Guidebook for Grass Valley
Drinks & Nightlife
Grass Valley and Nevada City have a great live music scene. Lots of restaurants feature live music for dining and there's a good number of places that bring in bands for dancing.
Crazy Horse Saloon and Grill
230 Commercial StGreat music, food and nightlife
Great local music a bit (but not far) off the beaten track. Wonderful folks.
6 locals recommend
Wild Eye Pub
535 Mill StGreat local music a bit (but not far) off the beaten track. Wonderful folks.
It's really a restaurant but I go there for the music. They've had live musicians seven nights a week for over 40 years. Great place.
57 locals recommend
Friar Tuck's Restaurant & Bar
111 N Pine StIt's really a restaurant but I go there for the music. They've had live musicians seven nights a week for over 40 years. Great place.
The Stone house
107 Sacramento StEpic building. Amazing modern food. Hipster music. FUN!
Golden Era
309 Broad StBest cocktails in town and LIVE music.
Arts & Culture
The Center For the Arts
314 W Main StLive music, Theater, Gallery. A cultural hub.
Entertainment & Activities
Miners Foundry Cultural Center
325 Spring StConcert venue and party space.
Movies, Live Theater, Concerts in the oldest continuously operating theater west of the Mississippi.
36 locals recommend
Nevada Theater Film Series
401 Broad StMovies, Live Theater, Concerts in the oldest continuously operating theater west of the Mississippi.
The Onyx
107 Argall WayThe way movies are supposed to be seen.
Parks & Nature
40 miles of wild-and-scenic magic. Don't miss it. Best place to start is HWY49 crossing. Hike upstream. If you have kids Bridgeport is a good spot. Hoyt's Crossing and Purdon Crossing are slightly more challenging to get to but worth the effort.
19 locals recommend
South Yuba River
40 miles of wild-and-scenic magic. Don't miss it. Best place to start is HWY49 crossing. Hike upstream. If you have kids Bridgeport is a good spot. Hoyt's Crossing and Purdon Crossing are slightly more challenging to get to but worth the effort.
A compact and beautiful state park with a gold mine, historic mansion, formal gardens and hiking trails right in town. You have to pay to see the mine, house and gardens but the trails are free.
187 locals recommend
Empire Mine State Park
10791 E Empire StA compact and beautiful state park with a gold mine, historic mansion, formal gardens and hiking trails right in town. You have to pay to see the mine, house and gardens but the trails are free.
The trail follows the South Fork of the Yuba along a former flume. It's almost level so an easy walk and wheelchair accessable! Hike down stream to the flume. The creek under the flume is home to many newts - beautiful orange salamanders. Take the kids.
32 locals recommend
Independence Trail
California 49The trail follows the South Fork of the Yuba along a former flume. It's almost level so an easy walk and wheelchair accessable! Hike down stream to the flume. The creek under the flume is home to many newts - beautiful orange salamanders. Take the kids.
The North Fork of the Yuba is one of the best trout fishing rivers in the world. Downieville is where the North Fork meets the Downie River. Super cute. Great place for mountain biking, river swimming, fishing and hanging out. The drive is lovely - about an hour from the RRRanch up Hwy 49 crossing the South Fork, Middle Fork and North Forks of the Yuba.
23 locals recommend
Downieville
The North Fork of the Yuba is one of the best trout fishing rivers in the world. Downieville is where the North Fork meets the Downie River. Super cute. Great place for mountain biking, river swimming, fishing and hanging out. The drive is lovely - about an hour from the RRRanch up Hwy 49 crossing the South Fork, Middle Fork and North Forks of the Yuba.
Quite a view! Gold Lakes basin is up there too. LOTS of little lakes and great hiking. The trailhead is the beginning of the "Downieville Downhill" mountain bike trail. Stop at the bike shop in Downieville and catch the shuttle (with your mountian bike) to the top and then ride 9 miles - all down hill - back to your car in Downieville. Or join the racers in the annual Downieville Classic each August.
15 locals recommend
Sierra Buttes Fire Lookout
Pacific Crest TrailQuite a view! Gold Lakes basin is up there too. LOTS of little lakes and great hiking. The trailhead is the beginning of the "Downieville Downhill" mountain bike trail. Stop at the bike shop in Downieville and catch the shuttle (with your mountian bike) to the top and then ride 9 miles - all down hill - back to your car in Downieville. Or join the racers in the annual Downieville Classic each August.
Essentials
BriarPatch Food Co-op
290 Sierra College DrBest coop in the world. Very near the Rubber Rose Ranch.
Food Scene
Great Thai food in a off-the-beaten-path spot in Grass Valley. A treasure.
25 locals recommend
Panoy Bistro
442 Colfax AveGreat Thai food in a off-the-beaten-path spot in Grass Valley. A treasure.
Good pizza. Giant slices. 20 different micro-brews on tap. Good people. Open until 10.
27 locals recommend
Pete's Pizza & Tap House
114 W Main StGood pizza. Giant slices. 20 different micro-brews on tap. Good people. Open until 10.
Great food. LOTS (maybe 40?) Craft beers on tap. Way too many.... Live music. Good vibes.
38 locals recommend
Thirsty Barrel Taphouse & Grille
116 Neal StGreat food. LOTS (maybe 40?) Craft beers on tap. Way too many.... Live music. Good vibes.
Best breakfast in town. New Orleans theme. Hangtown Fry oyster omelette is GREAT. Outdoor seating in good weather under the biggest cherry tree I ever saw.
54 locals recommend
Ikes Quarter Cafe
401 Commercial StBest breakfast in town. New Orleans theme. Hangtown Fry oyster omelette is GREAT. Outdoor seating in good weather under the biggest cherry tree I ever saw.
Great breakfast. A real landmark. Get there early to beat the crowds...
41 locals recommend
South Pine Cafe
110 S Pine StGreat breakfast. A real landmark. Get there early to beat the crowds...
South Pine Cafe-Grass Valley
102 Richardson StClosest great breakfast. I like the potato pancakes.
GREAT coffee. Delicious light food. Tell Nancy Peter sent you.
16 locals recommend
Brew Bakers Coffee and Tea House
209 W Main StGREAT coffee. Delicious light food. Tell Nancy Peter sent you.
Grass Valley Brewing Company
141 E Main StGreat beer. Wonderful fried chicken.
Great beer and pizza in the heart of Nevada City. Family friendly.
171 locals recommend
Three Forks Bakery & Brewing Co.
211 Commercial StGreat beer and pizza in the heart of Nevada City. Family friendly.
One 11 Kitchen and Bar
300 Commercial StWonderful food, a patio and live music.