EarthRise Retreat Center
Prepare for Your Stay
Take a few moments now to ensure you get the most out of your time at EarthRise.
Relax, Go Deep, and Find Yourself
We want your experience of EarthRise to be easeful and memorable. To assist you, we’ve put together a list of important information to help you plan and prepare for your visit. If you have questions at any point, including questions about directions, please call us on our main line at 707.775.3500.
Directions to EarthRise
Download Tips and Guidelines
Getting Here
What to Bring to Make Your Stay Easeful
Directions to 101 San Antonio Road, Petaluma, CA 94952
EarthRise at IONS is located approximately 35 miles north of San Francisco, off of US-101, at the intersection of beautiful Marin and Sonoma Counties.
DRIVING TO EARTHRISE
Please read the directions below for the most up-to-date route to the EarthRise Center at IONS. Please be aware that GPS directions will end at the entry gate as though that is your final destination. To finish your journey to EarthRise, pass through the gate and drive along the meadow until you come to the green road signs that direct you up the hill to the left.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS SOUTHBOUND FROM SONOMA COUNTY
US-101 Southbound from Petaluma, Santa Rosa, and points north:
- Traveling South on US-101, take the San Antonio Road/Silveira Ranch Road Exit 467.
- Turn RIGHT onto San Antonio Road at the stop sign at the top of the exit ramp.
- Follow the San Antonio Frontage Road for approx 1.5 miles. Turn LEFT at the “EarthRise / Institute of Noetic Sciences” sign.
After turning onto our property, drive ½ mile on the flat road (Burdell Drive) - Follow the road left and drive another ½ mile up the hill (there are signs at the bottom of the hill pointing left to “EarthRise Retreat Center”)
- At the top of the hill, look for the check-in signs for your group. Parking is to the right.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS NORTHBOUND FROM SAN FRANCISCO OR THE SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
US-101 Northbound from San Francisco and points south:
- Traveling North on US-101 take the San Antonio/Silveira Ranch Road Exit 467
- From this exit turn left and continue on to the San Antonio Frontage Road for approx 2 miles. Turn LEFT at the “EarthRise / Institute of Noetic Sciences” sign.
- After turning onto our property, drive ½ mile on the flat road (Burdell Drive)
- Follow the road left and drive another ½ mile up the hill (there are signs at the bottom of the hill pointing left to “EarthRise Retreat Center”)
- At the top of the hill please look for the check-in sign(s) for your group. Parking is to the right.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS FROM THE EAST BAY/OAKLAND AIRPORT
- Get on I-880 North, then merge on to I-80 East/I-580 West. Continue exit to merge onto I-580 West continue onto I-880 East
- Continue on I-580 across the Richmond Bridge (this route has tolls)
- Merge onto US-101 North
- Once you’re on US-101 North you’ll be joining northbound traffic from San Francisco. Please see the northbound directions above for the final part of your journey
Ground Transportation to and from EarthRise
We are located approximately 35 miles north of San Francisco off of US-101 where the beautiful counties of Marin and Sonoma meet. Direct travel time from both the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and from the Oakland International Airport (OAK) is approximately one hour, depending on traffic.
There are a variety of transportation options from these airports, including shuttle services, taxi services, and airport buses. Below are a few suggestions to help you with your planning, and you’ll find many more options via an online search. Please be aware that this is not an exhaustive list and that IONS does not endorse any particular transportation company.
Door-to-Door Shuttles
The most direct way to reach our campus 24 hours/day.
Super Shuttle
- 24 hour Door-to-Door Transportation
- Advanced reservations required
- Online Reservations Available
- (800) 258-3826
Western Eagle Shuttle
- 24 hour Door-to-Door Transportation
- Advanced reservations required
- (415) 342-6444
Airport Buses
Neither of these bus services will take you directly to IONS. You will need to take a taxi or other service from the drop-off location if you choose this ground transportation option.
Airport Express – closest terminal is Petaluma Fairgrounds, 6 miles
(707) 837-8700
Marin Airporter – closest terminal is Hamilton Parkway Terminal in Novato, 11 miles
(415) 461-4222
Taxi Services
From Petaluma to EarthRise at IONS
Petaluma Green Taxi
(707) 769-8294
A-1 Taxi
(707) 763-3393
From Novato to EarthRise at IONS
Novato Taxi
(415) 898-8484
Car Services
Pure Luxury
(707) 775-2920
Maps of EarthRise
Download a PDF map of the EarthRise campus and buildings.
