Nevada City Attractions

This 1865 brick structure is the oldest theatre erected in California. Today it provides a stage for Northern California's finest performing arts groups, concerts and other activities. During its storied history it has been the stage for performances from Mark Twain, Emma Nevada, Motley Crue, and The Second City comedy troupe. The building is registered as California Historic Landmark No. 863, and is located in downtown Nevada City.

The Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum is dedicated to the preservation of local transportation history and artifacts. In addition to the railroad, this area boasted an electric streetcar line, a steam powered automobile, and the first commercial airport in the United States. Visitors can tour the museum, railyard, and restoration shop. The exhibit includes an 1875 Baldwin, and a collection of wooden rail cars, and a gift shop.

Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park is the site of California’s largest "hydraulic" mine. Visitors can see huge cliffs carved by mighty streams of water, results of the gold mining technique of washing away entire mountains to find the precious metal. The old town of North Bloomfield contains the visitor center and exhibits depicting life in the old gold-rush days. The town was originally named Humbug, but when gold was discovered, residents thought the name needed to be more respectable.

Completed in the Spring of 1861, this firehouse was home to Nevada Hose Company No.1 from 1861 to 1938. During those nearly 80 years, horse-drawn fire wagons and handcarts and “modern” motorized fire engines rolled out the doors. The Victorian bell tower and gingerbread trim were added in the early part of the 20th century. The Firehouse Museum contains artifacts from the doomed Donner Party, Maidu Indian artifacts, and a collection of Chinese historical items.

The Independence Trail is the first wilderness trail in the country with wheelchair accessibility. The main entrance is located six miles north of Nevada City on Highway 49, near the South Yuba River bridge. Parking is available beside the road, with several marked disabled spaces. Highlighting the West Trail is a waterfall one mile from the entrance. Sequoya Challenge, a non-profit group, works in partnership with the California Dept of Parks and Recreation to manage and maintain the trail.

South Yuba River offers many scenic vistas. Visitors can view fast water pouring over massive granite ledges, and historic toll crossings and bridges that tell a story of day-to-day life during the Gold Rush era. Visitors can enjoy swimming, hiking, panning for gold, beautiful wildflowers, or exploring the trails leading to such historic mining sites as the Miner's Tunnel and Jones Bar. Docent-led history, nature, and gold-panning tours are also offered at selected times throughout the year.