Breweries, street fairs, music festivals, shopping, modern art galleries, railroad museums, and theatrical performances await you in the picturesque town of Nevada City tucked away in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California.
Whether you are a history buff, a gourmet food lover, or an adventure-seeker, you can have an epic time in this incredibly historic and artsy city.
Nature lovers won’t believe your eyes as you stroll through the majestic Tahoe National Forest. History buffs will have a memorable time exploring the colorful past of Nevada City at Miners Foundry Cultural Center.
Outdoor enthusiasts can choose from a wide variety of outdoor adventures, ranging from hiking to camping to mountain biking. Foodies can treat their palates to some of the most delicious Californian classics in the Bay Area.
You’ll need a homey yet luxurious place to stay if you want to experience all shades of Nevada City to the fullest. Luckily, the city has tons of charming boutique hotels, historic B&Bs, and relaxed vacation rentals. Here are the top cool and unusual hotels in Nevada City, California (in no particular order)…
1. National Exchange Hotel – a historic Victorian hotel restored with quirky/vintage decor but modern luxuries
National Exchange Hotelcombines California’s historic charm with modern-day amenities. Located on Broad Street, the luxurious hotel is 60 miles north of Sacramento with the Golden Chain Highway accessible within a 1-minute drive.
Guests reside in refined rooms with antique furnishings from the Gold Rush days. Mini-fridges are available in most rooms, while all rooms have kettles and Wi-Fi access.
Though there are plenty of amazing restaurants steps from the hotel, the onsite restaurant serves some of the delectable seafood classics in the area.
Address: 211 Broad St, Nevada City, CA 95959, United States
2. The Holbrooke Hotel – a historic and lavish hotel, previously frequented by many notable people including 5 presidents
An elegant historic hotel dating from 1851 surrounded by the Sierra Nevada gold country and located a mile from the Empire Mine State Historic Park.
Vicrtoian-themed rooms and suites at The Holbrooke Hotelare equipped with Wi-Fi, coffee makers, claw-foot tubs, and fireplaces. There’s also a saloon offering live music and an American restaurant with an interesting menu. The hotel’s guest book is signed by two U.S. presidents.
Address: 212 W Main St, Grass Valley, CA 95945, United States
3. Harmony House – a beautiful, Instaworthy and secluded hillside house with amazing views
Harmony House is the closest thing you’ll find to a home in Nevada City. The three-bedroom holiday home features a cozy living room with a fireplace, a fully functional kitchen with a 3-person breakfast bar, a work room with a telescope and floor-to-ceiling windows, a terrace with outdoor furniture and umbrellas, and a hot tub.
Sleeping up to eight people, the holiday home is a great place for a small family vacation. The warm ambiance of this holiday home will keep you from being homesick during your trip.
Popular attractions near the property include Sugarloaf Mountain and Burton Homestead Preserve.
Address: Nevada City, 95959, United States
To book, check prices or availability for Harmony House
4. Two Room Inn – a unique, vintage Victorian house with a touch of opulence
Two room Innis a quaint holiday home set in a Victorian home, located on Broad Street about four miles from Grass Valley. The regal interior of the house is complemented by period furnishings, old wooden windows, hardwood floors, and vintage accents.
There are two bedrooms, one has an extra-large double bed and the other features two single beds with a double bed. As you step into this gorgeous Victorian home, you’ll feel like you have traveled back to the early 1900s.
There are several decent restaurants just steps from the property. You can also enjoy hiking and fishing nearby.
Address: 431 Broad St, Nevada City, CA 95959, United States
To book, check prices or availability for Two room Inn
5. Flume’s End – a quirky-chic hotel with upscale historic-inspired decor
Flume’s End is a funky bed-and-breakfast offering home-like accommodation minutes from Nevada City. All units at the B&B feature hardwood or parquet floors, balconies with garden or river views, free Wi-Fi, and kitchenettes. Communal amenities include a garden and a lounge.
Located on South Pine Street, the B&B is within a 10-minute walk of Hirschman’s Pond and Tobiassen Park. A short walk from the property are some of the best restaurants and cafes in the area.
