The Coyote Cottage is a vacation home located in Nevada City's picturesque downtown. It's full of character and warm. Email us today to book your stay.
06/03/2025
Named "America's 10 Best Small Towns for 2025" by Country Living!
NEVADA CITY, CALIFORNIA
Art and adventure await in one of California’s first Gold Rush towns.
Though the Bay Area so often steals the NorCal spotlight, travel 150 miles inland and you’ll uncover the unique, less-frequented attractions of Nevada City. Nestled amongst the pine forests on the western slope of the Northern Sierra Nevadas, the former Gold Rush town is now a gateway to outdoor adventure as well a hub for experimental film and Old West architecture.
Start your visit downtown, the entirety of which is preserved as a National Historic Landmark, where many of the Victorian buildings house thriving small businesses. “It’s a thoughtful community that values the natural surroundings, creativity, and building supportive relationships,” says Carrie Hawthorne, a Nevada City native who, along with Kira Westly, curates the highly-giftable goods at Kitkitdizzi. Additional to-dos include breakfast at Heartwood Eatery, sipping craft beer at Three Forks Bakery & Brewing Co., and a stop by the Victorian gingerbread Firehouse No. 1 Museum. In the evening, catch a show at the circa-1865 Nevada Theatre, before resting your head at The National Exchange Hotel, a historic property recently reimagined in modern Victorian splendor.
When you’re ready to venture beyond Main Street, the 625 miles of non-motorized trails in nearby Tahoe National Forest can be explored by hike, bike, or horseback, and Nevada City’s proximity to the South Yuba and America rivers means fly-fishing, kayaking, and white-water rafting are also on the docket. Farms and wineries also abound nearby, including The Orchard at Apple Lane, a century-old U-pick orchard and chic farmstand co-owned by celeb hairstylist Ashley Streicher.
WHEN TO GO: Dubbed “The Sundance of the Sierra,” the Nevada City Film Festival celebrates indie movies and comedies each June.
