Looking for a fun family friendly activity?  Go check out Hirschman’s Pond in downtown Nevada City. The trail head starts at the bottom of Cement Hill Road, a mere mile from downtown Nevada City.  The first 1/2 mile of the trail is wheelchair accessible and perfect for an easy family bike ride or walk.  Stop and check out the interactive signs to learn about the mining history and wildlife, or sit by the pond and check out the views.  For those of you who are looking for a little bit more, continue down the trail to either the Woods Ravine Trail or the end of the Hirschman Trail and enjoy an outdoor adventure in the heart of downtown Nevada City.

© 2013 InnSide Nevada City

What would our county be without all the wonderful volunteers that keep our community vibrant?  This Saturday about 20 volunteers from the Bear Yuba Land Trust and BONC got together to work on areas of the Hershman’s Pond Trail.  Led by Bill Haire both young and old helped shovel gravel into muddy sections of the Wood Ravine Trail.  Hirschman Trail is one of the more popular trails for guests and locals in Nevada City.  It is this sense of community involvement that makes it so special to live here.  Many thanks to the volunteers, the local non profits and the people of Nevada City for their hard work.  If you’re not familiar with the trail please stop by the Outside Inn for map.

© 2013 InnSide Nevada City, Photos by Erin Thiem and Dieter King

Are you a last minute shopper?  Here are a few suggestions on some gift ideas for someone in Nevada City, or someone who’d like to visit the area.  If you can’t make it to the last Victorian Christmas today, here are a few suggestions, or stop by any number of the downtown merchants.

First up, why not buy a weekend away package?  Buy an Outside Inn gift certificate (we’re more then happy to email you the gift certificate, if you can’t stop by in person).  For the lucky recipient, why not throw in a gift certificate to a dinner out and a wine tasting in downtown Nevada City?  (We’ll throw in the directions to the river, for free).

Do you have a coffee addict in your house?  Stop by the Outside Inn … Read More »

A crew of 8 hardy and adventuresome mountain bikers recently rode  from Truckee to Nevada City, successfully completing an almost all dirt 70 mile ride.   Dan Goldsmith and Matt Reynolds spent weeks researching the route, which included “brutal babyhead downhills,” “Hike-n-bike around Eagle Lakes” and took almost 12 hours of traveling, wrote Matt on his “Dirt Epic” post.  After most of them rolled into Nevada City with their head lights on they treated themselves to beer and pizza at ‘ol Republic Brewery “to finish off a great day of torture.”  The winner of last week’s South Pine Cafe giveaway is Katrina Schneider.

© 2012 InnSide Nevada City, Photos by Matt Reynolds and Dieter King

Have you been for a walk/run/bike ride along the Deer Creek Tribute Trail?  The 9 mile trail starts in downtown Nevada City and explores the area above, beside and through Deer Creek.  Stop by the Outside Inn’s office for a free map if you need directions.  ART OnSite recently received a grant from National Endowment of the Arts and today announced their call for artists. Ten $2,500 commissions will be created for the trail to help bridge the environment, the community and the history through outdoor art installations.  “The ART OnSite project is a great opportunity to celebrate the cultural richness of Nevada County and to educate visitors through its collaboration of art, nature, history and people,” says Nancy Nelson, of Nevada County Arts.  Applications are due by November 23rd and the exhibit is set to open in fall … Read More »

Have you been to Hole in the Ground?  The 18 mile mountain bike ride starts up at the summit.  ”One of more popular, close by/out of the area mountain bike rides, people love to escape and try to something different,” Duane Strawser, of the Tour of Nevada City Bicycle Shop, he recommends the trail for intermediate or advanced riders.  Ken Long of Tahoe Mountain Guides says Hole in the Ground was originally an “alternate for mountain bikers to stay away from the Pacific Crest Trail.”   It’s currently undergoing a 3-5 year effort to rebuild the trail, with various local and national organizations helping.  ”Really sweet trail when it’s all said and done, incredibly enhanced,” says Long. Get out, this ride is great till the first snow of the season, if you pick a hot afternoon you can jump … Read More »

Earlier this month a team of dedicated volunteers (including a pair of goats) put in some long hours to help maintain the mountain biking trails up at Grouse Ridge.  Bicyclists of Nevada County (or BONC as its known around here) organized the work weekend, it was just one of their many trail building projects.  For information on how to lend a hand and connect with our bike enthusiasts click here. There are a lot of great rides out our doorstep, stop by the Outside Inn’s office for some local trail guides or try one of the Tour of Nevada City Bicycle Shop group rides, click here for a calendar.

© 2012 InnSide Nevada City, Photos by Dieter King

Malakoff Diggins outside of Nevada City offers a lot of options for a day time excursion, gold mining, fishing, picnic spots or take a town tour of historic North Bloomfield.  Tours offered Friday, Saturday and Sundays at 1:30 for the rest of Se,ptember.  While the park officially closes at the end of September you can still out go and explore the area, a day rate of $8 in required for the self guided tours of the historic buildings, hiking areas, fishing and swimming at Blair Lake.  For more information on the history of the area click here.  Many thanks to local photographer David Cross for sharing some of his photographs of the Malakoff Diggins area.  What’s your favorite spot? My vote is the Humbug Creek Trail, which is currently closed for maintenance, but scheduled to be open later in … Read More »

New Zealander Nicole Ranger mountain biking Round Mountain Trail and Hudson Trail in Nevada City.  She thinks the trails here are “awesome.”  She enjoyed the added technical challenges of the rocky terrain.  If you’re looking for riding suggestions in the area, stop by the Outside Inn’s office and pick up one of our free trail guides.

© 2012 InnSide Nevada City

The 2012 Bike & Hike Event took place today at Seven Hills School.  The fundraiser for the Nevada City Schools had something for everyone; road rides, hikes, obstacle courses, tricycle races, silent auction, taco lunch, plus more.  Lots of fun was had by bike enthusiasts of all ages.  Many thanks to the number of local businesses and volunteers who helped together the event, the local schools appreciate the support.

© 2012 InnSide Nevada City