Nevada City, California

People from all over the country, and even many other countries, love Nevada City, CA. It’s remarkable how often we meet someone, just about anywhere, who has connections to this extraordinary place called Nevada City.

Originally called Ustamah, a Maidu village, Nevada City is the County Seat of Nevada County, California.

With a population of 3,068, according to the census in 2010, Nevada City has the attributes of small-town living that engenders the ideal Sierra Lifestyle. Nevada City was first settled in 1849 during the California Gold Rush, as was called Nevada (Spanish for snow-covered) before the name was adopted by the eponymous State next door. The word ‘City’ was added in 1864 to avoid confusion with the state of Nevada.

We love downtown Nevada City, preserved as a Historic District, with buildings that have received National Register of Historic Places or California Historic Landmark status: The Courthouse and City Hall with Art Deco facades, Miners Foundry, National Hotel, Nevada City Firehouse #2, Nevada Theatre and Nevada Brewery are among those that harken back to those exciting gold rush days.  The Nevada City Winery was the first bonded winery to open in Nevada County following the end of prohibition, still in operation, is a popular spot adjacent to the Miners Foundry.

The Miners Foundry Cultural Center and the historic Nevada Theatre host live music, theatre, and dance continually. Numerous bars and restaurants in Nevada City host live music daily. Art galleries and businesses downtown exhibit fine art and historic artifacts. Nevada City is known for cultural events such as: Wild & Scenic Film Festival, Nevada City Film Festival, Hot Summer Nights, Victorian Christmas, and Nevada City Storytelling Festival. Annual events that draw thousands from the San Francisco Bay Area and from the state of Nevada.

The gateway to the High Sierra, Nevada City is at the center of access to the Tahoe National Forest and South Yuba River, is 45 minutes to the Donner Summit and an hour to Lake Tahoe Ski resorts.

And that is why you will run into people all over the world who know Nevada City. The Sierra Lifestyle doesn’t get any better…anywhere else!

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