Oaks RETREATS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

General OAKS RETREAT FAQ

  • Once a month, we open our campus for the weekend so individuals, couples, friends, and groups can retreat under The Oaks. Whether you’re looking for rest, adventure, connection, fun, personal growth or a little bit of it all, an Oaks Retreat is where you will find it. It’s the best of camp…all grown up!

  • Vacation, workshops and conferences are great! We love them!

    Oaks Retreats differ because they are designed to create space for rest, connection, clarity, and margin. Everything is optional and guests are encouraged to build a retreat that works for them from a variety of experiences. Guests move through the schedule at their leasiure. There are personal growth workshops and classes offered, but content isn’t the main focus of retreat.

    Oaks Workshops include guest speakers and are content/themed. Guests are highly encouraged to attend all sessions and move through the schedule as a group. Guests will experience the same property amenities and exceptional hospitality.

  • Women’s Weekends are for women attending solo, with a friend, or group of women. Workshops are specific to women’s issues.

    Couples Weekends are for married or unmarried partners. Workshops are specific to building healthy relationships.

    General Session is for everyone. Men, women, couples, groups, friends, siblings, individuals, co-workers and teams. Workshops are designed around common life experiences and questions.

    People of all different ages, professions, seasons of life, and beliefs. People who are burnt out our trying to prevent burnout.

    People that are curious. People that want to get back or stay on course. People looking for a place with fewer distractions, personal exploration, and life change.

  • Pricing includes use of our 240 acre property, three days and two nights of lodging in our newly renovated rooms, a variety of guided 60-90 minute classes and workshops, yoga, retreat guide, plenty of free time to explore, five meals and some really fun surprises! Space is limited to enhance your experience.

    Early check in is available. It includes limited pre-session workshops. Meals are on your own until Friday dinner.

    Some retreats will offer trail riding and massage for an additional fee. Sign ups will be first come, first serve and will be available one week prior to arrival.

  • Early check in begins after 4 PM on Thursday for an additional fee. Please arrive no later than 9PM. Dinner and lunch is not included. Light breakfast is available.

    Standard check-in begins after 12 PM on Friday. Please arrive no later than 3:30 PM. The evening begins at with a welcome session and dinner. 

    Check out is Sunday after breakfast at 11:00 am. (It takes about 1.5 hours to get to SAN airport.) Late check out is unavailable.

  • The biggest difference will be who you are doing your work alongside. Oaks Retreats provide you with a lot of time to connect and discuss, so it depends largely on who you’d like to be with.

    Each type of group has it’s own flavor, which does shape the session content.

    General Session is for everyone. Men, women, couples, groups, friends, siblings, individuals, co-workers and teams. Workshops are designed around common, universal life challenges and questions like work/life balance, managing expectations, advocating for what we need, building rhythms of care, and understanding how our past can shape our future.

    Women’s Weekends are for women attending solo, with a friend, or group of women. Workshops are specific to issues important to women such as reimagining our roles/labels, work/life balance, integration, our generational story, and wellness practices that honor the body.

    Couples Weekends are for married or unmarried partners. Workshops are specific to building healthy relationships focusing on connection, communication, intimacy and trust. These workshops are for couples looking to enhance and deepen their connection. We recommend Onsite Workshops for couple in crisis or in need of therapeutic support.

  • See our line up, learn more and register here.

  • Please see the schedule for details. To register, click the link under your desired retreat. You will be redirected to a page with individual retreat details. Simply review the room accommodations you’d like, indicate the number of guests in each room, and if you will be checking in early (additional fee).

    Please note there are no refunds. If you need to cancel your retreat, we can shift you to another date within the calendar year. If you are unable to attend another retreat, your retreat can be transferred to someone else of your choosing. For more questions, contact our registration team.

    If the dates you are interested in become full or sold out, we recommend joining the waitlist so you are the first to know about new openings!

  • A week before retreat, an email will be sent to you with details and an opportunity to schefule a concierge call to sign up for any enhanced experiences offered at your specific retreat.

  • Please note there are no refunds. If you need to cancel your retreat, we can shift you to another date within the calendar year.If you are unable to attend another retreat, your retreat can be transferred to someone else of your choosing. Transfers are subject to a transfer fee. For more questions, contact our registration team.

    We are unable to offer scholarships at this time. We do have a third party group that helps send pastors and ministry leaders to retreat. Please contact our registration team for more information.

