Getaway Guide: One Tank Trip To Sutter Buttes
Whether you're looking for a scenic day drive, an organized tour hike or a game of golf in the Buttes, the western horizon of Yuba City accommodates it all with circular lava domes that rise from the Sacramento Valley, peaking at 2,130-feet above sea level. Sutter Buttes' stunning views and area attractions make Yuba City the ideal destination for any Sacramento-area traveler.
Getting There
A drive north on Interstate 5 from Sacramento puts the trip at just more than an hour with an eastward turn on CA 20 toward the town of Colusa. This will put travelers on the west side of the Buttes. A direct drive east on CA 20 goes to Pass Road and into the city of Sutter gives the fewest chances to truly view the area. A northern trek to Sutter on CA-99 also takes less than an hour from Sacramento and sets visitors up for a view east of the buttes. A longer path that circumvents the buttes with a 49-mile drive for about a hour and a half kicks off in Sutter or Colusa and takes travelers through Pennington and West Butte.
Along with Sutter Buttes, travelers to the area should check out nearby attractions in Sutter County such as the Bicentennial Living Witness Tree, areas of the Calif. Gold Rush, Twin Cities Speedway, Collins Lake, Camp Far West and the Yuba Sutter Mall.
Colusa Casino
3770 CA 45
Colusa, CA 95932
(530) 458-884
www.colusacasino.com
As the sun begins to set on your daytime view of the buttes, the Colusa Casino is less than 10 miles from the west side of the area and has much to offer travelers. In addition to the typical gaming featured in a California casino, Colusa offrs three places to grab a bite. Jack's Lounge & Grill is open 24/7 with a full menu, refreshing drinks, big screen TVs and live music. The Wintun Dinnerhouse serves up everything from appetizers to desserts and everything in between and hosts a non-smoking bar. Like most casinos, Colusa boasts a buffet with varied hours and prices each day. Casino events, promotions and entertainment abound, including a summer comedy series runs through August.
Colusa Riverside Inn
41 5th St.
Colusa, CA 95932
(530) 458-5880
www.colusariversideinn.com
Price: from $55 per night
An overnight stay at the Colusa Riverside Inn will enable you to continue an outdoor vacay with a stay along the Sacramento River in its garden setting. Only steps away from the Colusa Sacramento River State Park, travelers may easily add biking, hiking boating, fishing or picnicking in to the Sutter Buttes getaway. Rooms offer typical amenities with cable, a refrigerator, a microwave and a complimentary continental breakfast.
Outdoor Adventures
3730 Highway 45
Colusa, CA 95932
(530) 458-8730
www.hunt-fish-game.com
For further outdoor fun, an added big game, waterfowl or sportfishing excursion may be added to the trip with a booking at Outdoor Adventures. Enjoy horseback riding, a riverboat tour, a guided wild hog hunt, a dove quail, pheasant or wild turkey shoot, or a sturgeon, striper or shad guided river fishing trip. Trips and rates vary with by season.
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Sutter Buttes Brewing
421 Center St.
Yuba City, CA 95991
(530) 790-7999
www.sutterbuttesbrewing.com
For travelers who want to start or end their day on the east side of the buttes, less than 10 miles will take you to the Yuba City's local hotspot for award-winning beers. The atmosphere and food are casual, serving lunch and dinner the menu if full of burgers, tacos, sammys, salads and sides. This place feautres a lengthy list of beers on tap, served directly from the Sutter Buttes Brewing tanks with such tastes as Sutter Wheat, Reily's Red Ale and Chocolate Porter.
Bonanza Inn
1001 Clark Ave.
Yuba City, CA 95991
(530) 674-8824
www.bonanzainnyc.com
Also located on the east side of the buttes, the Bonanza Inn in Yuba City offers travelers an ideal place to rest their heads. It boasts 116 rooms with two fireplace suites and six jet tub suites. Located on four acres in Yuba, the Inn's amenities include a restaurant, outdoor pool and spa, oversized jet tube and fireplace suites, iPod docking, free wireless internet, cable and pay-per-view movies, and a fitness room.
Jody Only is a freelance writer with credits on a variety of Internet and print publications. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
