Nevada City, CA 👢

Guest Post by Tia Woodward

Meet Tia Woodward

A Creative Director by trade, Tia Woodward has always loved discovering, visiting and inhabiting unique places populated by interesting people. She has lived in Iowa City, Iowa, New York City, San Francisco and Bolinas California, as well as a few months in San Sebastian, Spain. While living by the Pacific Ocean in Bolinas, California in an old water tower that had been converted into a house, a friend suggested she and her boyfriend check out Nevada City. It was love at first sight and they are now restoring an 1881 Victorian just across the creek from Nevada City’s historical downtown. 

Tia’s Favorite Places to Travel To 

Tia is always looking for cities and towns that are unreplicatable–places that have their own special soul. One recent discovery was Luang Prabang, Laos, at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a magical place that engages all your senses with its ancient Buddhist temples, traditional artisan textiles, and amazing food. Tia really love New Orleans. A few years ago, she was actually in escrow on a garçonnière in the French Quarter, where she thought she’d live a little more than half of the year, but the place just didn’t feel right, so she decided to keep NOLA a travel destination for now. 

Tia’s Top Travel Tips 

For Tia, the idea is to go where the locals go, eat what they eat and drink what they drink. If you only have a short period of time in a place, she recommends you ask a taxi driver if you can hire them for a few hours to take you around and show you what they think is special. Of course, you have to pick the right taxi driver, but in lots of places they’re competing for the tourist fares and you can see who seems to be bright-eyed and friendly. Tia has had great off-the-beaten-path experiences doing that–like the time Tia and her girlfriends hired a Tijuana taxi driver to show them the places that he and his friends go and ended up on stage in a Mexican Karaoke and billiards bar! Another tip when touring is to go to the oldest, grandest hotel in town and have a drink or an iced tea. Even if you’re on a budget, you can spend a few dollars and experience all the ambiance and service that people are paying thousands of dollars a night for.   

Q&A GUEST POST with Tia Woodward: Nevada City, CA 👢

Q: Can you provide a quick overview of Nevada City?  Its location, history, and overall vibe? 

A: Nevada City’s claim to fame is that it’s the most historically preserved Gold Rush town in all of California. Though it feels secluded, it’s easy to find. From the Bay Area, just start driving to Tahoe on Interstate 80, then take a left at Auburn on 49, and 30 minutes later, you’re here! For people who aren’t from California, I explain that Nevada City is located in the Sierra Foothills, halfway between Sacramento and Tahoe. Nevada City was originally just called “Nevada,” which means covered with snow, but when the state to our East was established in 1864, they stole the name. Locals observe that Nevada County, CA is shaped like a pistol pointed at the state of Nevada…coincidence? 

Our town was one of the original gold discovery sites in the late 1840s and was where the majority of mine owners and engineers lived–and partied. The town next door, Grass Valley, is where the miners lived. Many of the miners were Cornish, an ethnic group that’s believed to be descended from ancient Celtic people, and when they came to Nevada County to work the mines, they brought their own unique traditions with them. You can still buy a Cornish pasty in downtown Grass Valley, which is only 6 minutes away from NC. Before the Gold Rush, Nevada City was home to about 4,000 Nisenan Native Americans, and the Uba Seo gallery in downtown Nevada City features arts and cultural installations related to their story, past and present. You can find an abundance of well-preserved Victorian-era architecture in Nevada City and Grass Valley and it’s easy to imagine both towns as they were in the mid-to-late 1800’s. As mining came to an end, Nevada City became a forestry town full of lumberjacks, and then OG hippies began to grow marijuana on what’s known as “The Ridge” which led to the town becoming a hip scene in the 70’s. Nevada City attracted Beat Generation poets like Gary Snyder and Alan Ginsburg, as well as musicians, painters, mystics, gurus, and era philosophers, like Alan Watts. Each iteration of the town has played a part in shaping its unique personality. Today, it’s a liberal-leaning, artistic town with a deep love of American history and a great sense of fun and community. The people here are some of the friendliest and most welcoming you’ll ever meet and there’s a sense among locals that Nevada City is a sort of vortex that draws to it the people it wants to be here. Residents hail from all over the U.S. and the world, and many of my neighbors have magical stories about how they ended up here. 

