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