Nevada City

Introducing Nevada City

Nevada City manages to be popular with tourists while maintaining an edgy local vibe. Like many of the Gold Rush towns, people looking for someplace far from the hustle of the cities discovered its inherent charms several decades ago and today it is home to a delightful mix of crusty old-timers, artists, folks bent on preserving a hippie lifestyle and well-off urban refugees.

The town’s liberal roots go far back to Aaron Sargent, a transplanted New England journalist who served in Congress and the Senate. He helped author the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote (with input from his friend Susan B Anthony, pioneer crusader for women’s rights). Today, arts are a big part of life here - there are theater companies, alternative film houses, bookstores and live music performances almost every night. The downtown area is well preserved and has a quaint yet authentic feel that makes it one of the most intriguing places in the Gold Country to spend a few days.

Nevada City’s streets, often jammed with pedestrians, are best navigated on foot. Broad St is the main thoroughfare, reached by the Broad St exit off Hwy 49/20. In December the whole town gets decked out in Christmas garb and there are special events every weekend.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009