Cows, gold and televisions: historic town in the Sierra Nevada foothills
In the early 1800s, Grass Valley was a tiny settlement named for top-tier grazing. By the 1850s, everybody knew it for its logging and gold. The Sierra Nevada foothills flooded with miners during this time, many of them from Cornwall, England, and the area’s Empire Mine became the industrial center of the region. It went on to produce 5.8 million ounces of gold — worth over $15 billion today — until its closure in 1956. “We had a real economic downturn then because we weren’t mining or logging anymore,” says Dick Law with Paul Law Realty, a Realtor and broker that’s lived here for over 50 years. “Then a bunch of people from Silicon Valley came here, and the Grass Valley Group started making its broadcasting equipment. They called us Video Valley because we had more video engineers than anywhere in the world. That dissipated in the 2000s, and then we started building up tourism and the service industry. It became a retirement community for people from LA or the Bay Area.” Some remote workers have moved here after the pandemic, too, and now roughly 14,000 people call the valley home.
Most homes in Grass Valley are single family houses.
Empire Mine State Historic Park is a gold mining site.
The streets of Grass Valley are walkable but have hills.
See for your self what discovered gold looks like at Empire Mine State Historic Park.
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Endless recreation with Empire Mine Historic Park, Yuba River
Surrounded by the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Tahoe National Forest, Grass Valley is a recreation hub. The town’s famous mine has been converted into Empire Mine State Historic Park, a wooded area with miles of hiking, mountain biking and horse riding trails. Condon Park is another forested area with a skate park and a gold miner statue. Though the Yuba River is about 15 miles west of town, some residents think it’s worth the drive. “The Yuba River is one of the most pristine places on Earth, and very few people know about it besides us locals,” Law says. “It’s so gorgeous and photogenic, it’ll make your jaw drop.” Whitewater rafting, fishing and other water sports are common, and wooded trails line the river’s banks.
See the eye-catching covered bridge at Yuba River State Park.
Of course there's river access at Yuba River State Park.
Many nearby residents walk the trails at Condon Park.
Bring your pet to the dog park at Condon Park.
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Breweries and boutiques in Downtown Grass Valley
Downtown Grass Valley is not just a hub for tourists. It’s a blend of Gold Rush history and contemporary art. Victorian brick buildings date back to the 1850s and are often on the National Register of Historic Places; artists have converted some of these buildings into galleries, and murals depict the area’s nature and Indigenous Nisenan people. “It’s a culturally rich community,” Law says. “We have a diverse group of people that bring art and life to the area.” Restaurants, cafés, breweries, gift shops and boutiques are scattered throughout the district, but they’re mostly on pedestrian-friendly Mill Street. The Del Oro Theatre is a 1942-built, art deco outlier, and The Center For The Arts is a venue for concerts, comedy and other performances. Neighboring Nevada City has another historic downtown with restaurants and shops.
The streets of Grass Valley are walkable but have hills.
Mill Street is blocked off to traffic and easy area to walk and shop in Grass Valley
Grass Valley is a special place to live.
Grass Valley's downtown area showcases small buisnesses.
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Street fairs like Cornish Christmas, Thursday Night Markets
In addition to small community gatherings, Grass Valley has roughly 15 annual events in its downtown district. Cornish Christmas is a traditional holiday celebration on select Fridays in November and December. This street fair has filled the air with chestnuts, cider and choirs since 1968. Grass Valley Thursday Night Markets runs in May and June, and it’s a similar fair featuring local farmers, musicians, crafters and restauranteurs. July Fourth brings a pancake breakfast and evening bands to Mill Street.
Victorian and contemporary homes in downtown, Morgan Ranch
Close to Downtown Grass Valley, Victorian homes from the 1880s are the most well-known properties in town. But they’re not the only option. Manufactured homes from the 1970s are on the northeast side, in flatter areas like Olympia Glade. Contemporary properties from the 1980s and onward are in the western hills, clustered in neighborhoods like Morgan Ranch and Bella Vista Park. The median sale price here is $535,000, roughly the same as neighboring Alta Sierra but slightly more affordable than Nevada City.
The average home in Grass Valley cost around.$535,000.
Some of the homes in Grass Valley date back to 19880s.
Grass Valley has mainly homes built in the 1980s in the northern hills area.
Many of the homes have landscaped yards in the northern hills area of Grass Valley.
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Grass Valley School District, Nevada Joint Union High School District
Grass Valley School District has about 1,700 students in prekindergarten through eighth grade, and its five schools get an overall C-plus from Niche. With another five schools, Nevada Joint Union High School District serves 2,500 students across 700-plus square miles. Niche gives it a B-plus, but its Ghidotti Early College High receives an A.
