Alta Sierra, California

La Barr Meadows is a former settlement in Nevada County, California, located near Grass Valley. It was listed on an official map as of 1949.

North Star House (alternate: Foote Mansion) is a house located roughly a mile south of Grass Valley, Nevada County, northern California. The building served as the superintendent's house for the North Star Mine. Commissioned by Superintendent Arthur De Wint Foote and his wife, Mary Hallock Foote ("Molly"), an author and illustrator, it was designed in 1905 by the architect Julia Morgan. This was her first significant, large-scale, residential project. The house is notable for its relationship to the literary career of Molly Foote and the master architect, Morgan.

The North Star Mine and Powerhouse are located on Lafayette Hill a short distance south of Grass Valley in the U.S. state of California. It was the second largest producer of gold during California's Gold Rush. In 1898, the largest Pelton wheel for its time was built for the mine. The North Star Mine Company also owned locations on Weimar Hill, adjoining and south of the North Star Mine. It shut down during World War II after its consolidation with the Empire Mine.

Empire Mine State Historic Park is a state-protected mine and park in the Sierra Nevada mountains in Grass Valley, California, U.S. The Empire Mine is on the National Register of Historic Places, a federal Historic District, and a California Historical Landmark. Since 1975 California State Parks has administered and maintained the mine as a historic site. The Empire Mine is "one of the oldest, largest, deepest, longest and richest gold mines in California". Between 1850 and its closure in 1956, the Empire Mine produced 5.8 million ounces (165 tons) of gold, extracted from 367 miles (591 km) of underground passages.

Cedar Ridge is an unincorporated community in Nevada County, California, United States, along State Route 174 2.5 miles (4.0 km) east/southeast of Grass Valley, California. and approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) east/southeast of the Empire Mine in Gold Country. The first Post Office was established in 1948 and the zip code is 95924.

Union Hill is a former settlement in Nevada County, California, 1.5 mi (2.4 km) from Grass Valley. Its elevation is 2,700 ft (820 m) above sea level.Gold mining is recorded as early as January 30, 1851. A number of mines yielded eighty dollars per ton at times. Sulfurets were said to yield 420 dollars per ton. First arrastres were in use, then a number of stamp mills. The Union Hill School District, established in 1868, continues to operate in Grass Valley, though at a different location. Beginning in 1876, travelers could reach Union Hill via the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad. Its station was located on the Union Hill road, southeast of Grass Valley and northwest of Colfax.The Union Hill mine was a good producer of gold for many years.

Boston Ravine is a former settlement in Nevada County, California. Boston Ravine is located 1 mile (1.6 km) south-southwest of Grass Valley. Its elevation is 2,339 ft (713 m) above sea level.

Kres is an unincorporated community in Nevada County, California. It lies at an elevation of 2861 feet (872 m). Kres is located on the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad, 3 miles (4.8 km) east-southeast of Grass Valley.

Peardale is an unincorporated community in Nevada County, California, United States, along State Route 174, southeast of Cedar Ridge, California and northwest of Chicago Park, California. Its elevation is 2,710 feet (830 m) above sea level.Peardale contains riparian, upland, and mixed conifer forest habitats.Peardale is located on the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad. The Peardale post office operated from 1916 to 1927.

Gold Hill in Grass Valley, California, was the site of one of the first discoveries of quartz gold in California. While quartz gold was also found in other areas of Nevada County, California during the same time, it is this find near Wolf Creek that led to quartz-mining frenzy and subsequent creation of the Gold Country quartz-mining industry. The location is honored as a California Historical Landmark.

Bear River High School is a public high school in the Nevada Joint Union High School District in Grass Valley, California, United States. It is located across the street from Lake of the Pines. It had approximately 300 graduates in the 2006–2007 school year, for a 98.5% graduation rate. 52.1% completed CSU/UC prep. 90.6% of the students self-identified as white.Its camaraderie-focused music program, a highlight of the school's culture is known for its successes in various competitions and school-based concerts, most notably, Fantasy of Stars, featuring many of its best musical groups. Its show group, Starlite, is also a unique attribute to Bear River High School, as it is a talented show choir, but with band members rather than a backing track. Bear River Music's motto is: "Improving the lives of audience member and performer alike through musical excellence, professionalism, and pride." Its main rival is Colfax High School located in Colfax, and the annual Bear River vs. Colfax football game is a popular school event each year.

Grass Valley Charter School is a K–8 charter school in Grass Valley, California, USA, part of Grass Valley School District. It was the first charter school in that part of Nevada County.