La Casa de Maria is an enchanting sanctuary of tranquility in Santa Barbara, California, 90 miles north of Los Angeles. The grounds abound in a magical setting of natural beauty amid a native oak grove nestled at the foot of the Santa Ynez Mountains overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
The campus enclave is sheltered in a Chumash oak woodland enhanced by the tumbling waters of the San Ysidro Creek running through its 26 acres. The center offers a variety of overnight accommodations for up to 150 people. There is a large chapel pictured here, as well as a small meditation chapel with a thousand points of light mandala. There are several different and charming buildings that offer conference and meeting rooms that can accommodate groups of 10 to 140 persons. There is a full, modern kitchen and dining room serving excellent and healthful meals. Guests can also enjoy dining al fresco on the outdoor dining terrace set amidst lovely fountains and gardens. The 26 acres, located adjacent to reknowned hiking trails also features meandering walking paths, a large swimming pool and a tennis court. The Sadako Peace garden, the stone labyrinth, organic orchard and organic vegetable gardens add to the beauty of its unique natural setting.
Faith
Baha'i:
Baha'i
Buddhist:
Buddhist
Christian:
Christian, Christian (no specific type), Ecumenical
First Peoples / Native American / Indigenous:
First Peoples / Native American / Indigenous
Hindu / Indian Traditions:
Hindu / Indian Traditions
Interfaith:
Interfaith (no specific type)
Islam:
Islam
Jewish:
Jewish
Nature/ Wicca:
Nature/ Wicca
Non-Faith Based:
Non-Faith Based
Open to All:
Open to All
Sufi:
Sufi
Taoist:
Taoist
Mission/Lineage: To be a nourishing place of peace where people of all faiths can search for truth, engage in dialogue, experience personal growth, realize their self-worth, experience the sacred, and then refreshed and renewed, participate more responsibly in the creation of a just and peaceful world, and a whole and healthful earth.
Average Cost: $$ - $$$
Environment: Mountain, Ocean / Beach, River / Stream, Woods
Gay Friendly: Yes!
Special Needs: Wheelchair Access
Environmentally Sustainable:
Yes!
Certified organic orchard. Solar designed for the sleeping accommodations and some of the meeting rooms.
Language: English, Spanish
Overnight Guest Capacity (defined as):
150
Meeting Space Capacity (defined as):
150
Dates Closed to Groups: Open all year. Closed for Christmas.
Meeting Rooms:
| Room Name | Square Feet | Capacity | Description |
| Casa Regina | 1785 | 140 | Spacious and light-filled meeting room, with flexible arrangement possiblities and comfortable seating. Fireplace, French doors opening out to two garden terraces, one featuring serene mountain views. Small kitchen/refreshment area and ample restrooms. |
| Casa San Ysidro | 0 | 40 | 2 story rustic and charming Spanish adobe with sleeping accommodations in 5 rooms, baths and showers on each floor. There is an upstairs meeting room, dining room and kitchen(optional). |
| Chapel | 0 | 130 | Beautiful open beam ceiling with stained glass windows, flexible seating arrangements, excellent accoustics. Limited availability for weddings. |
| Casa Teresita | 0 | 20 | Charming, 2-story Spanish adobe with tile roofs and private, large sunny terrace, sleeps 10 people (plus two large bathrooms), with a spacious living room for meetings downstairs. Lots of windows and light. Also contains a small, but functional kitchen. |
| Lounge | 1452 | 70 | Lovely room boasting high, beamed ceilings, wood paneled walls, plenty of windows and French doors opeing out to the main garden terrace, a fireplace and flexible arrangement possibilites. Restrooms close by. Good for a medium size group or breakout room |
| La Casita | 0 | 35 | Little House or La Casita is a perfect space for breakouts or for a small group. There are two rooms with a kitchen and bath. |
| Seminar | | 30 | Used for seminars, meetings and as a break-out room. |
| The Loft | | 30 | Rustic, loft-like room used for Meditation; One day seminars; Recovery groups. |
| Terrace | | 50 | Set in the beautiful manor house of the Center for Spiritual Renewal. Wood paneled ceilings and walls in the 1930's original 'old-world' style of ornate construction. |
| Meditation Chapel | | 15 | Small and charming meditation sanctuary/chapel set in a natural park-like setting. |
| La Paz | | 40 | Ancillary meeting room primarily used for winter yoga and extra meeting space. |
Groups Served: 12 Step / Addiction / Recovery, Arts / Crafts, Business, Church / Faith / Religious, Dance / Theater, Educational, Families, Health / Healing, Meditation Groups, Mens Groups, Music, Nature / Adventure, Non-profit, Peace / Justice, Personal Development Groups, Silent, Weddings, Womens Groups, Writing, Yoga Groups, Youth Groups
Amenities: AV Service, Carpet, Chapel / Temple, Fireplaces, Gardens / Outdoor Space, Hardwood / Tile (non-carpet), Labyrinth, Laundry Services, Massage Services, Meditation Hall, On-line / Internet Access, Stations of the Cross, Swimming Pool / Lake, Tennis Court, Walking/ Hiking Trails, Yoga Classes
Special Features: Sunny, magical, enchanting, organic gardens, beautiful outdoor setting, holistic, peaceful and serene!
Technology and AV: All necessary audio visual needs provided.
Room Types: Dorm, Hotel
Some or all housing is single sex only.
Housing: Retreat Rooms: 40 retreat rooms each with three single beds and a private bath may be used as singles, doubles, or triples. The two remaining rooms are doubles fully equipped for the handicapped. Bedding and towels are provided in all rooms.
Casa Teresita: Sleeps 10 in two large sunny rooms upstairs each with five beds.
Casa San Ysidro: Is a large two-storey dormitory accommodating up to 38 people in 18 bunk beds and 2 twin beds. Six rollaways are also available.
Food: Organic / Locally Grown, Restricted Diet Options, Vegetarian Options
Meal Availability: Available On Site, Provided - All Meals
Location of this Retreat:
800 El Bosque Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
United States
Travel Info: La Casa de Maria is located off highway 101 in Santa Barbara/Montecito, California, 90 miles north of Los Angeles.
It is 25 miles from the SB airport and 10 miles from the train.
Taxi's are available from the above.
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Annette Ciketic
4/29/2009
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I have both attended and led retreats here. It is a magnificent setting for peace and serenity, close to freeway access (80 miles from LA). The staff is most helpful. There is also the IHM Center for Spiritual Renewal on the property for private retreats...excellent accommodations and organic food.
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