It's a Small World

  Hello everyone! We recently collaborated with some wonderfully professional people to create an inspirational wedding shoot at the property. Inspired by mid-century art, all the participants came together and produced a retro, chic set-up for brides-to-be. Thank you all for being involved with this amazing project- we had a great time making this happen!

  Be sure to check out the final product on a great wedding blog called Green Wedding Shoes. Like it, comment, and pin to your heart's desire!

The Bug Blug

   We all had an amazing time when High Tech Middle Media Arts (HTMMA) students came to the Ranch to study bugs! This school has a 2-week intensive study and 35 kids chose to research Entomology (the science of bugs).  The teachers and kids ages 12-14 arrived nice and early armed with butterfly nets, jars, digging gear and a bit of ether to knock the bugs out.  What a day we had hunting for our multi-legged and winged creatures.  They also caught and released many frogs, lizards, and even a baby garden snake.

   The night was perfect for roasting marshmallows and making Doughies (cooking a poppin’ fresh biscuit over the fire on a stick and then filling it with chocolate and whipped cream on top!) Yummy!  Then they set up a night capture net with a black light to attract the bugs.  We told stories, watched a movie, and then called it a night as the group slipped into dreamland…

    The next day everyone excitedly sorted and mounted their displays and by the afternoon the group was off. They returned to Point Loma to send the kid’s home, with memories of the great times they had together and, with a bag of bugs!  It is so wonderful, as a parent, to be at the Hidden Valley Retreat with our children and their friends to enjoy the country and our magical gardens. This wonderful property is a great place to experience nature so don’t let the bugs…bug you!

Lizard found on the property

Let's find some bugs!

Butterfly catching time!

Making Doughies.....yum!

Researching bugs

Spring is in the Air

It's official- Spring is here!

   At Hidden Valley we have been hard at work preparing for all that spring has to offer. Retreats, family reunions, and weddings are in full swing...and the plants are, too! Our lilies are blooming, fruit trees are blossoming, and the grounds are alive with color. Our orchards are full of lemons, oranges, grapefruits, and other beautifully scented plants. As you walk along the winding paths, you can immerse yourself in a natural environment that so clearly beckons for you to stay. Who knows? Maybe you will have the chance to make a sign for one of our plants on the property! 
   

The Garden Suite is officially open!

   After much anticipation, our Garden Suite renovation is complete! It has been quite a process, but the end result is a beautiful, secluded area for newlyweds and bridal parties alike.

   The suite is separate from the other buildings on our property, so it feels like your own private honeymoon hideaway. It comes complete with a queen-sized bed, vanity, wall mirror, and a love-seat bench. It even has its own kitchenette!

   It's also the perfect place for bridal parties to prepare for a wedding. Accents of burgundy are laced throughout the room to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. There is hanging space for dresses, plenty of seating, and a bathroom with a shower!

   We hope you enjoy the new suite as much as we do. If you're interested in our Garden Suite, please give us a call to upgrade your rental.

Ordering Rentals is Easy

While we offer the ability for our groups to bring in their own vendors, including rentals, we also have the option of renting directly from our venue. We offer assorted tables, chairs, linens, dishes, chocolate fountain, coffee pots, and even staffing for set-up, tear-down, and parking. We have kept the costs comparable to many other rental companies, but we do not charge the delivery fee. You have the ease of having your rentals on-site when needed. On top of that, when you rent from us, you get the rentals for the entire weekend.

We recently created a form to make ordering these rentals easy! Using formstack, all you have to do is enter the amounts of each item you'd like to rent, and our form totals everything for you. After finishing your order, you can easily make a payment through our secure service, or you can always coordinate payment with our office. 

To view our new form click here.

Engagement Sessions

Early spring and late winter is when San Diego is at its most beautiful. Trees and flowers are just starting to wake up from their winter's sleep and begin to bloom. Everything is still crisp, bright, and fresh. We've had the opportunity to open up the property for a few couples and their photographers for engagement sessions. Our most recent session was with Dapper Images, who shot Amanda and Andrew's engagement session. Dapper Images has never ceased to impress us with their work. Yasmin and Deshun not only have an eye for their subjects, but they found the perfect setting for each individual shot, and created a beautiful mood between the couple. We were delighted to see the finished photos: professional and charming memories.

Here are a few shots from Amanda and Andrew's shoot:
 

 

Here are a few point-and-shoot shots taken by our staff in Hippocrates circle as the sun was setting:

Rachel and Matt's Destination Wedding

This past week, our dear friends Rachel and Matt were married at our venue. They are one of the first couples to have a destination wedding on our property. Rachel and Matt and most of their family came all the way from New York for a middle-of-the-week wedding! Every few years, Rachel's family gets together for a family reunion, and she was able to turn this year's reunion into a wedding too! Our property was able to accommodate all of her family for a 3 day wedding/reunion experience! 

Here are a few photos of the weekend taken by friends and family members:

First dance in the Event Center

Girls on Patio

Rehearsal Dinner on the Patio around fire pits

Wedding Photographer taking photos

Yoga in the Event Center

Patio Reception

Family Photo on Terraces

We hope to have more pictures coming in from Rachel's brother- a professional photographer who has won many awards including The Knot's "2012 best of weddings." Stay tuned!