Grass Valley / Nevada City info request

What time are you driving west? 

I have lived in Grass Valley for over 25 years just a few blocks away from downtown and love it. They have always been twin cities. GV has been more a working class feel due to the Empire Gold Mine (state park now).  Nevada City has always been the more party town because of the Nevada Theater and the Washington Hotel with lots of artists and hippies in the 60's now more new age. NC is smaller in population with a very active bar night life Coopers, Chief Crazy Horse and the Foundry. Both has lots of music and good restaurants. Cons for NC would be the parking if you live downtown and the housing cost but the politics is slow growth. GV is bigger with a better music hall The Center for the Arts and the Vets Hall, with good bars and restaurants all around. We have a hospital, High School, Sierra College more stores etc. Both are not cheap but doable if you have money or a good down payment. Not many good paying jobs in either town most people commute . GV is more pro growth. Not sure if you want to retire or grow pot here? This is just a quick off the top of my mind post. I can be more specific if I know what you are looking for. Lots of zoners have visited and stayed at our house so they should be posting soon. The area is beautiful. I can help you with all your questions I know the whole area well. Keep in touch    

I just know the KVMR is one of the best radio stations on the planet and that the Annual Father's Day Bluegrass Festival kicks ass.

Also in summer the Yuba River near the 49 Bridge and also out by the covered bridge presents one of the finest swimming hole experiences you will ever have.

Crystal clear water and killer places to swim, dive and play.

Hwy 49 is not as bad as you are saying, Auburn gets a little busy but they expanded it into more lanes once pass Auburn. If you want a more scenic drive you can go up to Colfax on I 80 then head into GV via 174. We do not have anything like Bay Area traffic we are still a small little town in CA standards. I was just in Placerville in Oct and it is growing in leaps and bonds both GV and NC has lots more going on with less people. 

I have been traveling to SF for medical reasons and hate it. Most days you can get to the Sac Airport in 1.5 hours depending on time of day to SF anywhere from 3 hrs plus  The traffic is bad during rush hours in both places, Sac and SF. I have no idea where you live now so hard to tell what you are use to. I can give you a tour of both places and Nevada County in general. Lots going on here. 

We also have the Kate Wolfe Fest, Ca Music Fest and KVMR's Celtic Music Festival plus the Fathers Day Blue Grass Festival all at the Fair Grounds in GV. We can walk to them from our house. I know the Yuba River very well can show you places were only locals go. Plus we have great mountain bike riding.

Then you have the North San Juan Ridge. 

I can help you out. I much rather live here then the SC or Sonoma area because of all the traffic and prices, we are still country compared to them. Yes the money is here and has changed the area but the hippie vibe is still strong here. We will be here if you want to meet and I can show you around etc. I really enjoy showing people around both towns and know the area well. I am very bored these days since having cancer so I am looking forward to meeting and having some fun just getting out and being a tourist again. I am good friends with lots of the artists and musicians here. Good Luck plus I am a big Zero fan seen the real band many many many times. Coles Law forever

just a preview of the music at center for the Arts in GV

http://thecenterforthearts.org/category/event-calendar/?ec3_after=today

My bad, It is not Kate Wolfe Festival it is the Strawberry Music Festival. It was early morning when I posted. You really have to see the two towns to get the real vibe. 

I dig Nevada City, but I despise the drive through Sacto to/from the Bay Area... sorry to hear that you have to do iit so often now, Bart.

One more mistake, it is not the Washington Hotel  which is in the town of Washington up the road but I was thinking of the New York Hotel now a bunch of shops like this one http://www.themagiccarpet.biz/.  Doh! I was getting to excited talking about my town. Lots of history here.

this might show another side of Nevada County Most of the county still looks like this  we are not a city by any means. 

http://www.pbs.org/video/2365848971/ 

I drive 49 from Sacramento to Nevada City and back five days a week and it's fine. This time of year kind of sucks because of the deerpocalyps that happens in the fall, but as long as you don't get all flipped out when it goes to two lanes it is no problem. 

A good friend lives near Placerville and I spend two or three weekends a year on her property and I would say the Grass Valley/NC area has a lot more going on. The only exception is you are closer to better wineries in Placerville, but that is about it. 

The only thing negative I could say about moving to the area is fire danger. If you are going to buy get acquainted with what homeowners insurance is going to run you if you end up in the woods, but  shouldn't be too bad if you end up in town, and from what I hear at work renting is just about impossible right now. 

Very happy that I moved to the area. Really is one of the best situated places in the state. 

Good point El Nino on the fire insurance. I almost mentioned that, water can also be a problem in some areas also.  Lots of bark beetle damage also going on. 150 trees are being cut down on my hill right now. We should meet sometime to say High. 

Lets do it Alan, it takes me 5 minutes to walk to any of the places you are staying at. I did stage crew for a few years at the Center so worked with lots of my favorite bands. 89.5 is the call number for KVMR once you get into town. Lots of zoners can vouch for me and how close we live to downtown GV. Have a nice Holiday. 

Hi Al, we live just up the road at the top of the hill. Courtyard Suite is very nice hope you like it. Just a few years ago it was a thrift shop, before that it was the old ice house. I will call them right now and leave my info. I am just 2 minutes away from you. Hope we connect, we are free all week.  

Just got back from the CS. Front desk is going to tape our info on your door. You are more then welcome to come visit us or we can meet you at the hotel. Give us a call. 

The State of Jefferson/Tea Party folks wanted to make some of Northern Ca. the 51st State. Most of the counties voted it down and would not support it. You still see pick up trucks with the green flag and the double XX's flying. The double XX's means we will not get double crossed again.