Address: 317 S Pine St, Nevada City, CA 95959, United States
To book, check prices or availability for Flume’s End
6. Gold Miners Inn, Ascend Hotel Collection – a themed hotel with a contemporary feel, located in 1849 gold rush town
There is no place better than Gold Miners Inn for those who crave a laid-back atmosphere. Located adjacent to Towers Casino and Card Room on Bank Street, the relaxed hotel is about four miles from Nevada City.
From microwaves to pull-out sofas to fireplaces, the 3-star hotel offers a range of upscale amenities. Continental breakfast and regular cocktail receptions with starters are complimentary for all guests.
Address: 121 Bank St, Grass Valley, CA 95945, United States
7. Broad Street Inn – a cute and cozy family-owned green hotel with a lot of charm
Set in an 1870 Victorian building on a quiet street in Nevada’s historic district, Broad Street Inn offers upscale amenities and a homey ambiance. The family-owned guesthouse also provides easy access to shops, bars, and restaurants on the main strip.
At Broad Street Inn, you can choose from six shabby-chic rooms with en suite bathrooms, cable TV, and free Wi-Fi.
There are two patios: the front one features a porch swing and overlooks Broad Street and the back one has a fire pit and a dining area. Guests also get access to a communal kitchen.
Address: 517 W Broad St, Nevada City, CA 95959, United States
8. Outside Inn – an affordable, hidden hotel with lots of character
Outside Inn is yet another great place to stay on Broad Street. Located about seven miles from South Yuba River State Park, the family-owned motel features a seasonal outdoor pool, a patio with a fire pit, a free vegetable cart, and a picnic area with BBQ grills.
Nature-themed rooms at Outside Inn are outfitted with mini-fridges, coffee makers, and cable TVs. Suites come with kitchenettes, while the adults-only cabin features a private patio and a whirlpool tub.
If you are visiting the city with friends or family, you might want to book a two-bedroom cottage that can sleep up to six people. It also has a claw-foot tub and a furnished deck with a BBQ grill.
Address: 575 E Broad St, Nevada City, CA 95959, United States
To book, check prices or availability for Outside Inn
9. Piety Hill Cottages – quiet cottages with spacious rooms and gardens
Set in a converted 1933 motor house inn, this cottage-based hotel sits on Sacramento Street less than a mile from downtown Nevada City.
Private bathrooms, microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffee makers are featured in all nine cottages, while some also have private garden areas and free-standing tubs. Each cottage can comfortably sleep up to four adults.
While living at Piety Hill Cottages, you’ll also have access to outdoor seating areas with BBQ grills.
Address: 523 Sacramento St, Nevada City, CA 95959, United States
10. Sierra Mountain Inn – a unique boutique inn with stylish décor
Sierra Mountain Inn is another snug, family-run motel sitting on West Main Street about a mile from Condon Park with downtown attractions reachable within a 10-minute walk.
Spacious rooms at this 1930s motel come equipped with flat-screen TVs, microwaves, coffee makers, and mini-fridges. One- to two-bedroom suites have separating living areas, while a cottage also features a kitchen. Complimentary perks include parking and Wi-Fi access.
Address: 816 W Main St, Grass Valley, CA 95945, United States
Gary is an award winning full time professional photographer and videographer with too much wanderlust for his own good. Fuelled by strong coffee, you’ll often find him wandering well off hiking trails in search of interesting photographic subjects or scenery to video. Self taught and with the use of pioneering digital techniques, he quickly built up a strong client base and has worked with many prestigious organisations, including GQ, BBC, London Fashion Week, Grazia, Sky, Metro, Vogue Italia. He specialising in evocative images of people, places and cinematic videography and his goal is to make the viewer look twice and engage. As well as a penchant for good design, the ketogenic diet and Hungarian Vizslas, he also has a huge affection for Chicago, Bucharest, Scandinavia, Croatia and absolutely everywhere in Italy. Find him on Instagram @garynansome, Twitter @garynansome and his website https://garynunn.co.uk/
