Gold Country Getaway: A Culinary Journey Through California’s Historic Mining Towns

Grass Valley and Nevada City offer a perfect pairing of luxurious historic hotels and chef-driven restaurants amid Sierra Nevada splendor

In California’s Gold Country, just a few hours southwest of Reno-Tahoe, a different kind of treasure awaits. The neighboring towns of Grass Valley and Nevada City — once bustling mining communities during the Gold Rush — have evolved into culinary destinations where historic charm meets contemporary cuisine, all nestled within the picturesque Sierra Nevada foothills.

Historic Hotels Reborn
The heart of this gastronomic adventure centers around two meticulously restored landmark hotels: Holbrooke Hotel in Grass Valley and The National Exchange Hotel in Nevada City. Both properties have been thoughtfully reimagined, preserving their 19th-century elegance while seamlessly incorporating modern luxury.

“I booked a stay at the Holbrooke Hotel and was blown away by the blend of historic charm and modern conveniences,” shares Seth Barry, a visitor from San Luis Obispo. “The National Exchange Hotel and downtown Nevada City look right out of a movie. I can’t think of anywhere else that combines these amenities within such a compact area.”

Holbrooke Hotel, established in 1852, stands as one of California’s oldest continuously operating hotels. Its careful restoration honors the building’s storied past — where luminaries from Mark Twain to U.S. presidents once stayed — while offering contemporary comforts. Step into the lobby, with its original wood beams and period furnishings, and you’re immediately transported to California’s pioneer days.

Just four miles away in Nevada City, The National Exchange Hotel presents an equally impressive historical immersion. Built in 1856 during the height of Gold Rush prosperity, this striking three-story brick edifice has been painstakingly rehabilitated. Its 38 uniquely decorated rooms feature Victorian-inspired décor with plush fabrics, claw-foot tubs, and comfortable antique furnishings that evoke a bygone era without sacrificing modern amenities.

Culinary Gold: Chef-Driven Dining Experiences

The Golden Gate Saloon at Holbrooke Hotel
Inside Holbrooke Hotel lies the Golden Gate Saloon, one of the longest continuously operating barrooms west of the Mississippi. While the historic bar, with its impressive original alabaster back-bar, maintains its frontier charisma, the culinary program has been thoroughly modernized under executive chef Robb Wyss.

Chef Wyss, who developed his passion for farm-to-table cuisine while growing up on his grandmother’s farm in Illinois, brings extensive experience from celebrated establishments, including Christy Hill Lake Tahoe and Sunnyside Resort Tahoe City. His menu pays homage to California’s early days while emphasizing locally sourced ingredients and seasonal flavors.

“We try to tell the story of this region through our food,” Wyss explains. “The Gold Rush brought people from all over the world to these hills, and our menu reflects that diverse heritage while showcasing the incredible ingredients growing right in our backyard.”

Signature dishes include juniper-crusted elk served with potato onion gratin and whipped goat cheese — a refined nod to the region’s hunting traditions. The Alaskan cod, while sourced from colder waters, gets a local treatment with Sierra Nevada sautéed spinach and sun-dried tomato beurre blanc. For vegetarians, the wild mushroom risotto with seasonal herbs from nearby Bluebird Farm is a standout.

Daily lunch at the Golden Gate Saloon deserves special mention. In addition to the Holbrooke burger with wagyu angus and a fresh organic house salad from FogDog Farm, the offerings range from decadent curry-glazed pork belly to a savory veggie and egg skillet scramble showcasing the bounty of local greens.

The bar program features a thoughtfully curated selection of regional wines, including limited-production bottles from Frenchtown Farms Wine in the North Yuba AVA and Ellsworth Wines from Carmel Valley AVA. Beer enthusiasts can enjoy craft brews from Nevada City’s own Brewbilt Brewing, while cocktail aficionados appreciate creations featuring hand-produced South Fork Vodka from the Sierra Foothills. Holbrooke is home to intriguing programming like murder mystery dinners, Celtic nights, live music, and the region’s best-known Christmas bar from November to New Year’s.

Lola at The National Exchange Hotel
Named after the famed dancer and actress Lola Montez, this elegant restaurant within The National Exchange Hotel delivers a sophisticated dining experience under the direction of executive chef Alan Gosker.

Irish-born Gosker brings international flair to Nevada City, having honed his craft across Europe and Australia before settling in Gold Country. His approach combines classic techniques with contemporary presentations, always letting the quality of local ingredients shine.

“We’re incredibly fortunate to have such amazing producers in close proximity to our kitchen,” Gosker notes. “Our menu evolves constantly based on what’s coming from the farms that season.”

Comfort foods reimagined are staples at Lola; they include a classic certified Angus rib eye and the consistent crowd favorite, the Lola chowder with Irish soda bread. Equally impressive is the vegetarian green kabocha squash and lentils dish and the chef’s pappardelle, a seasonal offering that pairs fresh pasta with a mushroom cream sauce, featuring Grass Valley Mushrooms’ latest harvest.

