Outdoor Recreation
-
Camping & CampgroundsNevada City stands at the gateway to Tahoe National Forest which offers numerous camping and backpacking opportunities. Campers wishing to stay close to town should check out Inn Town Campground.
-
Fishing in the SierraThere is no finer place to set up a base camp for fly fishing in the Sierra Nevada than Nevada City, California.
-
Golf & Golf CoursesGolfers enjoy two public courses and three semiprivate golf courses in the general Grass Valley-Nevada City area. Local courses are open year-around.
-
Hiking & Local TrailsThese Nevada City Trails are either walkable from downtown — in close proximity to restaurants, coffee shops and pubs — or located just a short drive away.
-
Kayaking & RaftingAlthough the whitewater season around Nevada City is brief, usually ending by late spring or early summer, the high mountain scenery makes that short window extremely sweet.
-
Lakes & BoatingScotts Flat in Nevada City is a picturesque mountain lake at the 3100-foot elevation surrounded by deep green forested mountainsides.
-
Mountain BikingThe foothills around Nevada City are a new hotbed of mountain biking activity. Scenery, terrain, climate, access, new trails, supplies and services, all contribute to the town’s MTB appeal.
-
Off Road Trails for OHVThe Tahoe National Forest contains over 750 miles of motorized compatible roads and trails for OHV participants of all types and levels of experience.
-
Parks in Nevada CityCalifornia's first river corridor state park takes in 20 miles of the South Yuba River, ranging from the edge of the Tahoe National Forest near Nevada City to Bridgeport on the west.
-
CyclingThe roads throughout Nevada and Sierra counties are popular for recreational road riders and bicycle tourists of all levels.
-
Skiing & SnowboardingNevada City is usually below the snow line but it's close enough to be atop a world-class mountain in less than an hour.
-
Wild & Scenic South Yuba RiverNevada City is home base for one of the most spectacularly beautiful stretches of river in America, the Wild & Scenic South Yuba River.
-
Sport ClimbingNevada City is a great weekend stay for San Francisco Bay Area climbers who want good accommodations and hard sport climbs at a choice of areas and elevations to match the season and weather.
-
Backcountry SkiingA new generation of freeskiers and snowboarders is making Donner Pass a notable backcountry destination. Chutes, big airs and pointers aplenty – and great views.
-
Extreme SportsFor action sports enthusiasts and elite athletes from San Francisco and around the Bay Area, Nevada City is an ideal weekend “base camp” and gateway to Sierra adventure.
Arts & Entertainment
-
Nevada City Arts & EntertainmentSmall town atmosphere with a big art scene. Nevada City arts include live theatre, movies, film festivals, art galleries, and sidewalk art shows
-
Art Galleries and ArtistsNevada City is an art town, home to many talented and creative artists. You'll find local and regional art in Nevada City's downtown galleries.
-
Live MusicThe music scene in Nevada City and Grass Valley attracts a regional audience who come to enjoy top local, regional, national and international talent. From folk and bluegrass to rock and classical, you'll find it here.
-
Live Theatre and MoviesNevada City has a rich tradition in the performing arts. And, whatever your choice in film, it's likely you'll find it in the theaters of Nevada City and Grass Valley.
-
Nevada City Film Festival 2022August 26-28 2022Top independent cinema in the foothills of Northern California. Stellar programming of short and full length films, great audiences and a truly festive environment makes Nevada City Film Festival one of the most innovative, exciting, and fun events on the west coast.
-
Wild and Scenic Film FestivalFebruary 16-20, 2023The 21st Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival has a new weekend in 2023.
-
Painting in Nevada CityNevada City is a painter’s paradise – with historic architecture, natural beauty, four seasons, and wonderful light from dawn to dusk.
-
Photographing Nevada CityAnytime you venture into downtown Nevada City, you will find something interesting to photograph.
Explore our Town and our History
-
Nevada City HistoryNevada City is among the most interesting of California Gold Rush towns, attracting visitors from far and wide. The entire downtown district is a national historic landmark where guests enjoy quality restaurants, comfortable lodgings and a variety of fine shops, boutiques, galleries and museums, all flavored with old-fashioned Nevada City...
-
Nevada City ToursDiscover the historical treasures in Nevada City. Wander into the National Hotel, the state's oldest, continuously operated hotel.
-
California Gold RushDiscovery of gold in 1848 carried California’s name around the globe. Men came from the East, from England, Germany, Chile, China, and all around the world. By the mid-1850s, an estimated 120,000 miners were at work in California.
-
Nevada City Tree TourThe self-guided walking (or driving) tour of 42 native and non-native trees in the downtown Nevada City area was originally prepared by horticulturist and tree care consultant Ellen Solomon in 2008, along with contributors Randall Frizzell, Roger McGehee and Chet Blackburn.
-
Nevada City MapsNevada City is located at the 2,500-foot elevation on the forested western slope of the Sierra Nevada in Northern California. From Sacramento, it's a one-hour drive via eastbound Interstate 80 and northbound Highway 49.
-
Gold PanningIf you know where to look, it's not hard to find gold in Nevada County rivers. Some of the most accessible gold panning locations are on the South Yuba River at Bridgeport, Edwards Crossing and Washington, and on the Middle Yuba River at Oregon Creek.
-
A Long Heritage of Creativity in Sierra Arts and EntertainmentSince it was founded, Nevada City has attracted and inspired risk-takers, offbeat thinkers and non-conformists. From the rowdy and inventive miners of the 1860s to the off-grid hippies of the 1960s, this has been a place for the unconventional – and remains so to this day.
-
A Tip Of The Hat To Our RootsIn Nevada County, when you start talking about the history of grapes, wines, or wineries, you need to go back to the 80s. But, you also need to clarify whether you are talking about the 1980s, or the 1880s.
-
Gold Country AttractionsFirehouse No. 1 is perhaps the most-photographed building in Nevada City. It was built in 1861 to house Nevada Hose Company No. 1 and has been a museum since 1947.
-
Gold Mining LoreCalifornia gold is generally found in two kinds of deposits, lode and placer. The lode deposit is usually deeply buried quartz gold that is mined with hardrock techniques. Placer deposits originated in lodes but have been moved over the centuries by erosion and weathering. They are mined by panning, sluicing...
-
Victorian California Fall Colors TourThis 1-2 hour, self-guided tour takes you along narrow Victorian streets planted with Maple, Ash, Birch and other favorite trees of Nevada City’s early settlers.
-
Nevada City’s Horticultural HeritageNevada City was home to Felix Gillet, one of the renowned horticulturists of the early years of California agriculture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Here he established a nursery and became known in the trade for his development of nursery stock of fruit and nut trees.
-
Nevada City Fall ColorsOctober – NovemberThe Nevada City-Grass Valley area is one of California’s best areas to view autumn foliage. The best fall colors are located in the old-fashioned Victorian neighborhoods surrounding the downtown historic districts.
-
The Christmas Card"The Christmas Card," filmed in Nevada City, tells the story of a soldier with no family who, while serving in Afghanistan, receives an anonymous holiday card that touches him deeply. While on leave back home, he travels to Nevada City.
-
Nevada City Walking TourTake a walk through downtown Nevada City and visit historical sites and points of interest.
Stop by the Chamber Office
Stop by the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center for brochures and guides including the downtown walking tour, fall colors, history, hiking, mountain biking, road biking, golf, winery tours and more. Hours & Directions