Grass Valley: Gold Miners Inn--A Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites + Grass Valley Courtyard Suites; hotel review

Highway 49--Gold Rush Country

Gold Miners Inn--A Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites  

121 Bank St., 1 blk. from historic downtown, (530) 477-1700.  80 rooms; 3 stories.  Breakfast; afternoon wine.  Fitness room.  Pets ok.

guest room at Gold Miners Inn in Grass Valley, California

Located freeway-side, the Gold Miners Inn--A Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites offers easy-on, easy-off plus the expected chain amenities.  In addition to a complimentary buffet breakfast, a complimentary afternoon wine reception sometimes includes appetizer samplings from local restaurants.

pillow at Gold Miners Inn in Grass Valley, California

Guest rooms include large flat-screen TVs and a variety of pillows for sleeping.  I got a kick out of a towel folded into an elephant on the bathroom counter, but I didn’t like that the windows didn’t open and that the couch felt like sitting on a brick.  Keep your eyes open here for celebs, as this is where many stay when performing in town.

Grass Valley Courtyard Suites  

210 N. Auburn St., 1 blk. from historic downtown, (530) 272-7696.  38 rooms; 2 stories.  Breakfast; evening snack.  Some fireplaces & kitchens.  Heated pool (seasonal); hot tub; fitness room; small health spa.  Pets ok. 

Grass Valley Courtyard Suites in Grass Valley, California

Family-owned, the attractive Grass Valley Courtyard Suites motel has a bit of B&B in it that is especially noticeable at breakfast, when the owner often gets in there herself and whips up waffles to order.

guest room at Grass Valley Courtyard Suites in Grass Valley, California

Guest rooms here are extra-large and feature a comfortable memory-foam mattress.  Nights are very quiet in the residential area the inn is located in, but keep in mind that noisy events are sometimes booked at its new complex across the street which also has some nice new guest rooms.


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images ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Grass Valley: Tess’ Kitchen; restaurant review

Highway 49--Gold Rush Country

Tess’ Kitchen  

115 Mill St., in historic downtown, (530) 273-6997. 

This gigantic gourmet kitchen store sprawls over three levels.  Tess' Kitchen is by far the largest such store I have seen, and stocks both the latest and the greatest as well as the tried and true.  Among the goods are a large selection of knives, locally-made wood cutting boards, and pots and pans galore.

cheese case at Tess' Kitchen in Grass Valley, California

A refrigerated cheese cooler-case has the perfect pick-ups for a picnic, plus crackers, olives, and more.  The shop also carries goat milk personal products from local Nightingale Farms, my favorite being the thick ginger-lime body lotion. 

Alan Tangren, chef at Tess' Kitchen in Grass Valley, California

In addition to the hands-on cooking classes scheduled in the basement kitchen, Chef’s Dinners are offered one per month by reservation.  These expansive dinners are prepared by multi-talented chef Alan Tangren, who formerly was on the staff at Chez Panisse, taught meteorology at U.C. Davis, and was raised on a local farm!  Dinners are limited to ten participants and consist of five courses that are paired with local wines, plus a concluding course paired with coffee.  Diners sit on stools at a high marble counter—all the better to watch the preparations, listen to interesting stories between courses, and eat each item as it is ready.  Dinners sell out fast so plan ahead.  My dinner consisted of: 

goat cheese salad at Tess' Kitchen in Grass Valley, California

1.  Chez Panisse-style baked Sonoma goat cheese with garden lettuces, paired with a Szabo Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc

artichoke heart tart at Tess' Kitchen in Grass Valley, California

2.  a colorful artichoke heart tart with Dinner Bell Farm sweet red peppers, paired with a Solune Winegrowers Rose of Barbera, which stood up to the potentially wine-killing artichokes

naked ling cod ravioli at Tess' Kitchen in Grass Valley, California

3.  naked ling cod ravioli with butter and Parmesan and the secret ingredient nutmeg—a Florentine item that omits the pasta and just dusts the outside with a little flour, paired with a Solune Winegrowers Pandora

chicken stuffed under skin with herbs at Tess' Kitchen in Grass Valley, California

4.  truly free-range Family Friendly Farm chicken (making it less fatty but more flavorful) stuffed under the skin with herbs (parsley, rosemary, and thyme, but no sage) and served with roasted Nevada County tubers—turnips, carrots, and potatoes, paired with a lightly oaked Pilot Peak Winery Cabernet Franc

baked Bosc pear at Tess' Kitchen in Grass Valley, California

5.  a spiced baked Bosc pear with creme fraiche ice cream, paired with Szabo Vineyards Elvezet

Mignardises at Tess' Kitchen in Grass Valley, California

6.  a bonus course of Mignardises--Empire Apple jellies and chocolate almond rochers, paired with coffee


