Decided to stay here myself to see what's what. Wellstone Center in the Redwoods sounds like a writer's paradise, but buyer before - as others before have mentioned, it is assuredly not. (Check the filtered/hidden reviews.) Wellstone is marketed as a retreat center for aspiring writers, but it does indeed feel more like a shoddy youth hostel. The main house may have once been majestic, but it has fallen into a state of disrepair. The accommodations were poorly maintained and unsanitary, with ripped furniture, non-functioning lamps, and mildew in my bathroom. The grounds were in a sad state, with a filthy pool and unusable hot tub that had only a few inches of dirty water. The mattress was so old, uncomfortable, and sagging that I simply didn't sleep. The bedding had some unidentifiable stains that appeared to be fluids, which was quite concerning. When I brought it up with the hosts, they seemed completely unconcerned and dismissed me. The bath towels were old, scratchy, and smelled of mildew. As others have mentioned, the hosts request that you use cloth napkins - which is great, except that they do not wash theses napkins between meals. They instead instructed us to re-use other guests' napkins at subsequent meals, which is dangerously unhygienic. Reminder that I came here to write. It was a terrible place for me to write, in part because there's a loud family that lives in the house, and in part because there were no lights. That's right -- no lights bright enough to read by. A few mood lamps, nothing more. I am not a morning person and do most of my writing in the evenings. At sundown, I was forced to be done with all reading. It was too dark to read my book drafts, which I'd printed out; let alone any primary sources, books I was using for research. Unless you happen to bring a headlamp or a bevy of your favorite floor-lamps, you will also be out of luck. Make sure to read the other reviews that have been filtered out before you decide to apply for this "writing retreat." For me, it was neither a retreat nor a useful place to write. I wish I'd booked a hotel instead. You might want to consider the same. read more

Beautiful space to work as a writer. Peaceful, delicious food and invaluable feedback from fellow writers.

The months I've spent at Wellstone have been some of the calmest and most productive months of my adult life. Steve and Sarah are warm hosts who care deeply about creating a peaceful writing environment and there is truly no more beautiful place. read more

Wellstone Center in the Redwoods - The view from the library house on the property. - Guest Houses Near Me - Soquel, California

My time at the Wellstone Center was magical - arriving there for the first book party I attended was a breathtaking experience. I attended several fascinating book readings there and stayed in the adorable room overlooking the hill for a few days. The center itself is a beautiful building in a gorgeous location. And the people who run it are amazing! I couldn't have asked for a better writing mentor than Steve, who helped me see my projects in a new light. Going out into nature to ponder creativity and life gave me so much inspiration. I deeply cherish the time I spent there and am still in contact with many of the people I met there. Can't wait to go back! read more

Wellstone Center in the Redwoods - Guest Houses Near Me - Soquel, California

Wellstone Center in the Redwoods offers creative retreats in a remarkably beautiful setting, overlooking the ocean from the Soquel hills and adjacent to redwood forrests with hiking trails. The main house is gorgeous, with a spacious and spotless kitchen and common area and if you are lucky enough to stay in one of the little cabins on the property, you have a surplus of space, comfort and privacy in which to work uninterrupted. I've been blessed as a writer who is also a mom and educational professional to twice experience this getaway where I accomplished more in one week than I normally can manage in six months. It is a family home and yet a welcoming community to writers and aspiring writers, and I hope to return again and again. read more

See all

A hidden treasure tucked between the redwoods, the Wellstone Center will not disappoint. Its location is gorgeous, accessible through a drive through the trees, and the property itself is incredibly well kept. Spend your time there writing, hiking, eating delicious homemade food, wandering the gardens, saying hello to the chickens and the goats and a very friendly dog, and networking with fellow writers. The couple that runs the retreat are incredible friendly and genuinely interested in making sure your time there is well spent. The rooms are beautiful, the scenery inspiring, and the people you meet there are incredible. I spent my time working on a novel at the retreat, where I received so much support, advice, and I left with long-lasting friendships. I had such a lovely experience there, and I can't recommend it more. read more

I can't say enough good things about the Wellstone Center. The sense of community and support that Steve fosters is unparalleled. I found that I was able to truly immerse myself in the work while also forging relationships with other writers I still keep in touch with today! It was the first time I also fully understood what time away can do for your writing, the permission it can offer. At the Wellstone Center I was able to fully immerse myself in the work. My gratitude is boundless! Thank you. read more

