Now for the fun things:
Fishing |
Gold Panning 
Nevada City is in the heart of the Mother Lode district of the Sierra
Nevada Mountain Range. It is said that this was the largest producing
Gold area in the Mother Lode. During the gold rush, the waterways in the
area were shoulder to shoulder gold panners trying to strike it rich.
They took alot of gold from this area, but there is still gold present.
Many people in the area still go down to the creeks and rivers and pan for
gold during their free time. It's a free activity (just the cost of a
pan) and alot of fun. You can go to the Bridgeport area of the South Yuba River State Park which is
about a 20 minute drive from the lodge and they will show you how to do
it. The South fork of the Yuba River runs throught the park and you can
try your hand there. 
South Yuba River State Park 17660 Pleasant Valley Road Penn Valley, CA 95946 530-432-2546 530-273-3884 |
The Kentucky Mine, Stamp Mill and Museum East on Hwy. 49. They offer guided tours into the underground mine which has California's only remaining workable gold ore stamp mill. Their museum features local American Indian culture. For tours into the mine contact: Sierra County Historical Society 530-862-1310
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Music at the Mine: The Kentucky Mine Music Festival 
There's a relatively unknown jewel of an event that gives me great pride.
Sierra County, just up the road on Hwy 49 at Sierra City's Kentucky Mine, where they offer a mining
tour of their hard-rock mine, and they have summer outdoor concerts. This is as American as American gets.
Music at the Mine Hwy 49 to Sierra City, CA 1/4 mile east of Sierra City on the left side watch for "Kentucky Mine" sign. Turn there!
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Music in the Mountains Grass Valley, CA 
Spring Fest, Summer Fest, Fall Fest, and Holiday Concerts. As they proudly state "Our goal is to exceed your expectations." and knowing personally that they have met that goal, many times over, gives our area a special satisfaction which is well beyond the boasting stage! Music In the Mountains with performances at the Amaral Family Festival Center, in the Nevada County Fairgrounds, 11228 McCourtney Road Grass Valley, CA 95945 530-265-6173 |
Sierra City, CA 
Though the don't have commercially generated entertainment, they bask in Mother Nature's blessings. See for yourself at the Sierra City website Driving time 
1.5 hours from Nevada City 2.5 hours from Sacramento 4.5 hours from San Francisco 1.5 hours from Reno 1.5 hours from Lake Tahoe |
Mountain LaurelA Local Bluegrass Band Their music is polished, entertaining, humourous and flavored with local spirit. The songs are their own creations and reach deeply into every family's core. Visit the Mountain Laurel website to view their performance schedule.
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The Rough & Ready Fruit Jar Pickers 
Free performances every Sunday from 10 AM to Noon. They provide lyric books so that you may sing along with the band. Slapstick humor lives and breathes when they are together. As a recent Russian translator told his tour members, "This is American music..." (long pause as they nodded) "...before Hollywood." They all belly-laughed and didn't miss a beat with their tapping feet. Bring your own chairs. Visit the Fruit Jar Picker's website for more information.
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Horse Drawn Carriage Rides Through Nevada City 
The Nevada City Carriage Company provides horse-drawn carriage
tours of our historic gold mining town. The leisurely ride through
the
winding back streets is especially beautiful in the autumn. Who
needs
Central Park? (530) 265-8778 or just walk up to a parked carriage
in front of the National Hotel.
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Stroll Through Nevada City and Grass Valley 
Take your time and stroll through our narrow streets and nod or say, "Hello" to those that you see. Smell the aroma of flower gardens and of food cooking for family dinners. In the autumn, marvel at the burst of fall-colors against a backdrop of evergreeen pines and cedars. Or draw winter's breath deep inside your body to awaken your holiday spirit.After all, your trip is for pleasure, so please your curoisty about days-gone-by as you walk through the here-and-now. |
The Empire Mine State Park Grass Valley, CA 
The Empire Mine is one of the oldest, largest, deepest, longest and richest gold mines in California. The mine was in existence for more than 100 years and produced 5.6 million ounces of gold before it closed in 1956. The park contains many of the mine’s buildings, the owner’s home (shown above) and restored gardens, as well as the entrance to 367 miles of abandoned and flooded mine shafts. The park consists of forested backcountry and eight miles of trails, including easy hikes (for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding) - in the park. |
Cornish Christmas 2007 Grass Valley, CA Five Friday nights - 6 PM to 9 PM, Nov. 23 and 30 Dec. 7, 14 and 21 No admission fee. Visit the Downtown Grass Valley webpage for current information.
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Victorian Christmas 2007Nevada City, CA Three Wednesday nights - 6 PM to 9 PM Dec. 5, 12 and 19, Two Sunday afternoons - 1:30 PM to 6 PM Dec. 9 and 16, There is no admission charge. Visit the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce for current information. |
The California Gold Country:Highway 49 Revisited by Elliot H. Koeppel Visit his website to prepare on a journey through the Mother Lode's Mining Camps along Hwy. 49, or enjoy the arm-chair cruise through your computer. I want to say more about this site, but if I begin to place my words of pride on this page, for certain I will run out of room. Please visit it, you won't regret the trip. |
More?? Sure, why not? Visit NevadaCountyGold.com ... just click their PC screen.  |
