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Experience Grass Valley for a Weekend Getaway!
- Following a relaxing night enjoying the many dining and lodging opportunities in Grass Valley, you can start your day with a delicious breakfast at Tofanelli's located at 301 West Main Street in downtown Grass Valley.
- Start your day with a visit to the North Star Mining Museum located at the end of Mill Street at Allison Ranch Road, Grass Valley. At the North Star you will find displays of mining equipment and artifacts from the 1880's. On display is the largest Pelton Wheel ever constructed. The museum has a secluded picnic area alongside a rushing creek.
- Then it's on to the Empire Mine Historic State Park which is the site of the oldest, richest, hard rock gold mine in California, you may wish to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy while at the Park. This 800 acre State Parks is located off East Empire Street, one and one half miles from downtown Grass Valley. From 1850 when George Roberts discovered gold in quartz outcroppings, which became the Ophir Vein, until the mine's closure in 1956, an estimated 5,800,000 ounces of gold were extracted from 367 miles of underground passages.
- Enjoy a glimpse inside the Bourne Mansion and take a tour of the grounds and formal gardens. See a scale model of the underground tunnels, with the 367 miles of shafts, drifts and slopes. Make sure to see the Bourne Cottage, Clubhouse and mine yard. In addition there are hiking and bike trails that make the park not only a renowned historical showplace but a great recreational one as well.
- Enjoy some afternoon wine tasting once back in downtown Grass Valley. There are four tasting rooms in downtown Grass Valley. Lucchesi Wines specialize in traditionally crafted wines produced in small lots to capture their varietal character and regional qualities. Avanguardia Wines are blended wines from unusual and exotic varietals. Smith wines are organically grown are three generations strong and Starr Wines are full bodied award winning wines.
- Enjoy a lovely dinner in Grass Valley. Downtown Grass Valley is home to over a dozen fine restaurants serving various cuisines from Italian, Japanese, Mexican, and Thai to fabulous steaks, seafood and vegetarian meals.
- After dinner enjoy a wonderful production at the Center of the Arts also located in downtown Grass Valley. The "Center" offers live theatre, musical productions and concerts, art and literature events. The Copper Top Lounge is an upscale lounge with fabulous entertainment on the weekends and a great place to top your evening off with a 'nightcap.'
Grass Valley offers many wonderful stores that include antiques, art galleries, full service salons, candy & ice cream, great clothing shops, coffee houses, gifts, books, home décor, kitchen accessories, jewelers, shoes and more.
The Grass Valley Downtown Association is host to many wonderful events each year. You can plan your getaway to Grass Valley and take in one of these events such as the Foothills Celebration that combines wine and food pairings at various venues in downtown Grass Valley, the Classic Car Show, Spring Open House at the Empire Mine State Park, Art shows and Music Events at the Center of the Arts, the Thursday Night Certified Growers Market and Street Fair, and Cornish Christmas happens every Friday night from the Friday after Thanksgiving until the Friday prior to Christmas.
The Nevada County Fairgrounds has often been referred to as the most beautiful fairgrounds in California. The grounds are less than a half mile from downtown Grass Valley and they have many annual events that include a Fathers Day Bluegrass Festival, the, Celtic Festival, the World Music Festival, July 4th Celebration, the Nevada County Fair, Roamin' Angels Car Show, the Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Festival, and the Christmas Craft Faire . This is just a sample of happenings at the Nevada County Fairgrounds.
Be sure to check out the Chambers' website www.grassvalleychamber.com for a complete Calendar of Events.
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