Although its name is Nevada City, this charming town is in California. Nevada City is located west of Lake Tahoe and is considered the most well-preserved Gold Rush town in the state.

Despite being small, there are lots of things to do in Nevada City! Just outside of town, there are hiking trails, rivers, and state parks to explore, while the town itself is a lovely place to stroll around.

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Best Things To Do in Nevada City, California

When gold was discovered here in 1849, the population quickly grew as prospectors flocked to the area hoping to get rich. And they likely did! Nevada City was a successful mining town, with the nearby Empire Mine being one of the richest in California.

Fun fact: The town was named Nevada before the state of Nevada was named! Nevada means “snow-covered” in Spanish, which is why the settlers picked it. It was later changed to Nevada City to differentiate itself once the state picked the same name.

Today, Nevada City has an interesting mix of California history, a Bohemian/alternative culture, and small-town politics.

The most prominent culture is a community of alternative, “hippie” (white) people who are into yoga, herbal medicine, organic food, and crystals — you know the vibe.

In contrast, there is a small population of the typical Eastern California right-wingers who dislike the open-minded views of the town, which was dotted with prominent pride flags for Pride Month during my visit in June.

On my first visit during the Victorian Christmas street fair, locals were friendly and cheerful. During my second visit, I didn’t experience the same outgoing, friendly atmosphere, but people were still perfectly nice.

I love Nevada City, though I definitely don’t fit into any of the subcultures. I’m a big fan of science and modern medicine, support the LGBTQIA+ community, and enjoy my fair share of junk food.

All that to say, no matter your beliefs, there are tons of fun and unique things to do in Nevada City!

Explore the Downtown Historic District

The real gem of Nevada City is its charming downtown with historic buildings, local shops, and restaurants. Once the heart of a Gold Rush boom town, downtown is still thriving today.

Broad Street is the main historic street, while the streets running parallel on either side—Commercial Street and Spring Street—are just as adorable.

The Downtown Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. In addition to the district as a whole, downtown has another 70 buildings individually listed on the National Register, including the National Hotel.

Check Out the Local Shops

Downtown Nevada City is all local shops and restaurants, with some unique and interesting stores. As you explore the town, be sure to pop into any stores that catch your eye!

Brothers Art & Antiques has a large collection of hand-picked antique art, books, jewelry, and everything in between. The owner is a friendly guy who is happy to share his treasures with you!

The Sock Parlour is one of the cutest, trendiest stores in town. Though they do have lots of socks, my favorite items are the candles, stickers, and apparel.

It wasn’t open the few times we walked by, but the Crystal Rainbow Rock Shop is a tiny shed-turned-store filled with beautiful crystals. It’s worth just visiting to see the cute building!

Walk Across the Suspension Bridge

Nevada City is surrounded by nature and hiking trails, including the Tahoe National Forest, the Yuba River, and Deer Creek.

One of the best trails close to downtown is the Nisenan Tribute Site Trail Head, which takes you to the Deer Creek Tribute Trail and across the Angkula Seo Suspension Bridge. You can take Wyoming Road from downtown to reach the trailhead.

The suspension bridge crosses over Deer Creek and connects to a series of winding trails. It is a true suspension bridge and bounces quite a lot as people walk across it! There aren’t any gaps in the bridge, which makes it feel much safer than bridges with planks.

Of all the things to do in Nevada City, walking across the suspension bridge was definitely one of my absolute favorites! The downtown is lovely, but I also love finding unique things to do and spending time in nature.

If you’re up for it, wear a swimsuit and bring a towel for a dip in Deer Creek! There were groups of locals enjoying the cool water on a warm day when we visited.

In the warmer months, don’t forget a water bottle (I love my Owala) and mosquito repellent. I left with a few mosquito bites since I didn’t wear any repellent.

Enjoy a Drink at Communal Cafe

There are a few coffee shops in town, but none as large and hip as Communal Cafe. There are multiple entrances for this coffee shop because it takes up almost the entire length of a block!

They serve a wide range of drinks, including traditional coffees, specialty lattes like a spicy mocha, and unique drinks like mushroom coffee. They also have plenty of vegan milk to choose from.

It’s the perfect spot to start your day, work remotely, or get a midday pick-me-up! In addition to drinks, they also serve breakfast and lunch items, like toast, harvest bowls, and sandwiches.

Have Brunch at Lola Dining

The National Exchange Hotel—where we stayed and highly recommend—has a bar and restaurant at street level. They’re both open to the public, but you do get a $10/day credit for them if you’re a hotel guest!

Lola is a high-end restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We ate here for brunch, and it was one of the best meals we have had in Nevada City! I had the avocado toast with poached eggs; it was flavorful, filling, and fresh.

The interior is bright with tall ceilings, turquoise velvet benches, and brass fixtures. The modernized, vintage-style decor is one of my favorite styles and the reason we picked the National Hotel in the first place.

The name Lola comes from Lola Montez, a woman known for her many talents and interests, including dancing. She was a woman before her time and didn’t conform to typical society expectations.

Lola had a wildly fascinating life, with an enticing personality, scandals, multiple marriages, and a passion for performing. I love that they chose to name the restaurant after her!