I first discovered The Wellstone Center by chance on a bnb rental website and stayed 3 nights in the Library House. What an amazing experience to be completely disconnected in a quaint and cosy studio cabin with ocean views from a petite wooden porch. It felt as if we were in the only cabin in the mountains. Several years passed when I received an email update announcing they were accepting applications for writing fellowships. I applied and was readily welcomed into the program which afforded invaluable guidance through the journey of finding my voice through various conversations, writing exercising and reading my works in progress at Tuesday Open Mic Night. It was here at Open Mic Night where I was shown that critique can be at the same time both honest and kind. That by being overly critical of others I was in turn doing so unfairly to myself. To get out of my own way and just write, share, smile and repeat. The property is nothing short of magical and the accommodations neat and clean. The owners Steve and Sarah generously present their home and wealth of knowledge to all visitors. Whether you're visiting for the day or a month you will surely leave unwillingly, and in a state of awe. read more

There's magic in the air at Wellstone. Atop a ridge in the Santa Cruz mountains, the views are spectacular and miles of trails wind through the redwoods behind the property. I was welcomed with the friendliness suggested by the Amigo Road address and felt a strong sense of encouragement from proprietors Steve and Sarah who did all they could to support me during my stay. I'd had an idea for a novel that I'd been kicking around for years, but it wasn't until I landed at Wellstone that I began writing the book. It's quiet, the air is clean, the water fresh and the food healthy (it's as local as you can get with much of the produce coming from the on-site garden). And there's often a yoga class during the week, led by Sarah. It all kept me energized and inspired to do the work. I arrived on Monday in mid-2019, met the three other writers who were there that week, and began writing the following day. It was such a pleasure to be in a place where all I had to do was write. After a week I had nearly 12,000 words and the foundation of the novel had come together. Among the highlights: the Tuesday Open-Mic night when you can share your work with the group and get valuable feedback. I returned twice in 2020, in January for a week and in July for two weeks, when we ate outdoors and took precautions due to the pandemic. Living in a community of people who love the written word, the reasonable rates, and the uplifting natural scenery make Wellstone like no place else in the world. I can't wait to return. read more

See all

I stayed at Wellstone Center for a weeklong writing residency and had an absolutely magical time. I opted to stay in a small cabin without electricity or running water, which meant I could write without distractions in the morning and then enjoy an afternoon swim while I charged my laptop in the main house. How I miss this daily routine! I was also always cozy, warm, and comfortable in the perfectly compact space. The property is absolutely gorgeous, with a redwood grove trailhead quite literally in the backyard and gorgeous views of the ocean. I've recommended Wellstone to many other writers and would certainly return in a heartbeat! read more

See all

A**b*b'd the glass house room to tour UCSC and see the area. Cool location way up in the hills and nice place in a california shabby way. Beautiful woodwork, fairly naturalistic gardens, animals, rustic and under-utilized outdoor living spaces. The room has it's own door to the outside and bath which makes complying with the rules of the house possible. Third bed is a blow-up single mattress, a sheet (fitted but not for a single) and a comforter. Which had dried dog poop on it. It got washed and returned to the room while we were out for the afternoon. But there were still crumbs on the floor. We're shoes-off in the house folks so this was inconvenient. Had to ask again for a third towel. Bed was found to be a bit dirty with something gritty, and someone else's hair. The writing fellows are cheery, chatty, culty-friendly. Family less so if you don't click with them. Which we kinda didn't. Definitely get the vibe that it is their home first, A Place for Writers, not actually a bed & breakfast. Family and resident writers, fellows, friends, open-mike attendees, whatever, monopolize the kitchen and dining room from dawn to lights out with meal prep and goat milk and bee product making, so you'll just get coffee, tea, goat milk, and a brusque restaurant recommendation for restaurants down the hill. Barely room in the fridge for a quart container of leftover soup. House rules about hours and room usage not on the a**b*b listing. It's lights out 9-something, restricted use of common areas, and they mean it. Was expecting a pair of she-goats per the listing photos from a month prior, but there was only one, not counting the meat in the freezer. Yeah! Loved the dog! Faithful boy was amazing. Woofing the strangers, then making friends, barking at the deer around dusk, and best of all shepherding the family's free-ranging toddler all over the (not kid-proofed, lol!) property. read more

