A Book Lover's Dream Vacation: Book Town, USA - Nevada City/ Grass Valley, California

When we think of weekend getaways in Northern California, most often we think of San Francisco, Reno or Tahoe. Perhaps Carmel or the Wine Country. But if you're in search of more cerebral leisure activities, your nearest Book Town is just an hour away from Sacramento in Grass Valley/Nevada City. (Technically, it's two towns, but in such close proximity that to residents they are almost interchangeable.) A Book Town, according to the official pamphlet, is, "a community with a significant commercial and cultural emphasis on books and book-related public events. There are only about a dozen such towns around the world, all deriving their inspiration from the first Book Town created in 1961 by Richard Booth in the small Welsh village of Hay-on-Wye." With a population of less than 2, 000, Hay-on-Wye has 30 bookstores and is home to the largest literary festival, which reportedly draws over 25, 000 people to the little village every year.

Closer to home, however, Grass Valley and Nevada City, between them, boast more than 25 book dealers, and host the annual Wordslinger Literary Festival, as well as a great number of public readings, discussion groups, writing classes and storytelling events. No doubt because of the intense focus on literary pursuits--not to mention the picturesque setting and easy commute to larger cities--a disproportionately large number of writers and poets, many retired from area universities, are said to call the area home.

Among the Shelves
The Ames Bookstore in Grass Valley calls itself one of the largest bookstores on the West coast, claiming over 70,000 paperbacks and 300,000 used books. It carries general stock, plus rare, scarce, and out-of-print volumes. Booktown Books has general used stock, history, science fiction, magazines, and equine tomes, and pays cash for your books and collectible editions. Also in Grass Valley, Four Seasons Card & Book. At Four Seasons they love "beautiful books that inspire creativity," and stock a variety of gardening, quilting, art, cooking, and home decorating books, as well as best sellers and children's books.

While the selection of reading is limited to travel, and can be sparse, Wisdom Cafe in Nevada City has terrific beverages, including coffee drinks, wine and beer, and a nice patio where you can watch foot traffic along Broad Street. Two doors down, Mountain House Books is a mandatory stop for historians and serious collectors, specializing in California and the West, and providing appraisals and book search services. Harmony Books is one of the few stores in the area that features bestsellers, as well as new and classic fiction. They also specialize in religion, philosophy, personal growth, and parenting books.

Where to Curl Up With A Good Book

You can stay right in town on Broad Street at the historic National Hotel, a national historic landmark, billed as "the oldest continuously-operating hotel west of the Rockies," and built in the mid-1800's. It boasts Victorian dining room, saloon, and pool for about $75 - $119 per night. A bit more decadent, and walking distance from the historic district, the Deer Park Inn is a bed and breakfast inn with all the amenities, located along year-round Deer Creek with lovely gardens in which to stroll or relax. Rates run $160-$230 per night. Located on Main Street in Grass Valley, the Holbrooke Hotel provides the opportunity for you to sleep Victorian appointed rooms where Presidents Grant, Cleveland, and Harrison once slept, as well as enjoy a libation in the Golden Gate Saloon where Mark Twain once relaxed at the bar. Rates at the Holbrooke vary according to room and bed size-twin to king to suite-but are quite reasonable.

But wait, there's more...
If you have an interest in community broadcasting, radio station KVMR is always willing to show visitors through their studios. The Foothill Theater Company has an award-winning cast and crew staging shows throughout the season. Several wine tasting venues and cultural exhibits can be found, and, of course, shopping, shopping, and more shopping, including Victorian Christmas in December. Whether spending a day, a week, or a weekend, you'll never run short of things to do, see, or read in the Gold Cities Book Town of Grass Valley/Nevada City.