Laurel Springs Ranch is a beautiful 150-acre ranch only 20 minutes from downtown Santa Barbara. It is situated at the top of a mountain ridge in Los Padres National Forest, overlooking the city, Pacific Ocean, and the Channel Islands beyond. The retreat center is surrounded by beautiful gardens, spacious lawns, breathtaking panoramic views, and serene mountains. The Ranch will provide you with an abundance of peace, tranquility, and a deep connection with the Earth.

These mountains were once a place of vision questing and shamanic conversions for the Chumash Native Americans. The Chumash presence here is still strongly felt and revered. The healing and inspirational energies of this land still surge forth today.

The center of the Laurel Springs Retreat Center is the main lodge, a rustic, yet modern building offering accommodations with class and comfort; and the accompanying "Theater", an excellent location for teaching classes and workshops. The Ranch offers a large outdoor pool, a Jacuzzi set near the cliff, a spring-fed swimming pond, original style teepee, miles of hiking trails, and any number of inspirational spots for journal- writing, drawing, reflection, and meditation.

At an altitude of 3000 feet, Laurel Springs benefits from exquisite dawns, breathtaking sunsets, dramatic moon-drenched nights, and mesmerizing star-studded skies. By providing comfortable accommodations on land that feels far removed from the rest of the world, Laurel Springs Retreat Center is an ideal retreat location.

LODGE

Rooms 1 to 4. These rooms have 2 single beds each. They all share 3 bathrooms at the end of the hall. 1 and 2 have a sink in the room.

Rooms 5 to 8. Have 2 single beds and their own bathroom. 5 and 6 can be set up to accommodate couples.

Rooms 9 and 10. They both have 2 single beds and their own bathroom. Can be set up to accommodate couples. These rooms are downstairs by the pool.

Room 11. This room has a queen size bed and its own bathroom. Best used as a private (only one person) or for couples. Also downstairs by the pool. Total capacity 22 (if a couple stays in rm 11).

POOL CABIN

2 rooms with 2 single beds and bathroom each. Can be set up to accommodate couples. Total capacity: 4.

ROSE COTTAGE

Be aware that this cottage is a bit challenging to understand. Make sure to refer to the diagram. We divide it in 2 sections. Ocean and mountain side.

The ocean side. Have 2 rooms, both with its own access. The first room has 2 single beds and a bathroom. The middle room has a queen size bed and a bathroom with a tub. No shower.

The mountain side. This section is usually for the group leaders and assistant for it has a small living room with a desk and a small kitchen. (Should there be a participant with a very limited diet we suggest that they stay here in order to have access to a fridge and stove). It has 2 rooms; one has a queen bed and the other a double. They both share a bathroom. Total capacity 8 (if both the queen beds and the single bed sleep couples.)

TOTAL 34 (if all beds are used to the maximum.)

WEATHER

At 3000 feet, the Ranch has more pronounced seasons than coastal Santa Barbara. Please note the following information and bring appropriate clothing and weather gear.

June-October: hot, sunny, and dry. Light sweaters or sweatshirts are appropriate some evenings. Windbreakers are always useful.

November-January: warm days, chilly nights. Windbreakers, sweaters and socks are necessary.

February-May: warm days, chilly nights. Please bring your raingear or jacket, warm sweaters, shoes and socks!

OTHER INFORMATION

The Pool is open May-October (give or take, depending on the weather each year).

Jacuzzi is available year-round. Always bring your walking shoes! Cell phones typically work at the Ranch. We also have calling cards for sale for long-distance telephone calls.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

From Santa Barbara Airport (SBA)

— Turn right out of rental car area onto Sandspit Road
— Follow road until it merges onto Hwy 217
— Follow Hwy 217 until it merges on to Hwy 101 South
— From Hwy 101 South into Santa Barbara
— Take the State St. Exit (first exit after Patterson exit)
— Left at light onto Hollister, immediately into left hand turn lane.
— Make left turn at light to go over Hwy 101 and stop at next light (almost immediate)
— Go straight through light, you are now on the San Marcos Pass , Hwy 154. Proceed as detailed below.