Nevada Union High School serves students in grades 9-12.
Math proficiency at Bell Hill Academy is 37 percent.
Lyman Gilmore Middle School serves students in grades 5-8.
This statue in front of Nevada Union High School pays homage to the gold rush era.
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Northern California summers, crime levels in Grass Valley
Grass Valley’s elevation allows it to escape regional weather patterns, and locals often say the city is “below the snow, above the fog.” Winters are damp in the 50s, while summers are dry in the 80s. Summer is also wildfire season. Though July 2024’s Park Fire was roughly 100 miles north, air quality reached hazardous levels in the valley.
In 2023, Grass Valley's average of monthly violent offenses was higher than state and national averages. The same can be said for property crime offense rates. However, violent crime rates were down 10% year-over-year, and property rates fell 14%.
State Route 49 and day trips to Sacramento, Tahoe
State Route 49 is the main north-south thoroughfare through Grass Valley. Starting in downtown, it goes about 4 miles north to neighboring Nevada City. It also connects west to state Route 20 for access to Penn Valley and Yuba City, and Interstate 80 is south of town. Sacramento is about 60 miles south via this interstate and state routes, and Lake Tahoe is about 70 miles east. Nevada County Connects has bus routes through seven cities, including Grass Valley. Nevada County Airport is just outside of town, but Sacramento International Airport is the closest option for commercial flights.
Written By
Matt Medl
Photography Contributed By
Wesley Jimerson
Video By
Bill Jennings
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Mimi Simmons,
an experienced agent in this area.
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On average, homes in Grass Valley, CA sell after 49 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Grass Valley, CA over the last 12 months is $535,000, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Tahoe Style, 2 bedroom, 2 bath, plus loft/den with a wet bar. Architectural delight with newer floor to ceiling Andersen windows bringing the outdoors in. Relax morning, noon or night with a private setting on the back deck spanning the 2.32 acres of beautiful Oaks. Upgrades include Anderson windows, flooring, paint, canned lights, paved driveway, A/C, furnace, whole house water filter, ceiling
Welcome to this beautifully updated 3-bedroom, 2-bath home in Tall Pines Mobile Estates, a welcoming all-ages community. Enjoy a bright, open layout with upgraded flooring, fresh interior paint, ceiling fans in most rooms, and central heat and air for year-round comfort. The living and dining areas flow seamlessly into a spacious kitchenideal for everyday living and entertaining. All three
Welcome to 15690 Fay Rd in the heart of Alta Sierra, Grass Valley! This newly renovated home sits on 5 peaceful acres of natural beauty, offering privacy and a relaxed lifestyle in one of the area's most desirable communities. The interior has been thoughtfully updated with modern finishes throughout, including a bright kitchen, refreshed living spaces, and a finished basement with its own
Absolutely charming one-story home gently perched over a lovely year-round spring fed pond that makes you feel like you are living in a vacation wonderland! Located in one of Grass Valley's most desirable neighborhoods in Round Valley Estates, this garden property has an inviting two-acre woodland for nature walks. The delightful open floor plan brings the outdoors in with natural light and views
Private and magical OASIS that is unmatched by any other home on the market! This beautiful, immaculate farmhouse is nestled on a breathtaking 5 fenced acres that will inspire any gardener! Sellers owned a national organic farm & garden supply company & brought home the finest organic plantings. As you drive through the electric gate & meander up the gentle driveway, you are immediately
Delightful country charmer plus detached ADU on a beautiful lot and located walking distance to Empire Mine State Park! Fenced and gated, this great home built in 1938 with fantastic rock from the Mine and beautifully remodeled with thought and creativity! Daily living on the main floor includes a huge living room with open beams, big picture windows and wood floors and a charming river rock
Built as condominiums, Gold Creek Village offers home-style living at apartment prices. Our small community is conveniently located just 1/4 mile off Highway 49 in Alta Sierra at the corner of Ball Road and Alta Sierra Drive. We are just minutes from Grass Valley and a bus stop for area schools.Conveniences include; central heat & air, all major appliances, full-size washer/dryer
Welcome to Berryhill Apartments of Grass Valley, California. This beautiful community features a rural setting with a number of amazing benefits. Berryhill Apartments has something positive to offer tenants of all ages and backgrounds. Choose an apartment that overlooks the wooded ravine or out onto the surrounding hills. At Berryhill Apartments, the entire staff is dedicated to helping you
Property Id: 1932500Welcome to your dream rental in Grass Valley, CA! This newly remodeled 600 sq ft studio comes fully furnished with modern appliances, laminate flooring, huge hardwood wrap around desk, on 2 quiet, wooded acres with a fenced yard. Enjoy included utilities and pet-friendly accommodations. Don't miss out on this gem!
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