La Casa de Maria – Santa Barbara Spiritual Retreat & Conference Center

La Casa de Maria - Santa Barbara Spiritual Retreat & Conference Center

La Casa de Maria Conference Center can be found at the end of a winding lane canopied in dense foliage leading from the Upper Village in Montecito, just outside Santa Barbara. Set in a secret garden, guarded by woodlands and the tumbling waters of the San Ysidro Creek, its ambience is that of a much-loved country house through which many generations have passed and left their mark.

At almost every turn it holds surprises to delight the eyes, layered with love over the years.

A fountain here, a sculpture there, rare specimen trees & shrubs in magnificent maturity, chickens scratching in the organic vegetable gardens. Shady vistas down woodland paths, views over orange groves and across meadows scented with wild fennel will take your breath away.

Explore Sadako Peace Gardens, in memory of a little girl representing all victims of the horror of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and find cranes carved into the boulders depicting a symbol of peace. Discover the Robert Muller Bench of Dreams and rest to examine your dreams. Wander past Stations of the Cross in their leafy glade or sit by the creek to be mesmerized by sunlight glancing off the waters as they tumble over rocks on their last mile to the ocean.

La Casa de Maria offers a serene and natural environment to a wide variety of community and not-for-profit groups whose purpose aligns with our mission statement. Every year, approximately 12,000 guests with 250 groups, ranging in size from 10 to 140 benefit from attending a retreat, workshop, or conference where they learn, reflect, and grow. Typical stays range from two to 14 days.

La Casa offers a variety of residential accommodations, several well-appointed meeting rooms, a full-service dining room serving healthy and delicious cuisine, and two chapels.

La Casa is available for both residential and day-use visits. Our center is available to faith-based communities and non-profit groups. The peaceful setting makes La Casa an ideal place for groups focused on meditation, spirituality, personal growth, health and healing, community service, care for the earth, education, and the arts.

Overnight accommodations are diverse. From the time of your initial inquiry Mary Ann Paxton, Conference Coordinator, and Kate Clarke, Conference Associate, will be your liaisons. They will work with you to find the residential arrangements and retreat package best suited to the needs and budget of your group.

Private Retreats - The Center for Spiritual Renewal

Private retreats for individuals and couples are available on the La Casa de Maria grounds at the Immaculate Heart Center for Spiritual Renewal. The Center provides an environment where all are welcome to pursue their spiritual path whatever their journey.

The Center for Spiritual Renewal offers private, non-directed retreats for individuals and couples of all faiths. The Center, a former religious novitiate owned by the Immaculate Heart Community, is located on 26 beautiful acres in the foothills of Montecito. We offer an atmosphere of silence, serenity and hospitality — an oasis of peace where people can come to discover, nurture, and reconnect with their deeper life's purpose.

Two types of accommodations are available:

• The original manor house on the property provides rooms and meals Wednesday to Sunday.
• The smaller Hermitage, a three bedroom cottage, is available seven days a week and guests prepare their own meals.

Individuals and couples seeking to deepen their spiritual lives are welcome.

Program Calendar

Opening to Divine Joy: A Weekend of Meditation & Spiritual Renewal

Friday 12/29, 7:30pm - Sunday 12/31, 1:00pm

Program Leader: Peter Russell

Peter Russell, fellow of the Institute for Noetic SciencesAs you end one year and prepare for another you will have the opportunity to step back and realign with your inner self through the discovery of something simple—surrendering all resistance in meditation can open you to the peace and joy within the present moment. Enter the new year with tools to free yourself from the kind of thinking that creates dissatisfaction and unnecessary suffering, and use your inner guidance to support your spiritual practice.

Peter Russell, fellow of the Institute for Noetic Sciences and The Findhorn Foundation, is the author of 10 books, including From Science to God: A Physicist’s Journey into the Mystery of Consciousness.

More Information & Register

Prepare for the New: Enter The New Year with Inspiration & Purpose

Sunday 12/31 - Monday 1/1, 4pm

Program Leaders: Wolf & Lisa Wahpephah, Radhule Weininger, Michael Kearney

Santa Barbara New Years Spiritual RetreatAs you end one year and prepare for another you will have the opportunity to step back and realign with your inner self through the discovery of something simple—surrendering all resistance in meditation can open you to the peace and joy within the present moment.

Enter the new year with tools to free yourself from the kind of thinking that creates dissatisfaction and unnecessary suffering, and use your inner guidance to support your spiritual practice.

More information and register.