Nevada City may be Gold Country’s best-preserved town. If Jimmy Stewart returned for another “wonderful life,” he might come to this place of regal Victorian homes and narrow, maple-lined streets. Pick up a free walking-tour map of town at the tourist office at 132 Main Street, and then walk a block up the street to the bell-towered firehouse, which also houses a small museum of the area’s history. Stop in at the wonderfully eclectic Main Street Antiques & Books, with everything from vintage toys to rare books and paintings. Wander over to Broad Street and the heart of town. Here you’ll find 21st-century restaurants and antique shops housed inside impeccable 19th-century architecture of wooden awning and elaborate wrought-iron balconies. Pop into the Nevada City Winery on Spring Street, where you can sample the wares of one of the state’s oldest vineyards. A block away on Broad Street, you’ll find the Indian Springs Vineyards.

Before lunch or dinner whet your appetite by strolling up to the top of Pine Street to find the Indian Medicine Stone, a granite-boulder tribute from local Indians who, wisely, valued the healing power of sunshine. There is an assortment of great cafes in town; check the menu for a pasty (originally brought to the Gold Country by Cornish miners) or a locally brewed beer.

Kicking off a special “lincoln’s california legacy” focus happening at various museums in downtown sacramento, leland stanford mansion state historic park proudly presents “walking the grade: contempory views of the pacific railroad.” Located in the majestic ballroom, this special exhibit underscores lincoln’s broad-ranging vision for the future of american railroads and includes nearly two dozen black and white photographs taken by respected rail photographer shen-chih (sam) cheng plus artifacts highlighting chinese rail workers.