Secluded Retreat Above the Yuba River – Pool, Hot Tub, Views, A/C
Perched above the South Yuba River, this peaceful and secluded 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath retreat is ideal for long weekends and week-long getaways. Relax on the decks or by the pool, soak in the hot tub, and enjoy easy access to river swimming holes, hiking, and the charm of Nevada City and Grass Valley. The home stays comfortable year-round thanks to a large ceiling fan and individually controlled A/C and heating units, while a wood-burning stove adds warmth and atmosphere on cooler evenings.
THE SPACE: The Nomad House is a comfortable, light-filled home in a quiet hillside setting above the South Yuba River. It feels private and peaceful — a true foothills getaway — yet it’s just a 12-minute drive to Wildwood Market or the South Yuba State Park, and 20–25 minutes to Nevada City and Grass Valley.
Inside, you’ll find wood floors, vaulted ceilings, and inviting gathering spaces for meals, games, and downtime. The kitchen is fully equipped for home cooking, and the layout works well for families, couples traveling together, or small groups. Reliable high-speed Wi-Fi is available throughout the home.
Outdoor living is a big part of the experience here, with multiple decks for relaxing and dining, plus a pool and hot tub for unwinding between river time, hikes, and day trips.
AMENITY HIGHLIGHTS:
3 bedrooms / 2.5 bathrooms
Pool and hot tub
Individually controlled A/C and heating units
Multiple decks with outdoor seating
Fully equipped kitchen
Reliable high-speed Wi-Fi
Washer & dryer
Free on-site parking
Easy access to the South Yuba River
Note: The Nomad House is over 40 years old and nestled in a rustic, rural setting, surrounded by nature and wildlife.
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The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights
Turn off all AC/Heat units.
Close all doors, windows and blinds.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
1. Maximum of 7 people.
2. Quiet hours from 10:00 pm - 6:00 am.
3. Absolutely no smoking or outdoor fires.
4. Pet fee $100 per booking.
5. Pet must be disclosed at time of booking.
6. $500 fine for staying at the property with more people than shown in the reservation.
7. $500 cleaning fee smoking detected or for glass detected in pool/hot tub area.
8. No more than 4 vehicles can be parked without prior permission.
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
This property uses solar energy
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
We should mention
This property does not have any lifts
About the area
Penn Valley
Located in Penn Valley, this holiday home is in a rural area and on a river. Bridgeport Covered Bridge and Nevada City Firehouse No. 2 are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Grass Valley Brewing and Ol' Republic Brewery. Travelling with kids? Consider Center For The Arts and Grass Valley-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
South Yuba River State Park - 1 min drive - 0.2 km
Bridgeport Covered Bridge - 7 min drive - 4.3 km
Nevada County Fairgrounds - 25 min drive - 21.9 km
Center For The Arts - 25 min drive - 22.3 km
Empire Mine State Historic Park - 26 min drive - 23.0 km
Getting around
Colfax Station - 44 min drive
Marysville, CA (MYV-Yuba County) - 53 min drive
Restaurants
Northridge Restaurant - 18 min drive
Blue Cow Deli - 18 min drive
Player's Pizza, Pasta, and More - 15 min drive
Tack Room Restaurant & Bar - 18 min drive
Squeeze Burger - 15 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Does Secluded Retreat Above the Yuba River – Pool, Hot Tub, Views, A/C have a pool?
Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.
How much does it cost to stay at Secluded Retreat Above the Yuba River – Pool, Hot Tub, Views, A/C?
As of 1 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Secluded Retreat Above the Yuba River – Pool, Hot Tub, Views, A/C on 14 June 2026 start from AU$539, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
Is Secluded Retreat Above the Yuba River – Pool, Hot Tub, Views, A/C pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total).
How much is parking at Secluded Retreat Above the Yuba River – Pool, Hot Tub, Views, A/C?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Secluded Retreat Above the Yuba River – Pool, Hot Tub, Views, A/C?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Secluded Retreat Above the Yuba River – Pool, Hot Tub, Views, A/C?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Secluded Retreat Above the Yuba River – Pool, Hot Tub, Views, A/C located?
