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Places to Visit
Rather than just a list of individual places to see in western Nevada County in California, our inn owners have put together local tours that you might find fun and inviting:
Fran’s Hints for the Gal’s “Shop ’Til You Drop” Loop in Grass Valley, then onto Nevada City
Starting in Grass Valley, wander down Mill Street and check out La-Te-Da. Owners, Debbie and Cathy are featuring Fall wear especially belts, bags and lovely woolens. Across the street you'll see Sole Mates where Maria always carries the latest shoe styles. For cuddly jammies or a slinky nightie, check out Top Drawer on Mill Street or Behind Closed Doors Fantasy Boutique on Main Street. There's plenty more on these two streets ... oh, I almost forgot, there is Future Generations on Mill Street, for those grandmas shopping for the little ones. At the end of Mill Street is the Del Oro Movie Theatre. If your feet are tired, you may want to take in a first run movie before more shopping. If you are still energized, drive to Nevada City. Your first destination in Nevada City is Shaw's Antiques and Tea Room. A truly lovely place for a refreshing coup of tea or lunch after a morning of shopping. The tea room is at 210 Main Street, a small street with many shops and restaurants just steps from Broad Street. And when you've refreshed yourself, stop in a the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce at the corner of Main and Coyote Streets to get a “Walking Tour” of Nevada City ... and, of course, more shopping.
Shop the World in Nevada City’s Historic District
Birthdays, Anniversaries, Christmas, or Special Occasions, we've got them covered right here on Nevada City's Broad Street Shopping District. Or maybe you'd just like to bring home a personal souvenir of your visit to the Heart of California's Gold Rush Country. There's something for everyone. Start with a visit to La Cache which specializes in brooches, pendants, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, watches, and other treasures - many dating back to the mid-1800's. Or perhaps you'd like to try Country Collectibles where you can indulge your interest in folk art, americana, pine furniture, period lighting, quilts, "olde century colors" paints, textiles, stencils, braided rugs, and seasonal items. If that isn't enough to tempt your particular taste, there's always the opportunity to stop and do a little people-watching while enjoying the delights of the Confectionary Mine where they proudly serve up handmade ice cream bars, drumsticks, handmade chocolates, coffee drinks, smoothies, and milkshakes. After your break you are invited to take home a special treat from California Gold which sells custom made 14k gold jewelry, specializing in rare gold quartz jewelry pieces. If you have young ones to purchase for, or just the young at heart, you must stop at The Earth, Science and Nature Store featuring gifts, books, outdoor clothing, childrens educational toys and much more or Mana Beads where you can indulge your passion for beads, stones and jewelry. For your next stop you may want to browse the shelves at Gold Rush Tees & Gifts for those souvenir T-shirts and gift shopping. They also provide gift wrapping services for those items you can't wait to distribute when you finally arrive home. For shoppers looking for something special to wear to supper at one of our fine restaurants, a stop at Judi's of Nevada City should yield that perfect blouse, sweater or slacks that will complete the outfit. Unless, of course, you've decided to visit Nevada City during the colder months of the year, then a stop at the Fur Traders would definitely be in order. They design, manufacture and sell sheepskin, leather and fur hats, vests, scarfs, furlined and unlined gloves, coats, teddy bears, 50 styles of sheepskin footwear, Merrels, Mephisto, uggs, springstep, softwalk, and Minnetonka footware. They'll even convert your unused fur coats into teddy bears, hats vests, etc. For the whimsical at heart there is Tanglewood Forest, a fantasy gallery featuring the work of local doll artist, Marci Wolfe. A fairy wonderland full of imaginative treasures in a magical forest setting. Nevada City has it all ... maybe you should plan more than just one day for shopping |
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Wine Tasting
A visit to Nevada County must include a taste of California's Northern Sierra Wine Country! The wineries are located in Grass Valley, Penn Valley, Lake of the Pines, Nevada City and the San Juan Ridge. Wine tasting rooms are located at some of the various wineries. There are also three tasting rooms in Grass Valley and two in Nevada City. These wineries produce some of the best Zinfandels, Cabernet Sauvignons and Cabernet Francs in Northern California. There are some truly great Chardonnay's and Viognier's alongside exceptionally smooth ports and dessert wines. For more information on Northern Sierra Wine Country visit their web site.
A Short History of Gold Mining
If you like to visit the history of gold in Nevada County, this is the trip to take. Start at the Empire Mine State Historic Park located at 10791 East Empire Street in Grass Valley. The Model Room with a three dimensional model of the mine's shafts is a must see. Then visit the North Star Mining Museum located at the end of Mill Street at Allison Ranch Road in Grass Valley. There you will see the largest Pelton Wheel ever constructed. Pelton Wheels are the reason P.G. & E. first started in these mountains. Be sure to ask the docent for more information. Then it is off to Malakoff Diggings State Historic Park, which is located about twenty-six miles north of Nevada City along Highway 49. After learning about California's first environmental disaster and the power of water, return to Nevada City to visit the Miners Foundry at 325 Spring Street. Outside the building there is a self guided historic walking tour describing the uses of the foundry and it's illustrious history. It was at this foundry that the Pelton Wheel was made. After such a busy day you can finish up with dinner at one of the fine resturants in Nevada City or Grass Valley.
Runner’s Deer Creek Challenge
The Deer Creek Challenge is a circle run that climbs about 750 feet and is about 7.5 to 8 miles long. It starts in Nevada City in the free (4 hrs) parking lot at the bottom of Broad St.(at Sacramento and Broad). Run up Boulder Street for a short distance and follow the signs to Pioneer Park to Park and Nimrod streets. After passing the park you take a left on Gracie Road. From here it is about a 2 mile up-hill climb along a tree-covered road to the Deer Creek Park Canal Trail. From there the run meanders along the canal for approximately 3 1/4 miles. The canal run is covered with trees and provides great views of Nevada City and the surrounding area. You will then take a left on Red Dog Road, which becomes Boulder Street. It is about 2 1/4 miles down-hill back to the parking lot.
Below you will find direct links and information to other activities in Grass Valley and Nevada City area:
Area Golf Courses
Foothill Theatre Company
Historic Highway 49
Music in the Mountains
Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum
Off Broad Street Theatre
Scott’s Flat Lake Resort
South Yuba River State Park
The Nevada City Chamber of Commerce
The Grass Valley/Nevada County Chamber of Commerce
The Grass Valley Downtown Business Association
The Nevada County Fairgrounds |
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