Chillin' By The River
Guest rating: 4.8 / 5
Overview
Chillin' By The River is a newly remodeled, approximately 600 sq ft private suite attached to a main house on a 17-acre property off a quiet country road in North Auburn, bordering the Bear River in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. The suite has its own private entrance with a touch-pad door lock and is set up for couples, solo travelers, or small groups, comfortably sleeping up to four adults. It’s also positioned as suitable for long-term stays, with in-suite laundry not documented but a full kitchen and climate control provided.
Suite layout & comfort
Inside, the living area includes a pull-out queen sofa bed, a dining/work table for two, and a TV with movie channels and prerecorded content plus a DVD player. The bedroom has a queen pillow-top mattress and a ceiling fan, with mountain views. A full bathroom includes a standing shower, single vanity, and provided toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, soap), plush towels, and a hairdryer; an iron and ironing board are available.
Kitchen & in-room amenities
The suite’s full-size kitchen is equipped for self-catering with a microwave, electric stovetop with oven, refrigerator/freezer, dishwasher, toaster, Keurig and coffee pot (with some coffee and tea provided), cookware, dishes, and other cooking essentials. Property amenities listed include air conditioning, heating, free Wi‑Fi, cable TV, and outdoor features such as a balcony/patio and an outdoor grill. A Nest thermostat allows guests to adjust forced heating and air-conditioning.
Outdoor access & recreation
Bear River access is a key feature: guests can follow a dirt road to the river for hanging out, swimming, or fishing, with the river less than a quarter mile from the house. The walk is described as about five minutes downhill with a moderate uphill return; 4WD vehicles may be able to drive down. The riverfront area includes lounge chairs and a picnic table, and water shoes are suggested due to small rounded pebbles and rocks; a separate rentable riverside campsite is also noted to have additional amenities (including a gas BBQ, fire-pit, and a basketball hoop).
Location & nearby dining
The property is about 9 miles from Old Town Auburn and positioned as a base for exploring nearby towns such as Auburn, Grass Valley, and Nevada City (noted as about 20 minutes away). Sacramento International Airport is approximately 54.6 km away. Nearby dining options include Sunrise Cafe (about 4.4 km), Lake of the Pines Sports Lounge (about 5.4 km), and several Auburn-area restaurants such as The Ridge Bar & Grill, Trailblazer Craft Pizza & Brews, and Sierra Grill Smokehouse (roughly 9.8–10.4 km).
Best for
This suite is best for travelers who want a quiet, nature-forward stay with direct access to the Bear River, mountain/river views, and room to unplug on a 17-acre property. It also suits couples and small groups who prefer cooking in, thanks to the full kitchen (oven/stove, microwave, dishwasher) and outdoor grill, and who want easy access to Old Town Auburn and day trips around the region.
Travel tips
Plan to arrive by car: free parking is provided next to the suite entrance, and the closest major airport is Sacramento International Airport (about 54.6 km away). For river time, bring water shoes for the pebbly riverbank and be prepared for an easy downhill walk with a moderate uphill return (about five minutes each way on foot). If you’ll be relying on internet for time-sensitive tasks, note that at least one guest reported satellite-internet performance that depended on clear weather.
What guests say
Reviews repeatedly highlight the peaceful, private feel and the standout natural setting, with river access and scenic views as major positives. Guests also mention comfort—especially the bed—and that the suite works well as a base for exploring Auburn and nearby towns. Reported drawbacks include occasional noise from the attached main house/overhead footsteps and comments about the broader property feeling cluttered. Connectivity is another theme: at least one guest found the satellite internet difficult to use, particularly when weather conditions weren’t clear.
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