A CREATIVE RETREAT in Ojai, CA
A CREATIVE RETREAT in Ojai, CA
05.10.22 to 05.13.22
$775 pp
Nestled in a picturesque valley, Ojai has long been considered a spiritual vortex. Combining the charm of a small town with breathtaking natural beauty, a rich farming community and New Age practice, it is the perfect place to come discover and reset.
Please join artist, surface pattern designer and retreat leader Jan McCarthy and food and travel writer Kerstin Kuhn MAY 10th-13th in OJAI for a RETREAT so sublime, so delicious, so creative and so soul nourishing, you may just want to stay forever...
The retreat venue is at a quiet and serene 20-acre avocado and citrus permaculture farm, situated in the mountains on the edge of the Los Padres National Forest a few miles west of the main town of Ojai. Come and relax, enjoy nature, get into a creative flow and nourish your body and soul.
Accommodations: Accommodations are not included in the price of the retreat, but recommendations may be found in "More Information” below
(There may be a couple of rooms available at main retreat venue – please inquire with Jan as to cost and availability)
SAMPLE ITINERARY
05.10.22 DAY 1
4pm, Gather at retreat venue for welcome, refreshments and introductions
5:30-7:30pm, Farm dinner, BYOB (We are happy to provide recommendations to local wineries or shops to purchase your favorite beverage.)
05.11.22 DAY 2
9am, Gather at retreat venue for coffee, tea and snacks
9:30am, Guided nature walk and creative gathering
12:30-2pm, Picnic lunch
2pm, Creative workshop making hand crafted paintbrushes/talking sticks, mark making with natural dyes. (All materials included)
5pm, Wine Tasting (included)
7:30 pm, Open dinner – Restaurant recommendation -https://www.rorysplaceojai.com/about (Although dinner is not included in retreat on 05.11.22, please let us know immediately if you would like to join Jan, Kerstin and other members of retreat who will be dining there so we can make a reservation) If you prefer to make your own plans, see restaurant recommendations listed in More Information.
05.12.22 DAY 3
8:30am, Meet at Cozy Dell Trailhead for gorgeous morning hike (optional)
10am, Gather at venue for coffee, tea and snacks
10:30am, Writing and Creative workshop
1 -2:30pm, Lunch
2:30, Guest teacher and lesson tbd (included)
4:30pm, Free time, [Cocktail making class, hang out, hike at Piedra Blanca are all free]or other suggested activities such as trail ride into the river preserve ($75 per person), visit to Meditation Mount ($10 per person)
6:45pm, Farm to table dinner(inc) BYOB (We are happy to provide recommendations to local wineries or shops to purchase your beverage.)
05.13.22 DAY 4
9am, Gather at retreat venue for coffee, tea and snacks
10am, Closing ceremony
12pm, Retreat over
WHAT IS INCLUDED:
All workshops and materials
Welcome reception, complimentary cocktail and hors d’oeuvres
2 dinners , 2 lunches
All snacks, coffees, specialty cocktails or drinks unless noted otherwise or offered as suggestion only.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:
Accommodations – See recommended list below under More Information,
(There may be a couple of rooms available at main retreat venue – please inquire to jan@janmccarthy.com as to cost and availability)
Transportation to or from retreat venue
(For activities off site- there should be ample opportunities to carpool)
Nearest airports: Santa Barbara, Burbank, or LAX
Open dinner on 05.11.22 is not included in cost of retreat
Alcohol (wine, beer or cocktails are not included unless specified otherwise, ie: welcome cocktail, a flight of wine on 05.11.22 and optional cocktail during cocktail class on 05.12.22) You are welcome to bring your own alcohol to our retreat dining or free time events and/or we may have alcohol available for purchase at either of our two retreat dinners at venue.
PLEASE NOTE:
If there are any dietary restrictions or physical restrictions we should know about, please advise at least 72 hours in advance so we may accommodate your request to the best of our ability.
This retreat is NON-REFUNDABLE, but you may gift or sell your ticket to another individual or purchase travel insurance in the unfortunate event you are unable to attend. Recommended Travel Insurance companies to check out.
COVID 19, Proof of negative covid test or vaccine is NOT required at this time, but, if you are feeling unwell and your illness could impact others, please kindly stay home.
We reserve the right to alter or vary the program at any moment.
Questions? Email Jan@janmccarthy.com
“Thank you making every retreat a fantastic experience! Having a community of women that enjoy travel, enriching experiences and discovering new skills and insights is truly appreciated! I would have never had these kind of experiences if I had planned this trip myself myself, every detail was considered. Thinking creatively in such an amazing environment was transformative. 5 stars.” - RUTH D.
Hosts
JAN MCCARTHY
(CO-HOST)
I am constantly deciphering and incorporating the abstract part of life in my work with the intent to evoke emotion, bring together community, unleash the imagination, stir thoughtful reflection and give way to images of something meaningful.
My art is inspired and influenced by travel, architecture, nature and life with subtle and inspirational messages often hidden in between the layers of mixed media, textural elements and other materials.
Photo Credit: Alex Shaw for LIBERTY For Her
KERSTIN KUHN
(CO-HOST)
I’m a food writer, editor and content creator living the good life in Ojai. After living in cities like Cape Town, Amsterdam, London and Los Angeles I moved to Ojai in search of nature and calm.
What I found was a mystic place that has completely transformed my life. When I’m not writing about restaurants, food or profiling local people, I love to hike, ride my horse, cook for my friends and family and build my dreams.