Karen’s guidebook
City/town information
Historic downtown Nevada City is a quaint but vibrant small town less than 5 minutes away! There are a variety of restaurants to sample local cuisine, wine tasting rooms, many unique local shops as well as several entertainment venues and the occasional street festival, not to mention our most popular event of the year, Victorian Christmas. Nevada City is also home base for one of the most spectacularly beautiful stretches of river in America, the Wild & Scenic South Yuba River and many popular local hiking trails.
131 residents recomanen
Nevada City
Historic downtown Nevada City is a quaint but vibrant small town less than 5 minutes away! There are a variety of restaurants to sample local cuisine, wine tasting rooms, many unique local shops as well as several entertainment venues and the occasional street festival, not to mention our most popular event of the year, Victorian Christmas. Nevada City is also home base for one of the most spectacularly beautiful stretches of river in America, the Wild & Scenic South Yuba River and many popular local hiking trails.
Food scene
Nevada City - Lola's Restaurant - Great place for brunch on the weekend with a great atmosphere. This hotel/bar/restaurant is a great place to visit and captures the true essence of this Nevada City gold mining town but with a contemporary feel. Located in the recently renovated National Hotel.
39 residents recomanen
National Hotel
211 Broad StNevada City - Lola's Restaurant - Great place for brunch on the weekend with a great atmosphere. This hotel/bar/restaurant is a great place to visit and captures the true essence of this Nevada City gold mining town but with a contemporary feel. Located in the recently renovated National Hotel.
Bistro 221
221 Broad StNevada City - Great place for lunch or dinner. American cuisine.
Grass Valley - One of our favorite restaurants for Italian cuisine in Grass Valley offering a wonderful atmosphere and an outdoor patio. Dog friendly.
34 residents recomanen
Sergio's Caffè
109 Mill StGrass Valley - One of our favorite restaurants for Italian cuisine in Grass Valley offering a wonderful atmosphere and an outdoor patio. Dog friendly.
Grass Valley - Great restaurant offering American cuisine, open most days for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Large outdoor dining area, dog friendly.
51 residents recomanen
Tofanelli's Gold Country Bistro
302 W Main StGrass Valley - Great restaurant offering American cuisine, open most days for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Large outdoor dining area, dog friendly.
One of our favorite places for breakfast/lunch. Meals are freshly prepared and healthy dining options. Yum!
65 residents recomanen
South Pine Cafe-Grass Valley
102 Richardson StOne of our favorite places for breakfast/lunch. Meals are freshly prepared and healthy dining options. Yum!
Grass Valley - Go back in time at this drive-in diner! Great place for burgers and shakes also offering healthy dining options. A great place to take the kiddos and your pup.
Big A Rootbeer Drive In
810 E Main StGrass Valley - Go back in time at this drive-in diner! Great place for burgers and shakes also offering healthy dining options. A great place to take the kiddos and your pup.
Nevada City - Our favorite Thai food place. They have a great ambiance inside the restaurant as well as outdoor patio seating. No dogs allowed.
53 residents recomanen
Sopa Thai Cuisine
312 Commercial StNevada City - Our favorite Thai food place. They have a great ambiance inside the restaurant as well as outdoor patio seating. No dogs allowed.
Not far outside Nevada City is the rustic Willo Steakhouse. If you like steak, this is the best place to go. They also have a bar with a pool table.
10 residents recomanen
Willo Steak House
16898 CA-49Not far outside Nevada City is the rustic Willo Steakhouse. If you like steak, this is the best place to go. They also have a bar with a pool table.
Great local place with a cozy/rustic atmosphere. A locals favorite. They have great pizza and other American food items and sometimes BBQ. Yum!
25 residents recomanen
Northridge of Nevada City
773 Nevada StGreat local place with a cozy/rustic atmosphere. A locals favorite. They have great pizza and other American food items and sometimes BBQ. Yum!
Grass Valley - My favorite Mexican Restaurant. Great food and atmosphere. They also have outdoor patio seating, and you can also eat in the bar while enjoying a specialty cocktail. Only service dogs allowed in the patio area.
38 residents recomanen
Maria's
226 E Main StGrass Valley - My favorite Mexican Restaurant. Great food and atmosphere. They also have outdoor patio seating, and you can also eat in the bar while enjoying a specialty cocktail. Only service dogs allowed in the patio area.
Nevada City - Real food, great beer, made here.
Organic selection of wood-fired pizza, craft beer brewed in their own brewhouse, regional wines, hard cider, artisan breads, baked goods, soup, salad, sandwiches, fresh drinks, loose leaf tea, espresso and coffee.
171 residents recomanen
Three Forks Bakery & Brewing Co.
211 Commercial StNevada City - Real food, great beer, made here.
Organic selection of wood-fired pizza, craft beer brewed in their own brewhouse, regional wines, hard cider, artisan breads, baked goods, soup, salad, sandwiches, fresh drinks, loose leaf tea, espresso and coffee.
