Guidebook to Grass Valley & Nevada County
Sightseeing
Beautiful grounds and interesting buildings that offer insight into Grass Valley's rich gold mining history.
187 locals recommend
Empire Mine State Park
10791 E Empire StBeautiful grounds and interesting buildings that offer insight into Grass Valley's rich gold mining history.
Historic downtown Grass Valley offers a variety of small, local shops, restaurants, winery tasting rooms, and brew pubs. Its history dates from the California Gold Rush, around 1850, and it is home to two of the richest mines in California. Many of those who initially settled here were tin miners from Cornwall, England, as the same skills needed for deep tin mining were needed for deep hardrock gold mining. A few restaurants in town still specialize in Cornish pasties, with recipes handed down from the original immigrants.
86 locals recommend
Grass Valley
Historic downtown Grass Valley offers a variety of small, local shops, restaurants, winery tasting rooms, and brew pubs. Its history dates from the California Gold Rush, around 1850, and it is home to two of the richest mines in California. Many of those who initially settled here were tin miners from Cornwall, England, as the same skills needed for deep tin mining were needed for deep hardrock gold mining. A few restaurants in town still specialize in Cornish pasties, with recipes handed down from the original immigrants.
Located next door, Nevada City is a charming Victorian town that also offers a variety of shops, restaurants, winery tasting rooms, and bar/saloons which often feature local entertainment.
131 locals recommend
Nevada City
Located next door, Nevada City is a charming Victorian town that also offers a variety of shops, restaurants, winery tasting rooms, and bar/saloons which often feature local entertainment.
A beautiful spot along the Yuba River. The Bridgeport State Park also offers parking, picnicing, scenic hiking trails and spots to take a dip along the river.
66 locals recommend
Bridgeport Covered Bridge
17660 Pleasant Valley RdA beautiful spot along the Yuba River. The Bridgeport State Park also offers parking, picnicing, scenic hiking trails and spots to take a dip along the river.
The South Yuba River Bridge area is a popular spots for swimming and sun bathing during the summer.
15 locals recommend
South Yuba River Bridge
21200 CA-49The South Yuba River Bridge area is a popular spots for swimming and sun bathing during the summer.
The Bear Yuba Land Trust creates and maintains of a number of local hiking trails. Details and maps are available at https://www.bylt.org/trails/
Bear Yuba Land Trust
12183 Auburn RdThe Bear Yuba Land Trust creates and maintains of a number of local hiking trails. Details and maps are available at https://www.bylt.org/trails/
Nestled in the pine trees about 5 miles north of Nevada City, Scotts Flat Lake offers swimming, boating, picnicing and camping.
28 locals recommend
Scotts Flat Lake
23333 Scotts Flat RdNestled in the pine trees about 5 miles north of Nevada City, Scotts Flat Lake offers swimming, boating, picnicing and camping.
Located between Grass Valley and Colfax, Rollins Lake offers swimming, picnicing, camping, boating plus a small store.
20 locals recommend
Rollins Lake
RollinsLocated between Grass Valley and Colfax, Rollins Lake offers swimming, picnicing, camping, boating plus a small store.
Located in Truckee, about an hour east if Grass Valley, Donner Lake is a scenic area that offers swimming, boating, and picnic spots.
157 locals recommend
Donner Lake
Located in Truckee, about an hour east if Grass Valley, Donner Lake is a scenic area that offers swimming, boating, and picnic spots.
Lake Tahoe is a must-see for first time visitors to the Sierras. Tahoe City and North Lake Tahoe are about 90 minutes east of Grass Valley.
14 locals recommend
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is a must-see for first time visitors to the Sierras. Tahoe City and North Lake Tahoe are about 90 minutes east of Grass Valley.
Food scene
A popular spot for breakfast, also serves lunch and dinner and has a nice outdoor patio.
51 locals recommend
Tofanelli's Gold Country Bistro
302 W Main StA popular spot for breakfast, also serves lunch and dinner and has a nice outdoor patio.
Offering freshly prepared and healthy dining options, the South Pine Cafe is a popular spot for breakfast or lunch.
65 locals recommend
South Pine Cafe-Grass Valley
102 Richardson StOffering freshly prepared and healthy dining options, the South Pine Cafe is a popular spot for breakfast or lunch.
Atmospheric Italian bar & grill dining, serving pasta, seafood & steaks in a cozy, brick-walled setting.
41 locals recommend
Cirino's at Main Street
213 W Main StAtmospheric Italian bar & grill dining, serving pasta, seafood & steaks in a cozy, brick-walled setting.
Conveniently located on Main St. in downtown Grass Valley, Taste of Thai provides a full offering of well-priced fresh, flavorful, healthy, authentic Thai cuisine.
36 locals recommend
Taste of Thai
204 W Main StConveniently located on Main St. in downtown Grass Valley, Taste of Thai provides a full offering of well-priced fresh, flavorful, healthy, authentic Thai cuisine.
Kaido is a cozy restaurant on Main St in Grass Valley that offers fresh sushi and Japanese cuisine.
13 locals recommend
KAIDO | Japanese Restaurant
207 W Main StKaido is a cozy restaurant on Main St in Grass Valley that offers fresh sushi and Japanese cuisine.
An excellent and romantic Italian restaurant in downtown Grass Valley that serves lunch and dinner - and offers curbside pickup.
9 locals recommend
Alloro Cucina Italiana
124 Bank StAn excellent and romantic Italian restaurant in downtown Grass Valley that serves lunch and dinner - and offers curbside pickup.
A favorite casual lunch spot that uses natural, local and organic ingredients whenever possible, and offers both indoor and outdoor seating.
Afternoon Deli
101 W McKnight WayA favorite casual lunch spot that uses natural, local and organic ingredients whenever possible, and offers both indoor and outdoor seating.
Saturdays - buy fresh fruits, vegetables and more from local farmers: K-Mart parking lot, 111 W McKnight Way, 650 Freeman Ln, opens at 8 am
Grass Valley Farmers' Market
111 W McKnight WaySaturdays - buy fresh fruits, vegetables and more from local farmers: K-Mart parking lot, 111 W McKnight Way, 650 Freeman Ln, opens at 8 am
Tuesdays - buy fresh fruits, vegetables and more from local farmers: Raleys parking lot, 6992 Freeman Ln, opens at 8 am
Grass Valley Farmers' Market
111 W McKnight WayTuesdays - buy fresh fruits, vegetables and more from local farmers: Raleys parking lot, 6992 Freeman Ln, opens at 8 am
Saturdays - buy fresh fruits, vegetables and more from local farmers: 100 Union Alley, opens at 8:30 am.
24 locals recommend
Nevada City Farmers Market
505 Union AlleySaturdays - buy fresh fruits, vegetables and more from local farmers: 100 Union Alley, opens at 8:30 am.