A Traveler’s Guide to Nevada City

Phrases like hippie town, natural food, and art and music spiraled at the mention of the Northern California mountain town. It’s a town of idealists, and a haven for spirituality, yoga, nourishing eats, natural healing, and a bustling art and music scene that ceases to diminish even during the slow winter months. While the town tends to clear out a bit with the snow and rain—it has a high and low season—still you can find a range of each of these options.

The town itself consists of 3,000 people at an elevation of 3,000. It gets rain, snow, sun and is enveloped in lush forests and the winding Yuba River. The area surrounding the town has endless options for the outdoor enthusiast—go hiking, swimming, mountain biking, fishing, or even gold panning.

The epicenter houses a social and cultural hub. It became an escape post Burning Man; after several artists moved here, a scene soon followed. The warmer months bring craft fairs, a film festival, solstice celebration, and music up to five nights a week; while the galleries are flooded with creatives and more events. Live music streams out of the bars ranging from jazz to rock to a DJ set. Both the night owl and early riser will be satiated—party until daybreak and then grab a delicious, hearty breakfast at the handful of local restaurants along with a healing herbal tea or artisan coffee.

It’s an easy place to make friends as there is not a single face that won’t smile or smile back at you. Everyone will offer suggestions on things to do, see and eat. And, surprisingly, for such a small town, there are a number of eateries you won’t want to miss.

Eat + Drink

Ike’s Quarter Cafe: You may wait up to 45 minutes to be seated, but it’s absolutely worth it for their Creole-inspired menu by Ike Frazee. The extensive selections are made with locally grown, organic food and include treats like the “Hangtown Fry” with eggs, cornmeal crusted oysters, bacon, caramelized onions, and spinach, topped with a green onion vinaigrette. There are also enormous potato boats, oyster Benedict, shrimp and grits, as well as a range of standard breakfast items. // 401 Commercial St., Nevada City;  ikesquartercafe.com

Heartwood: For a nourishing fix, head to Heartwood to build your own grain and salad bowls with a seasonally changing array of ingredients (or order one off the menu). Fixed menu items include their thick, signature toasts on fresh baked artisanal bread. Specials are ever changing depending on the varying seasonal produce of the Sierra Nevada Foothills—they say to expect heartier fare during cooler months with light and colorful options during spring and summer. A range of drinks include the typical items you’d find at a cafe (coffee options, lots of tea, hot chocolate, fresh squeezed orange juice), though they also offer a selection of healing herbal blends and seasonal delights like the “Heart of Gold” with cardamom, turmeric, ginger, rose, black pepper, and milk steamed with ghee and coconut oil with a touch of house-made vanilla syrup. // 237 Commercial St., Nevada City; heartwoodeatery.com

Three Forks: Ideal for any time of day, Three Forks has a full bakery with goods made with organic ingredients. The menu changes everyday but they always have cookies, muffins, scones, pie and cakes (brown butter polenta with maple caramel, flourless chocolate, and strawberry elderflower), and breads (olive, walnut, lemon zest and herbs de provence; challah, and polenta pumpkin seed. For meals, they have a selection of delicious in-house fresh made pizza, sandwiches, soups, salads, and tasty small plates. // 211 Commercial St, Nevada City; threeforksnc.com

The New Moon: Serving fresh, seasonal, local, and organic before it was a thing, The New Moon offers a sophisticated, yet unpretentious dining experience for lunch and dinner. Fine items like lamb chops, ravioli, venison, wild fish, and cauliflower mac and cheese for dinner; and hearty sandwiches for lunch. Plus, the menu changes with the new moon. Grab a bite and sip some wine on the porch. 203 York St., Nevada City; thenewmooncafe.com

Elixart: Get mind-altering (nonalcoholic) good for you sips like kava, ant soda, and other herbal concoctions as well as teas, lattes, and coffee. The menu also includes healthy bites like kale chips, mushroom burger, soup, falafel, and sweet options including a raw fudge brownie, matcharoon, and more. They also recently opened a second location in San Francisco to pair with One Dome’s immersive experiences, and also often go to festivals to provide nourishing refreshments.  // 408 Broad St #8, Nevada City; elixart.com

