The Best Small Town In California's Sierra Nevada For A 3-Day Weekend
California's Sierra Nevada is a landscape of towering granite peaks, ancient giant sequoias, and some of the most iconic outdoor destinations in the western United States. Scattered throughout these mountains are small towns that blend rich history with easy access to nature, and few do it as effortlessly as Nevada City. Located just 60 miles northeast of Sacramento, Nevada City is a former Gold Rush settlement. With a walkable downtown, beautifully restored hotels, excellent dining, and proximity to scenic state parks and rivers, it strikes the perfect balance between cultural depth and outdoor adventure. Thus, Nevada City makes an ideal base for a memorable three-day weekend in California’s Sierra Nevada.
Historic Hotels
The National Exchange Hotel was originally built in 1856 and has since earned a place in Nevada City’s history. Each of the hotel’s 38 rooms features its own unique design, decorated with a blend of new and antique furniture, complemented by modern amenities such as high-quality bedding, complimentary Wi-Fi, and spacious bathrooms stocked with bath and body products. Other on-site facilities include a restaurant, bar, and lounge, allowing guests to enjoy food and beverages without having to leave the comfort of their hotel.
Flume’s End is a four-story Victorian-era hotel built in 1861, conveniently located within walking distance of Nevada City’s historic downtown area, featuring all the shops, restaurants, and bars within it. Guests of Flume’s End can enjoy a multi-use outdoor space on the 400 feet of creek frontage and the 1.85 acres of landscaped grounds on which the hotel sits. Each room features a private balcony, comfortable bedding, and a flat-screen television. Continental breakfast is served daily.
Downtown Establishments
The River Downtown is a family-owned restaurant that is housed in a historic downtown building. It pairs the vibe of its expansive mining history from the gold rush era with modern ambience as seen from the crystal-capped tap handles on the wall. The menu features items that are influenced by cuisine from around the world, using fresh and seasonal ingredients, and pairs them with beverages like local and regional beers, rotating wines, and hard and soft kombucha.
The Earth Store is a gift shop specializing in souvenirs inspired by science and nature, featuring a diverse range of items including maps, books, binoculars, outdoor apparel, educational games, toys, puzzles, geodes, wind chimes, and birdhouses. The store is accessible from Broad Street in downtown Nevada City.
Visit California's Oldest Theater
The Nevada Theatre is impressively both the oldest existing theatre in California and the oldest continually operating theatre on the West Coast of the United States. It originally opened in 1865, and over the last 155 years, it has hosted live performances, music, film, theatre, and even hosted Mark Twain’s first lecture. The theatre has the capacity to seat 200 people and today, is used regularly throughout the year to host graduation ceremonies, community meetings, and film screenings.
Nearby State Parks
Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park is a 3,000-acre park located 26 miles from Nevada City. The park was the site of California’s first hydraulic gold mine, and evidence of the same can still be seen by visitors today. Large cliffs are on display, which are the result of powerful streams of water eroding entire mountains in search of gold. There are over 20 miles of trails throughout the park with varying lengths and elevations that culminate in some of the best views in the Sierra Nevada. The park is accessible year-round, with shaded trails popular in summer to escape the heat, and snowshoeing opportunities in the winter.
South Yuba River State Park is north of Nevada City, off Highway 49. The canyon of the South Yuba River offers park visitors the chance to view scenic vistas when water is flowing through the granite canyon. In the spring, visitors can view seasonal wildflowers blooming throughout the canyon, and in summer, they can cool off in the water by the beach areas to escape the heat. Although the park is open in the winter, many of the trails are muddy and may be difficult to navigate. As for hiking trails within the park, they range in difficulty from easy to challenging. Other activities include birdwatching, gold panning, and history tours.
Recharge In The Sierra Nevada
If you are looking for a small town to reset in nature for a 3-day weekend, then Nevada City could be the place for you. Avoid the crowds of California’s larger metropolitan areas like Los Angeles and San Francisco, and retreat into the wilderness of the Sierra Nevada. Soak up the history of this historic gold mining town, enjoy a relaxing stay at a boutique hotel, wander all that downtown has to offer, and get outdoors to recharge in nature. This is the best 3-day weekend in California’s Sierra Nevada.