This family-friendly Penn Valley holiday home is located on a river, steps from South Yuba River State Park and within 9 mi (15 km) of Englebright Lake and Bridgeport Covered Bridge. Center For The Arts and Grass Valley-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce are also within 12 miles (20 km).
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
My family had such a wonderful stay here last winter. Owners were very helpful and communicative. The home was lovely and we enjoyed the hot tub. A perfect place to relax and enjoy family time.
We always love our time at the Nomad House! The pool was a dream for the 4th of July weather, and the air conditioning upgrades made the house comfortable during day and night. It was a lovely family vacation for us, our friends, and their little ones. We'll be back in the future!
Perfect for two families. We had the very best time. The pool is incredible and we spent the entire time in it. This was our fourth time returning to the property.
This is our second time staying here. Our group is two adults and three teens. It is such a relaxing space. The pool and hot tub are both great. The kitchen space has everything you would need. The rooms are comfy and the new air conditioning units are a great upgrade. It’s a short drive to the Yuba river with great swimming holes.
The property and house are lovely. We were there with six people, and there was plenty of room for cooking and hanging out. The pool and the hot tub are wonderful. It is a perfect location to explore south Yuba River State Park and not far from Nevada City/Grass Valley .
From the stained glass windows casting late afternoon rainbows to sunsets from the deck, this house is pure magic and it is always a gift to stay here!
I am a returning guest to this lovely home, and hope to continue coming back in future years! The location and backyard just can’t be beat. Even though the hot tub was down, the pool and close distance to the Yuba River, as well as the peaceful and beautiful outdoor area as a whole, were enough to enjoy. Check-in was a breeze, and the home was nice and clean. AC worked well also. The hosts were very responsive, and communication was easy and straightforward. Thank you again to Dave and Nacala!
If you’re looking for a great place to unwind this is it. We booked this place for our anniversary and when we arrived we were greeted with some freshly picked flowers from their garden and a bottle of champagne as an added bonus. The pool and hot tub were amazing. Thank you very much for making our anniversary extra special!
We had an amazing stay at this remote Penn Valley home. The location is very remote which is what we were looking for. The house perfectly accommodated our family of four our 11 year old yellow lab. Hot tub is right off the living/dining space and gets very hot. We spent most of our time lounging by the large swimming pool, which is entirely in the sun. The home temperature is driven by four mini-split units -- they allow each bedroom to modulate the temp with either AC of heat! Dave was a great host and personally checked us in. We will return!
Despite the heatwave that struck during our stay, we had a very relaxing time. Swimming in the pool and the Yuba river (25 min drive from the house) was great. The house is awesome. Big full kitchen connected to dining/living room. Nice big decks. Great stargazing. Comfortable beds. The AC wasn't enough to keep up with the 107 degree heatwave, but the house did stay much cooler than outside. And they warned us about the heat and would have been willing to work something out, but it was the only week we had off work.
Great home and location to visit with family that lives in the area. Home is remote, but not too far from town. Home has everything you need and more! The pool was wonderful and the hot tub was great during the cooler mornings. Thank you for having us. We will be back!
We love the nomad house! This was our second stay with friends and we had a fabulous time cooking, playing games and hanging out near the pool. This house is fabulous for relaxing with friends and family and we look forward to returning again in the future.
Awesome time. Pool and Jacuzzi perfect with the kids. Kitchen equipped enough for cooking and BBQ. As stated, no AC but fans and breeze with windows open at night worked great.
I was looking forward to this long weekend up by the Yuba River and the accommodations were perfect. The house is located on the edge of a forested ravine, a quick drive to the historic covered bridge, and about 25-30 minutes from the Hoyt bridge. The cedar hot tub and swimming pool made staying at this house a wonderful place to relax, catch up with friends and family, and enjoy the beautiful scenery. We came prepared to cook at home and made good use of the well appointed kitchen and dining room, and when it came time to head out to the river, the ample kitchen size made it easy for us to prepare and pack lunches and snacks for the day.
