Group Retreat Details.

A few times per year, 6-9 women are invited to share the weekend together for a guided retreat. Some weekends are reserved for a specific group (e.g., the Hybrid Circle’s Annual Retreat). Other weekends are open to a spontaneous mix of women. Here is where you’ll find answers to questions you may have.

Property Agreements

  • Quiet hours are 10p to breakfast. We do not allow marijuana or illegal drugs. Due to high fire hazards, there is no smoking, incense, candles, or open flame of any sort to be used on the property. Please do not wear or use artificially scented products (listing “fragrance” on the ingredients) because they trigger migraines in Kelly.

  • Retreat Fee. The retreat fee is $1,560. It covers our time together, activities, and meals. If you’re participating as a commuter, then there are no additional fees. If you’re sleeping on the property, then there’s an additional lodging fee.

    Lodging Fee. If you’re sleeping on the property, then there’s an additional lodging fee that ranges from $50 to $450 for the weekend. Options include van hook-up, private room, shared room, private bath, shared bath, and private studio with kitchen. Depending upon the season, camping may be available. (See photos of Accommodations.)

  • Please plan on refraining from phone calls, email, or online activity during the retreat unless objectively necessary. This supports the integrity of the holding space and retreat experience.

  • Should your family members need to get in touch with you, in case of an emergency, they can reach Kelly or Nelly. (Feel free to provide them with their mobile phone numbers.)

  • No, the retreat space is limited to participants only. If you consider nearby rentals, then aim for proximity to the Little Brown Church in Sunol, California.

Travel

  • Please note that all teaching sessions are required, including our opening session on Friday, from 4:00-6:00p, and our closing session on Sunday, from 1:00-2:00p. Please plan your travels carefully, including familiarizing yourself with traffic patterns and any likely delays, so that you will not be late for the opening session or need to leave before the end of the closing session.

  • Friday (arrive between 2:00-3:30p) – Sunday (depart between 2:00-3:30p)

    Pastime Farm in Sunol, California 94586 (address provided separately)

  • At the minimum, commuters should plan on being on the property from 2:30p – 8p Friday, 9:30a – 7p Saturday, and 9:30a – 2:30p Sunday. These pared-down time frames omit breakfast (9a-10a) as well as evening activities (after 8p). You are, of course, welcome to participate in all activities (9a-10p).

  • The closest airport is Oakland (OAK, 27 miles, appx 35 minutes) followed by San Jose (SJC, 28 miles, appx 35 minutes) and San Francisco (SFO, 40 miles, appx 1 hour). Travel times are based on light traffic and can double during commute hours. When purchasing tickets, please check average travel times from/to that airport for the time of day you’re arriving/departing.

  • Oakland Airport offers the easiest access to public transportation (BART to Pleasanton followed by taxi or rideshare to Sunol).

  • Navigation systems will accurately direct you to the property. Reach out to Nelly if you’re looking to carpool.

Accommodations

  • Entering the main house requires climbing exterior stairs. Accessing the upstairs guest room requires climbing an additional flight of hardwood stairs. Accessing the guest cottage and cabins require walking approximately 200 yards over flat ground with bark mulch.

  • Lodging. If you choose to stay in one of the rooms on the property, you can request a single- or double-occupancy room, with a private (attached) or a shared (separate) bathroom.

    Main House. Rooms within the main house are available during group retreats only. The upstairs Fig Room has two beds (Queen, Twin Daybed). The downstairs Sun Room has a twin daybed. They both share a bathroom located downstairs (near the kitchen and laundry room). Also, the Office has a trundle bed; It has a private half bath.

    Bunk Cabin. Two cabins are located near the main house—each with a custom, built-in, adult bunkbed (Queen on bottom, Twin XL on top). The detached bathroom is shared with another cabin.

    Guest Cottage. The 700-square-foot cottage is located near the garden, fire pit, and chicken coop. It is split into 2 adjoining spaces (each with a Queen bed and private bath) separated by a locked door. This is the only lodging on the property with private bathrooms.

    Camping. You can choose to bring your own camping equipment. In that case, you’ll be responsible for set-up and clean-up. There is a redwood deck located on the back acreage (perfect for your tent). Near the main house, you’ll have access to the “outhouse” (flushing toilet), and an outdoor shower (with hot & cold water).

