There comes a time in every parent’s life when any excuse to escape for a weekend is a good one. I’d like to say I was first drawn to Mount Madonna for the redwoods, the vegetarian food or those incredible panoramic views, but during those first years of heavy responsibility, I was just thrilled for the chance to recharge.
But once experienced, the magic of this remote, natural setting was what drew me back time and again.
The story of this 380-acre mountaintop retreat center began in 1978 as a vision of Baba Hari Dass—a yogi, teacher and silent monk who arrived from India to share his knowledge of yoga and meditation with a small group of spiritual seekers.
With his guidance and the support of a devoted community, the center grew and evolved. Today it remains focused on practices and teachings to enhance personal growth and self-awareness based on ancient Eastern traditions.
Unlike typical retreat centers, Mount Madonna is more than a destination for relaxation and wellness—it’s also a vibrant, partially residential community that’s open to the public, whether for a day, a weekend or longer, based on the program.
At any given time, around 90 people live on the campus, each on their own spiritual or personal development journey. Some are drawn to meditation, others to yoga, and some seek to deepen their understanding of Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of health and wellness. The campus features an outdoor temple, with arati (ritual of light) taking place every morning and evening, and a Wellness Center offering a variety of bodywork and Ayurvedic treatments.
This collective commitment to growth fosters an atmosphere that’s tangible to anyone visiting. Guests feel welcomed, supported and invited to share in the journey.
During a recent chat with members of Mount Madonna’s leadership team, I was surprised to learn that most of their visitors aren’t based in Santa Cruz County.
As Communication Director Lara Kilpatrick explains, “most people first hear about Mount Madonna through word of mouth. Alumni and practitioners from yoga studios—like those founded by graduates of Mount Madonna’s own programs—share their experiences with students and friends.”
Morgan Kennedy, a dynamic voice in Mount Madonna’s outreach, has also been working to expand the center’s online presence, aiming to capture the attention of a younger, social-media-savvy crowd who might not otherwise cross paths with this peaceful retreat on the hill.
The reach is impressive, stretching from Silicon Valley to Santa Cruz, and even beyond. But surprisingly, many Santa Cruz locals have yet to experience it firsthand. While some visitors come from around the world to attend retreats, Kennedy says there’s still room to grow awareness in the greater Monterey Bay and San Francisco Bay Area of the many ways to enjoy the center, from a day of forest bathing to a six-month yoga teacher training, with dozens of options in between.
The word “magic” was used multiple times during our conversation, and when asked to define the term Kilpatrick says, “it often boils down to the community itself—a network of people dedicated to making the world, and themselves, just a little bit better. This commitment infuses every interaction, from shared meals to group meditation, and it leaves a lasting impression on visitors who feel they’ve stepped into a world aligned with their best intentions.”
She continues, “If you ask return visitors, they’ll tell you there’s something about the mountain that allows them to ‘just let go.’ Part of that is the landscape itself—imagine walking under ancient redwoods one moment and looking out over expansive views of the bay the next. The vastness has a way of lightening the mind, of putting life’s stresses into perspective.”
Beyond the natural beauty, visitors often speak to the peace they find in simply slowing down. The rhythm of the mountain encourages it. There’s no need to drive anywhere; everything is just a walk away. Meals are shared in community, and there’s time built into every day for quiet reflection.
In our current state of social unrest, this time out seems more crucial than ever.
In the coming months, Mount Madonna also plans to roll out more opportunities for local day visits, aiming to make the experience more accessible to a wider audience. For those who haven’t been, consider this an invitation to see what the “magic of the mountain” is all about.
Mount Madonna, 445 Summit Rd., Watsonville; mountmadonna.org.
