Cabin

Magical Off-grid retreat on 10 acres

Photo gallery for Magical Off-grid retreat on 10 acres

Exterior
Living room with sliding door to the deck. The couch folds out to sleep two
Open floor plan is excellent for gatherings!
Private kitchen
Private kitchen

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 11146.8 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Nevada City, CA
  • Empire Mine State Historic Park
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Nevada Theatre
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • Scotts Flat Lake
    ‪17 min drive‬
  • Auburn, CA (AUN-Auburn Municipal)
    ‪39 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 11)

Balcony bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Living Room

1 Queen Sofa Bed

Master bedroom

1 King Bed

Tiny House

1 Double Futon

Triangle bedroom

2 Single Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Separate dining area
Garden

About this property

Magical Off-grid retreat on 10 acres

A magical three-bedroom A-frame retreat on ten wooded acres with private pond, Victorian-style tiny house, creek access, and miles of hiking trails. We are a family of four (an artist, a film-maker and two school-aged kids) who live here part-time. We are excited to share this epic off-the-grid compound with our guests and protect it for future generations. Dog friendly :) There is also a 30’ Pacific Yurt that can be added to this rental for an additional fee of $150/stay.

Because we are off-the-grid, we are not affected by power outages :)

We also have a 3-season outside full bathroom with shower which is great as a daytime backup. It is right outside the house.

This place is a wildlife paradise, and a dream for those wanting to get away from it all. The main cabin has everything you need, with an open-concept floor plan that is great for gatherings. We have an expandable dining table, a spacious light-filled living room, and a giant wrap-around deck with serene and inspiring forest views.

Master bedroom: a peaceful, spacious room on the ground floor (next to the bathroom) with a new king bed, reading and desk areas plus a separate door to the outside

Balcony Room: Upstairs, zen-like, with a memory-foam queen bed, lots of windows, and private small balcony overlooking the deck and forest

Triangle Room: Two stacked twin beds and lots of built-ins. This cozy room upstairs has a big beautiful window and lots of character.

Living Room: Our couch unfolds to sleep two guests.

In addition to the above, we have a thin twin mattress stored with the blankets and additional sleeping space in the Tiny House (see below). Our home has a central staircase that is not appropriate for kids between the ages of 1 and 5. Babies are fine.

TINY HOUSE
We have a fabulous Craftsman tiny house on the property that shares a bath with the main cabin. It has its own little porch and a fold-out daybed that comfortably sleeps two adults. This charming little house is just downhill from the main cabin, and a perfect place for writing or quiet contemplation. The tony house has no bathroom, no water but does have heat and electric.

THE YURT 
Our property also has an epic 30’ pacific Yurt set in the trees. Amazing for gatherings and workshops, it can be added to your rental for an additional nightly fee of $75. Please text us to let us know if you'd like to add the yurt to your rental. Note: the yurt has no heat or electric but we provide lanterns and you can bring charged devices down for music etc

LOCATION
The woods set the tone in this beautiful place. The cabin is a truly a peaceful and magical spot with endless birds, butterflies, wildflowers and the occasional fence lizard in warmer months. Looks for deer, owls, and maybe even a bobcat in fall and winter.

The cabin is nestled in a secluded park-like setting, but is less than 15 minutes to both Historic Nevada City and Grass Valley with lots of options for restaurants, nightlife and events. Less than 30 minutes to some of the best swimming spots on the Yuba River and Scott’s Flat Lake. About 20 minutes to Tahoe National Forest and about an hour to the snow in the Lake Tahoe area. We are 1/2 mile from the Cascade Canal Trail for excellent hiking and mountain biking.

Enjoy access to beautiful Little Deer Creek just a few hundred feet down the hill, or hang out by the pond. Miles of hiking and mountain biking trails 1/2 mile away, or stay close to home on the deck surrounded by beautiful forest views. We are on the cool side of Banner Mountain, which is great in the hot Summer months.

Giant Old Growth Cedar, Madrone, Douglas fir, Dogwood, Big Leaf Maple and Pacific Yew trees provide sanctuary for a wide variety of birds and wildlife.  This includes everything from deer, bears and mountain lions, to spiders and poison oak. Please be aware, responsible, and respectful of the plants and animals that share the forest with our beautiful home.

SOME IMPORTANT DETAILS
We provide blankets and pillows for 10, and enough bath towels for your group.
Please bring your own swim towels if heading to the river or lake.

Due to some architectural details around the staircase and central wood stove, be careful on the stairs with little kids and elders.