    Van Hook-Up. There is a space for van hook-up (electricity, water). While you are welcome to dump greywater (from sinks) please be certain to not dump wastewater (toilet).

  • Our backyard opens to the Sunol Regional Wilderness. Just slip out the back gate and you can hike 6,000 acres of ridge lands. The property has several places to lounge — including the fruit orchard, olive terrace, hammocks, picnic tables, fire pit, and so forth. For group retreat, the emphasis will be on reconnecting with one another — in a relaxed and spacious way.

  • Cell phone reception is available throughout the property, however, it can sometimes be spotty. Wifi is available in the main house, bunk cabins, guest cottages, and the immediate yard surrounding those buildings. (Wifi is not reliable in the orchard and back acreage.)

  • No, we do not provide laundry facilities.

  • While there are no roosters, we have some fairly raucous hens. They make some noise at the break of dawn and they celebrate each time they lay an egg. The property is bursting with bird sounds throughout the day — including red-tailed hawks, doves, jays, robins, hummingbirds, and our resident barn owls. If you’re a sensitive sleeper, please bring earplugs.

Packing

  • Closed-toe shoes (wood chips cover the property). Sunhat. Comfortable, layered clothing.

    Water bottle, travel mug for tea/coffee. Notebook, favorite pen. Flashlight. Alarm clock. Eyeshades and earplugs if they help you sleep. Anything that will support you in your free time (e.g., yoga mat, art supplies, book). If you intend to hike, then bring long pants and hiking boots (foxtail weeds, snakes).

    Please note: A bath towel, hand towel, and two washcloths will be provided for you during your stay; If you want more towels than that, feel free to bring them.

    Note: It’s cold at night — all year round. Average temperatures in November are 65° (daytime) and 51° (nighttime).

  • Roller bags do not “roll” on our property. Instead, plan to carry any bags to your room.

    If you’re staying in a Bunk Cabin, then storage space is limited to a basket at the foot of your bed (think: a small duffel bag that would fit in an overhead compartment). The rooms in the Main House and Cottages have plenty of storage.

    Artificially fragranced body products trigger a migraine for Kelly. Please do not bring/use any products listing “fragrance” in the ingredients. (Essential oils, however, are fine.)

    Do not bring candles, incense, or any flammables. (If you intend to smoke, please let us know so that we can direct you to a designated area.)

    Do not bring marijuana or illegal drugs.

  • Bark mulch is used throughout the property to build soil, improve water-holding capacity, and protect against wildfire. Closed toe shoes are recommended to prevent any injury or discomfort.

Meals

  • Meals will be served regularly including afternoon refreshments (upon arrival on Friday 2-3:30p), buffet-style breakfasts (9a-10a provided by a local baker), casual lunches (11:30a-1p provided by a local restaurant), and chef dinners (6p-8p provided by our personal chefs). Tea and coffee are available throughout the day.

    Vegetarian meals will be provided with consideration to any requests you’ve made in advance (e.g., food allergies/sensitivities).

  • Yes. Please let us know your food sensitivities, allergies, and/or preferences upon registration so that she has sufficient time to arrange meals with our chefs and caterers. (Most meals are local, organic, and vegetarian.)

  • You are welcome to bring outside food and drink if you wish, however, the Main House kitchen is off-limits. (It is reserved for our personal chef and event manager.) Please note: the Sequoia room offers the only full kitchen. The Oak Room includes a mini fridge and microwave.

Parking

  • If you’re staying overnight, please park behind the private gates. As you pull into the driveway, there are five parking spots immediately to your left (see photo below). Please note: Our personal chefs pull their vehicles to the end of the driveway (closest to the main house). Please do not block their route.

  • Just past the five parking spots, on the left side, you’ll find a single spot. That’s yours! It has a water tap and electrical outlet easily available. You’re free to dump greywater (from sinks and showers). Be careful to not dump blackwater (from toilets and disposals).

  • If you’re commuting, please park on the street (just outside our home). There are two parking spots on the street (near the footpath to the front door) and two parking spots on either side of the vehicle gate (be careful not to block the driveway).