  • Bob Goff loves to pop in every once in awhile so if he’s around, you may get a Bob sighting, but he is not part of The Oaks Retreat programming.

    If you want to guarantee time with Bob (and his wife, Sweet Maria), we recommend checking out our workshops.

    Miles Adcox, lives out of state so it is rare that he is on campus.

    Both owners believe in the power of rest and renewal among friends! Bob reminds us, “rest is holy” and Miles reminds us to "trust the process.”

  • Please visit our General Information page for travel information, property details and more.

    Still have questions? We have humans that answer phones M-F 9am-2pm. Feel free to give us a ring or email our team at registration@oakscenter.com

 

experiences & Amenities

Everything is optional and subject to change. Below is just a sample of what we offer. Please review your specific retreat for a full list of workshops, classes, and enhanced experiences. The menu is seasonal and we are unable to give you a specific menu for your retreat.

  • Our build-your-own-retreat model allows you to enjoy as much or as little structured time as you’d like. This flexible schedule allows you to enjoy plenty of free time, thoughtful conversation, rest and fun!

    EARLY CHECK IN AVAILABLE

    Settle in, slow down and double the relaxation with early check in. Guests can take advantage of our property amenities and surrounding areas. Take a day trip exploring the adorable town of Julian, hiking some of California’s best trails, or sipping wine from one of 40 local wineries. Or, stay close to campus for extra time at the pool or a pre retreat workshop designed to maximize you grow.

    THURSDAY (additional fee)

    4:00-8:00 pm Early Check In (Dinner is on your own, please plan accordingly.)

    7:00-8:00 pm Pre-Retreat Evening Experience

    FRIDAY

    6:30–8:00 am Fitness Class

    8:00–9:00 am Continental Breakfast

    9:30–11:00 am Pre-Retreat Morning Experience

    11:00-4:00 pm Free Time (Lunch is on your own)

    12:00-4:00 pm Standard Arrival/Check-In

    4:00-5:00 pm Welcome Session

    5:30-6:30 pm Dinner

    7:00-8:00 pm Evening Experience

    SATURDAY

    6:30–8:00 am Optional Fitness Class/Morning Meditation

    8:00–9:00 am Breakfast

    9:30–11:00 am Morning Experience

    12:00–1:00 pm Lunch

    1:00-4:00 pm Free Time (pool, hiking, courts, massage, trail ride)

    4:00-5:00 pm Afternoon Experience

    5:30-6:30 pm Dinner

    7:00-8:00 pm Evening Experience

    SUNDAY

    6:30–8:00 am Optional Fitness Class/Morning Meditation

    8:00–9:00 am Breakfast

    9:30–10:30 am Closing Session

    11:00 am Departure

    Subject to change. Everything is optional. A full schedule of available experiences will be sent one week prior to retreat.

  • Workshops are 60-90 minutes, guided by an Oaks team member designed to help you meet you wherever you are and applies to every season you find yourself. Each session includes an experiential exercise, reflection, and group process.

    For more information about the difference between sessions, please click on the tab that describes differences above..

    Our workshops are not full of answers, they are full of thoughtful questions, hands on experiences, and the answers you are looking for will rise from your time. Everything is optional so you can build your own retreat from our offerings!

    Typically, our sessions center around these themes:

    Where are we? A chance to slow down, check in and evaluate your life and the pace you are living.

    Where are we going? A variety of workshops designed to help you gain focus, direction, and clarity.

    Where have we been? A chance to look back to celebrate how far we have come, understand who we are and why we do what we do, and reevaluate the things we want to repeat or repair.

    How will we continue well? A chance to decide what stays and goes. To remove the noise and clutter and live with more intention.

  • We offer a number of different classes each weekend. Please check the schedule upon arrival for all the classes we offer on your retreat weekend.

    FITNESS CLASS: Join our morning functional movement fitness class for all levels. Weather permitting, the class will meet outside.

    RESTORATIVE YOGA CLASS: Release tension, warm up the body, and connect with the breath. Class will end with an extended period of relaxation. Great if you are new to yoga or interested in a gentle practice. Weather permitting we will meet at sunset, or inside by candlelight.

    CHARCUTERIE BOARD CLASS: Learn the tips, tricks and tools to building a beautiful charcuterie board, and get to taste your creation!

