Located a short hour's drive northeast of Sacramento, Grass Valley - Nevada County offers some of California's best Gold Rush History, abundant outdoor recreation and a wide variety of choices of dining, nightlife and lodging. The area is noted for being one of nature's brightest western fall-color canvases, particularly between mid October and Thanksgiving, and is therefore becoming a popular autumn travel destination.

Grass Valley's historic downtown district dates from the 1850's, and the town's underground mines produced more than $900 million in gold, making it California's richest. Visitors can explore the mine site, the stone mansion once occupied by its owner and the immaculate rose garden surrounding it at the 780-acre Empire Mine State Historic Park on the southeast side of town. The downtown historic district of Nevada City, one of the best preserved of all Gold Rush towns, is comprised of more then 90 quaint brick storefronts and Victorian homes. Ringed by deep green hillsides and accentuated by white church steeples, Nevada City stands at the gateway to the Tahoe National Forest and its many rivers, lakes and trails. Other nearby attractions include the South Yuba River, the Bridgeport covered bridge, the longest single-span covered bridge in the nation and Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park. Walking tour maps, fall color maps, gold mining history and trail guides are available from the Chamber of Commerce. Click HERE to visit the Nevada County Information Center, and HERE to visit the Nevada County government site.