Our wellness retreats are really grounded in our mission statement: Inspiring wellness, connection with nature and conscious living and we hope to impart each of those here and to take home.  We offer movement in the form of yoga on the beach, or local hikes on your own for physical wellness; as well mindful wellness in sedentary practice like meditation and journaling. Our property and the experiences are driven with the elements: ocean, the forest and natural corners of the property on site. 

Conscious living really means being aware of your surroundings, and we facilitate that in all of our amenities. The single most repeated sentiment from guests at our retreats has been the flexibility to be able to opt in or out of any of the activities and dining. At Mar Vista, you have the freedom to choose your experience—enjoy solitude, connect with others, or find a balance between the two. Our retreats, typically 15-20 guests, offer a sense of community while granting personal space. Each participant (or their guests) stays in a private, fully equipped cottage, creating a retreat within a retreat.

Our Glass House, open meadows, and gathering spaces invite connection, but with natural buffers and private accommodations, you can engage as much or as little as you like.

Daily practices like meditation on the meadow, take place shortly after sunrise. We then follow out with a yoga class usually on the beach; and then have the afternoon free to have lunch or go explore. Typically  we have an afternoon session of another suggested local hike on your own, or this year we will be providing a Yin yoga class with sound bathing/crystal bowl healing. 

In the early evenings, each dinner is community style where there are several tables people can gather around or take their meals back to their cottage. Everything is all inclusive besides your beverages so it really is a carefree time. A couple nights we may gather by the fire pit or suggest some stargazing; some guests will take turns in the soaking tub or bring in some of our local bodywork professionals but again, plenty of time for solitude.

Here’s some key things that you can take home from our wellness retreats here at Mar Vista Farm + Cottages

When our guests leave, they can take away practices from the weekend. Return on your Retreat, (ROR as I called it) which are quite easy to keep in mind and recall when you return home. Here are a few of my favorites. 

• Start your morning with a simple meditation (5–15 minutes).
• Enjoy your beverage of choice—these days, I go for decaf.
• Follow with 3–5 sun salutations to get your blood flowing.
• Finish with a 5–10 minute meditation to center your mind.
• Not everyone has redwood forests and beach trails like Mar Vista, but most have a park or a quiet space nearby.
• If nothing else, take a mindful walk around your neighborhood—like a late morning hike at Mar Vista.
• Try leaving your phone behind to fully immerse yourself in the moment.
• Bring the retreat vibe home with Insight Timer, a free app offering quick meditations and soothing sound baths. Explore singing bowl sessions from 5 to 50 minutes—perfect for meditation or unwinding.

Practicing the act of being present and in our surroundings makes the world a more loving place

Finally, and I think the most important thing to bring back from our retreats, is personal interaction with each other and social presence. From zoom calls to telephones to texting, our lives are overconnected and highly stimulated. When you retreat here, you have the opportunity to turn off distractions, sit with others and hold space. Practicing the act of being present with others and in our surroundings makes the world a more loving place. 

We hope you come see us whether it’s for a wellness retreat, a family weekend or a gathering of friends. Our solo travelers to our groups all love coming to Mar Vista. We hope to see you soon!

Love + Light Cab & Deanna