Grass Valley is a charming Gold Rush-era town nestled in California’s Sierra Nevada foothills, known for its scenic mountain backdrops and rich 19th-century heritage. Once among the wealthiest gold mining towns in California’s history, it drew diverse fortune seekers from all over the world.
Today, visitors can still soak in its fascinating past by wandering the historic downtown, touring the legendary Empire Mine, or exploring the old St. Patrick’s Cemetery. You can reach Grass Valley via a fascinating road trip up Highway 49, which connects all of the most important Gold Rush towns in the Mother Lode, the area where the largest amount of gold was found.
History of Grass Valley
Originally a grassy valley used for cattle grazing, Grass Valley began drawing gold seekers around 1850 after George McKnight discovered gold-bearing quartz at Gold Hill. The establishment of a post office in 1851 marked the official naming of the town, which flourished with the help of a diverse population of Italian, Cornish, Chinese, Jewish, Native American, and African American miners.
The Empire, North Star, and Idaho-Maryland mines ran for more than a hundred years, yielding over $400 million in gold and earning Grass Valley its reputation as the wealthiest town in California’s Mother Lode. Mining continued until World War II, after which the town began to reinvent itself as a historic and cultural destination in the Sierra Nevada foothills.
Things to do in Grass Valley
Empire Mine State Historic Park
As one of California’s oldest, largest, and most productive gold mines, the Empire Mine is now preserved within an 856-acre state historic park. Visitors can take a guided tour of the mine, explore the on-site museum, and check out the elegant Empire Cottage.
Cemeteries
An underrated but powerful way to connect with Grass Valley’s history is through its historic cemeteries, which offer poignant insight into the town’s diverse and dramatic past.
- St. Patrick’s Cemetery – This weathered graveyard served the town’s Irish Catholic population from 1853 to 1906. Many headstones mark the resting places of young men who lost their lives during the town’s early days. It remains connected to the nearby, still-active St. Patrick’s Roman Church.
- Old Grass Valley City Cemetery – This public cemetery has a dedicated African American burial section and areas reserved for members of fraternal secret societies. Among its most somber markers is the grave of an entire murdered family, including their dog.
- Grass Valley Pioneer Jewish Cemetery (Shaar Zedek) – Founded in 1856 by the Hebrew Benevolent Society, this private burial ground honors the memory of the town’s early Jewish residents. It is not open to the public.
North Star Powerhouse Mining Museum
This museum on Wolf Creek showcases Gold Rush-era artifacts, including a massive Pelton Wheel water turbine. Housed in the historic 1895 North Star Mine powerhouse, the museum offers interactive demonstrations of antique mining equipment, including a stamp mill and a Cornish pump.
Downtown Grass Valley
The downtown area of Grass Valley centers around a walkable promenade on Mill Street, where you can see well-preserved 19th-century buildings. Look for the Del Oro Theatre, which still screens films today, and the historic Holbrooke Hotel, known for its bar and restaurant.
Road-tripping the Gold Rush Trail
Grass Valley is one of the most prominent stops along California’s Highway 49, a 307-mile highway that traces the original path that gold seekers followed in the mid-1800s. The route connects dozens more well-preserved mining towns, including Downieville, Nevada City, Amador City, Angels Camp, and more.
Read our article about the Highway 49 road trip for a handy map and a guide to the best Gold Rush stops.