Every year, Nevada City comes to life right around the end of September / beginning of October. It’s true, I never really fall out of love with my little town, but there’s something about autumn on Broad Street that makes me smile.
There’s nothing quite as pretty as Nevada County during the fall. The trees are stunning and their leaves scatter across the ground like a blanket. With my office at the top of Broad Street I’m lucky enough to have a front row seat, to get to witness the beauty going down in our charming city.
The local Chamber of Commerce must notice the same thing I do. They’ve created a Fall Colors Walk that guides visitors and local through the downtown streets on a self-guided tour. I pulled this excerpt about the program from their website:
“Using Grass Valley and Nevada City as a base, motorists can view fall color changes in the forests along the 160-mile Yuba-Donner Scenic Byway, a looped route that follows state highways 49 and 89, U.S. 40, Interstate 80 and state highway 20. The route features a variety of color, ranging from old trees and vines in historic mining villages to the groves of quaking aspens at the higher elevations of Yuba and Donner summits.
High elevation colors often begin to change in September and peak in October. Peak color weeks in Nevada City and Grass Valley are difficult to predict but mid-October to mid-November is usually most colorful. Fall color tour maps are available and visitors may call ahead to check day-to-day conditions. Nevada City and Grass Valley are located 60 miles northeast of Sacramento. From the capital, take eastbound Interstate 80 to Auburn and then drive north on Highway 49. From Reno, take westbound I-80 and State Scenic Route 20; a pleasant, 80-mile drive.”
Have you had a chance to take a look at the fall colors this year? Don’t wait! Before you know it Nevada City will change again into a snow covered, winter wonderland.
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