Good Times Roll Below the Snowline

GRASS VALLEY IS A JEWEL among the foothill’s gold-rush towns. At times, the snow does fall, but most of the winter it is snowless.

This season you can attend the Foothills Celebration food and wine festival on March 3 and a classic Car Show on April 28.

Visitors can enjoy boutiques, gift shops and art galleries. A new day spa at Grass Valley Courtyard Suites is a reprieve from shopping. Don’t miss the fun Valentine’s Day window display at Foothill Flowers.

Eateries run the gamut from Marshall’s Pasties (a miner’s diet staple) to inventive American, Italian, Mexican and Thai cuisine along with Japanese (visit Kaido at 207 W. Main St.). Bakeries and cafes are
abundant.

Nevada City abounds with creativity and spirit, visible throughout the galleries, restaurants and shops. Film festivals, fairs and concerts in the park showcase Nevada City’s true colors.

This winter the town hosts its 20th annual Mardi Gras celebration. Weekend activities open on Saturday, February 18 with a Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball in historic Miners Foundry, with music and Cajun food.

On Sunday, a Mardi Gras Parade and Street Faire is held downtown. Merry spectators of all ages line the parade route, decked out in Mardi Gras attire.

For year-round Cajun food, Ike’s Quarter Cafe at 401 Commercial St. is tops. Its menu includes blackened
catfish, red beans and rice, jambalaya, crawfish étouffée, and po’ boy sandwiches.

This organic food is made from scratch, with fresh ingredients from local farms wherever possible. “We chose New Orleans style because the food is warm, tasty and delicious,” says Chef/ Owner Ike Frazee.

Grass Valley Getaway Lodging

GOLD MINERS INN
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
121 Bank St., GV
477-1700, TheGoldMinersInn.com

GRASS VALLEY COURTYARD SUITES
210 N. Auburn St., GV
272-7696, GVCourtyardSuites.com