Nestled between the Yuba River and the Sierra Buttes, Herrington's Sierra Pines Resort is a rare jewel. With 21 rooms, the resort has a variety of spacious accommodations.

Michael Herrington says the resort started in 1967 with just a couple of rental cabins, but each year the family added a few more. The variety includes eight units that overlook the Yuba River, several with forest views and a few kitchen units.

Not that visitors would need a kitchen - the resort also features an excellent restaurant open for breakfast (8-11 a.m.) and dinner (5-8:30 p.m.).

The breakfast menu includes all the usual suspects at a reasonable price, while dinner options range from Chicken Alfredo to dinner specials like a decadent bacon-wrapped filet mignon topped with asparagus. Dinners include soup or salad (try the spinach salad), fresh bread and choice of potato or rice. For breakfast or dinner, fresh trout is an option.

And it doesn't get much fresher than the fishpond on premises. Visitors often stop in just to catch a couple of trout from the well-stocked pond out front. Price includes cleaning and packing your catch or you can head into the restaurant for fresh trout, lightly seasoned, breaded, pan-seared and topped with almond sliced.

Herrington says a lot of guests come year after year to the resort and many comment on the quality of service. Quality he says people should expect from any establishment.

With the quiet, relaxed atmosphere; clean, spacious rooms; and helpful, friendly staff, it's no wonder people keep coming back.

Even if Sierra Pines didn't have all that going for it, the views would be worth the visit.

The Yuba River runs parallel to the resort and river views include a waterfall seen from the private, covered deck. The dining room looks out on the Sierra Buttes through large windows.

Nearby are the Upper and Lower Sardine Lakes. Lower Sardine Lake is accessible by car and the upper portion is about a mile hike. Although not too steep, the trail is rocky, but well worth it for the view. Although Sierra County is dotted with lakes, Upper Sardine is one of the most beautiful.

Lower Sardine Lake spills out into the Sand Pond, a popular swimming spot in summer. There is an interpretive trail through wetlands nearby. Though not paved, the trail is an easy hike with boardwalks over much of the grassy wetlands. A few downed trees can make the way a little more challenging, but nothing a novice hiker can't handle.

Frazier Falls is another area to be sure to visit. A paved wheelchair-accessible trail leads across Frazier Creek and to an area that overlooks the falls. More adventurous hikers can leave the path for a short jaunt to the top of the falls.

While you're out exploring stop in friendly Graeagle for a Mocha at the Outpost (better than Starbucks) or rent a paddleboat to take it out on the millpond. Graeagle also boasts a number of golf courses including the 18-hole Graeagle Meadows Golf Course.

Rooms at Sierra Pines run $69 to $140 a night, depending on the view and size of the room. The resort is open seasonally from May through September and discounts are offered at the very beginning and very end of the season.

Sierra Pines is located just outside Sierra City on Highway 49 between Grass Valley and Truckee. Driving either up Highway 49 through Grass Valley or up Interstate 80 and past Truckee to Highway 89 takes about 2½ hours. For optimal sightseeing, take one route there and the other back. Highway 49 follows the Yuba River, while taking Interstate 80 to Highway 89 will take visitors through the Sierra Valley.

For information, call (800) 682-9848 or (530) 862-1151 or visit www.herringtonsseirrapines.com.



Susan Jameson can be reached at susanj@goldcountrymedia.com. v