San Francisco Meditation Retreats

Step away from the fast pace of San Francisco and discover the stillness of a meditation retreat at Ratna Ling, just a few hours to the north. Nestled among majestic redwoods and peaceful natural surroundings, our retreat center offers a quiet space for reflection, mindfulness, and deep inner rest. Whether you are new to meditation or looking to deepen your practice, our guided sessions and serene environment provide the perfect setting to breathe, reset, and reconnect. Experience calm, clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose in the heart of nature at Ratna Ling.

Calming the Mind: A Meditation Retreat

With George Wiegand and Karmyn Ojeda

September 17 - 20, 2026
For those interested in deepening their Meditation practice, Ratna Ling has designed three annual retreats for folks at different stages of the meditation path. This retreat is designed for those who seek more calmness and stability in the mind.

Re-Vision: Sonoma County Writers Camp

With Elizabeth Stark and Ellen Sussman

September 23 - 27, 2026
This camp will show you how to let the story teach you its secrets. We will begin by assessing what you’ve got–what’s evolved on the page. By discerning what your story wants to be, you will be able to build on what you’ve achieved.

Cultivating Compassion – A movement and meditation weekend

With Gretchen Donovan

October 2 - 4, 2026
What if you could make friends with feelings such as anger, sadness, envy or pride? This weekend retreat offers a supportive space to explore the nature of emotions through meditation, gentle yoga, and subtle energy movement, all grounded in Buddhist philosophy.

Elevate Your Essence: Yoga & Meditation Retreat

With Bex Urban

October 23 - 25, 2026
Practice peace with yoga poses and an intentional pause with Meditation. In this retreat we welcome back Master Teacher Bex Urban for a special yoga retreat at Ratna Ling! Take this mindful "time out” and step away from the distractions of your daily life to re-initiate yourself into more stillness.

The Inner Landscape: A Meditation Retreat in Nature

With Maria Helena Kubrusly

October 23 - 25, 2026
During this retreat, aligning the abundant natural beauty of Ratna Ling with Tibetan yoga exercises, meditation, and practices, you will learn to relax the body and open the senses. Let Nature teach you more about who you really are, and who you can be.  You can experience the interconnectedness of all existence.

The Art of Loss: Letting Go with Grace

With Gloria Baraquio and Lydia Hwang

October 30 - November 1, 2026
Join us for a weekend to make space for our grief, our loss, and our endings. We will use relaxation practices, reflection, ritual and celebration to honor the changes, endings, and the truth of new beginnings.

Begin Again: A weekend retreat

With Yvonne Kingsley

November 6 - 8, 2026
Join Yvonne Kingsley for a peaceful weekend of yoga and meditation as we slow down and surrender to the present moment. Through the alchemy of mindful movement, breath work and contemplation, we expand our capacity to meet the present moment with curiosity and equanimity.

Joy & Appreciation – A Thanksgiving Retreat

With George Wiegand and Karmyn Ojeda

November 27 - 29, 2026
For this special retreat, we are offering a sliding scale to allow you to give what you can. We hope you can join us! This Thanksgiving retreat is offered as a way to support folks who need some peace and quiet during this holiday. We invite you to take a sacred pause, to sit, to lay down, to be in nature, to meditate, and to come back to center.

Wintering – A relaxation retreat

With Clare Buckley

December 4 - 6, 2026
Join Senior Yoga Teacher Clare Buckley in the serene and beautiful setting of Ratna Ling and awaken to the experience of holistic wellbeing. In the serene and beautiful setting of Ratna Ling, we will explore embodied movement, breath work, energy work, meditation and mindful practices to deeply nourish energy pathways and to restore balance and equanimity.

The Gift of Writing: Introspection and Self-Reflection

With Cynthia Cummins

December 11 - 13, 2026
Book now and get $100.00 off listed prices. Offer valid until Sep 11, 2026.
As winter solstice approaches, we gather in stillness and allow quiet presence to lead us back to ourselves. In this Wild Heart Writing retreat, we begin by invoking the muse, releasing expectations and setting aside our inner critics. Clear, compelling writing follows, seemingly without effort.

Soul Retrieval Inner Retreat

With Sarah Koh

December 18 - 20, 2026
This inner retreat creates the space to truly slow down, listen inward, and reconnect with the quiet wisdom of your heart and body. What is your soul asking for? What is ready to emerge? What is ready to come to resolution and heal, allowing you to move forward with clarity? Through deep rest, unwinding, and intentional practices, you will create space to turn inward and reconnect with the deeper layers of yourself. As the body…

Starting Anew – A Mindfulness Retreat for the New Year

With Maria Helena Kubrusly

January 8 - 10, 2027
Imagine this coming new year how you want to show up for yourself, your loved ones, and your coworkers. Through meditation, you become more aware of the patterns that drive and motivate your actions. This January retreat is designed for you to get to know yourself better and consider how you want your next year to unfold.

Flow & Steep: A Qigong and Tea Retreat

With Dr. Cynthia Li, Daniela Cubelic and Pavi Mehta

February 19 - 21, 2027
Book now and get $100.00 off listed prices. Offer valid until Nov 20, 2026.
Rooted in qigong — one of China's oldest contemplative healing traditions — this retreat weaves together gentle movement, breath, visualization, sound, and stillness into a living practice.

