This Historic Gold Mining City In Northern California Is An Underrated Gem Worth Visiting

California has lots of well-known hotspots. From Los Angeles to San Francisco, to San Diego, to Malibu, you may have already visited the top cities. However, there is one underrated gem in Northern California that is worth visiting, and it's got a fascinating history. Grass Valley, around 57 miles north of California's artsy "City of Trees," Sacramento, sits in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, and it was once part of the state's gold rush. In fact, the area produced an estimated $8 billion worth of gold before the mine closed in 1956, making Grass Valley famous. These days, it boasts a charming downtown full of wine-tasting spots, eateries, shopping, pretty Victorian architecture, and a pedestrian street to enjoy.

Grass Valley is a bit over an hour-long drive from the unsung Sacramento International Airport, ranked No. 1 for stress-free travel, so you can start relaxing before you even get there. There are plenty of places to stay, from the private Creektown Cottages if you're staying for a while to the Gold Miners Inn, to the historic Holbrooke Hotel, if you want to experience Victorian elegance. In fact, Holbrooke welcomed guests like President Ulysses S. Grant, author Mark Twain, and, according to legend, outlaw Black Bart. Famous entertainer and mistress of King Ludwig I of Bavaria, Lola Montez, also performed here (and lived in Grass Valley). Though parts of the hotel were destroyed by fires over the years, it's been declared a California State Landmark. 

When quartz gold was discovered in the Sierra Nevada mountains, the area started humming with activity. The mining industry was booming, and you can get a sense of what it was like to work in it if you visit the nearby Empire Mine State Historic Park. This 856-acre area is a treasure trove of history. You can check out part of the 367 miles of tunnels where gold was once mined and take a tour (included in your entrance fee) of the owner's gorgeous home, restored gardens, and the mine yard. In the visitor center, you can see a scale model of the mine in a once-hidden secret room. There are also hiking and biking trails to wander in the park, including the easy, 2.4-mile Hardrock Trail Loop. It's open daily with seasonal hours, and at the time of this writing, the tickets are $5 for adults, and kids aged 5 and under receive free entry, though there are peak season rates as well. If you stop and grab some food beforehand, you can take advantage of the park's picnic areas (and restrooms). 

It's also worth visiting the North Star Powerhouse Mining Museum. It's open Thursday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., May 1 through October 31, and in the winter by appointment. There are all sorts of equipment to check out, and you can get a sense of the life of a miner and the town that developed around the industry. Many miners came to Grass Valley from Cornwall, England, and if you're visiting during the Christmas season, you should make sure to stay for the town's annual Cornish Christmas, which has been a tradition that's been going on for almost six decades now. You can also check out the tree lighting ceremony and holiday market in mid-November.

Right on Mill Street, you can visit a recreation of Lola Montez's home from when she moved here in the mid-19th century. One reviewer on Tripadvisor said, "The Lola Montez house is not the original, but it is a faithful reproduction of the outside of her house which was rebuilt using historical photographs. The plaque by the main door that faces Mill St. is worth reading as it gives some very interesting details."

Along the pedestrian promenade of Mill Street and the surrounding lanes, you can enjoy some shopping at antique stores like Back in the Day, find some crafts to try out at Heathered Yarn Co., wander bookshops, and even try the Behind the Iron Gate escape rooms. Sample traditional food from the Cornish miners in the form of Cornish pasties at Marshall's Pasties, or stop by Lazy Dog Chocolateria for chocolate, ice cream, and gelato. 

Grass Valley is also a great place to do some wine tasting. There are a number of tasting rooms like Lucchesi Vineyards & Winery, with small-lot wines from the Sierra foothills. Avanguardia Wines has lots of rare varietals and grapes that you can usually only get in Europe. You can also visit the Sierra Starr Vineyard and Winery in town. If beer is more your speed, check out Grass Valley Brewing Company. Finally, while you're visiting town, it's worth a short, 4-mile trip to Nevada City, the Queen City of the northern mines, full of preserved buildings and the 1865 Nevada Theatre.