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images ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Grass Valley: The Center for the Arts; things to do

Highway 49--Gold Rush Country

The Center for the Arts  

314 W Main St., in historic downtown, (530) 274-8384.  M-Sat 12-5.  Free; fee for most performances. 

This non-profit center is a hub for the area’s arts, including visual art as well as music, dance, theater, film, and more.  The Center for the Arts holds two art galleries and two theaters--one is large (190+ seats) with great sound and a dancing space and it presents major performers (David Crosby and Kris Kristofferson to name a few), and the other is a small black-box room (40+ seats) used for children’s productions and productions by emerging artists.  Julie Baker, the center’s director, is a transplant from NYC who owned a gallery there, and her energy drives the machine.  “You can’t get much closer to the artist than here,” she says.  Something is happening every day.

gallery at The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley, California

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images ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Grass Valley: North Star Mining Museum; things to do

Highway 49--Gold Rush Country 

North Star Mining Museum  

10933 Allison Ranch Rd./S end of Mill St., (530) 273-4255.  W-Sat 12-4; closed Nov-Apr.  By donation.

exterior of North Star Mining Museum in Grass Valley, California

This museum is located inside a rustic 1895 stone building that once was the power house for the North Star Mine.

Pelton water wheel at North Star Mining Museum in Grass Valley, California

It displays a collection of old photographs, mining dioramas and models, and a 30-foot-diameter, 10-ton Pelton water wheel dating from 1896--the largest such wheel ever constructed.

Cornish pump at North Star Mining Museum in Grass Valley, California

It also displays the country’s largest operational Cornish pump, which was used to remove water from mine shafts.  An assay room, blacksmith shop, stamp mill, and dynamite-packing machine are also among the exhibits.     
A grassy picnic area is located across adjacent Wolf Creek in Glenn Jones Park and accessed via a beautiful rock footbridge. 

North Star House at North Star Mining Museum in Grass Valley, California

The Julia Morgan-designed North Star House is being renovated and meanwhile is a site for special events. 


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first three images courtesy of venues
last image ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Grass Valley: The Holbrooke; hotel review

Highway 49--Gold Rush Country 

The Holbrooke  

212 W. Main St., in historic downtown, (800) 933-7077, (530) 273-1353.  28 rooms; $$-$$$.  Some gas fireplaces.  Continental breakfast; restaurant.

exterior ofThe Holbrooke hotel in Grass Valley, California

Established in 1851 and located conveniently in the center of town, this meticulously restored Victorian grand hotel has hosted four presidents (Grant, Garfield, Cleveland, and Harrison), stagecoach robber Black Bart, and author Mark Twain.

Ulysses S. Grant Room at The Holbrooke hotel in Grass Valley, California

At The Holbrooke guests can step back in time in rooms named for the presidents, and room #18, the Ulysses S. Grant Room--which features a red-brick wall plus some wallpapered walls, high ceilings, a brass bed, a big bathroom with the room’s original clawfoot tub, and a balcony that is perfect for watching a parade--is reputedly haunted.  Most rooms are for two people, but a few larger ones can also accommodate a child on a rollaway bed.  A century-old wrought-iron elevator cage lifts guests from floor to floor.  Located behind the hotel, the 1874 Purcell House offers additional rooms.

The Golden Gate Saloon features an ornate bar that was shipped around the Horn.  The oldest continually operating saloon west of the Mississippi, it has a patio and serves food.  The elegant Restaurant has full family amenities.  Both operate on the main floor.  The original subterranean stonewalled saloon, which once was the end point of several mine tunnels, is also said to be haunted.  It is now used only for special events.  A popular destination for miners because the hotel also had a Gold Exchange, the hotel drew miners from the Empire Mine, which is 2½ miles away.

mine tunnel doors in women's restroom at The Holbrooke hotel
in Grass Valley, California

They would walk here through the tunnels and then hitch their mules in the tunnel while they came in for a drink, entering through iron doors that are now part of the women’s restroom. 


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images ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Grass Valley: Empire Mine State Historic Park; things to do

Highway 49--Gold Rush Country 

Empire Mine State Historic Park  

10791 E. Empire St., (530) 273-8522.  Daily 10-5.  $7, 6-16 $3; cottage living history $2 age 6+; tours free, schedule varies. 

