Things to Do

Ah, so many possibilities - we hope you have enough time to try several types of experiences. Indoor, outdoor, daytime, nighttime, in car, on foot, group or solo, there are always choices to be made but that’s part of what makes it fun.

Many people are attracted to Nevada County by the natural beauty of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Foothills. Our Lakes & Rivers pages may help you decide on some destinations for activities like hiking, biking, skiing or boating. There are interesting interpretive parks and miles and miles of wild places. There is a wide range of elevations and a four-season climate to match just about anything you could hope to find.

If you prefer exploring by car there are many scenic drives to enjoy throughout the various parts of our county and they generally include some unique small towns along the way. You might try reading about the towns and then pick your drive: Highway 49 to North San Juan, Highway 20 to Nevada City then on to Highway 80 to Truckee or maybe you’d rather take 20 to Washington Road so you can wind down to the river at the historic town of Washington. The roads mostly exist to get to towns, rivers and lakes and the eastern part of the county takes you high into the mountains. If you have a rugged, four-wheel-drive vehicle, get a map and start exploring! Maybe a trip out to the Bowman Lake area will get you started.

The calendar of events can give you inspiration for some of your “night life” choices, as can our guide to restaurants and bars/taverns/nightclubs. There are some great choices for cinema and live theater and there are many establishments that feature live music. If you feel like driving for two or three hours you could arrive in San Francisco, Sacramento, Lake Tahoe or Reno. People do enjoy the proximity of those very attractive places. But don’t be surprised if you decide to skip the drive and spend the evening in Truckee or Nevada City or Grass Valley… or Chicago Park, Alta Sierra or Rough and Ready!