Organizational Retreats

If your organization is considering a retreat, meeting, or event, OAEC offers a beautiful country location, set among organic gardens and wildlands, with full meals and comfortable lodging. Groups are provided with access to the OAEC facilities, including meeting room, dining room, gardens, hot tub, sauna, pond, and backcountry trails on our 80 acres. Our facility is best suited for groups of up to 22 people. For further information, call Philip Tymon at (707) 874-1557 ext. 103. (Please note that OAEC is NOT available for weddings.)

Click here for a virtual site tour.

Housing Facilities and Grounds

Guests stay in one of our two yurt dormitories or, if preferred, camp in their own tents. Our yurts house eight people each in bunk beds (we provide the bedding). These elegant round buildings, fashioned after the traditional Mongolian Ger, have wood floors and French doors that open onto decks with sweeping views of our North Garden. Numerous camping sites are available in our beautiful back country meadows.

Retreatants bathe in one of two bathhouses: a bathhouse with private showers and toilets located between the two yurts, or our community bathhouse with private showers and a wood-fired cedar sauna and hot tub.

The Center offers many opportunities for guests to stroll in our organic vegetable, herb and flower gardens, and to hike in our 70 acres of wildlands. The backcountry has many quiet places for reflection and meditation, and a large swimming pond.

Dining

Dining at the Center is a memorable experience. We provide up to three meals per day served in our dining room. We prepare wholesome, seasonal and delicious vegetarian meals with organic vegetables, herbs and fruits from our gardens and from local farms as often as possible. Included with most meals are lush salads topped with edible flowers from our garden. Delicious desserts are served with dinner. Given advance notice, we are happy to create menus that accommodate vegan, wheat-free or lactose-free diets. We do not serve alcohol but invite guests to bring beer or wine to enjoy with meals if they wish.

The Surrounds

OAEC is just one-half mile from charming Occidental. Almost every convenience can be found in this small, historic Victorian town which has three inns, two markets, seven restaurants, and an array of craft and specialty shops. The spectacular Sonoma Coast is a short drive to the west, down scenic Coleman Valley Road. A few miles to the north is the Russian River and slightly beyond is Armstrong Woods State Park which includes a wonderful stand of old-growth redwoods. Other activities within easy reach of the Center include sea kayaking on Tomales Bay, cycling and mountain biking, and relaxing at Osmosis Enzyme Baths and Massage in neighboring Freestone. (Click here for map and directions to OAEC).

For a more detailed description of our facilities, including information on what to bring, visit our Participant's Information page.