Grass Valley, California Guide: Attractions, Historic Sites & Outdoor Activities

There’s a lot about the Empire Mine State Historic Park that makes it special. Not only is the site home to one of the oldest gold mines in California, the site is also known for being one of the largest, deepest, longest and most prolific mine in the entire state. The mine is over 100 years old and produced an incredible 5.8 million ounces of gold before it was finally shut down in 1956. Today, the park provides visitors with the interesting opportunity to visit many of the mine’s buildings, restored gardens, and even the preserved home of the mine owner. Easy hikes around the park are another enjoyable aspect of the Empire Mine State Historic Park with 8-miles of easy trails to venture off on.

10791 East Empire Street, Grass Valley, California, Phone: 530-273-8522

Nestled in the heart of California’s Gold Country, the Grass Valley Museum boasts of a rich history kept and displayed behind unassuming doors within the second level of the St. Joseph’s Cultural Center. The museum is a hidden gem of the Golden State, and features memorabilia and artifacts that tell the history and story of Grass Valley – the small town that produced two of California’s richest gold mines. Free to the public, the Grass Valley Museum offers free tours that are led by knowledgeable and engaging docents who appear to have answers to every question guests could possibly have. Some of the must-see items include the bathtub of Lola Montez, medical paraphernalia from a former hospital, and a fully restored classroom from the 1890s.

410 South Church Street, Grass Valley, California 95945

A hidden gem in Grass Valley, the North Star Powerhouse Mining Museum is run by the Nevada County Historical Society and is committed to the preservation and protection of the county’s rich mining heritage. Not only does the museum educate and inform visitors about the mining process, it also tells an important story about the impact that the entire industry had on the locals as a whole. Some of the interesting exhibits to view and spend time at in the North Start Powerhouse Mining Museum include the Dynamite Packer, the 30 Foot Pelton Wheel, the Cornish Water Pump and the Stamp Mill.

933 Allison Ranch Road, Gras Valley, California 95949, Phone: 530-273-4255

Located in the Empire Mine State Historic Park, the Bourn Cottage was built in 1897 and served as the home for the mine’s owner, William Bourn Jr. The cottage features an elegant layout and was designed by Willis Polk, a popular architect from San Francisco. In addition to the cottage and estate’s formal gardens, a visit to the Bourn Cottage also allows you to explore all of the 4,600 square feet of grounds. Some notable features of the cottage include it’s 1,500 rose bushes as well as native and exotic greenery. One mustn’t miss out on exploring the interiors of the cottage too, as it houses artifacts from the Bourn family history.

10791 E. Empire Street, Grass Valley, California 95945-7432, Phone: 530-273-8522

Dedicated to promoting the literary, visual and performing arts to the local community of Nevada County, The Center for the Arts is, without a doubt, a must-visit in Grass Valley.

Housed in a multi-use 21,000 square foot facility, the Center for the Arts features a Main Theater with a 300-seat capacity, a 90-seater black box theater, 2 visual art galleries, and even classroom space. There’s never a dull moment at the Center for the Arts, which hosts over 150 performances yearly and serves patrons of all ages. Shows and performances isn’t all that the Center for the Arts has going on, though. Visitors can also participate in a series of community focused programs like the Youth Arts Education Program.

998 Plaza Drive, Grass Valley, California 95945, Phone: 530-274-8384

There’s no denying that the Del Oro Theatre, with its art deco neon spire, is an icon of Grass Valley, California.

Built in 1941 by United Artists, the Del Oro Theater started operating in 1942 as a single-screen movie house that was designed in the classic Art Deco and Moderne style of architecture. Today, the Del Oro Theatre stands as a time capsule of the 40’s cinematic culture despite having undergone renovations. Popular activities to participate in at the Del Oro Theatre include several ghost tours, which include hair raising stories of people meeting traffic ends or visits to the underground passages of the theatre.

165 Mill Street, Grass Valley, California 95945, Phone: 530-477-9000

Built in 1862, the Holbrooke Hotel isn’t just a lovely place to book a stay, it’s also a historic site to visit as it is the oldest hotel still currently in continuous operation within California’s Mother Lode. The hotel’s architectural style is that of mid-19th century Mother Lode, which makes it a stunning and eye catching sight to behold. There are a total of 27 rooms in the hotel’s 19,400 square foot space, many of which are furnished with fabulous globe chandeliers, claw foot bathtubs and classic green library lamps. Additionally, the Holbrooke Hotel is also home to a bar formerly known as the Golden Gate Saloon, which has been continuously operating since 1852.

212 West Main Street, Grass Valley, California 95945, Phone: 530-460-1945

Considering the long and rich mining history of Grass Valley, it only makes sense that some of the top things to do would be to visit some of its old mines. This is exactly what visitors can look forward to at the North Star Historic Conservancy, which is nestled within 700 acres of land.

The conservancy features two main mine shafts, stamp mills, and other operational buildings, all of which were active between 1851 and 1956. Apart from being a top historical attraction, the North Star Historic Conservancy is also home to a beautiful path of greenery called The Heritage Garden, which is a popular wedding venue for locals of Nevada County.

12075 Auburn Road, Grass Valley, California 95949, Phone: 530-477-7126

Experts in custom framing and art restoration, The Louvre is owned and run by the husband and wife duo of Gordon and Kathy. The pair started the Louvre in 1980’s simply as an art gallery and framing shop, but later expanded to oil painting restoration, print restoration and photo restoration as their business grew.

The Louvre has, since it began, built a painstakingly earned reputation for quality and fine craftsmanship. If you’re not there for the expert framing and restoration, then visit for its lovely gallery, which boasts a wide variety of artworks such as paintings, limited edition prints, posters, photos, collectibles, sculptures and more from both local and national artisans.

124 East Main Street, Grass Valley, California 95945, Phone: 530-272-3733

The Greater Grass Valley Chamber of Commerce is the perfect place to visit if you want to get a taste of the gold rush days were like.

The chamber of commerce remains beautifully preserved until this day. As a whole, the Greater Grass Valley Chamber of Commerce is a hub of information for visitors who don’t quite know what they want to see and do in Grass Valley.

From the chamber of commerce, visitors can head to other mining museums, foundries, gold mines, and railroad museums. To enjoy the natural beauty of Grass Valley, visitors can also pick up pocket-sized visitor guides to explore the lovely Sierra Foothills, horseback riding, boating and more.

128 East Main Street, Grass Valley, California 95945, Phone: 530-273-4667