By Heather Heckler

Residents and visitors are inspired by our beautiful environment and in Nevada County we orient our lives around four distinct seasons, each one bringing a new way to see, explore, and appreciate our Sierra Foothills home.

Winter

From crisp clear blue skies to misty rains to full-on snowstorms, winter in Nevada County brings low temperatures and the chance to cozy up in our bakeries, coffee shops and bars with friends or a good book from one of our many used and new bookstores.

Start with a hearty breakfast at South Pine Cafe, known for its breakfast specialities like the Blackstone Benedict, tofu or egg scrambles, and freshly squeezed juices. Add champagne for a delicious Mimosa.

Stroll along the Mill Street Promenade and browse the many unique shops along the way, including the Book Seller, a local favorite since the 1970s. Book lovers will get lost for hours in the nooks and crannies of Booktown Books, featuring used and rare books, records, and ephemera from 14 independent booksellers over 4000 square feet. Gamers of all ages will love Grass Valley Games, which features a large selection of games and comic books and serves as a friendly gathering place.

For a taste of Nevada County’s Cornish heritage, stop by Marshall’s Pasties for a savory handmade pasty just like the ones miners took with them for a long day of work underground.

Head over to Nevada City for an afternoon of sightseeing in the historic district. Grab a richly delectable House Cacao at Choquiero Cacao Cafe and visit the many unique shops on Broad Street. Grab a cocktail at the National Bar, a historic haunt serving up Victorian ambiance along with craft cocktails before sitting down to a delicious meal at Lola, the National Exchange Hotel’s fine dining restaurant.

Spring

Celebrate Spring with brunch at Lika’s Quarter Cafe, where the patio’s massive cherry tree provides a spectacle each spring. From there, set off for a drive into the South Yuba River canyon and up to the San Juan Ridge, where Ananda Village’s Crystal Hermitage welcomes the public each Spring to enjoy the riotous color of 19,000 tulips in bloom. The garden provides a rare view across the wild and scenic Yuba River canyon far below.

Wildflower enthusiasts will love the Buttermilk Bend Trail, a gently winding accessible path that follows the South Yuba River upstream for about a mile. Stop in for a sandwich at local favorite Blue Cow Deli in Penn Valley before heading to Bridgeport at the South Yuba River State Park for beautiful views of the river from hillsides exploding with colorful wildflowers. Free docent-led walks are available on Saturdays and Sundays in the Spring.

Lovers of literature won’t want to miss the annual Sierra Poetry Festival, a day of readings, workshops, and discussion with some of today’s most exciting local, national, and international poets and performers. Be on the lookout for pop-up poetry events throughout the month of April as the festival’s popular “SPF Fringe” celebrates National Poetry Month.

Spring also heralds the beginning of outdoor farmers markets and festivals, such as Grass Valley’s Thursday Night Market, which brings food and craft vendors, farmers, and entertainers out into the downtown streets to share their talents with locals and visitors alike. Enjoy a delightful iced latte from Cake Bakery & Cafe while enjoying a front row seat of the action on their Mill Street patio.

Summer

Along with an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities, summer brings with it street fairs and festivals of every flavor. Art lovers won’t want to miss Nevada City’s First Friday Art Walk, which features the work of local artists in shops throughout the downtown historic district and live performances on the streets.

Start your Saturday at the Nevada City Farmers Market, which features seasonal organic produce all grown within 50 miles. Check out the food court for a rotating selection of hot food and pastries and grab a cup of coffee from the Outer Heaven Espresso booth before settling in for some great people-watching in Robinson Plaza.

From there, head to the Deer Creek Tribute Trail, which includes interpretive signage recognizing our native Nisenan people and the contributions of Chinese settlers. A suspension bridge—Nisenan Tribute Bridge or “Anqkula Seo—spans a beautiful section of Deer Creek, connecting to the Environs Trail on the other side.

For a sweet treat, head to one of our picturesque downtowns for a cup or cone of ice cream from Lazy Dog Chocolateria in Grass Valley or Treats in Nevada City–two local gems serving cool treats.

After a day in the sun, grab a refreshing beverage and watch the sunset from the balcony of the National Exchange Hotel, the best perch in town from which to watch the world go by.

If you happen to be in town in mid-August you won’t want to miss the Nevada County Fair. Beloved by locals of every stripe, this five-day combination ag show, community gathering, and carnival has something for everyone, from baby animals to local art to monster trucks. Make sure to brave the line for a corn dog from the Job's Daughters booth–a local favorite on Treat Street!

Fall

Fall brings welcome cool air after a long hot summer and beautiful fall colors throughout the Cultural District. The Wolf Creek Trail in Grass Valley provides a lovely easy trek along the creek. Start at the North Star Mining Museum for a great historical overview of the mining industry in the area.

Wine aficionados will love downtown Grass Valley, which boasts five tasting rooms representing the best of the Gold Country, including Avanguardia, Cork 49, Lucchesi, Sierra Starr, and New West Wine Co. If it’s beer you prefer, head over to BrewHaus in Nevada City and sit by the fire pit with a haus pretzel and a craft beer from local brewery BrewBilt.

Fall is also a great time to start thinking about holiday shopping. For patrons of the visual arts, Open Studios is an annual treat, as scores of artists welcome visitors into their private worlds for tours, workshops, and demonstrations on the second and third weekends of October. The Winter Craft Fair at the Miners Foundry and Kodo Art’s bi-annual sale of Japanese antiquities are also great spots to pick up unique gifts for the art lovers in your life.