Wellstone is a creative habitat unlike any other. During my three month stay I experienced a profound peace that had been missing in my life for many years. The clean atmosphere, the gardens bursting with life, the majesty of the ancient redwoods, home-cooked meals that would put restaurants to shame and above all the wonderful humans who treated me like family during my stay. I would give anything to go back (and probably will!). If you're looking for a secluded getaway outside of time, I truly think I will carry my experience at Wellstone with me forever. read more

Wellstone Center in the Redwoods sounds like a writer's paradise. DO NOT BELIEVE THEM, IT IS NOT. Read on. Wellstone is falsely marketed as a "retreat center" for aspiring writers, but it is actually a filthy, shoddy youth hostel. And the guy who runs this place is a basket case. This house may have once been lovely, but it has fallen into such a state of disrepair that it should be shut down. The accommodations are miserable. Rooms are filled with mildew. Grounds and furniture are falling apart. (Photos available upon request.) There's a filthy pool that you wouldn't let your dog swim in, let alone any human. They advertise a hot tub, but it's equally as filthy and ¾ empty. Mattresses are old and sagging. Please let's not even talk about the showers - I took photos but they're too disgusting to post. The bedding is stained with unidentified fluids and smells like body odor. We were given the oldest, filthiest, scratchiest bath towels you've ever seen. They smell like mold. We couldn't believe how cheap these people are. We went out and bought towels at Target on our own just so we didn't have to put those nasty towels on our bodies. And how's this for cheap: at meals, you're instructed to re-use other guests' cloth napkins, crusty with the waste of previous meals!! Ewwwwwwwwww! That is disgusting and unsanitary. Where's the Board of Health when you need them?? (Update: call has been placed.) Another strange detail of this misadventure is that Wellstone calls itself a "writing center" and yet has NO LIGHTING. Common rooms and sleeping areas have broken lights or dim mood lighting. It's totally bizarre. There's just not a single lamp bright enough to read by, not in the bedrooms nor in the common areas. I have 20/20 vision and even still - you can't make out a word on the page. This is a major problem for WRITERS who have book drafts to edit and research and reading to do. Especially if you're elderly and need extra light to see by. I'm told they don't want to spring for the electricity bill?! What is going on here? The cherry on top: the guy who runs this place is obsessed with himself and his own writing. You're forced to attend his "open mic night" readings of his own work even if you don't want to, and are *publicly* shamed if you decide to opt out. He gives you "writing advice" whether or not you want it, and he assumes you do because he published something once. Moreover, while you're told this is a "quiet retreat," you're NOT told that the couple that lives here has a baby. Note that there was only one baby (which was plenty) when we were there, but we're told there are now two. The baby hollered at the top of its lungs all day long. Oh, and also at night. You can hear the din from the yard if you try to go outside to escape. Totally lovely to have small children around, because who doesn't love children (I have multiple! Neither me or my hubs are anti-child). However, PLEASE do not bill yourself as a quiet, peaceful "writing retreat" if you can't actually offer peace or quiet. That's what we were paying for, duh. If I wanted a house full of screaming kids I would've stayed home. Do not pay money to stay here. Indeed, we all agree that we would pay money NOT to stay here, and that we would've been better camping in the woods. Writing retreat my arse :( So disappointing... waste of time, travel and money :( read more

In search of a writing retreat adventure for this summer, I have found many on the Internet, but Wellstone Center in the Redwoods, seemed like a great idea....that is until I reached out. Three emails, two voicemails later (both devices were reported as FULL and no messages could be left), as well as a post on their Facebook page and this "retreat" has made me want to RUN, fast, away! While Wellstone may have a very nice program, I have no way of knowing or confirming that. What I have confirmed however, is with their flippant, lackadaisical attitude, Wellstone has made it abundantly clear that the "program" as advertised is definitely not where I'd like to invest in time and money, with the likely outcome (based on this experience) of zero progress for my work and frustration for my writing commitment. Not to mention, there is little information about the accommodations, making me all the more concerned that these people have no idea how to run a retreat. I'll continue my research for a more interactive and responsive venue with a professional and committed base. read more

My four-month stay at Wellstone was a much-needed reboot for my writing career, my health, and my soul! I honed my writing skills and tested out new ideas at the weekly open mic nights, got inspiration on hikes through the redwoods in the backyard, and had incredible discussions with writers from around the world. I learned so much and had a fantastic time, and still keep in touch with the folks I met during this time and with Steve and Sarah! read more