The Classic American Roadside Motel and Inn

A Vintage American Experience At A Historic Landmark 

Our nine vintage rooms make up this classic roadside motel. It was built in 1939 just after the historic Highway 180 was extended from Grant Grove in Kings Canyon National Park to Fresno in 1933.

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The Sierra Inn has been part of the fabric of classic American history for nearly 85 years. In fact, the first “motel” in the world was built right here in Central California during the year 1929.

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In the early 20th century, the emergence of the affordable automobile in the United States inspired many average people to begin traveling beyond the confines of local town destinations. The lack of accommodations to fill the need for travelers inspired entrepreneurs to combine convenience and affordability with the comforts of a hotel making Central California the birthplace of “motel”.

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Here at Gena's, we've retained the original design and layout of the classic era which featured smaller, more intimate units than today's mega resorts. Designed for a clientele who needed a comfortable place to stay with private bathrooms , our inn is an excellent, economically-priced spot to sleep before venturing on to your ultimate destination at the nearby National Parks and Forests. We think of Sierra Inn as the perfect basecamp to the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Giant Sequoia Forests.

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In 2022, we expanded to add four 180 sq/ft cabins. These units contain sleeping quarters only but come with shared access to our kitchen/laundry facility and a campground-style enclosed bathroom unit, complete with hot showers. Like our rooms, each cabin is furnished with a TV, free WIFI, air conditioning and a heater. There is a ground floor with a bed and an upper loft with another bed, however we do not recommend the loft for people with mobility challenges since access is via a short ladder.

Cancellation Policies:

FULL REFUND – If a reservation is canceled at least 48 hours in advance of the arrival day and check in time.

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FULL CHARGE – If a reservation is canceled in less than 48 hours of the arrival day and time, your credit card will be charged for the full amount owed for every day included in your reservation.

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Third party booking reservations must be canceled using your third party provider (Expedia, Booking.com, Airbnb, Hotels.com, VRBO, Agoda, ect...)

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Click here to cancel reservations made directly through us.

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Starting at $114/night

Each of the rooms here at Gena's Place are small, cozy, quaint and furnished with quilts, throw pillows and fluffy towels. In addition you'll find these standard amenities:

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• Attached private restroom with shower

• Air Conditioning

• Heater

• Free WiFi (Limited Bandwidth)

• Flatscreen TV with Streaming Media

• Free access to ice box

• Drive up Parking

• Microwave (on request)

• Mini Fridge (on request)

• Coded door entry locks

• Complimentary Toiletries / Towels

• On site security cameras

• Access to communal kitchen / laundry facility on request ($10 service charge added)

• Pet friendly ($30 cleaning fee added later)

• Approximately 180-200 square feet

CABINS OFFER MORE FLEXIBILITY AND LARGER FACILITIES

Starting at $105/night

Our cabins have similar small footprint but are sleeping quarters only! Booking one of these gives you access to a communal restroom with private stalls and hot showers. A kitchen unit with a coffee maker, microwave, air fryer, toaster oven, full-size fridge/freezer and laundry washer / dryer is also included.

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• Air Conditioning

• Heater

• Free WiFi (Limited Bandwidth)

• Flatscreen TV with Streaming Media

• Free access to ice box

• Loading Zone with short walk to parking

• Coded door entry locks

• Complimentary Toiletries / Towels

• On site security cameras

• Access to communal restroom with hot showers and private stalls

• Access to communal kitchen / laundry room

• Pet Friendly ($30 cleaning fee added later)

• Approximately 180 square feet.

WHAT TO DO AT THE SIERRA INN?

This historic inn was built in the style of a vintage roadside motel during the boom of the 1930's. Our floorplan still reflect the architecture of those classic rooms, with small quarters designed to be a rest stop rather than a resort. We consider our units perfect basecamps for your visit to Kings Canyon & Sequoia National parks.

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The grounds here are not designed for entertaining large groups, but if you are looking to pass a little time, here's some things we have to offer:

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• Enjoy local food / beers / wines at our restaurant

• Outdoor deck & sunning area

• Karaoke Nights

• Outdoor Movie Theater Nights

• Live Music / Special Events

• Visit Cat Haven Large Game Sanctuary (1/4 Mile)

QUIRKS WITH BOOKING AT AN OLD, HISTORIC ROADSIDE MOTEL

This is a historic inn, the facilities reflect it's nearly 84 years of service. Here's a few things to note (Rooms have private bathrooms, Cabins access a shared restroom):

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• Our rooms and cabins are not large

• The attached bathrooms in the rooms are also not large

• Each cabin shares a communal bathroom with separate lockable stalls.

• Every unit is on the ground floor.

• Kitchen / laundry facility is included in a cabin rental but can be accessed at an additional cost if you have booked a room.

• Our restaurant is seasonal. We do not open for breakfast but we can offer breakfast options during dinner service that can be stored in a fridge and warmed up later.

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Economy Family Rooms

The American roadside motel tradition is to provide simple, economically friendly places to stay with the all of the necessities and little of the extravagance found at expensive resorts. Our rooms average 180 - 200 square feet, come with a private bathroom with shower and contain a coffee maker (coffee included), microwave, mini-fridge with freezer, Smart TV, Free WIFI, air conditioning and heating.  For an additional fee you can access our kitchen/laundry facility where you can wash your clothes.

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Below are 360 degree images of a private restroom, shared kitchen/laundry room and the standard room interior with a queen bed and loft bunk suitable for a youth. Please use your mouse or finger to move the image.

The closest room to the restaurant deck.Features a double bed and a twin size bunk bed. Perfect for a small family or a group of four adults.

Features a queen bed and a twin loft bed designed for child. Perfect for a small family.

Features a queen bed. Perfect for a couple.

Features Two Twin Beds. Ideal for friends.

(Room can be joined with Room Five)

Features a queen bed and a twin loft bed designed for a child. Perfect for a small family.

(Room can be joined with Room Four)  

Features a queen bed and a twin loft bed designed for a child. Perfect for a small family.

Features a Twin Bed and a set of Bunk Beds

(Room can be joined with Room Nine) 

Features a queen bed and a twin loft bed designed for a child. Perfect for a small family.

(Room can be joined with Room Eight)  

Basecamp Cabins

In keeping (get it... inn keeping lol!) the roadside motel tradition, we have added four basecamp cabins to our facility. These small units contain only sleeping quarters in a 180 square foot layout. Access to a locked-door, campground style restroom with flushable toilets and hot showers is included. In addition you will have access to the kitchen unit which contains a coffee maker (coffee included), microwave, full-sized refrigerator with freezer, air fryer, sink and laundry washer / dryer. For an additional fee you can wash loads of laundry.

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Below are 360 degree images of the restroom facility, kitchen and the standard cabin interior with two queen beds. Please use your mouse or finger to move the image.

John Muir Cabin

(Gray)

Features a ground floor queen bed and a queen bed in the loft. Access to communal kitchen and restrooms with private stalls / hot showers.

Heather Anderson Cabin (Red)

Features a ground floor queen bed and a queen bed in the loft. Access to communal kitchen and restrooms with private stalls / hot showers.

Ansel Adams Cabin (Brown)

Features a ground floor full bed and a queen bed in the loft. Access to communal kitchen and restrooms with private stalls / hot showers.

Clare Hodges Cabin (Tan)

Features a ground floor twin, a twin bunkbed, and a queen bed in the loft. Access to communal kitchen and restrooms with private stalls / hot showers.

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360 Images

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