Outside Inn
575 E Broad St
Nevada City, CA
The motor court that took every room in a different direction, all of them good.
About Outside Inn
Outside Inn opened in the 1940s as a roadside motor court on the eastern edge of Nevada City, California's best-preserved Gold Rush town. Today its rooms are each individually conceived: one has an interior climbing wall, another is oriented around the celestial patterns of the Sierra Nevada night sky, a third is designed for river paddlers. The property sits two blocks from Nevada City's Victorian-era downtown and within easy reach of South Yuba River State Park, where deep emerald swimming holes and canyon trails draw guests into the western Sierra Nevada foothills. Family-owned and warmly run, the motor court maintains a hiking guide library, seasonal pool, and fire pit in the common area. Dogs are welcome in most rooms.
What Outside Inn Is Known For
Outside Inn is what a 1940s motor court looks like when the owners take each room seriously as an individual design project rather than a repetition problem. The climbing wall is real. The themed rooms are not kitsch. The trail guide library in the common area suggests the right priorities for a stay in the Sierra Nevada foothills.
Amenities
- Pets Welcome
- WiFi
- Seasonal pool
- Fire pit and barbecue
- Trail guide library
- Dog-friendly in most rooms
What Guests Love
- Each room is individually conceived: the rock climbing suite has a functioning interior wall, the Paddlers' Suite is oriented around river access, and the Celestial Room takes the Sierra Nevada night sky seriously.
- Two blocks from Nevada City's Victorian downtown, giving guests a walkable evening without boutique hotel prices.
- South Yuba River State Park swimming holes and canyon trails are minutes away.
- Dogs welcome in most rooms for an additional fee.
Worth Knowing
- The pool is seasonal, typically open through summer. Contact the property before arrival to confirm current status.
- Summer weekends fill quickly around Nevada City's festivals and events. Book three to four weeks ahead.
- Mountain air evenings can be cool even in July. Pack a layer for the fire pit.
- A per-night pet fee applies for dogs.
The Room
The rooms at Outside Inn are each conceived as a distinct character: the rock climbing suite includes a functioning interior wall, the Celestial Room takes the Sierra Nevada night sky as its design thesis, and the Paddlers' Suite speaks directly to the South Yuba River crowd. What they share is a clean, comfortable finish that supports the concept without overwhelming it. Parking is in front of each unit, with private exterior entry throughout.
The Grounds
The property is shaded by tall pines and sits in a quiet residential neighborhood two blocks from downtown. A seasonal swimming pool, fire pit, and barbecue anchors the common area. Picnic tables and the outdoor atmosphere encourage the kind of idle afternoon the South Yuba River tends to require. Dogs have their own outdoor area with room to move.
The Experience
Outside Inn works best as a base for the Sierra Nevada foothills rather than a destination in itself. South Yuba River swimming holes are under ten minutes out. The Bridgeport covered bridge is a short drive. The South Yuba's hiking trails connect near the property. In the evening, Nevada City's Victorian streetscape and independent restaurants are a ten-minute walk. In the morning, the motor court's pine shade and forest air make the idea of driving anywhere temporarily unappealing.
Details
Nevada City, CA 95959
The Boutel designation is earned, not purchased. Boutels is editorially independent and has no financial relationship with any listed property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Outside Inn have EV charging?
No, Outside Inn does not have EV charging.
Does Outside Inn serve breakfast?
No, Outside Inn does not serve breakfast.
Does Outside Inn have WiFi?
Yes, Outside Inn has WiFi.
What is there to do near Outside Inn?
South Yuba River State Park: 3 miles, about a 5 minute drive, or you can bike there. Downtown Nevada City Historic District: 0.3 miles, about a 5 minute drive, or you can walk. Scotts Flat Lake: 6 miles, about a 10 minute drive.
How far is Outside Inn from South Yuba River State Park?
3 miles, about a 5 minute drive, or you can bike there.
How far is Outside Inn from Downtown Nevada City Historic District?
0.3 miles, about a 5 minute drive, or you can walk.
How far is Outside Inn from Scotts Flat Lake?
6 miles, about a 10 minute drive.
Is Outside Inn pet friendly?
Yes. Outside Inn welcomes dogs in most rooms for an additional fee. Contact the property before booking to confirm current amounts and any restrictions.
Does Outside Inn have a pool?
Yes. Outside Inn has a seasonal outdoor pool. Contact the property before arrival to confirm current availability.
How far is Outside Inn from South Yuba River State Park?
South Yuba River State Park is approximately 3 miles from Outside Inn. The park's swimming holes, hiking trails, and Bridgeport covered bridge are the primary draws for guests based here.
Is there hiking directly accessible from Outside Inn?
Trail access is very close. South Yuba River State Park trails and swimming holes are within a few miles of the property. The inn maintains a trail guide library for guest use.
Where is Outside Inn in relation to downtown Nevada City?
Outside Inn is two blocks from downtown Nevada City in a quiet residential neighborhood. The Victorian-era historic district, restaurants, and Nevada Theatre are a short walk.
Is free parking available at Outside Inn?
Yes. Parking is available on the property in front of most units.
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Things to Do Near Gold Country
South Yuba River State Park
3 miles, about a 5 minute drive, or you can bike there.
Deep emerald swimming holes and forested river canyon, 3 miles from Outside Inn. The Bridgeport covered bridge, the longest single-span wooden covered bridge in the United States, crosses the river at the western access point.
Downtown Nevada City Historic District
0.3 miles, about a 5 minute drive, or you can walk.
California's best-preserved Gold Rush town, 0.3 miles west. The 1865 Nevada Theatre, one of California's oldest operating performance venues, anchors a Victorian streetscape of independent shops and restaurants within easy walking distance.
Scotts Flat Lake
6 miles, about a 10 minute drive.
A forested Sierra Nevada reservoir 6 miles from Outside Inn, with swimming, fishing, hiking, and wildlife including deer and bald eagles. A quieter alternative to Lake Tahoe for guests who want mountain water without the crowds.