Finding Emotional Health: A wellness retreat

With Helena Gold

March 4 - 7, 2027
Emotions are a natural part of being human—but when they feel overwhelming, they can leave us feeling ungrounded, reactive, or exhausted. Whether you find yourself caught in cycles of anxiety, anger, disappointment, grief, or emotions you can't quite name, this retreat offers a gentle path toward greater balance and ease. Together, we'll explore emotional wellness through meditation, mindful movement, reflection, and contemplative practices that help you understand the wisdom your emotions hold. Rather than resisting…

Nourish & Replenish: A Spring Yoga Weekend

With Leila Swenson

April 9 - 11, 2027
This Spring, awaken within and celebrate the vibrancy of renewal, hope, transformation, and growth with Leila Swenson... Join us for an invigorating and relaxing yoga retreat weekend in the stunning and magnificent coastal redwoods... An invitation to step away from the demands of daily life and enjoy space for self-inquiry, practice, community, and reflection!

MEDITATION RETREATS NEAR SAN Francisco, CALIFORNIA FAQ’s

The purpose of a meditation retreat at Ratna Ling is to offer a restorative and awakening experience that supports emotional clarity, inner stillness, and spiritual renewal. These retreats are thoughtfully designed to help you:

Find Peace and Stillness: Step away from distractions and experience the calm of our redwood forest sanctuary. The natural setting invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and settle into a space of deep inner quiet.

Cultivate a Meditation Practice: Whether you are just beginning or looking to go deeper, our experienced teachers guide you through techniques rooted in mindfulness and traditional wisdom. Learn how to develop focus, presence, and awareness through daily sessions.

Reconnect with Yourself: Use this time to reflect, recharge, and re center. Our retreats offer a supportive space for personal inquiry and self awareness, helping you reconnect with what truly matters.

Experience the Healing Power of Nature: Let the tranquility of Northern California’s redwoods support your inner journey. The beauty and stillness of our environment naturally enhance your meditation experience and promote emotional balance.

Enjoy Nourishing Simplicity: Meals are thoughtfully prepared to be both wholesome and grounding, supporting your meditation practice and physical well being.

Foster Mindfulness in Daily Life: Beyond seated meditation, you will explore ways to bring mindfulness into everyday moments, from walking in nature to eating and resting consciously.

Connect in Silence and Presence: While much of the retreat honors silence, you will be surrounded by others on a similar path. The shared experience creates a quiet yet powerful sense of community.

Encourage Personal Growth: Through inner observation and stillness, discover insights, release what no longer serves you, and open space for transformation and clarity.

At Ratna Ling, our meditation retreats are a gift of time. Time to pause, listen inward, and awaken a deeper sense of presence and peace within yourself.

Yes. Our San Francisco meditation retreats at Ratna Ling are designed for everyone, including complete beginners. Here is how we create a supportive and accessible experience for those new to meditation:

Gentle Guidance: Our experienced teachers introduce meditation in a simple and clear way. You will learn foundational techniques step by step, with guided sessions that help you feel at ease.

Welcoming Environment: We provide a calm and supportive space where you can slow down and explore the practice without pressure. Whether this is your first time meditating or you are reconnecting with it, you will be met with care and encouragement.

Foundational Practices: Retreats include beginner friendly sessions focused on breath awareness, body scanning, and mindfulness. These tools help you quiet the mind and connect with the present moment.

Small Group Settings: With limited group sizes, you will receive personalized attention and space to ask questions. This allows you to build confidence and go at your own pace.

Holistic Approach: Beyond formal meditation, our retreats include time in nature, nourishing meals, and mindfulness activities. Every part of the experience is designed to support your well being.

Encouraging Community: Many participants are also new to meditation. Sharing the retreat with others on a similar path helps build a sense of connection and ease.

At Ratna Ling, we believe meditation is a practice anyone can begin. Our retreats offer a gentle entry point, giving you the space, guidance, and peace to begin your journey inward.

  • Sun Protection: Hat, sun block, sunglasses, breathable long-sleeved shirts, etc.
  • Rain gear, umbrella and good sturdy shoes during the rainy season
  • Appropriate outerwear for the season
  • Yoga clothes or clothes that allow you to move freely
  • Flashlight (it can get extremely dark outside at night and there is very limited outdoor lighting)
  • Water bottle
  • Alarm clock
  • Slip-on shoes or slippers for indoors
  • Insect repellent for summer retreats
  • Personal hygiene items such as your favorite shampoo, moisturizer, toothbrush/paste, soap etc. (Towels, bedding, shampoo and hand-soap is provided)
  • Calling cards for international calls. Domestic calls are complimentary.
  • Meal service is provided, however, you are welcome to bring additional snacks and beverages into your cottage.

To honor the peaceful and spiritual atmosphere of Ratna Ling, we ask that all guests choose clothing that reflects mindfulness and respect for the space. Please dress modestly and avoid outfits that are overly revealing or feature inappropriate language or graphics. This helps maintain a welcoming and comfortable environment for everyone.

Yes, all meditation retreats at Ratna Ling are paid experiences. The cost helps support our retreat facilities, meals, accommodations, and the dedicated instructors who guide each session. Pricing may vary depending on the specific retreat, length of stay, and room choice. To explore available options, simply click on a retreat listed above to view full details, including rates, what’s included, and any special offerings. We strive to provide a meaningful and enriching experience that is well worth the investment in your well-being.

Attending a meditation retreat offers a wide range of benefits for both the mind and body. Many participants report greater mental clarity, reduced stress, and a deeper sense of emotional balance. The immersive nature of the retreat environment helps quiet the noise of daily life, allowing you to reconnect with your inner self and cultivate a lasting sense of peace. Over the course of the retreat, you may notice improved focus, better sleep, and a renewed sense of purpose. Meditation retreats also provide the opportunity to unplug from digital distractions, reflect in silence, and experience stillness in a supportive, natural setting. For many, the shared journey with others fosters a sense of community and meaningful connection with like-minded individuals who are also seeking personal growth and mindfulness.

Ratna Ling Meditation Retreats