The house sleeps 8 (or 10 with the tiny house), but we are open to hosting larger gatherings or retreat activities in the yurt.

Phone reception is solid for Verizon, and most other carriers

We are about a 1/2 mile down a pretty narrow, semi-private dirt and gravel road. It is easily drivable by any car. There is a large parking lot with plenty of parking for multiple vehicles.

Tobacco smoking is allowed outdoors only. Wildfire prevention is critical, so we ask you smoke only on the decks and driveway and be extra careful with sparks and butts. Absolutely no outdoor fires.

Our home is totally OFF THE GRID!
We’ve upgraded all the systems that make our home run efficiently and sustainably, so that you can barely notice the property is entirely off-the-grid. You can turn on lights and plug things in, use the WIFI, take a hot shower and stay warm with the central wood stove and propane wall heater or cool with the ceiling fan.

Because we are off-grid, we ask that you be energy-smart when in our home. Turn off lights when not in use and be mindful of high-energy appliances like blowdryers, vacuum and the toaster.

Our fresh mountain spring water comes from a private well.

Our friendly care-takers live in the barn right behind the main house. They will give you plenty of space but are available to help out with things if needed - just send them a text.

Property manager

Paulina Berczynski
Premier Host

Languages

English, Japanese, Polish, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Parking available
Barbecue grill

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 5
Check out before 12:00 PM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Suitable for children ages 5+ and under 2
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
Pets allowed on a case-by-case basis. Message us!
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
We provide pillows, blankets, and bath towels for 10. Please bring your own towels for the river / lake / swimming.
No kids under 5 due to the central staircase and wood stove. There is no railing on one side and cutouts that kids could fall through. Babies are OK
For wildfire prevention, no outdoor fires at any time. Smoking allowed only on the decks and be extra careful with butts and sparks!

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Nevada City

Located in Nevada City, this cabin is in a rural area and in the mountains. Grass Valley Brewing and Scotts Flat Lake are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Tahoe National Forest and South Yuba River State Park. Grass Valley-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce and Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum are also worth visiting.
Map
Nevada City, CA

What's nearby

  • Empire Mine State Historic Park - 12 min drive - 9.2 km
  • Nevada Theatre - 14 min drive - 12.5 km
  • Nevada City Firehouse No. 2 - 14 min drive - 12.5 km
  • Tahoe National Forest Headquarters - 15 min drive - 13.0 km
  • Scotts Flat Lake - 17 min drive - 11.0 km

Getting around

  • Colfax Station - 28 min drive
  • Sacramento, CA (SMF-Sacramento Intl.) - 84 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Wheelhouse - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Northridge Of Nevada City - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Three Forks Bakery & Brewing - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Stonehouse Old Brewery - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Fudenjuce - ‬12 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Magical Off-grid retreat on 10 acres pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Magical Off-grid retreat on 10 acres?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Magical Off-grid retreat on 10 acres?

Checkout is at 12:00 PM.

Where is Magical Off-grid retreat on 10 acres located?

Situated in the mountains, this cabin is within 6 miles (10 km) of Empire Mine State Historic Park, Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital and Grass Valley Brewing. Grass Valley-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce and Greater Grass Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 14 out of 15 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 15 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 15 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 15 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 15 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Christy E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Another magical stay

This was our third stay and we are already looking forward to our next!
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Valentyn H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

awesome

awesome
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Simon C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic family retreat

Great get away, remote yet within easy reach of Nevada City and Grass Valley. Was a wonderful place for our post-thanksgiving family retreat (7 people, ages 17-83 plus dogs) where we bonded with lots of good conversation in the lovely house which is well designed with open spaces. Secure gated area for dogs which is very nice. Lovely property to stroll around. Recommend day trip to Empire Mine and to Nevada City. Overall, a terrific visit
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mark B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Comfortable & Cozy

We had a wonderful time. Owner was very responsive and friendly. Beautiful location, great getaway!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Paul A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely time in the A-frame in the Woods

This A-frame was spacious and welcoming for my weekend away with my friends. We had the space to play board games, make food, and cozy up for multiple conversations. I loved strolling around the lush grounds in the evening. We would love to stay here again for our next Yuba river adventure.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kathi W., San Francisco, CA, USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful A-frame home in the woods

Our goal was a cozy friends’ gathering where we could cook, hike, and enjoy the beauty and activities in and around Nevada City, Grass Valley and the surrounding foothills. This home was perfect for us, and the on-site caretaker was kind and helpful. Everything was in good order, easy to find and use — on our weekend it was rather cold so we used the heater and the woodstove. As this is an A-frame, the heat rises and it’s much warmer upstairs than down. I think it would be a wonderful home in the summer with the screens in and the warm breezes blowing through. Thank you, we had an incredible time !
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dominic D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Gorgeous, clean, quiet location!

