Grass Valley and Nevada County offer a rich repertoire of theater, music, and entertainment. The community generously supports the arts. Throughout the year, a number of theater groups, the Community Asian Theater (CATS) and The Foothill Theatre Company to name a few, delight local audiences. The Center for the Arts and the historic Miners Foundry Cultural Center, as well as other venues, host a diverse mix of theater, film, and other events. And of course, the newest movie releases can be viewed at the various Sierra Theaters.

The beautifully forested Nevada County Fairgrounds is home to a series of unique events which draw attendees from miles around year round. The popular Draft Horse Classic and Nevada County Fair are local classics. Music in the Mountains offers a full spectrum of classic music spring, summer, winter and fall.

The Neighborhood Center for the Arts provided adults with developmental disabilities an opportunity to grow to the best of their abilities through the arts and community integration.

Check our Community Calendar on our web site for details on events each month.

Whatever your age, stamina or interest, when it comes to active recreation, Grass Valley and Nevada County has something for everyone! With four brilliantly colorful seasons, the show at our door step is continually changing.

Want to explore the natural beauty of the Sierra Nevada? Our forested mountains offer extensive scenic trails for hiking, biking, horse back riding, and all-terrain-vehicles. Follow cascading rivers through national forests, old flumes into historic mining sites, or the original immigrant trail to California. You can even try your luck panning for gold along with the old timers! Planning a backcountry expedition? Highland Llama Trekkers and other purveyors can provide llamas for wilderness pack trips.

The federally designated “Wild and Scenic” South Yuba River has four dozen state and national historical sites, including the Bridgeport Covered Bridge and others listed in the National Register of Historical Places. It also features the 2,200-acre South Yuba River State Park and the Independence Trail which is the longest wheelchair-accessible wilderness trail in the country.

Prefer boating and water sports? The Yuba and other local rivers offer world-class kayaking and rafting. Natural lakes and reservoirs are favorites for boating, sailing, swimming, water skiing, and camping.

Prefer the sculpted greens of a golf course? The Alta Sierra Country Club, Nevada County Country Club, Darkhorse Golf Course, and Quail Valley Golf Course provide for excellent golfing. If you are a Frisbee buff, both Grass Valley and Penn Valley have courses for disc golf.

For the truly active young person, check out Grass Valley’s skateboard park at Condon Park! Swimming is available at pools in both Grass Valley’s Memorial Park and Nevada City’s Pioneer Park.

Winter brings a wonderland of snow. Less than an hour’s drive from Grass Valley and Nevada City, you will find world class runs for Nordic skiing, snowboarding and cross country skiing. Lake Tahoe and the Tahoe basin ski grounds are an easy commute.

For those who prefer staying in shape through an indoor fitness center, South Yuba Club, Curves for Women, and the Courthouse Athletic Club, are among the health clubs in the area.

Visit the Empire Mine State Historic Park/Bourn Cottage - the site of the oldest, richest, hardrock gold mine in California. Daily Park Hours are Jan - April 10 am - 5 pm daily. May - August 9 am - 6 pm, September - December 10 am - 5 pm.For Information call (530) 273-8522.

History enthusiasts won't want to miss the North Star Power House and Pelton Wheel Mining Exhibit. Here you will find displays of mining equipment and artifacts from the 1880's awaiting visitors. On display is the largest Pelton Wheel ever constructed and used to generate power for mining operations. You will also see the largest operational Cornish pump. The museum has a secluded picnic area; just walk across the bridge that crosses Wolf Creek and sit alongside this rushing creek where lunch can be enjoyed at picnic tables. Call (530) 273-4255 for more information.

Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad & Transportation Museum, Nevada County's newest museum is filled with railroad and transportation exhibits, including historic Engine No. 5.

The Grass Valley Museum is a former convent, orphanage and school built in 1865, with memorabilia of early Grass Valley and Mount St. Mary's Academy.

Firehouse No. 1 Museum includes relics of the Donner Party, Maidu Indian display, Chinese and Pioneer exhibits, and items of the Gold Rush era.

Imaginarium of Nevada County is an nteractive science museum with hands-on exhibits and activities in science, nature and technology for children of all ages.

Eight miles northwest of Nevada City on Highway 49, the South Yuba River State Park is a major State Park in the making. The park will stretch more than 20 miles along the South Yuba River canyon from Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park to Bridgeport. The area includes the longest single-span covered bridge in the world; four miles of the steep, rugged canyon of the South Yuba River; and the Independence Trail, a wheelchair accessible trail. Visitors can enjoy swimming and hiking, wildflowers and historic sites. Docent-led history, nature and gold-panning tours are offered at selected times throughout the year.

Five miles East of Nevada City off Hwy 20, is Scotts Flat Lake. The area is located at the 3000-foot elevation level of the Tahoe National Forest. Modern RV sites, restrooms and hot showers are available for guests. Ice and camping supplies are located nearby, as is a playground. Guests have access to a complete boating facility including a full service marina store, mooring, gas and oil. There is a picnic area with BBQ grills, tables, and swimming beach located on the grounds. Guests can relax in this truly four-season vacationland. The park has 143 sites with a maximum length of 36 feet.

Located in downtown Grass Valley, the Holbrooke Hotell gives a sense of history. Antiques grace all twenty-eight rooms, each with private bath.