Guidebook to Nevada County's Best
Sightseeing
This popular river crossing attracts folks from out of town with it's good accessibility, cell connection, easy access to the river and hiking trails, as well as the longest covered bridge. A beautiful spot with a great swimming in the summer.
69 locals recommend
South Yuba River State Park
17660 Pleasant Valley RdThis popular river crossing attracts folks from out of town with it's good accessibility, cell connection, easy access to the river and hiking trails, as well as the longest covered bridge. A beautiful spot with a great swimming in the summer.
This is popular river crossing at the Hwy 49 bridge. There is a great swimming hole right off the parking lot. Or if you are more adventuresome, take the Hoyt Crossing trail head and pick your own river spot along the way.
14 locals recommend
Hoyt Crossing Trailhead
Old Route 49 Bridge CrossingThis is popular river crossing at the Hwy 49 bridge. There is a great swimming hole right off the parking lot. Or if you are more adventuresome, take the Hoyt Crossing trail head and pick your own river spot along the way.
A local favorite! This is a secluded spot along the river that is less accessible. Most cars can make it, but expect dirt roads, tight parking, hippies and nude swimmers.
28 locals recommend
Purdon Crossing
Purdon RoadA local favorite! This is a secluded spot along the river that is less accessible. Most cars can make it, but expect dirt roads, tight parking, hippies and nude swimmers.
Edwards Crossing Bridge
North Bloomfield RoadA beautiful river crossing. Decent access.
Oregon Creek Day Use Area
California 49A favorite local swimming hole on Oregon Creek.
Very close to downtown Nevada City, this short hike will take you to the top of Sugarloaf "Mountain" overlooking Nevada City. There are benches and a rope swing up there to enjoy. A great place to add to you agenda for a date in Nevada City!
Sugarloaf Mountain
Very close to downtown Nevada City, this short hike will take you to the top of Sugarloaf "Mountain" overlooking Nevada City. There are benches and a rope swing up there to enjoy. A great place to add to you agenda for a date in Nevada City!
Old mining ghost town with lots of hiking in the forest.
52 locals recommend
Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park
23579 N Bloomfield RdOld mining ghost town with lots of hiking in the forest.
The original Wells Fargo Bank building (abandoned). Located in the area that used to be the bustling gold mining center of California. Now just a sleepy collection of houses in the middle of nowhere (but on the way to the river!).
Historic Wells Fargo Bank Building
The original Wells Fargo Bank building (abandoned). Located in the area that used to be the bustling gold mining center of California. Now just a sleepy collection of houses in the middle of nowhere (but on the way to the river!).
Empire Mine State Park
10791 E Empire StHiking and historic Empire mine.
Beautiful suspension bridge and trail crossing Deer Creek. 8 min drive or 20 minute walk to downtown Nevada City.
41 locals recommend
Deer Creek Tribute Trail
Deer Creek Tribute TrailBeautiful suspension bridge and trail crossing Deer Creek. 8 min drive or 20 minute walk to downtown Nevada City.
Scotts Flat Lake
23333 Scotts Flat RdCamping, fishing, swimming, kayaking.
Great for boating, water sports, hiking, fishing, picnicking.
16 locals recommend
Bullards Bar Reservoir
12571 Marysville RdGreat for boating, water sports, hiking, fishing, picnicking.
A beautiful scenic drive north on the 49 though the forest to Sierra Hot Springs. Affordable and great for a day trip. Reservations required.
29 locals recommend
Sierra Hot Springs
521 Campbell Hot Springs RdA beautiful scenic drive north on the 49 though the forest to Sierra Hot Springs. Affordable and great for a day trip. Reservations required.
Food scene
Get a taste of "Ridge" life at the Ridge cafe in North San Juan. Only a 10 minute drive. Vegetarian/gluten free options. Breakfast and lunch.
13 locals recommend
The Ridge Cafe
29318 California 49Get a taste of "Ridge" life at the Ridge cafe in North San Juan. Only a 10 minute drive. Vegetarian/gluten free options. Breakfast and lunch.
Mama's Pizzeria
29336 California 49Yummy pizza, only a 10 minute drive away. Gluten-free crust option.
Classic Ridge experience! Great little health food store. Great local produce, vibes and has something for everyone. Doesn't have a deli, just a few sandwich options.
15 locals recommend
Mother Truckers
13224 Tyler Foote RdClassic Ridge experience! Great little health food store. Great local produce, vibes and has something for everyone. Doesn't have a deli, just a few sandwich options.
MeZe Eatery Grass Valley
106 Mill StAmazing Israeli food! Gluten-free and vegan options.
Heartwood
237 Commercial StWhere all the health conscious locals go to eat lunch in Nevada City.
Treats
210 Main StGreat local ice cream parlor. Vegan options.
Swanky, romantic bar in Nevada City with delicious cocktails. Packed on the weekends. Outdoor seating in the summer. Live music and good vibes.
91 locals recommend
Golden Era
309 Broad StSwanky, romantic bar in Nevada City with delicious cocktails. Packed on the weekends. Outdoor seating in the summer. Live music and good vibes.
Where conscious types go to hang out and sip on non-alcoholic elixirs. Art and music.
26 locals recommend
Elixart
203 York StWhere conscious types go to hang out and sip on non-alcoholic elixirs. Art and music.
Corvus Bakery
154 Mill StreetGreat gluten-free bakery! Serves soup and salad as well. Vegan donuts on Saturdays!
Fable Coffee
201 Mill StExcellent coffee!
Serves breakfast all day! Also lunch. They have something for everyone and delicious mimosas!
65 locals recommend
South Pine Cafe-Grass Valley
102 Richardson StServes breakfast all day! Also lunch. They have something for everyone and delicious mimosas!
Great pizza! Log cabin vibe tucked away in the forest. Classic pizza establishment with sports TV and a few arcade games.
25 locals recommend
Northridge of Nevada City
773 Nevada StGreat pizza! Log cabin vibe tucked away in the forest. Classic pizza establishment with sports TV and a few arcade games.
Excellent local farm-to-fork fare, baked goods, beer and wine. A local favorite!
171 locals recommend
Three Forks Bakery & Brewing Co.
211 Commercial StExcellent local farm-to-fork fare, baked goods, beer and wine. A local favorite!
Great location on Deer Creek! Outside seating overlooking the creek. Great cocktails and food.
51 locals recommend
Lefty's Grill
101 Broad StGreat location on Deer Creek! Outside seating overlooking the creek. Great cocktails and food.
For true chocolate lovers, you will be in paradise! Artesianal chocolate and cacao from all over the world!
Choquiero Chocolate
419 Broad StFor true chocolate lovers, you will be in paradise! Artesianal chocolate and cacao from all over the world!
A wonderful and fun candy store reminiscent of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Your kids will be in heaven!
28 locals recommend
Lazy Dog Chocolateria
111 Mill StA wonderful and fun candy store reminiscent of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Your kids will be in heaven!
National Hotel
211 Broad StHistoric hotel with swanky bar and fine dining.
Traveler advice
Don't miss
Wild and Scenic Film Festival in January 2022!
January 13-23, 2022. Complete with films, workshops, panels, art exhibition, Q & A sessions, talks and more! https://www.wildandscenicfilmfestival.org