This was a bit of a last minute reservation as we had a change in plans and needed to travel into Nevada City for a few days. First - Paulina was beyond friendly and responsive - super easy to work with and quick to answer questions! The house was very clean, comfortable, and in an absolutely amazing location. Both my husband and I worked from the home while our kids were at camp. The internet was a bit tough - but Paulina had warned us and we had no trouble if we used our phone hotspots and were able to have video calls (with our own videos turned off). If you are planning to work from home up here - recommend having your own hot spot on your phone. While it is rural - directions were clear to get here and no trouble getting there with a minivan. Beds were very comfortable, kitchen well-appointed (note - no dishwasher or washer/dryer so prepare/pack accordingly), plenty of great places to work within and outside the house, games/puzzles our kids enjoyed, and even a large collection of movies. Our golden doodle loved it too! Highly recommend this house and if we ever find ourselves in Nevada City again would DEFINITELY rent from here.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Melissa B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Clean and comfortable

We enjoyed our stay. This house has a big deck to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Christy E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Magical stay

I have been eyeing this listing and so thrilled to finally experience the Magic Kingdom. My family spent nearly a week in Paulina's home with comfy beds, warm wood stove, well appointed kitchen, peaceful views and a surprise snow day. We enjoyed exploring the landscape, hiking along the Cascade Canal trail and taking a trip into Nevada City. We can't wait to return!
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

jamie w.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely home in the woods

This was a lovely home to stay in - clean and comfortable and well stocked. Lovely design and very livable. The deck and surrounding woods are beautiful, you feel very remote but its really just 10 minutes to get groceries and easy to get to Nevada City and Grass Valley and South Yuba River. Off grid and no problems with water or power. The wifi was slightly slow and kicked folks out randomly.... there were a lot of us with devices and we were there to relax so it was not a problem but worth checking in if thats necessary for you.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

David W., Sacramento, CA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place!!!

Great off the gride get-away spot!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Bobbi D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fun place

Loved the house and the comfy king sized bed!

10/10 Excellent

Heidi S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A woodland shangri la

Our family enjoyed every moment here. There are endless opportunities on the property to get lost in nature and the moment. My kids spent most of the time outdoors exploring. The days here were amazing, but observing the night sky from the deck was incredible. The house was perfect for our 4-person family. We made every meal here. The kitchen has everything you need and well set up. The rooms are a perfect size with everything you need, and not too much. Great flow, very clean. We want to come back in the winter!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Alex Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautifully designed & great for a group

The home is beautiful, everything was clean, and the host, Paulina was very responsive. All beds were comfortable w/ enough pillows and blankets for all. The house was heated when we got in which we really appreciated. Wifi was a but slow, but not an issue. Kitchen was well stocked with tools to cook. I want to come back in summer to use the tiny house and yurt. Would recommend!

8/10 Good

Kim B.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, listing accuracy

Beautiful property but definitely off the grid!

We booked this home for a girls getaway. The property itself is beautiful, secluded and definitely off the grid. I would recommend a four wheel / all wheel drive type vehicle for the dirt road to the house. Low profile cars will scrape the bottom in sections, including the gravel turnabout on the driveway. The house was absolutely freezing when we arrived at the 3pm check in time. It took approximately 8 hours to feel warm and comfortable. If you love your drip coffee in the morning, bring your own coffee pot as you will only have a French press. Not ideal. There is also no microwave,, no uber or Lyft access to town. We did, overall, enjoy our time there. Once we settled in, the house was clean and comfortable.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2019

About the host

Hosted by Paulina Berczynski

Host profile image
We are an artist (and designer), a film maker, and two grade-school aged kids. We love nature, travel, and taking time to unwind as a family and with friends. We started coming to Nevada City independently through our work and fell in love with the beauty of the area.

Why they chose this property

We found this beautiful retreat-like property and couldn't believe how unique and magical it feels. We are excited to share this amazing spot and want to protect it for future generations of our family. Our favorite things about the property: the quiet, the nature, the ever-changing wildflowers, and the salamanders. We also love living sustainably off-the-grid and lounging in the yurt

What makes this property unique

It is so quiet and peaceful. It makes us forget to check our phones (too busy staring at trees)

Languages:

English, Spanish, Japanese, Polish

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests