Driving Directions

Address: 32613 CA-49, Sierra City, CA 96125

Note: Please plug in the address exactly as it is shown above. Do not put “Big Springs Garden Retreat Center” into your map. The directions will not be correct. Look for a sign and prayer flags at the turn off to Big Springs Rd.

It’s very important to note that cell service is spotty on the way to Big Springs and there is no cell service at Big Springs unless Wi-Fi use is authorized by your group. Please print the directions or save them to your device that doesn’t require connectivity to view, as GPS can be unreliable without connectivity. There is a hot spot for service in Sierra City at the Sierra Country Store. Coming from the other direction, there is also service in Sierraville. If you need assistance, you can call the Office at Big Springs: 530-862-1005.

From the Bay Area or Sacramento (Two Options)

Via Truckee

Take I-80 East to Truckee, proceed north on Highway 89 to Sierraville.

Take a left at the junction of Highway 89 and Highway 49 in Sierraville and proceed to Sattley.

One mile past Sattley where Highway 49 and Highway 89 separate, take the left fork, Highway 49, to Downieville and Sierra City.

Big Springs is 8.8 miles from the top of Yuba Pass. Continue past Bassett’s Station and the turn off to the Lakes Basin. You will drive over Salmon Creek. Big Springs Rd. is the road right after Salmon Creek Rd. Turn right onto Big Springs Rd. and immediately left, up the driveway, past the gate, and follow signs to parking.

Via Grass Valley & Nevada City

Take Highway 49 to Sierra City. Big Springs is located 3.4 miles east of the Sierra Country Store in Sierra City, on the lefthand side of Highway 49. Turn left onto Big Springs Rd. and immediately left, up the driveway, past the gate, and follow signs to parking.

From Reno

Take 395 north to Hallelujah Junction and Highway 70 west.

At the town of Beckwourth (and the west edge of Sierra Valley) turn left on county road A-23 and continue to Sattley.

At Sattley A23 ends-turn right on Highway 49 / Highway 89

One mile past Sattley where Highway 49 and Highway 89 separate, take the left fork, Highway 49, to Downieville and Sierra City

Continue up and over Yuba Pass and carry on past Bassett’s Station and the turn off to the Lakes Basin. Big Springs is 8.8 miles from the top of Yuba Pass on the right side of the Hwy, off of Big Springs Rd. Turn right onto Big Springs Rd and immediately left up the driveway, past the gate, and follow signs to parking.