before the mineworker , there was the Nisenan masses . This group of Indigenous Americans populate between the Sacramento River and the Sierra Mountains . The Gold Rush brought a large influx of people and the Nisenans were drive away . The California Heritage : Indigenous Research Projectworks to bring more awareness to the Nisenan culture , let in opening of the ‘ Uba Seo Gallery in downtown Nevada City in the summertime of 2021 , bringing in exhibits of aboriginal American artistic creation and culture , in picky those of the Nisenan people . The current exhibit “ wipe off ” position focalize on “ anti - Indian legislation , negation of Tribal reign and endure impact of force assimilation that bear on to affect the Nisenan . ”
Stay at historic (and possibly haunted) hotels
Grass Valley and Nevada City are home to two historic hotels that lately underwent major renovations under new possession , outfitting them with innovative comforts while contribute back the architectural and design inside information of the Gold Rush era . The Victorian - styleNational Exchange Hotelfirst open in 1856 and holds the designation of being one of the old continuously track down hotels west of the Rockies — outside of a fire that concisely end the hotel down in 1863 — as well as being recognized in the National Register of Historic Places and as a California Historical Landmark . The historic hotel has 38 unique rooms with vintage details , plus theNational Barfor bite and cocktails in a tap house background , Lolafor modern , market - ram fine dining , and theGrand Loungefor relaxing and ask in the views of Nevada City .
The masonry - styleHolbrooke Hotelis also an icon of the area . Opened in 1852 , it ’s the oldest continuously operated hotel in California ’s Mother Lode and recognized as a California Historical Landmark for a history that includes past guests like Mark Twain , Jack London , and five US presidents . The hotel has 28 rooms , each offering unique charm and cozy details like fur rugs and brick wall , to invite you to hang your lid for a night or two .
With over 150 eld of history and famous and infamous guests who have bide in the room , both hotelsfrequently absorb supernatural enthusiasts to the area . Some of the packages declare oneself at The National Exchange come with a turn of the hotel where they will shed some of these haunting histories with the Guest . Take a peep into Holbrooke ’s ghostly past by readingthe historyon their website .
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Drink cocktails at the oldest continuously operating saloon in California
TheGolden Gate Saloonin Grass Valley spread in 1852 and is the old continuously operating saloon in the state . Part of the newly renovated Holbrooke Hotel , the Golden Gate Saloon still gas the beautiful original reddish brown and marble ginmill . but now with a young food and cocktail menu from Santa Barbara ’s Acme Hospitality Group . Sit at the bar for a cocktail or local beer , and stick for the seasonal , California - Mexican dinner menu . Also within the Holbrooke Hotel isThe Iron Door , a speakeasy lounge that ’s rumor to have been a brothel in a former life history . Now they ’re darling for creative and Hellenic cocktails in an clandestine setting , with I. F. Stone walls , wood ceiling , and ambient inflammation .
Learn about life in the mines during the Gold Rush
The Empire Mine was one of the most productive hardrock gold mine in its heyday , make 5.8 million ounce of gold . The success of the Empire Mine was responsible for much of the ontogeny in Grass Valley . While the mine close in 1956 , it ’s now a country historic park with docent - direct tours and lead throughout the mine yard and the owner ’s estate , including entrance to 367 sea mile of undercover mine shafts .
Take a hike
With theTahoe National Forestas its backyard , Grass Valley and Nevada City have over 600 miles of trails . The Deer Creek Tribute trail , unadulterated with brook views and abatement bridges , starts out just a few blocks from business district Nevada City and is easily accessible even without a car . An outside stumble here can be inclusive for the whole family , and just six miles away isIndependence Trail , which is the country ’s first wheelchair - accessible wilderness lead .
Drink award-winning beers
Three Forks Bakery & Brewing Company is a small - town spot where beer are brew in - house and most of the ingredients used in their pastries and pizza pie are sourced from local farm . They also strive to minimize waste product by providing food waste , chocolate grounds , and spent beer grain to local farms for their brute . Three Forks ’ beer have deliver the goods multiple gold palm at country competitions , including a Munich Helles lager called Mother ’s Beach Blonde , and the dry - hopped Dynamite Double IPA . Pair your selection with fresh pastry dough or forest - fired pizza pie with organic godforsaken yeast crust .
Go wine tasting
The Grass Valley - Nevada City region is part of an appellative called the Sierra Foothills . Nevada City Wineryis the oldest winery in Nevada County and all of the Sierra Foothills American Viticultural Area ( AVA ) ; it started make wine in 1880 . Prohibition and the end of the Gold Rush put an death to many winery here , but Nevada City Winery was revived in 1980 and their wine-coloured have been winning awards at various California wine competition ever since . Of particular note is their North Coast Brut , an aromatic effervescent vino with hints of citrus fruits , pear , and flowered notes , that took abode Double Gold and Gold medals at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition . The savor way powerful in downtown Nevada City put up an art gallery and with plenty of indoor and outside seating room , is a nice spot to drop a easygoing good afternoon .
Watch a burlesque show
floor show and burlesque shows were a common form of entertainment during the Gold Rush , and you may now on a regular basis catch them thanks to a corporate calledThe Fringe Society , a not-for-profit that supports functioning fine art in the community . The Fringe Society couch on a monthly Drag Bingo in partnership withBoozy Drag Queen Bingoat National Exchange Hotel’sLolarestaurant . They also put on a monthlyWestern - themed burlesque showat Holbrooke ’s speakeasy , The Iron Door .
Kayak on Scotts Flat Lake
About six nautical mile east of Nevada City is Scotts Flat Lake , a locals ’ favorite for water activities and camping . The lake may be man - made , but has a lot to extend include beaches , picnic areas and grills , and hiking and biking trail . There are kayak and swallow rentals locally , so it ’s easy to channelise out to the water and revel a prospect of the shore trace with pine trees . The lake is also a pop spot for trout and bass fishing . There is a $ 15 day - use fee per fomite ( up to four multitude ) , so we recommend carpooling .
Hit the road or mountain for biking
Nevada City host the Old professional cycling races on the West Coast with Nevada City Classic , as well as the younker - organizedNevada City Dirt Classic , so you sleep with it ’s a great area for both route and mountain biking . There are a dozenmountain biking trailsfrom easy to in advance difficultness , as wellroad biking routesthat run through plenty of quiet backroads , ranging from 15 all the agency to 113 miles . For those vanish in , Tour of Nevada Cityrents out various types of bike .
See a show at the oldest theater on the West Coast
Nevada Theater open in 1865 and is a historic turning point for being the old theater building in California . The theater late underwent renovation , which includes a stunning mural that spans the full auditorium , paint by California artist Sarah Coleman . The dramatic art legion encounter , alive music , and saltation performance . Check thewebsitefor upcoming events and to purchase ticket .
California Heritage: Indigenous Research Project
Photo by Kat Alves
Photo by Kat Alves
Photo by Fiona Chandra
Photo by Angela Nunnink Photography
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Photo by Akim Aginsky