Q: Why is visiting Nevada City so great?

A:  Because of Nevada City’s history and beautifully preserved Gold Rush architecture, many people come to visit. In fact, the entire downtown district is a National Historic Landmark. Being a tourist destination means that Nevada City can support a thriving restaurant and night-life scene. In a town of only 3,000, it’s pretty unbelievable how much there is to do. Nevada City boasts at least ten live music venues, where you can see big-name acts as well as local musicians. The Nevada Theatre, established in 1865, is the oldest continuously operated live theatre in the Western US, and one of two live theatres downtown. We also have two movie theatres, frequent art walks and open studios and a popular film festival. There are two winery tasting rooms as well as two breweries, Three Forks and BrewHaus, right downtown, and a third, Ribald Brewing, walking distance from the first two. We have a plethora of different restaurants with a range of cuisines–even sushi restaurants (plural)— plus multiple coffee shops and other gathering places. The retail shopping here is beyond. Nevada City is committed to offering only one-of-a-kind, locally owned boutiques and you won’t see anything that’s cookie-cutter or humdrum. On the contrary, you’ll discover hand-made jewelry, interesting new and upcycled clothing, native handicrafts from local and sustainable artisans around the world, multiple book stores, two rock shops, an herbal apothecary, a cacao cafe, two kid’s boutiques, two games and toy stores and surprises like a costume shop (Solstice) and a store where you can see artistic taxidermy and have colorful custom roller skates made. At the same time, to preserve the historic vibe, facades are fastidiously maintained and shops are not permitted to have name brands or even neon signs in their windows. There’s a remarkably high level of craft and a joyful, multifaceted celebration of life everywhere you look.        

Q: What’s the best time of year to visit Nevada City?  

A:  Well, after 25 years in the San Francisco Bay Area, where it’s really just one chilly season all year long, I’d have to say Summer. I just can’t get over the luxury of being able to sit outside at night and be totally comfortable. There’s Scott’s Lake for boating or paddle boarding just 15 minutes up Highway 20–and the Yuba river, which is a religion for people around here–15 minutes down 49. I so appreciate the fact that the foothills have big, gorgeous redwoods and pines you find further up in the Sierras, and also have all the deciduous trees and flowering bushes from the lower elevations. It’s incredibly lush and green and, especially in the Spring, redolent with blooms. Also, in April and May, Ananda, a spiritual community just 20 minutes outside of town, opens its Crystal Hermitage tulip gardens to visitors. You can spend hours wandering among 20,000+ blossoms representing more than 100 different varieties of Tulips. And, if you’re a fan of fall, it’s worth a trip just to see all Nevada City’s trees in full color. A lot of people come here leaf-peeping in October and November and the town is famous for its Halloween celebration where everyone, no matter their age, walks the streets through the Historical District in costume. Of course, winter’s are pretty special, too. Our elevation is almost 2,500 feet and it’s just high enough to get some beautiful snow–the soft, fluffy kind that piles high on each individual pine needle–once or twice a season. If you’re a skier or snowboarder, NC makes for a perfect base camp. You’ll love how easy it is to get up to Tahoe using our private highway (20) that lets you avoid all the traffic on Interstate 80 and be parked in the Palisades parking lot in just over an hour. It feels amazing to go ski half a day and be back home that afternoon!  

Q:  What should you not forget to pack when visiting Nevada City? 

A:  It depends on the season, but I would say a costume. Check the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce events schedule before you come.There are so many festivals and events and people here never miss an occasion to dress up and have fun. Whether it’s the absolutely epic Mardis Gras parade in February or the Victorian Christmas street fair that takes place on Sundays and Wednesdays all through December, or our famous Halloween–people come from far and wide and the costumes are elaborate. I’d say Nevada City rivals New Orleans for passionate participation in festivities.    

Q:  What’s the best way to get to Nevada City?  Via car? Possible via train? If flying, best to come into Sacramento airport then rent a car? Are rideshare services available in Nevada City? 

