NEVADA COUNTY – LIKE NO PLACE ELSE !
By Mark Winkler
ANDREW WRIGHT / LIGHTHAWKPHOTO
Must Do !
United in spirit but diverse in everything from geography to history , Nevada County is really a collection of places that , enjoyed in combination , are truly like no place else . From Truckee to Penn Valley and from mountain climbing to a night of 1live theater , the memories you make here will stand apart . Choosing to visit Nevada County comes easy – what ’ s difficult is settling on the activities that are “ Must-Do ’ s ” this time versus the ones that will have to be part of your next visit . The more time you have , the fewer the postponements ! So come often and plan to stay a while when you can .
1 BREAKFAST , A
HIKE & THEN CATCH SOME LIVE MUSIC
You never want to be accused of cheating in the gold country but please allow us to open with a three-in-one suggestion : First , choose from our array of terrific restaurants in Grass Valley or Nevada City and have a “ power breakfast .” Then drive west to Bridgeport and the South Yuba River State Park , where you ’ ll head upstream on the trail . Let ’ s say it is springtime , the wildflowers are gorgeous and it ’ s also sunny enough to go for a dip in an emerald pool . After some warmrock time , head back to town to clean up and put on your new shirt because tonight you are hitting the town to catch a live band at one of the many great venues in the area . Dancing is recommended – enjoy !
PH0TOS ON THIS PAGE : ANDREW WRIGHT / LIGHTHAWKPHOTO
Downtown Grass Valley
2 GET DOWNTOWN
We have great old downtowns that really have a “ there ” there . You ’ ll find terrific historic buildings , beautifully cared for , in Truckee , Grass Valley and Nevada City . Gold Rush era attributes and architecture abound and if you love Art Deco , take in the Courthouse in Nevada City and the Del Oro Theatre in Grass Valley . Strolling , shopping and enjoying a meal is definitely the order of the day .
3 PARTY LIKE ITS 1846 !
Beautiful Donner Memorial State Park wraps around the eastern side and part of the southern shore of Donner Lake and offers all of the great camping , picnicking , boating , fishing , water-skiing and hiking a warm-weather visitor could hope for .
In winter there is cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on picturesque trails . For the cannibalism-curiousness in all of us , visit the Emigrant Trail Museum . It depicts the history of the area and the people who came into this part of the Sierra , including local Native Americans , the Donner Party and the builders of the transcontinental railroad . It ’ s a great place for family-friendly fun .
4 HIKE FOR THE JOY OF IT
For day hikes or overnight backpacking , the high Sierra Nevada Mountains offer world-class scenery and some of the most beautiful granite your boots will ever make their way across . There are whole clusters of mountain lakes where you can wet a line , refresh with a swim and partake of deep serenity . To pick just one , try Penner Lake , for five-star camping , superlative swimming , and picture-postcard scenery . And there are oh-so-many from which to choose .
5 DIVE , RINSE , REPEAT
Dive in and enjoy our beautiful , natural swimming spots . From the Yuba River at the Old Highway 49 Bridge , Edwards Crossing , Purdon Crossing and Bridgeport ( best for families ), to the Truckee River , Rollins Lake , Scott ' s Flat Lake and Donner Lake to name just a few , you will find clear water , deep pools , massive granite boulders and great mountain lakes to enjoy to the fullest .
6 MOUNTAINS OF MUSIC
Since 1982 , Music in the Mountains has brought the hills alive with the sound of orchestras , choruses and soloists , performing classical , pops , Broadway , film music and more . This year ’ s concerts fea- ture works by such luminaries as Brahms , Mozart and Rachmaninoff , as well as all the fun of July ’ s SummerFest , in delightful venues such as the Amaral Center , the Del Oro Theatre and outdoors at the Gateway Park Pavilion . Take in a show- you ’ ll leave with a glow .
7 A FEAST OF FESTIVITY
Nevada County celebrates festively frequently , including the Celtic Festival , Strawberry Music Festival , Bluegrass Festival , Music in the Mountains ’ Festival and the World Music Festival . Some of us even celebrate Festivus !
8 CELEBRATE INDEPENDENTLY
Our county hosts good-old-fashioned , small-town 4th of July parades in both Grass Valley and Truckee . Or take a day trip to Downieville for an even smaller small-town 4th of July parade . Any delightful Independence Day cliché you can think of will be thoroughly celebrated – Norman Rockwell has nothing on us !
Hiking Grouse Ridge
ANDREW WRIGHT / LIGHTHAWKPHOTO
68 NEVADA COUNTY GOLD