Grass Valley, a “Centennial City,” is a historic gold mining town dating back to 1850, nestled in the Sierra foothills between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe. Located in Nevada County, surrounded by rolling hills and towering green pines, with graceful oaks shading pastures in the lower elevations and snow-covered Sierra peaks in the background, Grass Valley offers incredible landscapes for every season. History abounds in this Gold Rush Town Region, offering historic sites such as the Empire Mine and State Park, Malakoff Diggins State Park, South Yuba River State Park, or Historic Downtown Grass Valley and Nevada City.
Tributary Whitewater Tours
You cannot go wrong with more than 20 different rivers to choose from in the Northern California and Nevada area. Tour guides will give you the thrill of a lifetime as your raft bounces and rolls along the Truckee or Yuba rivers.
Sierra Gold Wine Tours
Taste premium award-winning wines at several Nevada County wineries on a 6-hour Sierra Gold Wine Tour. You won’t need maps or a designated driver. Lunch and many surprises included. Discover the real gold of the Sierra Foothills! Call 866-601-WINE or 530-265-9589 to make your reservations.
Peninsula Camping & Boating Resort on Rollins Lake
Located on Rollins Lake in beautiful Grass Valley, 300 acres, Come for a weekend or stay for a week, with great fishing, water sports, boating, biking or just sitting around the campfire.
Grass Valley Museum
Located on Rollins Lake in beautiful Grass Valley, 300 acres, Come for a weekend or stay for a week, with great fishing, water sports, boating, biking or just sitting around the campfire.
Gold Rush Gaming Parlor
A Casino and Much More. Hold ’em, Blackjack, Omaha, Stud and Draw Poker, Poker Tournaments. Low and High Limit, Beginners Welcome. Free instruction anytime.
The Lure Resort
Eleven individual housekeeping cottages and eight log camping cabins surrounded by fourteen beautiful riverfront acres provide a serene environment for your enjoyment.
The Underground Gold Miners Museum
Offers tours of an operating gold mine by reservation only. Museum open seasonally Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Nevada County Fairgrounds
Nevada County Fair, Draft Horse Classic, Country Christmas Fair
Music in the Mountains
Music in the Mountains is celebrating its 24th season of bringing classical music, Broadway & Jazz to the beautiful Sierra foothills.
Empire Mine State Historic Park
The Empire Mine is the site of the oldest, largest, and richest gold mine in California. From 1850 to its closing in 1956, it produced 5.8 million ounces of gold.This 5.8 million ounces of gold would fill a box 7 feet on each side.
Miners Foundry
Miners Foundry retains the character of gold rush days with its rough hewn beams, heavy metal doors, antique fixtures and furnishings.
Off Broadstreet
We produce only comedies, and most of these are musicals, with a slant toward familiar hit songs of the 1950’s and 60’s.
The Foothill Theatre Company
The Foothill Theatre Company embodies the vibrancy of live theatre. Since its inception 29 years ago, FTC continues to create theatre within the context of a professional artistic ensemble, entertaining and challenging audiences. We endeavor to bring together people of diverse beliefs through the shared experience of live theatre, offering high-quality theatre in multiple venues.
The Center for the Arts
The Center for the Arts’ “Off Center Stage” is a black-box theater located at the back of their facility at 315 Richardson Street in Grass Valley, California and offers independent theater companies a flexible and intimate venue for audiences from 50 to 100.
Parks and Outdoor Recreation
Grass Valley Memorial Park
Empire Mine State Park
Mining Museum and Pelton Wheel
Pioneer Park
Scotts Flat Lake
Bridgeport Historic State Park
Western Gateway Park
Rollins Reservoir
Tahoe National Forest
Malakoff Diggins Historic State Park
Alta Sierra Golf Course
Lake Wildwood Golf Course
South Yuba River
Ridge Golf Course
Darkhorse Golf Club
Raspberry Hill Public Course
Black Oak Golf Course
Shopping and Attractions
Historic Nevada City
Sierra Cinemas
Sutton Cinemas
Historic Downtown Grass Valley
Grass Valley Museum
Lola Montez Home
Gold Quartz Discover Maker
Nevada Theater
Firehouse Museum, Nevada City
Nevada County Fairgrounds
American Victorian Museum
Historic Auburn
Nevada City downtown shopping district
Gateway Center
49er Family Fun Center
Raley Field, Sacramento Rivercats
Dining
Paulette’s Country Kitchen, family dining
Margarita’s, Mexican cuisine
Perkos, family dining
Lyon’s, family dining
Villa Venezia, fine Italian cuisine
Panoy Thai Restaurant, Asian cuisine
Holbrook Hotel, American cuisine
Main Street Café and Bar
Railroad Café
Tofanelli’s, Italian cuisine
The Woods Garden, American cuisine
Starbucks Coffee Company
Marshall’s Pasties
Round Table Pizza
Subway
Nevada City
Cirino’s, Italian cuisine
The National Hotel: fine dining
Country Rose Café, family dining
PJ’s of Nevada City, deli
For additional information about area activities, visit the City of Grass Valley website, the Downtown Grass Valley website, or the Downtown Nevada County website.