2017-2018 Nevada County Gold Magazine 2017-2018_Nevada County Gold Magazine | Page 53

PENN VALLEY HISTORY, RECREATION, EVENTS, WINERIES E T O D O BRIDGEPORT Yu b SOUTH YUBA RIVER STATE PARK a Ri ver Yuba Rive r ENGLEBRIGHT LAKE to Lake Wildwood & Bridgeport Pe nn Va ll ey D ri ve WESTERN GATEWAY PARK r to Spenceville Wildlife Area dy ea y Hw to Marysville y lle Va nn Pe r r ARLY SETTLEMENT OF PENN VALLEY occurred partly because of its location on a freight wagon route established between mining regions to the east and Sacramento. Growth came when discour- aged miners turned to agriculture, and the community became known as the “Pantry of the Northern Mines.” Today, Penn Valley has maintained its rural atmosphere while attracting a variety of businesses. The area also includes Lake Wildwood, a gated com- munity whose residents enjoy amenities such as a golf course and the lake. T H I N G S to Grass Valley Penn Valley an ENGLEBRIGHT LAKE: Boating, water-skiing, fishing, boat rentals, picnic sites, hiking, camping (boat only.) Off Hwy. 20 west of Penn Valley. [phone]; englebrightlake.com WESTERN GATEWAY PARK: Eighty-seven acres with swimming creek, playground, disc golf, off-leash dog park, hiking, exercise course, bocce ball. Penn Valley Drive off Spenceville Road. [phone]; westerngatewaypark.com Events DOC HALSTEAD BARREL RACE SERIES: June 4, July 9, August 13 & 27, September 10. pvrodeo.com MULE & DONKEY SHOW: June 23–25, fourth annual. pvrodeo.com. GRILLS 'N' GRILLES: August 26. Includes a Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCS) competi- tion & car show (see page 76). HOLIDAY LIGHTS: Mid-December. Illuminated displays, 5:30 pm–9:30 pm, Western Gateway Park. pennvalleycoc.org d oa Map not to scale. See pages 14-15 for a map of Nevada County. BEALE FALLS Englebright Dam Recreation SPENCEVILLE WILDLIFE AREA di Spen cev ill e Ro PENN VALLEY RODEO: Third full weekend in May. Sixty-first annual, bull and bronc riding, roping, barrel racing, parade and more. pvrodeo.com Wineries/Vineyards GRAY PINE VINEYARD & WINERY: 19396 Branding Iron Rd. Open most Saturdays 12:30–4:30 pm. [phone]; graypinewinery.com Wineries/Vineyards Pages 110-113. PENN VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 17422 Penn Valley Dr. [phone] P.O. Box 202, Penn Valley, CA 95946 pennvalleycoc.org Email: [email protected] More Things to Do Pages 68–83. GRANT-MARIE WINERY: 12585 Rice’s Crossing Rd. Open by appointment. [phone]; grantedwines.com PILOT PEAK VINEYARDS: 12888 Spenceville Rd., near town center. Tasting room open Saturday and Sunday (check website for times), patio, events. [phone]; pilotpeak.com Must Do! Spenceville Wildlife Refuge Managed by the California Department of Fish and Game, this 11,900 acre site includes ponds, creeks, trails, meadows, Indian grinding rocks and 175 species of birds. Activities include fishing, hiking, equestrian trail riding, bicycling, hunting and camping. Early-March to May is wildflower season which peaks in mid-April. During World War II, a mock German village was built on the site and was used for war games. Concrete machine gun bunkers can still be seen. Information/Directions: spenceville.org. N E VA D A C O U N T Y G O L D . c o m 53