Taking a break from your day-to-day routine is so important, but it can be challenging when we’re all doing our best to stay home and stay safe. If you’re stumped on ideas for a getaway this year, try traveling locally and supporting your community.
This fall, GROW founder Toby, Jill, and friends took a trip to the Lure in Downieville, CA, an adventure destination at the heart of the Lost Sierra! The Lost Sierra, a nickname for the Sierra Buttes, is dotted with beautiful glacial lakes, sweeping mountain landscapes, and some of the best trails and fishing California has to offer. Here are a few of the reasons why a stay-local-cation in Downieville was so appealing:
4 Awesome, Adventurous Things to Do in Downieville, CA
Stay at the Lure Resort
For multiple generations the Lure has been welcoming guests to get “a bridge away” from the busy world, spending time healing the soul along the North Yuba River.
The Lure Resort has long welcomed travelers, cyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts in Downieville. (It welcomed its first recreational guests in the 1940s!) But only recently, under the new ownership of Lost Sierra Development, LLC, has the property been reunited and under the same ownership as the adjacent Slate Castle Ranch property.
The Lure is the first acquisition by Lost Sierra Development, LLC, a new, local organization formed by the same folks who built the recreation economy in Downieville through the Yuba Expeditions bike shop and the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship.
The Lure offers guests 70-acres to roam, explore, and play, with activities including:
Hike or Bike the Trails
Lure campers enjoy easy access to miles of breathtaking trails. If you’re in the mood for fresh air and the sun on your face, you’ll love hiking or biking along local trails like:
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The North Yuba Trail - This sixteen-mile trail offers a glimpse of the rugged North Yuba river canyon. The trail connects the historic mining trail with the town of Downieville.
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The First Divide Trail - This 3-mile trek offers a beautiful path through the Lost Sierra’s rolling, forested landscape.
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Lavezzola Creek Trail - This 5-mile single-track trail features some steep slopes and two water crossings.
Feeling even more adventurous? The legendary Pacific Crest Trail runs through Sierra City, just minutes from Downieville. Or, you can take a shuttle to the top of the Downieville Downhill, the site of the world-famous bike race dropping 5,000 feet in 15 miles.
For a complete look at the trails available in this area, check out the Downieville & Lakes Basin Map from the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship.
Spend a Day Fishing
If your ideal vacation moves at a slower pace, there’s no better spot for a day of fishing. The cabins at the Lure open up onto a beautiful bend in the North Yuba River, greeting you each morning with beautiful riverfront scenery.
Or voyage a bit farther from camp, up to the Lake Basin Recreation Area. Gold Lake, the largest lake in this area, is home to Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Kokanee Salmon, and Crayfish, among others.
Reconnect with Family
The Lure property offers the perfect spot for time together as a family. Relax around the fire at the end of the day, or spend the day at camp exploring the property’s trails and riverfront scenery. Take a stroll to see the garden and barn, climb a tree, or skip rocks on the river.
Whether you’re searching for adventure or relaxation, the Lure in the Lost Sierra is an ideal local getaway for Northern California residents. There’s no antidote to stress quite like a bit of sunshine and crisp pine air. Did you take any local trips this year? We’d love to hear about it, share with us on social!
