This Gold Rush Downtown in California’s Sierra Nevada Is Made for Walking
Downtown Nevada City, California, is encompassed by pine forest-covered hills, creating a cozy snow globe-like feeling for those who explore it on foot. Originally settled as a mining camp during the California Gold Rush, the streets of this perfectly preserved town are lined with Victorian-era homes, original log structures, and historical buildings, including California’s oldest operating structure. But there is more to explore than history in downtown Nevada City. Main Street and Broad Street are jam-packed with an exciting mix of restaurants, gift shops, and art galleries. And nearby, other similar towns like Auburn and Truckee are perfect next stops. So, if this Sierra Nevada town sounds like it could be of interest to you, lace up your best pair of sneakers and start walking!
Broad Street's Historical Landmarks
Begin exploring Nevada City on Broad Street, at the center of downtown, and the site of two historical California landmarks. The National Exchange Hotel is not only one of California's oldest hotels, but it is also one of the oldest continually operated hotels west of the Rocky Mountains. The hotel opened its doors in 1856 and has since played a pivotal role in the town’s history and culture. It housed the town’s first telegraph office and post office, and in 2018 underwent renovations across its 38 Victorian-style rooms. In addition to an on-site restaurant and bar, the hotel is a great place to stop by for a live musical performance or to attend a seasonal event.
Continue walking up Broad Street to the Nevada Theatre, California’s oldest operating theatre. The building opened its doors in 1865 and was later added to the National Registry of Historical Places in 1973. This rustic vernacular Victorian building is an impressive landmark to visit when walking around town, with an expansive performance history from Mark Twain to Motley Crue. Make your way across the street from the Nevada Theatre and visit another longstanding Nevada City establishment, the Truffle Shop, which opened its doors in 1986 and has been selling handmade luxurious truffles ever since. Stop by here and fuel up on some sweet treats before continuing to explore town.
Learn About Nevada City's History
From the Truffle Shop, head down York Street, which eventually transitions into Washington Street. Turn right on the corner of Washington Street and Main Street and continue walking down Main Street to the Firehouse No. 1 Museum. The museum is housed in Nevada City’s historic firehouse and features a bell tower on its roof. The museum contains four main exhibits that detail Nevada County history between the late 19th century to the early 20th century.
Just down from the Firehouse No. 1 Museum on the corner of Main Street and Commercial Street is the Shiva Moon art gallery. Shiva Moon houses a wide variety of folk art, hand-loomed textiles, and tribal jewelry from across the world. Additionally, their selection of vintage and antique items has been sourced both locally and internationally.
Dining on Commercial Street
After exploring town for this long, you are bound to have worked up an appetite, and heading onto Commercial Street, there is no shortage of great eateries to indulge in. The origins of the Crazy Horse Saloon and Grill date back to 1855, when it operated as a grocery store. Although it has changed hands over the years and undergone renovations, it has retained its original folding iron doors, the last reminder of its origins. Today, it is celebrated as a popular spot for late-night dining, elevated pub food, and live music.
To keep the party going after dinner, head across the road to The Fern. The Fern is a retro-themed bar offering handcrafted specialty cocktails and 20 beers on tap, with weekly and bi-weekly events including a pub quiz, open-mic comedy night, live music, and DJ sets.
Unique Souvenirs in Nevada City
Be sure not to leave Nevada City without picking up a souvenir or memento of your time spent there. J.J. Jackson’s is located up the street from The Fern at the intersection of Commercial Street and North Pine Street. They have a wide selection of goods from around the world, including home decor, textiles, clothing, gourmet food products, personal care items, toys, and books. Around the corner on North Pine Street, Nevada City Crystal and Glass specializes in both locally made and antique and vintage jewelry and glassware.
Nearby Towns
There are towns in the Sierra Nevada that are both walkable and rife with history. Just like Nevada City, Auburn was founded during the California Gold Rush era and is rich with mining history, and is conveniently only a 35-minute drive south of Nevada City. Auburn is rich with unique shops, places to eat, and places that preserve the town’s history, like the Placer County Museum, which houses Native American artifacts and a gold collection.
Truckee is another historic town in the Sierra Nevada and is just under an hour’s drive away from Nevada City. It is considered one of the best preserved towns of the West and is known for its incredibly walkable downtown area. Like Nevada City, it also has unique old structures, such as the Old Truckee Jail Museum, one of a handful of 19th-century jailhouses in the West and one of the last remaining original buildings in Truckee.
Nevada City is Made for Walking
For those planning to visit Nevada City, make sure to bring your best pair of sneakers, as it is best explored on foot. Broad Street is full of one-of-a-kind historic buildings, and its central location makes it ideal for navigating to other popular downtown streets, like Main Street and Commercial Street. Travelers who want to immerse themselves in California’s Gold Rush heritage, but also want great places to eat and opportunities for window shopping at many unique galleries and gift shops, then Nevada City is the perfect place to do so.
