Mount Madonna Center, California
February 6 – 13, 2027
A week-long jhana meditation retreat at Mount Madonna Center, set on 380 acres of redwoods, rolling meadows, and ridgeline vistas overlooking Monterey Bay in the Santa Cruz Mountains. An hour from San Jose, two from San Francisco.
Starting from $4,999 per person
Not sure you can make it yet? Hold your spot with an $800 deposit.
Want to talk first?
Book a CallRetreat info
Mount Madonna Center has hosted yoga and meditation retreats for nearly fifty years, on 380 acres at the top of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Redwoods & meadows
380 acres of redwood forest, oak woodland, and open meadow
Monterey Bay views
Viewing decks over the Pajaro Valley to the Pacific
Miles of trails
Forest and meadow walks for the midday break
Small lake
A small lake with quiet nooks for sitting
Heated rooms & café
Heated guest rooms, plus a bookstore and café
What's included:
- Seven nights of lodging in the redwoods above Monterey Bay
- Vegetarian meals for the duration of the retreat
- 1-on-1 sessions with experienced facilitators
- Group meditation, guided practice, and instruction
- Full access to Mount Madonna's grounds, trails, and facilities
✓ Arrival
Check-in opens at 3:00 PM on Saturday, February 6th. Our opening session begins at 4:00 PM. Please don't arrive before 3:00 PM; the venue can't receive guests earlier than that.
✓ Daily structure
The retreat day runs roughly 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Sessions include group instruction, guided meditation, 1-on-1 facilitation, and long stretches of solo practice, with a midday break to walk the trails or rest.
✓ Departure
Saturday, February 13th. Retreat programming ends at 10:00 AM. You're welcome to stay on for brunch, served 10:00–11:00 AM, before heading home. Room check-out is 11:00 AM. Please don't plan to leave before 10:00 AM.
✓ Food
Mount Madonna is a vegetarian facility. Every meal is vegetarian, with vegan and gluten-free options at each sitting. Outside food and alcohol are not allowed on the property. Let us know about any dietary needs during registration and we'll let you know if we can accommodate.
✓ Weather & what to pack
Early February is cool and often damp: daytime highs around 58–62°F (14–17°C), nights down to 42–46°F (5–8°C), with morning fog and winter showers common. Rooms are heated. Pack layers, a warm jacket, comfortable walking shoes, and rain gear. February is the rainy season, so bring shoes you don't mind getting wet.
✓ Venue guidelines
No alcohol, meat, or pets (other than trained service animals) are permitted on the property. Smoking is allowed only in designated areas, and candles and incense only in approved locations. Mount Madonna is a working residential community, home to a school and the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, and other guests may be on campus during our week, so please be considerate of residents and neighbors.
✓ On-site amenities & parking
Rooms have no phones or TVs, and there is no laundry service on site. Please park only in designated guest parking areas. There is no EV charging; a few outdoor household outlets are available first-come, first-served, so bring your own extension cord.
Before you book
✓ You must be at least 18 years old to attend.
✓ Participation requires completing a mental health screening and signing required waivers.
✓ Do not book flights or make travel arrangements until your screening is complete and your spot is confirmed. Screenings begin the week of October 19.
✓ This is a full-week retreat. Only sign up if you can attend the entire program, from Saturday afternoon through the following Saturday morning. If you can't clear the whole week, please join us on a different retreat.
✓ Prices are per person and include accommodation, vegetarian meals, access to Mount Madonna's grounds, and the full retreat program.
✓ Mount Madonna is a meat-free facility. All meals are vegetarian (vegan and gluten-free options available). No outside food is allowed on the property.
✓ A limited number of scholarships are available. Email retreats@jhourney.io.
✓ Please read our retreat policies before booking, including cancellations and refunds.
Location
Mount Madonna Center is at 445 Summit Rd, Watsonville, California, in the Santa Cruz Mountains between Silicon Valley and Monterey Bay. It's about 90 miles south of San Francisco (1.5–2 hours by car) and roughly an hour from San Jose. The last stretch up Summit Road is steep and winding, so follow Mount Madonna's own directions rather than GPS alone, and drive it in daylight if you can. We'll share a participant-led carpool spreadsheet closer to the retreat to help you coordinate rides. You're responsible for arranging your own transport and arriving on time.
• San Jose International (SJC) – 42 miles (approximately 1 hour drive). Easiest and most direct; rental cars and rideshare available.
• Monterey Regional (MRY) – 40 miles (approximately 1 hour drive). Small airport, limited flights, handy from Southern California.
• San Francisco International (SFO) – 70 miles (approximately 1.5–2 hours drive). Most flight options; expect Bay Area traffic at peak hours.
Have questions?
Book a CallFor more on what to expect, read Jhourney In-Person Retreats 101. For anything not covered there, in our blog, or FAQ, email retreats@jhourney.io.
What people are saying
Probably one of the nicest things that's ever happened to me, like up there with beautiful events like marriage.
Absolutely amazing. A secret nobody is talking about, and I've never felt anything like it. I'm so grateful; I'm a better and happier person.
To know there's this infinite resource within me that's accessible without external conditions…it's just crazy. You can't unsee that.
This experience was the best thing that's happened to me this year. I had no idea how enjoyable meditation could be.
Why would I have a second piece of chocolate cake when I know I can beat that by 100x in 10 minutes with my eyes closed?
The jhanas may be the single most important thing on the planet right now. You may think it's superintelligence or longevity. That's nothing without wellbeing.
