Grass Valley, California is a historic Gold Rush-era town in the Sierra Nevada Foothills, known for its picturesque mountain setting and fascinating 19th-century history. As one of the richest gold mining towns in state history, Grass Valley attracted diverse fortune hunters throughout the decades. These days, you can still experience the city’s lore with a stroll through its historic downtown area, a guided tour of the Empire Mine, or a spooky visit to the ancient St. Patrick’s Cemetery.
History of Grass Valley
Formerly a “grassy valley” for cattle grazing, Grass Valley started attracting gold seekers around 1850 when George McKnight discovered gold in quartz rock at Gold Hill. When a post office was established there in 1851, the town was officially named Grass Valley, and continued to prosper thanks to a diverse community of skilled miners with Italian, Cornish, Chinese, Jewish, Native American, and African American heritage.
The Empire, North Star, and Idaho-Maryland mines operated for over a century in Grass Valley, producing over $400 million in gold and cementing the city’s status as the richest of the Mother Lode. It wasn’t until World War II that mining operations finally ceased, at which point Grass Valley began to reinvent itself as a historic destination in the Sierra foothills.
Attractions and activities in Grass Valley
Empire Mine State Historic Park
The Empire Mine is one of California’s oldest, largest, and richest gold mines, and you can see it for yourself in the 856-acre state park bearing its name. Join a guided tour of the mine, visit the museum, and check out the Empire Cottage.
Cemeteries
An underrated way to connect with Grass Valley’s 19th-century heritage is at its historic cemeteries, which reflect the diversity, turmoil, and drama of the Gold Rush.
- St. Patrick’s Cemetery – This crumbling cemetery served the town’s Irish Catholic community from 1853 to 1906, and holds many gravestones of young men who perished in the mining town. The cemetery is affiliated with the still-active St. Patrick’s Roman Church nearby.
- Old Grass Valley City Cemetery – This city cemetery is notable for its African American section and fraternal secret society area. One significant and somber grave is that of an entire murdered family, including the dog.
- Grass Valley Pioneer Jewish Cemetery (Shaar Zedek) – The Hebrew Benevolent Society founded this private cemetery in 1856, dedicated to the town’s Jewish community. It is not open to the public.
North Star Powerhouse Mining Museum
This museum on Wolf Creek displays artifacts from the Gold Rush era, including a huge Pelton Wheel water turbine. The museum is located inside the historic 1895 North Star Mine powerhouse, and you can see hands-on demonstrations of historic mining machinery, including a stamp mill and a Cornish pump.
Downtown Grass Valley
Grass Valley’s downtown area is centered around a pedestrian-friendly promenade on Mill Street. Look for preserved 19th-century buildings like the Del Oro Theatre, which still shows movies, and the historic Holbrooke Hotel, with a storied past and a popular bar and restaurant.
Highway 49 road trip
It takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes to reach Grass Valley by car from San Francisco—or you can stop there on a road trip along the 307-mile Gold Rush Trail.
The most dedicated California history lovers know that the Gold Rush Trail, AKA Highway 49, is a great way to connect with the state’s Mother Lode region. The historic 307-mile highway traces the original path that gold seekers followed in the mid-1800s, connecting dozens of well-preserved mining towns including Grass Valley, Downieville, Nevada City, Amador City, Angels Camp, and more.
Read our article about the Highway 49 road trip for a map and a guide to the best Gold Rush stops.