A:  You really need a car to get to Nevada City. You can fly into Sacramento and rent a car–it’s about an hour away from the airport–or there’s an Amtrak stop in Auburn, which is only half an hour away, but you will need a car from there. We have DoorDash, but I don’t think we have Uber.  

Q:  Where should people stay while in Nevada City?  Any specific hotel recommendations? 

A:  Right before we moved here, they completed the renovation of the National Exchange Hotel downtown. It’s really a special place to stay, but there are some beautiful B&B’s on Broad Street, including the Two Room Inn.

Q: How family-friendly is Nevada City? What are some top activities to do with kids? 

A:  I’m kid-free myself, and Nevada City seems to me to be a slightly older demographic, so though there are kids, it feels like fewer of them than in some places. That said, there are lots of things to do as a family. If I had kids, I’d plan to schedule the family visit around a parade, Halloween or another town-wide celebration. There’s always the Yuba River and many nearby lakes, including Scott’s Flat and Rollins for swimming and boating. If you’re into camping and hiking, Nevada City is the gateway to Tahoe National Forest, so if you want to get your family out under towering pine forests breathing fresh mountain air, this is the place. In town, there’s the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum with a train you can ride. Cool off at our beautiful community swimming pool at Pioneer Park or with the best ice cream in the known universe from Treats. At Nevada City Chocolate Shoppe you can find all sorts of specialty candies, including my personal favorites: black cat and scottie dog black licorice. 

Q:  Nevada City is surrounded by incredible nature. Where are the best places to go hiking and explore the beautiful landscape?  

A:  There are gorgeous hiking and biking trails all around the Nevada City area. I like to hike the Deer Creek Tribute Trail, because it’s beautiful and it runs right by my house. Making the full loop takes me about an hour, and if I go West out my front door, it takes me through the forest, over the 150-foot Nisenan Tribute suspension bridge that spans Deer Creek and up through town, where I often stop for lunch or a cold beer before completing the loop. Along the path are educational signs that memorialize the contributions made by the native Nisenan people and the Chinese people who helped build this place.    

Q: What are some must-do activities while in Nevada City? 

A:  Treats Ice Cream is to die for. It’s all handmade on premise. I always get Bourbon Breakfast in a waffle cone. Go to the Bar at the National Exchange Hotel, where the cocktails are imaginative and the decor is sophisticated. When they remodeled, instead of throwing away the old radiators from the rooms upstairs, they harvested them and used them to decorate the front of the bar. They have drag queen bingo and Celtic music nights and other special events, including a classy, costumed New Years Eve celebration. The Miner’s Foundry is a non-profit arts and events center that hosts everything from famous bands to short story readings, an annual psychic fair and community sing-alongs. The Stone House is a unique dining venue in an 1857 building. They also host live music, DJ nights and even plays by local playwrights.

Q: Are there any unique tours or experiences one must do while in Nevada City? 

A: I’d recommend a visit to Empire Mine State Historic Park. It’s technically in Grass Valley, but it’s less than a 10-minute drive away. Visit the Nevada City Farmers’ Market on Saturday morning to pick up fresh, organic food and take it to Pioneer Park for a picnic. And, if like me, you consider a wine flight a kind of tour, don’t miss the Nevada City Winery, where you can experience a delicious flight of their favorites along with an excellent charcuterie board served year-round on the outside deck.

Q: What day-trip would you recommend taking from Nevada City? 

A:  One of the best things about Nevada City is how close we are to Grass Valley, because it’s like getting two towns for the price of one. Downtown Grass Valley is just  6 minutes away by car and offers more great shopping and restaurants, as well as the Nevada County Center for the Arts, which is a fantastic performance venue, and the National Exchange Hotel’s sister grand dame property, the Holbrooke, where you can eat, drink and be merry. 

Q:  Let’s talk food!  Where can you find the best eats in Nevada City?  Must-visit restaurants?  Must-eat dishes? 

