From Mountains to Desert, From Forests to Sea, a Lift for Spirits

1. Mt. Calvary Episcopal Monastery, Santa Barbara. Run by Order of the Holy Cross monks. 20 acres in hills above city; sweeping coastline view. Open weekdays for individuals or groups; five chapel services daily. Will close for renovations June 1-Dec. 31. (805) 962-9855.

2. La Casa de Maria, Montecito. Ecumenical. 26-acre densely wooded grounds. Individual retreats Wednesdays through Sundays; groups up to 150 for spiritual, educational and psychological purposes. (805) 969-5031.

3. The Ojai Foundation, Ojai. Founded in the tradition of the late India-born philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti; emphasizes Eastern, Native American spirituality. Forty acres of semi-wilderness. Work-retreat school and programs plus weekday and weekend retreats, events. (805) 646-8343.

4. Camp Ramah, Ojai. Affiliated with the University of Judaism. Weekend retreats for those interested in Judaism; six scholar-in-residence weekends; summer children’s camps. (213) 476-8571.

5. Camp El Camino Pines, Frazier Park. Lutheran. Thirty acres on national forest land. Many recreational facilities; RV/tent sites. Groups from 30 to 130 by day or week. (818) 367-8784.

6. The Oaks, Lake Hughes. Sponsored by World Impact Inc. Nestled in a 130-acre secluded valley. Year-round; camps and retreats for groups, churches. (805) 724-1018.

7. Brandeis-Bardin Institute, Santa Susana. For Jews of all backgrounds. Setting is 3,100 acres of rolling hills; features the “House of the Book.” Theme weekends; day programs with scholars in residence; workshops in music, drama and Israeli dance. (805) 526-1131.

8. St. Andrew’s Priory, Valyermo. Roman Catholic monastic community of the Benedictines. High desert. Individuals or groups up to 36 on weekdays; seasonal weekend retreats; youth retreats. Breakfast in silence; daily noon Mass, Vespers. (805) 944-2178.

9. Paradise Springs, Valyermo. Interdenominational. In Angeles National Forest. All types of retreats; many recreational facilities. Families, groups up to 45, plus outdoor accommodations for up to 200. (805) 944-4500.

10. Serra Retreat House, Malibu. Run by Roman Catholic Franciscan friars. Twenty-seven acres, overlooks ocean. Individual retreats, groups to 92 during weekdays; weekend retreats booked by parishes. Mass daily at 7:15 a.m. (213) 456-6631.

11. Campus by the Sea, Santa Catalina Island. Affiliated with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. At the mouth of rugged canyon; sheltered beach. Sponsors family, college, youth camps; rental for groups from 25 to 100 in winter, 200 in summer. Open March 1-Dec. 15. (213) 510-0015.

12. Holy Spirit Retreat Center, Encino. Run by Catholic Sisters of Social Service. Ecumenical atmosphere; peaceful 10-acre garden compound half a mile from Ventura Boulevard. Separate building for private retreatants. Groups up to 48. (818) 784-4515

13. Poverello of Assisi Retreat House, San Fernando. Staffed by Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. Days and evenings of Recollection; private one-day meetings; retreats for women. Retreats in Spanish available. (818) 365-1071

14. Angeles Crest Christian Camp, La Canada. Christian Church/Church of Christ. In the San Gabriel Mountains. Chapel, recreation. Year-round; individuals and groups to 250. (818) 449-9099.

15. Immaculate Heart Retreat House, West Los Angeles. Staffed by Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Near Brentwood. Days of Recollection only; no overnights. (213) 664-1126.

16. Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine, Pacific Palisades. Operated by the Self-Realization Fellowship; world religions emphasis. Near ocean on 14 acres. Lake, chapel, shrines. Open to public 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. (213) 225-2471.

17. Claretian Retreat Center, Los Angeles. Roman Catholic. Quiet atmosphere in mid-city. Chapel, garden patio. Individuals, groups; days of recollection, meetings, overnights, dining. (213) 737-8464.

18. Mary & Joseph Retreat Center, Rancho Palos Verdes. Staffed by the Daughters of Mary & Joseph. Scenic hilltop setting. Variety of retreats, special-interest workshops for individuals, groups. (213) 377-4867.

19. Dominguez Youth Retreat Center, Rancho Dominguez. Staffed by Claretian Missionaries. Secluded historic site of the Dominguez Ranch House. Chapel, large grounds. Individual retreats, groups to 50; all ages.

20. Sacred Heart Retreat House, Alhambra. Staffed by Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart. Specializes in weekend retreats for women. (818) 289-1353.

21. De Paul Center, Montebello. Staffed by the Vincentian Community, others. Beautifully landscaped, quiet. Retreats, workshops, seminars. Spanish available. (213) 723-7343.

22. St. Joseph’s Salesian Youth Renewal Center, Rosemead. Roman Catholic. One-day, weekends; overnights for up to 110. Specializes in school, education retreats. (818) 280-8622.

23. Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center, Sierra Madre. Directed by the Passionist Community. Large chapel, gardens. Individual, group retreats; weekend programs provided; 117 overnight maximum. (818) 355-7188

24. Manresa Jesuit Retreat House, Azusa. Based on spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Surrounded by trees and gardens in 600-acre Monrovia Nursery. Weekend and midweek retreats scheduled (most are silent); individuals and groups up to 76. (818) 969-1848.

25. Mt. Baldy Zen Center, Mt. Baldy. Rinzai Zen Buddhist program. In national forest at 6,500 feet. Zen programs at training center require three months’ prior preparation, but center is open to visitors 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays. (714) 985-6410.

26. Heart of Jesus Retreat Center, Santa Ana. Sisters of the Society Devoted to the Sacred Heart. Ecumenical atmosphere, chapel. Landscaped, three-acre urban setting. “Theme” retreats for groups up to 50, from second graders up. Day, half-day or evening; no overnights. (714) 557-4538.

27. Center for Spiritual Development, Orange. Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange. “Oasis” garden setting. Individuals, groups, staff retreats. (714) 744-3175.

28. Marywood Center, Orange. Sisters of Providence. Seventeen acres in the hills overlooking Orange County. Individual and group retreats; conferences for up to 100. (714) 974-7120.

29. Harmony Pines Christian Center, Wrightwood. First Christian Church, Santa Ana. Rustic, year-round facilities. One-day, overnight, weekends. Groups 40 to 90; all ages. (619) 249-6102.

30. Camp Verdugo Pines, Wrightwood. Sponsored by Bible Chapels in Southern California. Year-round; many recreational facilities; new dining hall. Groups up to 200. (619) 249-3532.

31. Thousand Pines American Baptist Outdoor Center, Crestline. Sponsored by American Baptist Churches. San Bernardino Mountains. Year-round; programmed group activities. Grounds also available for rental by groups from 50 to 350. (714) 338-2705.

32. Arrowhead Springs Christian Conference Center, San Bernardino. A ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ. Former resort hotel on 1,700-acre complex in foothills. Prayer chapel, conference rooms, tennis courts, huge pool. Groups only, from six to 100. (714) 886-2222.

33. Divine Word Retreat Center, Riverside. Divine Word Missionaries. On wooded acreage. Chapel; all-night vigils first Fridays of month. Individuals, groups. (714) 689-4858.

34. El Carmello Retreat House, Redlands. Staffed by the Discalced Carmelites. At foot of mountains in an orange grove. Specializes in weekend retreats for men, women, engaged couples. (714) 792-1047.

35. Oak Glen Christian Conference Center, Yucaipa. Sponsored by Free Methodist Church. In foothills of San Bernardino Mountains. No minimum group size; maximum is 175. (714) 797-2570.

36. Forest Home Christian Conference Center, Forest Falls. Interdenominational. A mile high on 400 acres in Alpine-like setting. Year-round; programmed family camps, parent-child weekends, adult retreats and youth camps. Also rents to church and retreat groups. (714) 794-1127.

37. Camp Cedar Crest, Running Springs. International Church of the Foursquare Gospel. Eighty acres surrounded by forest at 6,500 feet. Year round; sports, dorms, meeting rooms for groups from 50 to 485. (714) 867-2531.

38. Sacred Heart Retreat Camp, Big Bear Lake. Sisters of the Society Devoted to the Sacred Heart.

Midweek and weekend retreat facilities available September through May; camps for boys, girls and families during summer. (714) 866-5696.

39. Pine Summit, Big Bear Lake. Conservative Baptist Assn. Forty-three wooded acres at 7,000 feet. Year-round; programmed camps and guest groups. Accommodates 500, plus self-contained cabins for group rental. Full recreation program, sports; summer youth camps. (714) 866-5801.

40. Camp Maranatha, Idyllwild. Advent Christian Conference of Southern California. Twenty-three acres in San Jacinto Mountains at 5,300 feet. Renting groups administer own program. (714) 659-2739

41. Mission San Luis Rey Retreat, San Luis Rey. Roman Catholic Mission. Sixty acres adjoins mission, largest in the chain of 21. Museum, pool, senior citizens’ center. Morning and evening prayer and Mass. Specializes in family vacations; groups to 125. (619) 757-3659.

42. Green Oak Ranch Camp, Vista. Sponsored by Union Rescue Mission of Los Angeles. One-hundred-forty-two acres with riding trails. Recreation and horsemanship centers, pool, archery, crafts. Summer youth and day-camps; 30 weekend retreats. Group use for retreats, picnics. (619) 727-0251.

43. Young Life’s Oakbridge Camp, Ramona. Affiliated with Young Life. Sixty-six back-country acres. Many recreational facilities; conversation lounges. Groups of singles, couples or families from 77 to 145. (619) 789-6980.

44. Whispering Winds Christian Conference Center, Julian. Administered by lay Roman Catholics. New; a few housing units now open for small groups. (619) 265-7878.

45. Pine Valley Bible Conference, Pine Valley. Sponsored by Pine Valley Bible Conference Assn. Thirty-eight acres at 4,000 feet. Recreational facilities, seasonal pool; summer kids’ camps. Eight meeting areas; evangelical church groups up to 300. (619) 473-8879.