From Hwy 101 South ( Alternate Route )

— Just south of Los Alamos , you can take Hwy 154 towards Los Olivos. Drive about 25 miles, passing Lake Cachuma , until you get to the top of the pass. Make a left on East Camino Cielo, a right on Painted Cave Rd. , and Laurel Springs will be on your right.

From Hwy 101 North into Santa Barbara

— Take the San Marcos Pass , Hwy 154 exit (first exit past La Cumbre Rd. exit)

— Go straight at light, road will immediately curve left.
— Follow road and make right at next right to merge onto Hwy 154, San Marcos Pass. Proceed as follows...
— Once on San Marcos Pass , Hwy 154
— Drive approximatley 15 minutes up San Marcos Pass and make a right on East Camino Cielo (the last right before you crest the pass).
— Go about 2 miles down E. Camino Cielo.
— Make a right on Painted Cave Rd.
— The entrance to the Ranch is about 0.25 mile down the road on the right hand side.

AIRPORT INFORMATION

Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) is located close to the San Marcos Pass, and as airports go, is quite pleasant to travel in and out of.

The following Airlines have regular flights at SBA

— United Airlines
— American Airlines
— Southwest Airlines
— Delta

And has the following Rent-A-Car companies:

— Avis
— Hertz
— Budget

Taxi Information

The Blue Dolphin (805-962-6886) and American Taxi (805-689-0683) are familiar with Laurel Springs Ranch. The average price of a taxi from the airport to LSR is between $40-$50.

ACCOMMODATIONS AND MEALS

The heart of Laurel Springs is the "Lodge", which was built in 1904, and completely refurbished in 2000. As we remodeled it, we preserved the classic feel of the building while upgrading and modernizing it for retreat comfort and style. There are now 11 bedrooms for double or single occupancy (depending on group size) most of which have attached baths.

Also in the Lodge is a gracious and welcoming dining room; a lovely sunroom for reading, conversations, or meetings; and a large poolside terrace for warm-weather meals, sunning, and relaxing.

The Lodge, coupled with a few surrounding cottages, provides accommodations for a total of thirty people.

Meals are prepared by our inspired staff who create fabulous dishes based on the need and request of each retreat facilitator. As much as possible we cook with organic vegetables and fruit grown in our own ranch garden and orchard.

DIETARY ISSUES - We understand that some of you have specific dietary requirements, but it is impossible to honor each individual need and all dietary requests.

We offer chicken/fish and vegetarian menus based on group leader’s requests. We also always provide the following: Wheat free bread, rice dream, soy milk and almond milk. We ask that participants bring any extra special foods they require. We will provide refrigeration for these items as necessary. Should there be someone that has a strict diet that we can not accommodate we suggest that they stay in the Rose cottage so that they can use the kitchen there. There is a small fridge in the lodge for guests to use. The kitchen is a staff only area. Meals last 45 min

FACILITIES

Laurel Springs Ranch offers a full-spectrum environment to enhance and support your retreat experience. The large outdoor swimming pool provides refreshing relief on the hot summer days. The jacuzzi is perched on the nearby property cliffs and is perfect for relaxing and looking out over the beautiful Pacific Ocean, or observing the pristine night sky. Our spring-fed pond boasts the purest water (recently tested and given highest marks for purity!). It is like swimming in silk. The pond area and the large authentic style Native American Teepee nearby provide a natural place for reflection and meditation.

Laurel Springs also provides two meeting buildings for classes and workshops:

The Theater is a 1000 sq.ft. carpetted space with beautiful views and French doors opening onto lawns and gardens.

The Yoga Studio is a 1500 sq.ft. meeting area with beautiful hardwood floors and large windows. It is nestled among pine trees and surrounded by huge green lawns and the Ranch orchard.

Our well-maintained hiking trails will give you a first-hand experience of Los Padres National Forest which surrounds the Ranch. You will enjoy the rejuvenating energy of the land and magnificent vistas of both Santa Barbara Channel and Santa Ynez Valley.

CONTACT NUMBERS

For General Retreat Center Information call: Kabir Cardenas at (805)967-6688; OR e-mail laurelspringsretreat@laurelspringsretreat.net. If you are trying to reach someone who is on retreat, it is best to call the Lodge phone during meal hours: (805) 967-8197. All out-going long distance calls are to be made by credit card.

Location — Faculty — Registration

Driving directions

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Laurel Springs Ranch