For those who aren’t accustomed to rural living or being in nature, I’d recommend reading about the Penn Valley/Grass Valley region and the Yuba River and surrounding geography. This house offers a unique opportunity for guests to learn more about the area and disconnect. You will see lots of wildlife — especially so many birds — so if you’re a birder this house is in a prime location! Bring binoculars! Or telescope for stargazing.
The hosts Nacala and Dave were so communicative and checked in with us to make sure we made it in and also made it home safely. They were available to answer questions and there is a detailed welcome binder at the house with tons of helpful information and tips. I hope to come back again for another trip to the Yuba!
The Nomad House is as magical as it looks! We were lucky to be there at the beginning of summer, the rolling green hills and summer wild flowers and all the amazing views from the deck! You can almost hear the rushing water down in the valley!
The house was clean and had lots of open space. The pool, hot tub and outside areas are the best part of this property and the river just 15 minutes away!
Only things to note: if your bringing young children, you’ll need to bring baby gates and be extra cautious of wide railing bars and door knob locks on the doors leading to the desk where there is often an open hot tub. Also, although the kitchen was stocked with utensils and appliances, bring your own coffee, food seasonings, condiments ect as they were not supplied.
Over all wonderful stay at the Nomad House! We will definitely be coming back!
This was the 2nd time staying at the Nomad house in less than a year. It’s a great getaway from city life! Dave the caretaker was very responsive, friendly and helpful. Definitely going to return!
Perfect time of year to come to the Yuba! fewer folks at the river, it’s still nice and warm out, and the days are just a little shorter. Nomad House is clean, comfortable and peaceful.
This was by far the best place we have rented from VRBO,!! It was great, clean, spacious, quiet, calm, relaxing! It was home away from home!! No neighbors, so we could have our music loud without any complaints, the swimming pool was awesome!!! Kitchen is well stocked and the sofa couch was a plus!!! We would come back, really enjoyed our stay here!!!!
This place was so amazing and relaxing! We got so lucky finding this place the week we needed it after our music festival changed venues last minute! It was such a great place to be able to come back to and relax after a hot day. With 3 couples, we had plenty of room to hang out all together, or just have our own space to wind down. The pool was definitely a huge bonus! The hosts were very accommodating as well, working with our schedule and giving us an early check in which was such an amazing benefit! I highly recommend this place....
The Nomad house doesn't feel like a vacation rental -- it feels like home. We love the charms of the property, especially the big deck, the oak trees, the privacy, the pool, and the layout and interior decorating in the house.
The grandkids loved the pool, and mostly the river!
David R.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
About the host
Hosted by Eric Newman
Hi, I’m Eric. My family and I host The Nomad House, a peaceful retreat above the South Yuba River. We’ve spent many years enjoying and caring for this special place and love sharing it with guests who appreciate nature, quiet, and a comfortable home base for exploring the area. My daughter Nacala, her husband Dave, and their daughter Marcella live in the other home on the property. Nacala's grandfather, Jim Newman, purchased this property in 1981, and designed and built The Nomad House. Dave & Nacala have been living in Gold Country for almost 10 years and are very familiar with the surrounding areas. They were both whitewater rafting guides on the American & Yuba Rivers, but have now started a family and work locally. They have a very lovable and friendly 3 year old German Shepherd (Ezra) who spends most of his time in his fenced in backyard.
Why they chose this property
We love the peaceful tranquility of the property, as well as its proximity to the Yuba river, the Englebright reservoir, and the charming towns of Grass Valley and Nevada City..
What makes this property unique
The Nomad House is set in a peaceful foothills location above the South Yuba River, offering a rare sense of privacy while still being close to Nevada City and Grass Valley. Guests love the combination of natural surroundings, outdoor living spaces, and easy access to river swimming, hiking, and local towns. The home is especially comfortable in summer, with individually controlled A/C throughout, a pool and hot tub, and multiple decks for relaxing. It’s a place to truly slow down, enjoy nature, and spend quality time together.
Languages:
Spanish
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests