290 Old Pony Express Rd
Woodfords, CA  96120
Phone 530.694.2605
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Find Inspiration in the California Alps

Nestled on the Eastern Slope of the Sierra Nevada, Woodfords is a year round destination resort area offering world class fishing, bicycling (home of the internationally renowned Tour the California Alps death ride), hiking, rock climbing, camping, rafting, kayaking, nature viewing, landscape photography, and incredible fall colors.

As the snow begins to fall, downhill and cross country skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobile areas are only minutes away.

History buffs can follow the Pony Express Trail to Woodfords Station (where the Center is located),  follow the Mormon trail and early settlers along the Emigrant Trail, explore the Alpine County Museum, or visit the cabin of Showshoe Thompson in Hope Valley.

The town of Woodfords is home to a population of approx. 250.  Visitors are treated to the friendly, small town atmosphere of days gone by, and yet the cities of Minden and Gardnerville, Nevada are only 15 minutes away.   Down the street you will find the Old School House (1930's), The Wade house (the oldest continually occupied home in Alpine County, circa 1862), The Mountain & Garden Bed & Breakfeast (the Merrill House originally built in the late 1800's) and Woodfords Station and Center (dating back to the 1850's).

Woodfords General Store is the closest California Lottery Stop to Gardnerville and Minden, and is a popular destination for these communities.

Why Woodfords Center?

The significant challenges we face cannot be solved with the same level of thinking we were at when we created them - Albert Einstein

If you are looking for a change of venue to raise the "level of thinking", insight, and creativity at your next business meeting, retreat, or workshop, you have come to the right place. Our meeting spaces have been designed to facilitate the relaxed and casual exchange of ideas that your group needs to find the solutions that will move you forward.

  • 3000 sq feet of meeting space
  • 2 Break Out Rooms
  • Wi-fi and LCD projection system
  • Deli, General Store, and Gift Shop on site
  • Food preparation area
  • Catering Available
  • Accommodations nearby
  • Special rates for personal development workshops, healing practitioners, educational classes and community events

Woodfords Center is located on Hwy 88, six miles East of Hope Valley at the Markleeville turnoff.  We are less than 30 minutes from Carson City, South Lake Tahoe, Kirkwood Ski Resort, and Sierra Ski Ranch; just over an hour from Reno, Nevada, 2 hours from Sacramento, and 4 hours from San Francisco, California.
:: Historic Woodfords :: Conference & Meeting Facilities :: Upcoming Events and Calender

Woodfords modestly began as a winter stop over for a small group of Mormon Battalion members returning to Salt Lake City in 1847. By 1849, traffic passing through the area, then Utah territory,  to California had increased significantly. In 1851, Carey's mill was established and the area become known as Cary's Mill.  At around the same time the first hotel, known as "The Sign of the Elephant", was built by Daniel Woodford, and a few years later, the town became popularly referred to as Woodfords.   Shortly after,, Willis P. Merrill opened a trading post in his home, which, on April 4, 1860, was designated as a remount station of the Pony Express.  The Merrill family continued to operate the store, now known as Woodfords Station, where Woodfords Center is located, until the late 1960's, at which time it changed ownership, but continues in the same tradition today.. 

main meeting room

Woodfords Center provides the atmosphere and technology that you and your associates need to address those "hard" questions. find those elusive answers, and open up to your most creative epiphanies.

The California Alps, with all their natural beauty and serenity, are less than 1/2 hour from all the city services that you are accustomed to, including Lake Tahoe, and yet it seems as if you are a world away. 

Healing practitioners and educators alike will find the facilities both accommodating and conducive to the wellbeing of their clients and participants.

 

Tai Chi Classes coming in September!

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Photo Excursion

October 20th and 21st

Amateur photographers and visitors to the area will enjoy a guided tour of the areas best photo opportunities along with photography tips and instruction

 

 

Check Back for More Great Events!