A:  I love a good steak, and my favorite steakhouse in Nevada City is just a few minutes outside of town on Highway 49. It’s called The Willo and it started as a lunch counter and watering hole for the lumberjacks back in 1947. Today it serves excellent, hand-cut Midwestern steaks, along with ribs, chicken, fish and burgers. I go for the New York steak, which you can order cooked to perfection or cook yourself over an indoor fire pit (that saves you fifty cents). All meals are served with garlic bread, beans and a baked potato, as well as a salad and a scoop of ice cream. Sit in the bar by the jukebox for true California roadhouse ambiance and be sure to take advantage of the offered upgrade to the “mixed green salad.” When guests visit, we often walk over to Lola (named for Lola Montez, famed free spirit of the Western frontier), at the Northern Exchange Hotel to impress them with sophisticated food in a swank and lively dining room. For a little more intimacy, you can ask to be seated in the bar area in one of the restaurant’s big red velvet half-moon booths. I also love The Stone House, where you’ll find a seasonal menu designed by Chef Garett Dakan, prix fixe dining experiences during certain holidays, and occasionally a 5-course meal with wine pairings. If you’re looking for something lighter and/or prefer plant-forward meals, Explore the Heartwood and order their avocado toast on fresh-baked artisanal bread, and if you want the best sandwich in town, hands down, head to Lika’s Quarter Cafe on Commercial Street, sit under the magnificent old cherry tree and order the Tri-tip and roasted vegetable sandwich with a cup of her homemade soup on the side. My last restaurant recommendation is one that’s off the beaten path. Northridge is a casual, family owned local favorite in a log cabin. They have great salads (try the Salmon Salad) and sandwiches (Turkey Gringo with Ortega chilies on toasted sourdough). Don’t ask me why, but they lay a slice of fried bacon across the top of your beer glass every day from 4-5pm!

Q:  What are the best coffee shops? 

A:  In keeping with Nevada City’s “no national brands” ethos, you won’t find any Starbucks, Peets, Caribou or Dunkin’ in this town. Communal Cafe is all the rage lately–a large, bustling open space with great espresso drinks and breakfast burritos and a fun place to people-watch. For a warm and friendly morning coffee experience, Java John’s, across the street, may be more your jam. And if you’re in search of something really special, forget the coffee and walk up Broad Street to a quirky little chocolate bar called Choquiero Cacao Cafe. In the back of this small space, there’s a funky lighted table (yes, just one table) where you can sit and enjoy cacao drinks (and sometimes participate in traditional cacao sharing circles). If you’re really feeling adventurous, head to Elixart herbal lounge (elixart.com) to experience “herbal alchemy and plant power.” Try “Jun,” a fermented, effervescent elixir made with honey, tea and herbs and loaded with probiotics. 

Q:  What are some must-visit bars in Nevada City? 

A:  One of my favorite bars in Nevada City is the bar at Friar Tucks Restaurant, because they have no-cover live music every night of the week and a good happy hour menu. You can get a yummy cheese fondue with baguette, pickled carrots and local pork sausage for $15 that easily feeds two people. Golden Era Cocktail Bar and Lounge has lovely period decor, live music and premium cocktails, as well as a handcrafted soda fountain menu of non-alcoholic drinks. I also like The Stone House bar in a beautiful old stone building at the end of Broad Street and the Mine Shaft Saloon is the real deal. The Crazy Horse Saloon & Grill has live music and DJs several nights a week in a groovy, rustic atmosphere with a full bar menu. Across the street is Three Forks Bakery and Brewing Company, a community favorite, and the newest drinking establishment in town is BrewHaus, with its sunny, outdoor beer garden and shared and German-inspired small plates. For karaoke and pool, go to McGees Annex. We also have a recently re-concepted bar and restaurant right on Deer Creek downtown, appropriately named Creekside Nevada City and a new live music venue and retro-themed bar called The Fern. And, finally, I want to give a shout out to Gold Vibe Kombuchery, which is about 10 minutes from Nevada City, up by the Grass Valley airport. It’s a cool spot with great hard kombucha–try Lavender Lift–monthly line dancing instruction, puppy parties and free community yoga, among other things.