Once the largest and richest hard rock mine in the state, the Empire Mine operated for more than a century--from 1850 to 1956.  Though it still holds millions of dollars’ worth of gold, the ore is too expensive to extract.  The mine is now the peaceful 805-acre Empire Mine State Historic Park, with grassy expanses and tall pines.  The Gold Rush started here in 1850 with a stubbed toe in what is now the parking lot.

headframe at Empire Mine State Historic Park in Grass Valley, California

The mineyard illustrates many facets of the business and allows visitors to look deep down into a lighted mine shaft.  Nearby in the mineyard office, a scale model shows the underground presence of this and other mines in the town (it is amazing to see all the tunnels and shafts). 

prairie diamond ring at Empire Mine State Historic Park in Grass Valley, California

And don’t miss a visit to the blacksmith. I got myself a prairie diamond ring made from a nail, which I am wearing to replace my own missing wedding ring (you can buy these in the gift shop for $1, as well as a vial heavy with gold leaf for $8.50).  Among approximately 12 miles of hiking trails are self-guided backcountry paths and an easy 2-mile loop Hardrock Trail.  Picnicking is not permitted. 

exterior of Bourn Cottage at Empire Mine State Historic Park
in Grass Valley, California

The stone Bourn Cottage (also known as the Empire Cottage), was designed and built in 1897 as a summer home for William Bowers Bourn II and his wife Agnes by his hunting buddy, Willis Polk.  It is in the style of an English country manor and features hand-planed heart-redwood walls.  The surrounding 13 acres of formal gardens include an antique rose garden planted in 1905, several fountains, and a reflecting pool.

Living History character at Empire Mine State Historic Park
in Grass Valley, California

On Living History days, many of the characters mentioned above come to life, and since this cottage was a showcase of technology you might even see a demonstration of the magic of electricity. 

fresh roses in Bourn Cottage dining room at Empire Mine State Historic Park
in Grass

Springtime at Empire Mine is held each Mother’s Day, when the gardens are at their blooming best, and includes Living History programs.


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images ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Highway 49--Gold Rush Country 

Introduction to Grass Valley

A Little Background

It was here in Grass Valley, in what was once the richest gold-bearing region in the state, that gold mining became a well-organized industry.  Hard-rock mining began in 1850 and since then more gold was taken out in Nevada County than ever was mined in the entire rest of the world!  Many advanced mining techniques were developed and first used here. 

Visitor Information

Greater Grass Valley Chamber of Commerce  

128 E. Main St., (800) 655-4667, (530) 273-4667.  M-F 9-5, Sat 10-3. 

As is true in most Gold Rush towns, there are plenty of
antiques shops:

footed dish in antiques store in Grass Valley, California

●Antique Gallery  

202 W. Main St., (530) 272-2327. 

The small, clean Antique Gallery shop features a stone wall and a nicely curated collection.  It specializes in lighting, pottery, and tin toys. 

 

interior of Antique Gallery in Grass Valley, California

●Antique Palace  

138 E. Main St., (530) 273-8043.  Daily 10-5. 

The sprawling Antique Palace has a mish-mash of vintage goods.

colorful glass items at the Antique Palace in Grass Valley, California

●The Clocksmith  

217 W. Main St. 

The small Clocksmith shop has original brick walls and a nice selection of clocks and silver mixed with some contemporary items. 

●Grass Valley Antique Emporium  

150 Mill St., (530) 272-7302. 

The medium-size Grass Valley Antique Emporium is worth a browse.  


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images ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Christmas events in Nevada City and Grass Valley; things to do + hotel review

Highway 49--Gold Rush Country

Christmas events in Nevada City and Grass Valley

WHAT: Victorian Christmas

WHERE: Nevada City
WHEN: December 7, 11, 14, 18, and 21; Wednesdays 5-9 PM, Sundays 1:30-6 PM
DETAILS: For Victorian Christmas this Gold Rush town’s historic district is closed to traffic and transformed into Christmas past, and enchanting melodies and costumed characters take visitors to another time and place. Enjoy tasting chestnuts roasted on an open fire, hearing strolling minstrels and brass bands, riding on a hay wagon, and more. Among the promises: Victorian singers, bagpipers, a living nativity scene, a walking Christmas tree, and, of course, Santa Claus.
MORE INFO: (800) 655-NJOY, (530) 265-2692

and

WHAT: Cornish Christmas

WHERE: Grass Valley
WHEN: On Fridays, beginning the Friday after Thanksgiving (November 25) until the Friday before Christmas (December 23), 6-9 PM.
DETAILS: Experience an old-time Cornish Christmas at this event celebrating the traditions of the Cornish miners who settled this neighboring Gold Rush town. Visitors can taste traditional food and drink, hear period music, and dance in the traffic-free downtown streets.
MORE INFO: (530) 272-8315



NEARBY LODGING: 

National Hotel 

In Nevada City, (530) 265-4551. 

Located right in the center of all the action, on the town's main street, the National Hotel claims to be the oldest continuously operating hotel west of the Rockies--maybe even west of the Mississippi. Built in 1856, it is a state historical landmark and features high ceilings, cozy floral wallpapers, and old-time furniture.


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