Some of our favorite spots

Welcome to Nevada City, California!

Nevada City is an historic gold-mining town nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It sits at the gateway of the Tahoe National Forest, offering show-stopping hikes and epic river trips. The area’s crown jewel is the healing Yuba River where families spend the weekend swimming in crystal-clear water and sunbathing on luxurious prehistoric rocks.

The great outdoors

  • Hoyt Trail offers an endless array of luxurious swimming holes replete with waterfalls. Note to families: there’s a nude beach at trail’s end, but plenty of family-friendly spots near the trailhead.

  • Kneebone Beach and Family Beach at the South Yuba River State Park provide family-friendly rivers spots with ample shoreline space for spreading out blankets and chairs (if you get there early enough), not to mention the excellent hikes on nearby Buttermilk Bend Trail.

  • At Emerald Pools, enjoy epic pools and awe-inspiring hikes that lead to a beautiful waterfall with towering Lord of the Rings-style vistas.

  • Empire Mine State Historic Park is a decommissioned gold-mine-turned state park. Learn about the area’s rich history (no pun intended) in gold mining while strolling the rustic grounds. Or explore the park’s expansive space featuring 14 trails over 856 forested acres.

  • Deer Creek Tribute Trail is just minutes from downtown Nevada City. Grab a fun drink in town then escape onto a great trail with a thrilling suspension bridge.

  • Explore Lake Spaulding and spend the day hiking the beautiful Tahoe National Forest.

  • Scotts Flat features beach-like shores with a beautiful lake perfect for family-fun days spent grilling and swimming. You can also camp here and call the lake home for the duration of your stay.

  • Sierra Discovery Trail is a wild-meets-manicured trail punctuated by charming paths, local wildlife, and a host of babbling brooks.

Dining and imbibing

Restaurants

  • Three Forks Bakery & Brewery is Nevada City’s veritable public square. Enjoy a freshly made salad, the best pizza in town, and stupendous local brews.

  • The Golden Gate Saloon at the Holbrooke Hotel features some of the area’s finest dining inside an historic Grass Valley hotel with excellent outdoor patios.

  • Heartwood is another great go-to for fresh rustic salads and hearty ramen in the heart of downtown Nevada City.

  • Sushi in the Raw sits just a little outside of downtown Nevada City. Enjoy remarkably fresh fish and the best miso on Earth on the cozy patio under the pines.

  • The National Bar is downtown Nevada City’s premier piano bar sitting right next door to its sister restaurant Lola, which offers fine dining so close by you can still hear the keys a’twinkling.

  • BrewHaus is Nevada City’s newest beer garden offering locally brewed beers, delicious treats, and a fantastic outdoor patio. 

  • Crazy Horse Saloon and Grill = the place to be (and dance!) at night. Not only a great local bar and restaurant but one of the biggest stops for touring bands in all of Northern California.

  • Jernigan’s Tap House and Grill is a casual burger place, but also so much more. The chef there is fantastic, and they always keep the local brews flowing.

  • Enjoy The Willow Steakhouse’s local-legend steaks and ribs in a lively saloon.

  • 5 Mile House is right at the edge of the Tahoe National Forest but is only 10 minutes out of town. A fun local restaurant with live music at night.

Bars

  • Elixart is especially excellent for those who don’t drink alcohol. Enjoy a bar full of exotic non-alcoholic beverages containing mood-lifting herbs and supplements in this one-of-a-kind atmosphere.

  • Nevada City Winery is, in our view, the single best-kept wine secret in all of Northern California, and we know that’s saying something. Try the Rough & Ready Red; thank us later.

  • The beautiful bar at Golden Era blends elegance with grit, offering excellent cocktails and exciting live music at night.

  • The Fern knows how to get down. Who would have thought a nightclub this fun could be hiding out in such a quaint little mountain town?

  • The Mine Shaft is Nevada City’s much beloved dive bar. Wouldn’t take the kids there. 

In-town adventures

Nevada City

  • The Nevada City Farmer’s Market is a local legend where vendors come from far and wide to offer arts, crafts, and delicious fresh produce. Open Saturdays from 8:30 AM – 1 PM.

  • Crystal Rainbow Rock Shop is another one-of-a-kind Nevada City wonder, a single little one-room shop decked to the nines with rare gems, stones, crystals, jewels, and other spiritual gifts.

  • The Onyx Theatre keeps movie-going alive and swell for kids at heart (21+), featuring a wide range of new, independent, and classic films in an elegant space. Enjoy the show in your plush velvet seat over a helping of organic popcorn and libations.

  • Choquiero Cacao Cafe offers a truly unique chocolate experience. Enjoy artisan treats and delicious drinking chocolate made with ceremonial-grade cacao. Pick up some sweet souvenirs for your loved ones back home.

Grass Valley

  • The Mill Street Downtown Promenade runs through the center of downtown Grass Valley, hosting an array of unique shops, cafes, restaurants, wine bars with live music, and tons of outdoor seating.

  • Clock Tower Records, the preeminent record store in the area, packs some of the best vinyl and kindest people in town. Expand thy wax collection!

Have you booked your stay yet?