Lola’s weekend brunch features innovative morning fare such as Nash hash, featuring succulent beef cheek, eggs, and fresh produce from Starbright Acres Family Farm. The exceptional egg dishes are made possible by Back to Basics Farm, purveyors of Lohman and Hyline Brown hens. Lola often features jazz brunches, high tea, creative local collaborative dinners, and live music.

The bar at Lola offers its own distinctive experience, with expertly crafted cocktails showcasing South Fork Vodka and an impressive wine list highlighting small-production Sierra Foothills wineries alongside celebrated bottles from Frenchtown Farms and Ellsworth Wines, among others.

Beyond the Hotels: Community Food Connections
What makes the culinary scene in Grass Valley and Nevada City truly special is the direct connection between kitchens and local producers. Nearly year-round, farmers’ markets serve as vital community hubs where chefs and home cooks alike gather to source the freshest seasonal ingredients.

The Nevada City Farmers Market operates every Saturday morning from June through November, with a winter market continuing twice monthly. In Grass Valley, the Thursday evening market, running April through September, creates a festive atmosphere downtown. Both chefs are regular fixtures at these markets, often spotted chatting with farmers and selecting the week’s bounty.

“The farmers’ markets here aren’t just about shopping — they’re about building relationships,” says Gosker. “When you know the people growing your food, you develop a deeper respect for the ingredients and a stronger connection to this place.”

Sierra Harvest: Nurturing the Next Generation of Food Lovers
At the heart of Gold Country’s sustainable food movement is Sierra Harvest, a nonprofit organization transforming the food culture of Nevada County. For visitors interested in experiencing the region’s agricultural roots firsthand, Sierra Harvest offers unique opportunities through its Farm Trails program, which provides self-guided tours of area farms and seasonal You-Pick events where families can harvest their own vegetables. The organization’s Farm to School program partners with 33 local schools, bringing fresh, local food to cafeterias while educating students about nutrition and agriculture. Visitors planning their Gold Country getaways should check Sierra Harvest’s website calendar for cooking classes, farm dinners, and community events that offer an authentic taste of local agricultural life.

Natural Splendor and Cultural Riches
The towns sit amid stunning Sierra Nevada landscapes with numerous hiking options. The Deer Creek Tribute Trail in Nevada City provides a gentle exploration along the creek, with suspension bridges and interpretive signage about the indigenous Nisenan people.

In Grass Valley, Empire Mine State Historic Park offers a fascinating glimpse into mining history alongside miles of shaded trails through oak woodlands. The park’s preserved mining buildings and opulent owner’s cottage transport visitors to the region’s industrial heyday.

Both towns boast vibrant arts scenes, with galleries, theaters, and boutiques lining their well-preserved historic districts. The Nevada Theatre, California’s oldest existing theater, continues to host plays and musical acts in Nevada City.

Throughout the year, the region comes alive with unique festivals. Summer brings Nevada City’s beloved Hot Summer Nights festivals, when downtown transforms into an open-air party with live music, extended shopping hours, and food vendors lining the streets on select Wednesday evenings in July. Music lovers can catch world-class bands at venues like the Center for the Arts in Grass Valley, while the holiday season brings the magical Victorian Christmas in Nevada City and Cornish Christmas in Grass Valley — both not-to-be-missed events featuring twinkling lights, period costumes, and handcrafted goods.

Planning Your Gold Country Escape
The beauty of this culinary destination is its accessibility — just a few hours from major Northern California cities and an easy weekend trip from Reno-Tahoe. The region shines in every season, from wildflower-dotted springs to golden summers, vibrant autumns, and festive winters.

Both chefs emphasize that their menus change with the seasons, ensuring that repeat visitors will discover new culinary creations with each stay. “The changing seasonal availability of ingredients keeps us creative and connected,” says Wyss. “It’s what makes dining here a genuine expression of Gold Country.”

Whether you come for the food and stay for the scenery or vice versa, Grass Valley and Nevada City offer a perfect pairing of natural beauty, historical intrigue, and gastronomic excellence, all within a compact, easily explored area.

As Seth Barry put it, “I highly recommend taking the road less traveled and checking out these cool little towns and the gorgeous hills surrounding them!”

Holbrooke Hotel
212 W Main St., Grass Valley · Holbrooke.com
Find Holbrooke Hotel on Facebook and Instagram.

The National Exchange Hotel
211 Broad St, Nevada City · Thenationalexchangehotel.com
Find The National Exchange Hotel on Facebook and Instagram.

Nevada City Farmers Market
Union Street, Nevada City
Saturday mornings, June through November
Winter market twice monthly, December through May

Grass Valley Thursday Market
Mill & Main Streets, downtown Grass Valley
Thursday evenings, April through September

Sierra Harvest
Sierraharvest.org

Check website for seasonal farm tours, You-Pick events, cooking classes, and community events.