Downtime

It's a place visited only by those who know its tucked-in-the-mountains whereabouts. Downieville, on the Yuba River, has a Main Street that's a throwback to the 1950s: kids circling on their bikes, dogs trotting down the sidewalks, and an old-fashioned tune-tooting ice-cream truck. This former gold rush boomtown offers multiple ways to kick back and lounge, including staying at The Lure Resort, a new hideaway right along the North Fork of the Yuba River. The Lure's eight log cabins were built from pine trees, and they have a full-size platform and bunk beds; campers bring their own bedding. (Lure also offers more upscale cabins, with kitchens and all the amenities.) A day's itinerary could include tubing the river, fishing for rainbow trout, or hitting the area's epic singletrack. Intermediate and advanced mountain bikers can whoop it up on the 15 miles of notorious Downieville Downhill. For more mellow singletrack, try the North Yuba Trail. Two bike shops in town rent bikes and run shuttles to the start of some great trails. Whether you're river tubing or mountain biking, save time afterwards to sample some rare reds at 49 Wines, right on the town's main drag. Downtime, delivered.

The Lure Resort, 100 Lure Bridge Ln. at Hwy 49, Downieville; 530-289-3465. Camping cabins are $75 per night and hold up to four people. Dogs are permitted for another $20 per night. Rent mountain bikes and schedule shuttle rides from Yuba Expeditions or Downieville Outfitters.