FoxHound Espresso & Coffee Broaster: For a caffeine fix, head over to FoxHound for bright, third wave American roasts. The drinks menu is painted on the wall—choose a pour over option of several different beans. Small batches are also sold in 8 oz and 16 oz compostable brown bags stamped with their logo. They also will do events with live music; and don’t forget to check out the deck. // 317 Spring St., Nevada City; coffeebroaster.com

Treats: This is the only dedicated ice cream spot in town, handcrafting each of their sweet treats with locally sourced and organic fruit and vegetables including peaches, berries, rhubarb, basil, ginger, mint, California Bay, Douglas Fir and floral flavors. You can even get a gluten-free cone. // 110 York St., Nevada City; treatsnevadacity.com

Shop

Crystal Rainbow Rock Shop: This magical little store is tiny but teeming with a wide array of beautiful crystals and rocks with descriptions. Behind a white picket fence with a small porch, a rainbow on the sign, and stones covering the floor, it’s truly a special place to visit for stone collectors of all ages. // 310 Commercial St., Nevada City; (530) 265-3784.

Kitkitdizzi: Pop into this pretty shop to explore beautiful handmade goods from local makers. Their selection ranges from jewelry and clothing to home goods and divination. // 219 Broad St., Nevada City; kitkitdizzi.com

Tysa: A newer shop in town is Tysa, who carries a collection of Cali chic attire—comfortable casual basics as well as frocks with bold prints and low backs. It’s also tucked in a boho glam space, complete with cacti, earth-toned southwestern rugs, and an Aleksandra Zee piece adorning the wall. // 300 Spring St., Nevada City; tysadesigns.com

Tiger Alley: If it’s vintage you’re seeking, head to Tiger Alley for a well-curated selection of dresses, coats, boots, hats, and jewelry at reasonable prices.  // 400 Broad St., Nevada City; tigeralleync.com

Lilly Vigil Gallery: This little shop feels like a mini museum filled with Native American jewelry. Open since 1985, the collection includes pieces from Santo Domingo Pueblo who specialize in art pieces of cut stone; Zuni pueblo who specialize in inlay and petty point clusters of turquoise on sterling silver; and silversmithing from Navajo artists. // 214 Broad St., Nevada City; lillyvigilgallery.com

Element + Loft: A sanctuary for the modern bohemian, this shop, just a few minutes away, the next town over in Grass Valley. Their collection includes a wide selection of home decor, clothing, and accessories. // 108 Mill St., Grass Valley; elementandloft.com

Do

The Onyx: This art-house theater houses around 60 people with a single screen. One film plays for about two weeks at a time, and the owners are selective about what they show. Plus, they have organic popcorn with real butter. // 107 Argall Way, Nevada City; theonyxtheatre.com

Malakoff Diggins State Park: There are a number of gorgeous hikes in the area, though Malakoff Diggins offers trails through cliffs carved out by hydraulic mining; and a ghost town you can wander through. // 23579 N. Bloomfield Road, Nevada City; parks.ca.gov

Cascade Canal Trail: Though this is slightly out of town, it’s perched on the side of a hill, offering a captivating view of Nevada City. Stroll along a canal through a number of Douglas firs and dogwoods. You’ll pass some rustic houses, but otherwise it’s a serene, secluded stroll. // bylt.org/trail/cascade-canal-trail

South Yuba River: Take a dip in the gorgeous river, just 25 minutes from town. The water is crystal clear and perfect for a swim or soak on a hot day. Bring a picnic and bask in the sun. You can also hike around to find more secluded watering holes off the main road. // southyubariverstatepark.org

Grass Valley: A ten minute drive away is downtown Grass Valley with a number of small wineries, art galleries, cafes, and boutiques. Pop into Art Works Gallery to see some local art, and get some ice cream at  Lazy Dog Chocolateria.

Yoga: A mecca for yogis, there are a wide range of studios between Nevada City and Grass Valley. It’s a destination for healers, and getting some stretching and breathing in here is a given. Check out Wild Mountain Yoga Center (with locations in both towns, Inner Path, and The Yoga Dive.

Stay

The National Hotel: The oldest continually operating hotel west of the Rockies, the National is a Victorian landmark. Get a drink at the bar and people watch from the balcony, or take in the sunset. This place was also featured on the show “Ghost Hunters” and is part of the Nevada City ghost tour.” // 211 Broad St., Nevada City; thenationalhotel.com

Feature photo courtesy of Cruzin Cob Global