Download a wider scale PDF map of the EarthRise grounds.
Everything You Need to Know to Enjoy Your Stay
Arrival on Campus
Once you turn off San Antonio road, and pass through our gate, allow our rural setting to slow you down. As you wind your way up the hill, look out for long-eared rabbits and baby deer.
At the top of the hill, at the Oak tree roundabout, there will be signs indicating check-in locations and parking. If you arrive in the afternoon, your check-in is typically in the lodging area and if it’s in the morning, it’s typically in your meeting room.
If you will arrive after 9:00 p.m. please contact us ahead of time at (707) 775-3500, and we will give you a gate code.
Lodging
Check-in is 4:00 p.m. Check-out is 9:00 a.m.
We have single and double occupancy rooms, with one or two beds, in eight different buildings located closely together. Each lodging building has hallway bathrooms and showers that are communal and private. They are communal in that they are shared between all overnight guests in that building or hallway. They are private in that they are designed for one person at a time.
We provide all bedding, linens and towels. We also provide locally crafted, organic soap, shampoo and conditioner in each bathroom.
We typically do not use keys for our sleeping rooms. If you would like a key, when you arrive, please contact the caretaker at 707-364-2554 to request one.
Meals
Using a bounty of sumptuous, locally grown, mostly organic seasonal fruits and vegetables, and sustainably raised fish and fowl, our kitchen team creates imaginative, eclectic menus that nourish the body, soothe the soul, and warm the heart. Lunches are vegetarian and dinners while mainly vegetarian, also have a fish or chicken option depending on the evening. Breakfasts typically include eggs.
Our meals are served communal, buffet style. We ensure the variety in our meals are ample for common dietary needs, however, we are not a restaurant and do not take individual orders.
Complimentary tea and coffee are available in the community building from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. daily. Coffee and tea supplies are also available in the guest kitchen in Chalet 2 and can be made by guests anytime.
Typical meal times are below. Check with your group leader to ensure this is accurate during your stay:
- Breakfast: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
- Lunch: 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
- Dinner: 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Terrain
Our campus is on 194 acres of classic Sonoma County rolling hills. Most of the campus is grouped into areas easily accessible by foot, and we also have parking for cars with disabled placards conveniently located. We invite you to bring footwear that is comfortable to walk between the lodging, meeting rooms, and dining hall, and on our trails.
To get across our campus, there is a road, as well as a walking trail, between the lodging area and the Community Center where meals are served. It is a 10 minute walk to and from the lodging/West Room meeting room, and the Community Center.
While there is lighting on the road, we encourage you to bring a flashlight to make your walk more comfortable.
Hot Tub
We are grateful to have a large hot tub for our guests to unwind. Swimsuits are required. No alcohol or glass is allowed in the hot tub area.
The deck around the hot tub is a lovely location for individual yoga practice.
The hot tub is accessible for people with mobility challenges via a lift. If you would like assistance, please contact us at (707) 775-3500.
Internet and computer access
Wireless internet is available, and free to all of our guests, throughout all our lodging, meeting rooms, Community Center and other areas on campus.
The network and password for the wifi are conveniently located inside of each building and in your guest book in your room.
There is a communal desktop computer and printer in the Community Center from which you may check your email, print your boarding pass, surf the web.
Cellular Telephone Coverage
All major cellular telephone carriers receive coverage on campus. That being said, the rolling-hills of our campus may impact your specific coverage.
We ask that you turn your ring setting to vibrate or silent while on campus to not disturb other guests.
Smoking
We aim to be a smoke-free campus.
If you choose to smoke, we ask that you do so in our two designated smoking areas. Please refer to the map available in the Community Center as well as in your guest book in your room.
Please be respectful of this land and other guests by properly disposing of any butts or other material.
Fires
Please help us protect this special place. We do not allow the use of candles, incense, or burning of materials of any kind inside or outside the buildings.
Outdoor campfires are not allowed in fire season. If you want to have an outdoor fire outside of fire season, it must be arranged with us in advance. We are governed by very strict laws due to the high fire danger and the remoteness of this area.
Fireworks and firearms, under any circumstances, are not permitted.
If you have any questions, please discuss with your Event Coordinator or call (707) 364-2554.
IONS Discovery Lab
Learn about the groundbreaking research being done on IONS EarthRise campus, and how you can participate in the largest study ever conducted on the relationship between transformation, innovation, and well-being.
