• Alta Sierra Biblical Gardens
16343 Auburn Road, Grass Valley (one mile off Hwy. 49,
7 miles south of Grass Valley) / 272-1363

Visitors can stand on the banks of the nearby stream and view scenes of the life of Christ. Developed in the 1970’s. Beautiful and inspiring garden. Non-denominational. Open daily weather permitting, sunrise to sunset. Admission - donation.


• Earth Planet Museum
410 S. Church St., at Chapel St., Grass Valley / 272-3823

This hands-on museum offers a look at developments in home technologyand exhibits on geology, astronomy, fossils and Native American life. (Open by appointment only).


• Firehouse Museum #1
214 Main St., Nevada City / 265-5468

Nevada City’s 1st permanent firehouse. Built in 1861, it operated as a firehouse until 1940’s. Now operated by the Nevada County Historical Society. The museum houses relics from the Donner Party and a unique Maidu Indian display. Call for hours.Donation.


• Grass Valley Video History Museum and Thimble Theater
Central Avenue off Hwy. 174 in the middle of Memorial Park
274-1126

Featuring a large collection of historical film footage locally and worldwide. Open May 1 through Oct. 30, Thursday thru Sunday, 11 am-4pm. Admission - donation.


• Grass Valley Museum, St. Joseph’s Cultural Center
410 S. Church St., Grass Valley / 273-5509 or 272-

Located at the St. Mary’s Academy, built in 1865 as a convent for Sisters of Mercy. This restored school and orphanage offers a glimpse of some of the past uses of the building. It is registered as a State Historical Landmark. Open Tuesday thru Friday, 12:30 to 3:30 pm. Tours are given by docents. Donation.


• Imaginarium
112 Nevada City Hwy., Nevada City / 478-6400

The Imaginarium is an interactive science center featuring hands-on exhibits and activities in science, nature and technology. Open Saturday 10-4 pm and Sunday 12-4 pm. Admission fee.


• Miners Foundry Cultural Center
325 Spring Street, Nevada City / 265-5040

Built in 1856, this enormous structure produced the first Pelton wheels. It contains an impressive hall built entirely of stone. Open weekdays, 9am-4pm. Call for tour information.


• Museum of Ancient and Modern Art
Wildwood Business Center, 11392 Pleasant Valley Rd.
432-3080

Visitors can view art from the ancient cultures of Mesopotamia, Babylon, and Greece, and works on paper by Rembrandt, Picasso, Miro and Chagall. African masks. Open Monday through Saturday, noon to 5:00 p.m. Free.


• Nevada County Traction Company
402 Railroad Ave., Nevada City (behind the Northern
Queen Inn) / 265-0896

Ride the narrow gauge rail through 3 miles of beautiful tall pines. Disembark at the top of the hill and visit an authentic Chinese cemetery used by the Chinese from 1868 to 1939. Please allow 1 1/2 hours for your ride. Admission fee.


• Nevada County Narrow Guage Railroad & Transportation
Museum - #5 Kidder Court, Nevada City

Grand Opening - July, 2002


• Nevada Theatre
401 Broad Street, Nevada City / 265-6161

Built in 1865, it is the oldest original-use theatre in California. Registered Nat. Historical Landmark.


• North Star Mining Museum
Located at the end of Mill St. at Allison Ranch Rd.,
Grass Valley - 273-4255

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. Open May 1 thru Oct. 15, 10 a.m. to 4p.m. Donation.

Historical State Parks

• The Empire Mine State Historic Park
10791 E. Empire St., Grass Valley / 273-8522

The Empire State Historic Park is the site of the oldest, richest mine in California. An estimated 5.8 million ounces of gold were extracted. The mine is located on 700 acres of forested area. Open daily, call for park hours. Admission fee.


• Bridgeport Historic State Park
Pleasant Valley Rd. at the South Yuba River, Penn Valley
432-2546

Bridgeport is one of only 9 covered bridges built before 1900 remaining in California. Built in 1862 at 251 feet, reduced in length to 229 in 1971, it is still the longest single span covered bridge of its type in the United States. The Bridge is a State and National Historic Landmark.


• Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park
23579 N. Bloomfield Rd., Nevada City / 265-2740
(26 miles from Nevada City, off Hwy. 49 towards Downieville)

Malakoff contains over 3,000 acres of oak woodlands pine forest and meadows; several small lakes and creeks. Several buildings have been reconstructed and refurbished to show what life was like in the 1870’s. View the site of the largest hydraulic mining pit in California, operated from 1860-1890’s. Camping available; Reserve America at 1.800.444.7275 or through the park office.