Grass Valley - The best bagels around! I've never had a bagel anywhere better than Bubba's bagels! Yum!
8 residents recomanen
Bubba's Bagels
1943 Nevada City HwyGrass Valley - The best bagels around! I've never had a bagel anywhere better than Bubba's bagels! Yum!
Grass Valley - Great food and beers. They also have outdoor seating and allow dogs!
38 residents recomanen
Thirsty Barrel Taphouse & Grille
116 Neal StGrass Valley - Great food and beers. They also have outdoor seating and allow dogs!
Grass Valley - Diego’s Chilean Inspired South American Restaurant has an eclectic, relaxing atmosphere, featuring fresh ingredients. They have an outdoor patio and are dog friendly!
48 residents recomanen
Diego's
217 Colfax AveGrass Valley - Diego’s Chilean Inspired South American Restaurant has an eclectic, relaxing atmosphere, featuring fresh ingredients. They have an outdoor patio and are dog friendly!
Nevada City - The best sandwiches in town, in my opinion. They have outdoor picnic tables, doggy friendly.
7 residents recomanen
The Ham Stand
821 Zion StNevada City - The best sandwiches in town, in my opinion. They have outdoor picnic tables, doggy friendly.
Grass Valley - A great family-friendly place for burgers and wraps.
26 residents recomanen
Pine Street Burgers-E. Main & Dorsey Drive
1249 E Main StGrass Valley - A great family-friendly place for burgers and wraps.
Enjoy a signature cocktail or glass of wine in this beautiful contemporary saloon/restaurant located in downtown Grass Valley's Holbrooke Hotel. They have a great outdoor patio, and they are dog friendly!
Golden Gate Saloon
212 W Main StEnjoy a signature cocktail or glass of wine in this beautiful contemporary saloon/restaurant located in downtown Grass Valley's Holbrooke Hotel. They have a great outdoor patio, and they are dog friendly!
Nevada City - Great organic eatery for seasonal, nourishing, farm-to-fork foods. Salads, grain bowls, hearty toasts, as well as curated espresso drinks, teas, and seasonal beverages.
65 residents recomanen
Heartwood
237 Commercial StNevada City - Great organic eatery for seasonal, nourishing, farm-to-fork foods. Salads, grain bowls, hearty toasts, as well as curated espresso drinks, teas, and seasonal beverages.
Nevada City - Great bar atmosphere with signature cocktails and local entertainment. The restaurant has a dark, romantic setting with food & drink for your culinary enjoyment in a historic setting.
57 residents recomanen
Friar Tuck's Restaurant & Bar
111 N Pine StNevada City - Great bar atmosphere with signature cocktails and local entertainment. The restaurant has a dark, romantic setting with food & drink for your culinary enjoyment in a historic setting.
Nevada City - Great food and bar with local craft beers and wines. Outdoor patio seating available. No dogs.
20 residents recomanen
One 11 Kitchen and Bar
300 Commercial StNevada City - Great food and bar with local craft beers and wines. Outdoor patio seating available. No dogs.
Lots of unique pizza options and nice variety of craft brews and ciders. Yum!
9 residents recomanen
Trailblazer Craft Pizza & Brews
15690 Johnson PlaceLots of unique pizza options and nice variety of craft brews and ciders. Yum!
TJs has its own family vibe with American cuisine. The bar area is one of my favorites :)
TJ's Roadhouse of Nevada City
TJs has its own family vibe with American cuisine. The bar area is one of my favorites :)
Theater/Music
Nevada Theater Film Series
401 Broad StGreat place to see a theatre production.
Our local movie theatre if you are in the mood to see a show. There are also 2 other locations in town. https://www.sierratheaters.com
49 residents recomanen
Del Oro Theatre
165 Mill StOur local movie theatre if you are in the mood to see a show. There are also 2 other locations in town. https://www.sierratheaters.com
There's always something going on at The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley. Music, dance, theater, film, visual art and comedy are some of what this venue has to offer.
65 residents recomanen
The Center For the Arts
314 W Main StThere's always something going on at The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley. Music, dance, theater, film, visual art and comedy are some of what this venue has to offer.
Cabaret style small theatre with great local entertainment. It is a small, intimate setting where you can enjoy cocktails, great desserts and coffees during the show.
14 residents recomanen
Off Broad Street Theatre
305 Commercial StCabaret style small theatre with great local entertainment. It is a small, intimate setting where you can enjoy cocktails, great desserts and coffees during the show.
Golden Era is a great place to go for handcrafted cocktails, premium spirits, regional wines, and award winning local craft beers. Golden Era is host to a vibrant music scene. Jazz, Blues, R&B, Funk, World, and Soul are some of the weekend entertainment offerings. Weekdays are filled with single artists across multiple genres. Artists perform original, vintage classic & contemporary scores.
