Downieville, CA (if you don’t know it, you should!)

Downieville, is a place that lives in my heart year round. All year long, my family counts the days until we’re back. Downieville is a place of endless inspiration, history, natural beauty, and let’s be real about the most important part, really--good--food! Every time I visit, I leave feeling fuller (no pun intended) and more like myself.

Among being a mom, a housekeeper, and wearing 5 other hats no one wants to read about, I’m also a writer about to finish her first novel. We usually camp, but I had been dreaming of staying at the Riverside Mountain Lodge for a solo writing retreat. I had this insta-worthy fantasy of finishing my book from a gorgeous room overlooking the Downie River. After a social media post caught my eye, I was in touch with someone generous enough to make that happen and here I am!

I was sad when I was told I wouldn’t be receiving contact from the other side, but the guy at the front desk said he’d make a note that I wanted a haunted experience and would “flash the lights on and off for me!” I laughed so hard! From that point on, I knew I was in good hands. And I needed good hands. I get nervous when I travel and I ask way too many questions.

By the time I pulled up to the lodge, I was so well taken care of that all I had to do was park, grab the envelope with my name on it from the adorable self check-in station, and head to my room. I’ve never experienced this system before-- and it’s brilliant. No rummaging through my inbox for my receipt while I hold up the line at the front desk. No waiting while I awkwardly hold my heavy bags as if taking two trips wasn’t a possibility. Everything you need is taken care of before you even arrive. It was a zero confusion zone.

The first thing that struck me when I opened the door to my room was the mountain cabin vibe. The look and feel was rustic, but upscale. Is rustic-chic a term? If not, I’m claiming it. The wood walls and ceilings mixed with the mountain air gave me a sense of nostalgia, like I was wrapped in a blanket of vacationy goodness, and when I stepped onto the balcony and experienced the river roaring below, I decided not to leave. I’m buying room 7. That is how this story ends.

Kidding! Unfortunately.

It’s just as well. If I lived here they would eventually stop leaving me gourmet cookies and gorgeous bath products, and I’d probably be shooed away from the hammocks that line the river. There are so many special perks I experienced during my stay! Including on-call access to management for anything I needed. No, seriously. When the front desk is closed, they just tell you to text them if you need anything, and they truly mean it! For example, my remote died, so I texted the front desk for some batteries. I also decided to add some extra pillows to make for a fluffier stay, as well as some fresh towels, because why not? I’m worth it!

One thing that kept impressing me were the special touches that seemed to be everywhere. For instance, the first thing I saw when I entered my room were two artisan cookies and two fancy bottles of water. It was incredibly thoughtful! Two local newspapers were waiting to be enjoyed, and the booklet on all the local spots also included practical info about emergency services, the library and hardware store, the museum, and even how to use the remote. (The volume button is on the side.)

The rest of my trip was a dream. I bathed in the most magical turquoise waters on earth, explored gold rush history, and hit up some other adorable spots like Sierra City, where I went antiquing, and Goodyear’s Bar, where a delightful gentleman gave me a private tour of the mining museum! I was in heaven. I had the juiciest turkey burger of my life at the Red Moose Cafe, and a Fuji Salad from the Two Rivers Cafe that I will be dreaming about until next year. Then I ate some more. Had ice cream at Cold Rush. And then I ate some more. I even had a drink (a Shirley Temple) at a saloon that is over 170 years old! That’s gotta be haunted, right?

If I had to sum up my stay at the Riverside Mountain Lodge, I’d say I left feeling:

●     Relaxed

●     Grounded

●     Cared for

●     Grateful

And a little sad because my room wasn’t for sale!

Travel Tips:

● Even if you travel all the time, read every detail the staff sends you. Things work differently at a boutique lodge in a town of roughly 300 people (it’s part of the charm.)

● Summer in the Sierras can get pretty hot. It got up to 90 degrees during my stay. My room didn’t have AC but it actually wasn’t too bad. The secret is to open your windows in the morning and close them before it gets hot. I kept the air circulating with the fan they provided and only broke a sweat outside. The best (and easiest) way to beat the heat is to stroll down to the private beach. It’s right there. Like if you had a stone you could throw it.

● Try to snag room 7. It has a kitchenette with a mini fridge/freezer combo, a toaster, dishes, even salt and pepper, and the breakfast nook has a window that opens to the river.

● The Riverside Mountain Lodge is very dog friendly. They even have a dog stick lending library!

● Even if you’re not a history buff, hit up the Downieville Museum. The building is original to the town and was built in 1852! Plus, the back room has a scale model of the town that reminds me of the one in the Deetz’s attic in the movie Beetlejuice.