Gold Country: History, Charm, Adventure
Gold Country has a history of wealth, debauchery, extravagance, greed, hard labor and violence. In the late 1800s, Northern California was a hotbed for gold mining – with raucous saloons, sophisticated hotels, bustling Main Streets, railroads and lucrative mines – where white miners and mine owners hoped to strike gold. According to the History Channel, a total of $2 billion worth of precious metal was extracted. The towns of Nevada City and Grass Valley were booming. After its peak in 1852, there was a steady decline. The hard-rock mines closed and mining towns were mostly vacated.
Gold Country Today
Today, Nevada City and Grass Valley are on the national register of historic places. The historic charm of these gold country small towns has been preserved and they now offer tourists the chance to experience a grand bygone era. The National Hotel in Nevada City and the Holbrooke in Grass Valley have recently been restored to their original grandeur. The Golden Gate Saloon in the Holbrooke is the oldest continuously operating saloon west of the Mississippi.
The National Exchange Hotel in Gold Country
Located in Nevada City, during the gold rush, the National Exchange Hotel was elegant and stylish. It was where the best dressed, elite mine owners and their wives would socialize, drink, listen to live music, dine on gourmet meals, and share stories of their gold endeavors. This was the place to go to see and be seen. Over the years, it lost its luster. But, starting in 2018, it was brought back to its original shine through a full-scale renovation and restoration.
Now, it combines modern amenities with the history and charm of its past and is an iconic landmark in Nevada City. There are 38 unique rooms with Victorian-era decor, including vintage furniture, custom wallpaper, antique photos, and original brick walls (there are no TVs). Comfort and convenience come in the form of Beautyrest Black Label mattresses, down duvets, Italian linens, plush robes, bluetooth speakers, electric kettle, and a mini-fridge.
Dine on locally sourced, sustainable, and seasonally inspired menu items in the grand dining room at Lola, such as Fried Chicken, Red Kuri Squash, Beef Cheek, Oyster Mushrooms, and Pt. Reyes Blue Cheese Salad. Or, take a seat at the swanky Nash Bar to indulge in craft cocktails and shareable snacks.
The hotel offers various events throughout the year. Don’t miss Celtic Sessions music on Thursday evenings and the candlelight “Haunted by History” tour where you’ll learn about non-living guests who might still be wandering the halls.
Here are some things to do with visiting Nevada City:
- Partake in a Kava Ceremony at Elixart
- Visit the herbal apothecary, Remedy Garden
- See a screening at the 21 and older Onyx Theatre
- Listen to live music (such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers) at The Miners Foundry Cultural Center
- Buy handcrafted and sustainably sourced products at Kitkitdizzi
- Cross the Deer Creek Tribute Trail suspension bridge
- Grab coffee at the Communal Cafe
- Don’t miss the incredible murals in the Nevada Theatre
- Shop curated art and antiques at Brothers Antiques
- Indulge in organic, homemade chocolate at Choquiero Chocolates
The Holbrooke Hotel in Gold Country
The Holbrooke Hotel, located in Grass Valley, the heart of gold country, was a place were miners went after a hard day’s work, to unwind, to keep company with the “ladies of the night” and enjoy a hardy meal and good night’s rest. After falling into disrepair, it was completely renovated, and reopened in 2021 with a rustic-yet-refined atmosphere that pays homage to its history while offering todays visitors modern amenities.
Each of the rooms in the Holbrooke Hotel are uniquely decorated with period pieces, contemporary comforts, curated art, antique furnishings, and clawfoot tubs. They feature crisp linens, beautifully tiled bathrooms, and some have a balcony overlooking the charming town of Grass Valley. Guests can also stay in the Purcell Carriage House, that offers adjoining rooms. If you hear kids running down the hall our bouncing a ball in the middle of the night, it might just be friendly spirits waking you up.
Dine at the Golden Gate Saloon for seasonal dishes and comforting classics with a Mexican flare, such as crispy pig ears, tuna tostada, rabbit mole, or achiote rice. Before or after dinner, grab your favorite drink at the bar, one of the longest operating barrooms west of the Mississippi River. Head down to the Iron Door speakeasy for live for live music and even livelier conversations.
There are plenty of things to see and do in Grass Valley:
- Cross the Bridgeport Covered Bridge and swim in the Yuba River
- Visit the UBA SEO Cultural Education and Gallery Space
- Tour the Empire Mine State Historic Park to see the relics from the mining days
- Enjoy floatation therapy and infrared sauna at Revival
- Attached to the hotel is the Gather + Mill shop selling home goods, gifts and accessories
- Mountain Bike the Pioneer Trail
- Try the traditional Cornish pastries at the Grass Valley Pastry Co
- Pick up a custom hat at Mill + Main
- Pick up some new and vintage vinyl at Clocktower Records
- See psychedelic art at The Chambers Project
The Nisenan People
While white settlers profited from the gold rush, many of the indigenous California Native Americans tragically died or were killed during that time. We, along with the California State Parks, acknowledge that California Gold Country sits on Nisenan Land and that the original Tribal Families have yet to recover from the near genocide of their people during the California Gold Rush, and support the Nevada City Rancheria Tribe in efforts to stabilize their people as well as the campaign to restore Tribal sovereignty through Federal Recognition.
Disclosure: Accommodation, dining, and transportation was provided by Acme Hospitality in order to do my review, but all opinions are my own. Article may contain affiliate links.
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