91 residents recomanen
Golden Era
309 Broad StGolden Era is a great place to go for handcrafted cocktails, premium spirits, regional wines, and award winning local craft beers. Golden Era is host to a vibrant music scene. Jazz, Blues, R&B, Funk, World, and Soul are some of the weekend entertainment offerings. Weekdays are filled with single artists across multiple genres. Artists perform original, vintage classic & contemporary scores.
The Miners Foundry hosts various types of events. Music, theater shows, comedy shows, art events, etc.
44 residents recomanen
Miners Foundry Cultural Center
325 Spring StThe Miners Foundry hosts various types of events. Music, theater shows, comedy shows, art events, etc.
Sightseeing
The mining museum is a great place to visit with a lot of information about our local gold mining history. They also have some of the best hiking trails in the area.
187 residents recomanen
Parc Estatal de la Mina Empire
10791 E Empire StThe mining museum is a great place to visit with a lot of information about our local gold mining history. They also have some of the best hiking trails in the area.
Historic Downtown Truckee is another great local historic town to visit, offering shopping, dining, a train station and the scenic Truckee River close by.
81 residents recomanen
Historic Downtown Truckee & Visitor Center
10065 Donner Pass RdHistoric Downtown Truckee is another great local historic town to visit, offering shopping, dining, a train station and the scenic Truckee River close by.
Lake Tahoe is one of the most popular destinations in California. The lake itself is breathtaking! There are so many things to do in the area... Hiking, biking, beachcombing, kayaking, boating, river rafting, snow skiing, snow tubing, sightseeing and much more!
151 residents recomanen
South Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is one of the most popular destinations in California. The lake itself is breathtaking! There are so many things to do in the area... Hiking, biking, beachcombing, kayaking, boating, river rafting, snow skiing, snow tubing, sightseeing and much more!
Hiking
This is a great hiking trail that includes the beautiful views of Hirshman's Pond.
16 residents recomanen
Hirschman's Pond Public Land
Indian Flat RoadThis is a great hiking trail that includes the beautiful views of Hirshman's Pond.
This State Park offers some of the best hiking trails in the area. My personal favorite.
187 residents recomanen
Parc Estatal de la Mina Empire
10791 E Empire StThis State Park offers some of the best hiking trails in the area. My personal favorite.
Right outside your front door! The NID Ditch Trail is a beautiful, easy hike along the Cascade Canal. Gorgeous views!
NID Ditch Trail
NID Ditch TrailRight outside your front door! The NID Ditch Trail is a beautiful, easy hike along the Cascade Canal. Gorgeous views!
One of my favorite hiking trails close to Nevada City. There are 2 bridges, one of them a really cool suspension bridge over the river and from the other bridge, you can hike down to the river. Very beautiful hike. There are a couple of mild switchback areas on the trail.
41 residents recomanen
Deer Creek Tribute Trail
Deer Creek Tribute TrailOne of my favorite hiking trails close to Nevada City. There are 2 bridges, one of them a really cool suspension bridge over the river and from the other bridge, you can hike down to the river. Very beautiful hike. There are a couple of mild switchback areas on the trail.
Skiing
One of the best local ski resorts (locals favorite) offering a wide variety of trails for all skiing abilities. This resort is less than an hour away.
127 residents recomanen
Estació d'esquí de Sugar Bowl
629 Sugar Bowl RdOne of the best local ski resorts (locals favorite) offering a wide variety of trails for all skiing abilities. This resort is less than an hour away.
Less than an hour away, Boreal Ski Resort is the closest ski resort from Nevada City. Some nights they offer night skiing.
74 residents recomanen
Boreal Mountain California
19749 Boreal Ridge RdLess than an hour away, Boreal Ski Resort is the closest ski resort from Nevada City. Some nights they offer night skiing.
Great ski resort with many trails for different levels of skiing and snowboarding.
315 residents recomanen
Estació de Northstar California
5001 Northstar DrGreat ski resort with many trails for different levels of skiing and snowboarding.
Wine Tasting
Wine tasting room offering local wines and cheese boards. Indoor and outdoor seating.
31 residents recomanen
Nevada City Winery
321 Spring StWine tasting room offering local wines and cheese boards. Indoor and outdoor seating.
Cork 49
142 Mill StA great locals hangout offering wine tasting and cheese boards and local entertainment.
Naggiar Vineyards offers wine tasting with a scenic view and special events/concerts. You can check out their website for details.
14 residents recomanen
Naggiar Vineyards
18261 Rosemary LnNaggiar Vineyards offers wine tasting with a scenic view and special events/concerts. You can check out their website for details.
Fun local tasting room in Grass Valley.
10 residents recomanen
Lucchesi Vineyards & Winery Tasting Room
128 Mill StFun local tasting room in Grass Valley.