Pleasant Valley Rd, Nevada City, CA
- Tim Mayhew
- 14 hours ago
- 2 min read
Pleasant Valley Rd, just west of Nevada City, CA serves as a gateway to the gold-rich history of the Sierra Nevada foothills. Riders know this road as a perfect shortcut between Highway 20 and Highway 49 to bypass Nevada City, but the real prize lies at the bottom of the canyon: the Bridgeport Covered Bridge.
Built in 1862 by David J. Wood, this structure was a vital link on the Virginia Turnpike toll road, once resonating with the sounds of freight teams bound for the Comstock Lode. Today, it holds the title of the longest clear single-span surviving wooden covered bridge in the world. Stretching 229 feet and recently restored- its unique combination of a Howe truss and an auxiliary Burr arch is a marvel of 19th-century engineering. The bridge is a destination all by itself—if you’ve never been here, you have to ride this road just to check it out.
The southern half of the road rolls past Lake Wildwood, treating you to excellent pavement and "roller coaster" curves, while the descent to the South Yuba River offers views that are hard to keep your eyes off. Once you reach the river, take a breather at the South Yuba River State Park. Be sure to see the 1860s Dutch-style barn—a former "filling station" for horses—before the climb out toward French Corral. The South Yuba River at Bridgeport is a swimming hole destination for many in summer, but I always avoid this road during the heat of summer, these canyons can be very hot mid-day.
You can continue to Highway 49, but a better option is to turn east onto Birchville Rd, a narrow, no-center-line backroad repaved a few years back. Bonus: Cross Highway 49 and continue on Tyler-Foote Rd to reach Malakoff Diggins. Whether you’re here for the history or the hairpins, this 15-mile detour is a Northern California essential.
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