Gold County Holidays

Gold County, California stretches from the foothills of Yosemite to the cavernous gorges of the Yuba River and continues to reach some two hundred more miles to Sacramento. The name of Gold Country being attributed to the gold which used to be mined throughout the region. Some old gold mining camps still lie dormant haunting the land, although some of which still thrive even today.

There are some spectacular landscapes to be found throughout the Gold County region and each varies dramatically in appearance. From the lush forests of Yosemite in the Autumn to the snow peaked mountain of Lake Tahoe, the land is diverse and stunning in all directions. Offering visitors a chance to take advantage of the outdoors and take part in any number or recreational activities from camping to skiing.

The communities of Grass Valley, Nevada City and Lake Tahoe are compact and assorted. Each offer a unique Gold County experience of their own as well as a choice of entertainment.

Perhaps the first port of call in Grass Valley should be the friendly and informative Visitors Centre. Here you can get all the information you need to help you get the most out of your Gold County vacation. From information on accommodation, to where serves the best food and drink, the Grass Valley Visitors Centre is where to be.

The Grass Valley is home to the North Star Mining Museum and can be found south of Mill Street. This museum was once the power station for the North Star Mine and today it offers visitors a chance to see how the miners used to work. The Pelton wheel is a massive eater driven wheel with built in iron buckets, once in motion, this powers the drills of the mine. This is a fascinating sight to see and makes a great afternoon excursion.

Nevada City is a serene peaceful town which is a great destination choice for day trips from the larger Gold County cities. Although not too much to offer by way of entertainment, there is a fine selection of lovely restaurants and bars.
For historical interest, then the Old Firehouse has a charming museum which is home to local artefacts.

Downieville is perhaps the most beautiful of all the smaller Gold County towns and is set in the heart of rugged land. Just an hours drive from Nevada City, Downieville is a real gem of the Gold County. Due to the surrounding countryside, this part of the country is favoured by mountain bikers and trekkers. With waterfalls and majestic rocks jutting from the hills, this really is a picture perfect setting.

Lake Tahoe is one of the world cleanest, chilly, prevalent and deepest lakes. Situated high in gold County and surrounded by glorious alpine forests, Lake Tahoe is a wonder to behold. During the summer months, visitors can walk for miles along sandy beaches, and during the winter month, they can take part on some first rate skiing. Or for those looking for some added fun, then the bustling casinos are open the entire year and are hugely popular.