Overview
Nevada City is a city in Nevada County in California's Gold Country. It's known for its well-preserved 19th century downtown and countercultural affiliations.
2 sights · 3 things to do · 1 places to eat · 3 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Nevada City
Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park
State park featuring gold rush-era buildings with rock faces carved out by hydraulic mining. Also has access to camping and fishing in Blair lake.
Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railway Museum
Museum dedicated to preserving local history of narrow gauge used in the region. Features guided tours and a preservation shop for trains.
Scotts Flat Lake
Beautiful high elevation lake near Nevada City provides camping, day use, boating, and hiking recreation.
Firehouse #1 Museum
Historic museum featuring treasures from the area, including artifacts from the Donner Party. Limited hours.
Nevada City Film Festival
World renowned film festival since 2001 considered to be the “Sundance of the Sierra” for its focus on independent film.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jun–Sep. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 15°F. Cold months (Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jan and Dec. (climate data from nearby Truckee)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- TKF Truckee Tahoe Airport, Truckee — 47 mi away. Directions
- SMF Sacramento International Airport, Sacramento — 50 mi away (major hub). Directions
From Sacramento take I-80 East to Auburn and then take 49 from Auburn to Grass Valley. From Truckee take I-80 west and take the highway 20 exit towards Nevada City and Grass Valley.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Scotts Flat Lake, Firehouse #1 Museum, Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railway Museum
- Lunch Friar Tuck's Restaurant and Bar
- Afternoon Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park, Nevada City Film Festival
- Evening Three Forks Bakery and Brewing
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Get in
By car
From Sacramento take I-80 East to Auburn and then take 49 from Auburn to Grass Valley. From Truckee take I-80 west and take the highway 20 exit towards Nevada City and Grass Valley.
By plane
By train
Go Amtrak
Provides regular service to Auburn Amtrak station, 27 miles south of Nevada City. From the station, you would need to take Nevada County Connects bus 5 to central Grass Valley (about an hour bus ride) and then transfer to Nevada County Connects bus 1 to Nevada City. Be sure to check the bus schedule as buses are infrequent and run only limited times per day.
By bus
Place Local buses
If you have time and the timing work out, you can get to Nevada City from Sacramento by using local buses. From Downtown Sacramento, you can take Sacramento Light Rail to the Watt/I-80 station. Here, you can take Placer Transit Route 10 to Auburn Amtrak Station and then from there, you can take Nevada County Connects bus 5 to central Grass Valley and then transfer to Nevada County Connects bus 1.
Get around
By bus
See
Do
Events
Buy
Eat
Eat Friar Tuck's Restaurant and Bar
American restaurant focusing on steak in an antique setting.
Drink
Drink Three Forks Bakery and Brewing
Local brewery and bakery with a pizza oven that offers flights of beer.
Drink The Mine Shaft
Dive bar with cheap drinks and an old west theme.
Sleep
Go next
Nearby
Grass Valley
City / town · 18 listings · 4 mi away
Colfax
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Auburn
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Marysville
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Oroville
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Yuba City
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My experience
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