Surroundings
Wellspring includes 50 acres of redwood forest and sunny meadows bounded
by the Navarro River. 
This crystal clear and emerald green river may call
you for a refreshing dip in the swimming hole or provide a beautiful place
for picnics, hiking and birding. Guests are welcome to walk through our organic
garden, pick blackberries in the meadow, or just relax in the pristine beauty
of the natural surroundings. Hendy Woods State Park bounds Wellspring on
the west, offering miles of hiking trails through some of the last old growth
redwoods in Mendocino County.
Our History
The land, then 63 acres, was obtained in a land grant from the US government
in the 1880's by the Ray Family. Avon Ray grew up on the land in the 1930's and later with his wife,
Eleanor, opened a resort that was very popular with Bay
Area families as a summer get-away. 
It was also popular with fishermen in
the spring, angling for steelhead and trout until the spawning ground became
protected. All the wood for the old cabins was milled from the north slope
of the property across the Navarro River. The Resort was fully operative
until 1957 when Avon died. Eventually his wife Eleanor remarried and sold
the land to a trio of visionaries including Paul Hawken. The partners sold
the present 50 acres to Todd and Marge Evans in 1979 retaining 13 acres to
the southeast.
Wellspring Renewal Center was formed as a non-profit in 1979 by the Evans and a group of friends. The mission is to provide spiritual renewal opportunities and to educate about wise and sustainable land use. From the beginning people have been invited to help in the care of the land, orchard and garden that provide much of the food for the center.
Over the years the original resort has undergone extensive renovations. Two
new lodges have been constructed on the sites of older cabins. A rammed-earth
house for resident managers, a campground
and small library have been added as well. Major renovations for the kitchen,
dining room and meeting rooms are complete. Nevertheless, the most appealing
feature of the property in summer is the old swimming
hole with its seven foot deep cool waters and sandy beach.
Todd and Marge Evans have their own home on the land and lease the 45 acres to Wellspring Renewal Center. The property is in the Anderson Valley Land Trust which limits expansion and assures the conservation of the land.
Directions
Wellspring is about a two and a half hour drive northwest of San Francisco. Traveling north from the Bay Area take Route 101 to Route 128 just north of Cloverdale. Traveling south on Route 101, take Route 253 (Boonville Road) west from Ukiah to Boonville, turn west toward Philo on 128.
Philo is a very small town 5 miles west of Boonville on Route 128. Traveling north on 128 you will pass Lemons Market on the right and a gas station on the left. Turn left on Rays Road immediately after the gas station. Turn right at the fork in the road and drive into Wellspring, just under a mile from Route 128.