Visit Empire Mine State Park

I’m a huge history nerd and fascinated by California’s Gold Rush roots. Visiting a mine is an exciting activity for me, but maybe it doesn’t sound like something you would want to do.

The mine and history of the mining done here is interesting, but the part worth visiting is the “cottage” and gardens of the mine owner, William Bourn II.

This state park is in Grass Valley, just a 10-minute drive from downtown Nevada City.

I didn’t expect much, despite the incredible reviews online. The visitor center, where you pay the entrance fee ($5 per person), has well-done displays about the history of the mine and many different gemstones and minerals.

From the visitor center, you can walk around the mining equipment, see where they pounded the gold-bearing ore, and explore some of the old buildings. They even have a blacksmith shop with a blacksmith giving live demonstrations!

Onto the mine itself, you can take a guided tour (offered at specific times throughout the day for free and goes to areas you can’t access without a guide) or take the steps down to view the mine yourself.

The last stop was at the estate and gardens of William Bourn II. If that name sounds familiar, he’s also the one who commissioned the building of and lived at Filoli Historic House & Garden — my favorite place in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Willis Polk was the architect who designed both the Filoli estate and the cottage at Empire Mine. You can see the similarities between the two in the red bricks, sharp lines, and attention to the garden.

You can take a guided tour of the cottage at a specific time each day, but you cannot explore it on your own like you can at Filoli.

Don’t skip this state park just because mining doesn’t interest you! The gorgeous cottage and gardens alone are worth the visit and $5 entrance fee.

Get Lunch at a Local Spot

Nevada City is home to quite a few restaurants with excellent reviews, food, and ambiance.

Three Forks is a staple in the heart of downtown with local beers and delicious food. The veggie sandwich I had was one of the best!
Taqueria El Taco Loco serves quality Mexican food with a salsa bar and a generous selection of hot sauces. Their margaritas are pretty great, too!
The Pizza Joint is the perfect place to grab a slice and a soda for a cheap and easy meal. Get it to go and eat at one of the benches around town, at a table in Robinson Plaza, or in Calanan Park among the redwoods and flowers.

Heartwood Eatery is another highly recommended and rated restaurant in town, but I haven’t eaten here yet!

Stay at the National Exchange Hotel

The National Exchange Hotel, opened in 1856, is one of the oldest continuously running hotels west of the Rockies. Its historic status is made official as a place on the National Register of Historic Places and a California Historical Landmark.

When I first visited Nevada City for the Victorian Christmas street fair, I only spent the day/evening there and did not stay overnight. I explored the inside of the hotel and made a note of it for future trips.

On my second visit, we booked the hotel for a couple of nights and loved it! The entire hotel was renovated in the last decade. It was well designed with uniquely patterned wallpaper, brass fixtures, velvet fabrics, and elegant decor throughout the hotel.

We stayed in a small King room, but there are also lovely suites and larger rooms with full living rooms!

The hotel was featured in an episode of Ghost Adventures in 2012 because it is allegedly haunted by a few different ghosts. We didn’t experience anything supernatural, but it would be a fun spot for a spooky Halloween weekend trip!

A quote they have on their website that I think is hilariously relatable:

“During the day, I don’t believe in ghosts. At night, I’m a little more open-minded.” – Unknown

Indulge in Ice Cream at Treats

For a little (or large!) dessert, head to Treats for a scoop or two of ice cream. The line goes out the door in the evenings, especially on weekends.

They have incredible ice cream, as well as milkshakes, sundaes, sorbet, and gelato. There are even vegan ice cream flavors. The Butter Brickle ice cream in a sugar cone was 10/10.

I ate my ice cream so quickly, I didn’t take a single photo of it!

Shop the Farmers Market

Every Saturday, Nevada City has a farmers market from the morning until mid-afternoon. In summer, it’s held outdoors in the historic downtown (Union Street), then moves inside during the colder months from January through April.

The farmers market has a diverse selection of goods, including handmade soap, local produce, sourdough bread, cut flowers, freshly caught fish, and ceramics.

If you’re visiting on a weekend, don’t miss out on all the local goods!

Attend Victorian Christmas

One of the things Nevada City is most known for is its annual Victorian Christmas! It’s a large street fair that takes over the historic downtown on Wednesdays and Sundays throughout December.

People dress up in Victorian clothing, chestnuts are roasted over a fire pit and given out for free, the streets are lined with tented booths selling goods & hot drinks, and there are food stands with all different cuisines.

We attended on a Wednesday as a day trip from the San Francisco Bay Area and had the best time! It felt like stepping into a Hallmark movie with friendly people and holiday cheer, surrounded by charming historic buildings.

Take a Walking Tour

With any old gold mining town comes ghost stories and haunting experiences — Nevada City is no exception! If you want to learn more about the town’s history and the supposed ghosts that haunt it, take a Haunted History Walking Tour.

The 90-minute guided tour is offered on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I haven’t taken it myself (yet!), but it’s on my list as a spooky Halloween activity in California!

Prefer something a bit less spooky? Try a self-guided scavenger hunt and walking tour instead! This walking tour can be taken at any time, as there is no tour guide, just access to a game on your phone.

The game can be played with groups of 2-6 people as you walk through the historic downtown area, solving puzzles with clues you find along the way!