Serena's Guidebook
Food scene
Great beer, good food, nice dining area with live music some nights
38 locals recommend
Thirsty Barrel Taphouse & Grille
116 Neal StGreat beer, good food, nice dining area with live music some nights
Great if you want healthy food. Excellent salads, grain bowls, vegan options, gluten free, etc. Nice inside and dining on the closed off street during covid. We love this place for lunch.
65 locals recommend
Heartwood
237 Commercial StGreat if you want healthy food. Excellent salads, grain bowls, vegan options, gluten free, etc. Nice inside and dining on the closed off street during covid. We love this place for lunch.
Amazing beer and fun setting. You get food from Roost which is in the same space. Highly recommended for beer lovers.
40 locals recommend
Grass Valley Brewing Company
141 E Main StAmazing beer and fun setting. You get food from Roost which is in the same space. Highly recommended for beer lovers.
This place is hands down the best food in the area. (I’m not sure why they are calling it Polish.) The chef/owner worked at some fancy wine country restaurant before opening this one. The food is truly amazing and not at all what you expect from a little place like this in a strip mall in Penn Valley. Reservations are generally required. Definitely worth the drive!
13 locals recommend
Twelve 28 kitchen
10118 Commercial AveThis place is hands down the best food in the area. (I’m not sure why they are calling it Polish.) The chef/owner worked at some fancy wine country restaurant before opening this one. The food is truly amazing and not at all what you expect from a little place like this in a strip mall in Penn Valley. Reservations are generally required. Definitely worth the drive!
Delicious pie and beautiful setting with orchard and hill views. Lunch is ok but nothing special. Go for the pie!
7 locals recommend
Happy Apple Kitchen
18532 Colfax HwyDelicious pie and beautiful setting with orchard and hill views. Lunch is ok but nothing special. Go for the pie!
Neighborhoods
Downtown Grass Valley is a few blocks of cute stores and restaurants. Very pleasant for shopping, strolling and eating especially during COVID because Mill St is blocked off. A little more low key and less crowded and touristy than Nevada City.
86 locals recommend
Grass Valley
Downtown Grass Valley is a few blocks of cute stores and restaurants. Very pleasant for shopping, strolling and eating especially during COVID because Mill St is blocked off. A little more low key and less crowded and touristy than Nevada City.
Nevada City is super cute with lots of historic buildings, stores, art galleries and restaurants. It does have a very touristy vibe.
131 locals recommend
Nevada City
Nevada City is super cute with lots of historic buildings, stores, art galleries and restaurants. It does have a very touristy vibe.
Traveler advice
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Walking and Hiking
Walk to Condon Park near the house. Walk or drive to Empire Mine park for longer hikes. Walk to Wolf Creek Trail down French Ave and under the freeway to a paved path that goes along the creek. (You just have to get past the sewage treatment plant and then it is very nice!) Drive to Bridgeport for 2-3 mile hiking by the river either Buttermilk Bend (mostly flat) or Diablo Trail (climb). We keep maps in the white corner shelf in the dining room. For longer hikes drive under an hour to Grouse Ridge Non-motorized area or a bit further past Downieville to Lakes Basin in Sierra County.
Don't miss
Biking
We bike a lot around the area. Our favorite ride is on old colfax highway to the Happy Apple Kitchen. 20 miles round trip. There is a book of rides in the white corner cabinet in the dining room.
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Groceries
If you are looking for organic, vegan, gluten free food options, try Briarpatch Food Coop.
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Thrifting
Grass Valley has many excellent thrift stores. Some of my favorites are Habitat for Humanity’s Restore (good for furniture), Sammys nifty thrifty (and hit up Animal Save across the street while you are there. Generally I don’t find much there but the blue chaise in the living room came from there.), Hospice Thrift in GV (good books, nice staff, also one in Nevada city). Cancer Aid is not as good overall but I got our dining room table there.