    ESSENTIAL OILS CLASS: Learn more about essential oils as you create and take home your own custom blend.

    JEWELRY CLASS: Bring back the nostalgia of crafting like you did as a girl at camp! We will set up a jewelry making station and you can have fun creating!

    ART CLASS: Join us outside in the vineyard, under the oaks or in the cozy cafe with your own canvas and easel to create a masterpiece.

    LINE DANCING CLASS: Learn a few steps under the market lights that will make you the hit of any party!

    Classes are always changing and always fun!

  • 240 acre property in Southern California

    a ton of nooks and crannies to connect, relax, and explore

    breathtaking sunrises and sunsets

    stunning view of the San Diego foothills

    beautiful indoor and outdoor gathering spaces

    delicious farm-to-table cuisine

    coffee shop

    complimentary snacks, tea, and treats

    oversized rocking chairs and blankets

    cozy fireplaces

    80 acre Equestrian center with horses, highland cattle, sheep, chickens, and event fainting goats!

    personal growth workshops

    creative art classes

    fitness class

    candlelight restorative yoga

    pickleball

    sand volleyball

    tennis

    disk golf

    basketball

    swim

    free wi-fi

    free parking (2 charging stations for electric cars)

    massage*

    trail rides*

    local famous Julian Pie

    event garden with market lights

    and more!

  • We want you to get what you need while on retreat. That’s why we offer a few different ways you can experience the weekend. You can try any of these for however long you want.

    TECHNOLOGY FREE RETREAT: This is the most popular option. Opt in and hand over your phone for a distraction free weekend and let us be your secretary. We ask all participants to take 2 steps away from their phone while on retreat if they can’t get rid of it all together. You will not believe how amazing it is to be untethered to your devices for a weekend!

    SILENT RETREAT: Create an internal listening space as you retreat. and spend the weekend in silence. You are welcome to silently participate, take your meals solo, or attend sessions but not share. If you spend a lot of time avoiding your own work focusing on the needs of others, this may be a good option to try.

    SPIRITUAL RETREAT: Use the time to deepen your spiritual practices. If faith is important to you, we want The Oaks to be a place you can connect and grow spiritually.

    All of these are options! Try one out and see what you think. If you don’t like it, try something different.

  • Breakfasts: Choose from a number of fresh, seasonal breakfast items.

    Saturday and Sunday breakfasts include a variety of options from eggs, fresh fruit, pastries, oatmeal, yogurt, granola, bacon, coffee, fresh juice and teas.

    If you have signed up for early check in, we will over light, grab and go options such as yogurts, fruit, hard boiled eggs, and granola bars.

    Lunches: Thursday and Friday lunches are on your own. Saturday we offer a seasonal boxed lunch option to help you extend your free time.

    Dinners: From freshly sourced salmon to street tacos and enchiladas, we offer a number of different seasonal plated meals that delight Friday and Saturday night.

    Dinner is on your own if you are doing early check in Thursday. We recommend getting food in San Diego before driving up.

    Snacks: Throughout the day, our fruit stand stay stocked with fresh fruit, granola bars, chips, pretzels, and beef jerky. Grab water, tea, and coffee throughout the day.

    Specialty Coffee: Served in the mornings for purchase.

    $4 Latte

    $4 Cappuccino

    $4 Machiato

    $3 Americano

    $2 Espresso

    Extra Shot: .50

    Additional Flavor: .25

    Oat/Almond Milk: .50

    Free Drip Coffee and Teas

    Pie: We are lucky to source the original pie that made Julian pie famous, Mom’s! All the locals know Anita’s pies are the best and we bring them straight to you! GF options available.

    S’mores: What’s better than roasting s’mores? S’mores with peanut butter cups! Trust us. You’ll never go back.

    Many dietary restrictions can be accommodated prior to arrival. Please indicate your restrictions as specifically as possible upon registration. We can’t guarantee accommodations that arise on retreat as we are located in the country. Please contact Chef Jess with any questions

    We do not have refrigerators in rooms or cold storage available. Medication or specific medical dietary requests are the only exception.

    MEALS BY DAY:

    TH: meals on own

    FR: breakfast grab and go for early check in guests only

    FR: lunch on own

    FR: dinner, plated

    SA: breakfast buffet

    SA: lunch, boxed

    SA: dinner, plated/buffet

    SU: breakfast buffet