S O U T H
Y U B A
R I V E R
S T A T E
P A R K
/
B R I D G E P O R T
/
R O U G H
&
R E A D Y
HISTORY, RECREATION, MUSIC/EVENTS, WINE TASTING
SOUTH YUBA RIVER
STATE PARK
The park is a patchwork of sites on a 20 mile
stretch of the river. There are historic bridges,
hiking trails, opportunities for swimming,
fishing and mountain biking.
See Page 79 for park trails near Nevada City.
Brochures/Maps:
southyubariverstatepark.org.
앴앵
Not far from Penn Valley and
part of the South Yuba State
Historic Park is the historic
Bridgeport Ranch, and the
longest single span covered
bridge in the country. Built in
1862 it was part of the Virginia
Turnpike, a link between the
Bay Area, and northern gold
fields and Nevada silver mines.
Herds of cattle also passed
through the area on their way
to and from mountain pastures, and the ranch provided
corrals for the stock and lodging for herdsmen.
At Bridgeport there is a
Visitor Center, also trails, gold
panning demonstrations, a
history station, and bird walks
in spring and fall. To reach
Bridgeport, take Hwy. 20 to
Penn Valley, right at Pleasant
Valley Road eight miles to park.
Visitor Center: (530) 432-2546.
54
Bridgeport
Fall Festival:
October 30.
Wildflower Walks:
Mid-March to Mid-May.
N E VA D A C O U N T Y G O L D
TOMMY THOMPSON
Bridgeport
ROUGH & READY
Located five miles from Grass Valley, Rough and Ready was one of the first settlements in
Nevada County. Established in 1849, it quickly grew to a town of 3,000. The area was settled
by a group of miners led by a captain who had served under “Old Rough and Ready”
Zachary Taylor; hence the name. When the government imposed a mining tax, local miners
met in April of 1850, decided to secede from the Union, and the Great Republic of Rough
and Ready was born. It didn’t last long for when the Fourth of July rolled around, Old Glory
went up the flag pole, and that was that. Visitors to this small community will find a few historic buildings including a blacksmith’s shop and the Grange Hall. Take West Main Street
from Grass Valley towards Penn Valley.
Music/Events
Wine Tasting
FRUIT JAR PICKERS: Every Sunday 10:00
am–Noon at the Rough & Ready Grange.
Band plays country, bluegrass, gospel.
COUFOS CELLARS: Open weekends, 10065
Rough & Ready Rd., (530) 274-2923.
coufoscellars.com
SECESSION DAYS CHILI COOK-OFF: June 26.
Chili Cook-off is “Rough & Ready Style”with
Rough and Ready Rules. “The Saga of
Rough & Ready,” a musical/melodrama.
Blacksmith demonstrations, Chicken Bingo,
variety of vendors, raffles, music.
Winery/Vineyard Information
See Pages 110-113.
Event Information:
roughandreadychamber.com
Alternative Route to Bridgeport:
From Grass Valley take West Main Street
(which becomes Rough & Ready Highway),
turn right at Bitney Springs Rd. to Pleasant
Valley Rd., turn right. Scenic drive.
ROUGH AND READY CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE
P.O. Box 801
Rough and Ready, CA 95975
(530) 797-6729
Email: [email protected]
roughandreadychamber.com
For More Events See Pages 69–73.