Meeting Spaces at Hidden Valley Retreat and Spa

We love to host retreats at Hidden Valley! Of course, one of the most common questions that we get from planners is, "Do you have good meeting spaces?" Well, we can proudly answer that question with a resounding "Yes!" Hidden Valley has a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces ready to use for your retreat. Whether it be a yoga session, a presentation, or a lunch, our property has the perfect gathering space for any activity!

Event Center

With 2,000 square feet of space, hardwood floors, and large windows that allow for natural light, the Event Center is perfect for indoor activities. Take advantage of the open floor plan to have a dance or yoga seminar. Set up tables for a group meal or important meeting. The possibilities are endless!

The Gallery

The Forum

Yoga in the Event Center

Main House

The Main House is a cozy space for intimate meetings. The library can be used for individual work during breakaway sessions. The interior space can be used for a buffet, meeting tables, or just relaxing on the plush couches. The attached deck with its picturesque views and substantial space is perfect for exterior meeting and dining experiences!

Main House

Library in the Main House

Deck of the Main House

Dining Tables on the Deck

Main Stage

For a more natural and unique setting, we have our Main Stage and surrounding areas. Have an outdoor discussion on the lawn. The tranquil, outdoor environment allows for contemplative activities like meditation, journaling, and art. The tiers are another feature of Hidden Valley that is suited for a group gathering. Use the levels as a natural amphitheater overlooking activities on the lawn. Set up banquet tables along the tiers for an outdoor dining experience. The rock lined garden paths provide your guests with spectacular views.

Main Stage and Lawn

Looking out from the Main Stage

A view from the tiers near the Main Lawn

Tiers adjacent to the Main stage

Tiers with Seating

Concrete Patio Adjacent to the Main Stage

Hippocrates Circle in the Oak Grove

Hippocrates Circle, located at the heart of Hidden Valley's oak grove is as enchanting as it is functional. The trees provide a canopy of shade in the summer, and they frame the area with a protective enclosure year-round! All that's missing is your wonderful presentation and group discussion. This intimate space is sure to make any retreat a success!

Seating

Meeting at Hippocrates Circle

Mandi and Ben's Wedding!

For Mandi and Hidden Valley, it was love at first sight! From her very first tour, Mandi saw the property for all of its beauty and possibilities, and she knew that it would be the perfect place to marry her other love at first sight: Ben. From the very beginning, we knew that Mandi and Ben were going to be a really fun couple to work with. Their family was very involved in the planning. A big group of extended family came to tour the property as they prepared. Brothers, sisters, parents and grandparents all helped to build the detailed elements of the event. Mandi came to Hidden Valley with a clear vision for her wedding, and that vision carried through into a collection of amazing details. With the help of their family, this dynamic couple created a wedding that was well planned and very well executed. We want to share some of their special details with you! 

One of their incredible details appeared right in the men's clothing. Ben took advantage of his wedding day to gather his groomsmen and subtly reveal their super-identities. He made his wedding attire exceptional by equipping each of his groomsmen with awesome cuff-links to reflect their inner heroes. 

This family is handy bunch! They used their creativity and skills to hand-make many of the elements of their wedding. For example, they created a photobooth for their reception. It was assembled in true vintage rustic style, with cute frames and delicate vintage fabric. Mandi and Ben completed the set with masks, hats, and mustaches for dressing up. Their photobooth was a smash hit with the wedding guests! Local Escondido photography company, Dapper Images, did a fantastic job capturing these and all the other amazing shots of the big day!

Many of our couples choose to have a special lovebird's table for their reception. Mandi and Ben chose to place their table on the Wedding Stage. The display was thoughtfully constructed with numerous details including mismatched chairs, vintage picture frames, graceful florals, elegant china, and a celebratory bottle of champagne. Word has it that grandma hand-made the vintage-style chairs! The beautiful florals were constructed by our extraordinary friend Kelly Fiorito with Petals and Lace. 

We were impressed and inspired by Mandi and Ben's signage. The signs used an array of materials, textures, and hand writings to create the rustic, vintage flair that we love at Hidden Valley. The superstar family even built the entire wooden Bar booth themselves! They've inspired us to create our own new signs for the property (keep your eyes peeled for a blog when they're ready!).

As the evening progressed, the entertainment continued. We were especially impressed by the tender moments Dapper Images managed to capture between Mandy, Ben, and their parents during the dancing portion of the evening. It is clear to us that their family shares a lot of love.

Many congratulations to Mandi and Ben! We have nothing but warm wishes to send to you as you begin this new journey. We hope your happiness only continues to grow.

Thanks to the vendors who made this special day possible:

• Photography: Dapper Images
• Florals: Petals and Lace
• DJ: DJ React (949) 842-8465
• Caterer: Out Of This World BBQ
• Bar: GYD Bartenders
• Transportation: Wess Transportation (760) 741-9953

The Merits of Mushroom Compost!

Fiona and Diego filled the entire back of the truck with mushroom compost!

Hidden Valley's original owner, Dr. Jensen, was at the forefront of the health movement. He consistently promoted organic, sustainable ways of eating and growing food. As a part of our efforts to keep his iconic principles alive, Hidden Valley Retreat and Spa still continues the tradition of keeping a compost pile as a part of the garden! Our retreats and family reunions like to participate in our compost by contributing fruit peels and discarded organic material. It is just one of the ways that Hidden Valley remains a healthy environment where our guests can come to have a refreshing experience for the body and mind. Still, we have such a vast garden that even our own compost cannot sustain our fertilizing needs. That is why yesterday, we went to a San Diego mushroom farm to get some fabulous mushroom compost! This compost is a nutrient rich, sustainable alternative to traditional fertilizers. We will spread the compost into the soil around our fruit trees to help them grow even more fertile and fragrant fruit.

Fun facts about mushroom compost:

• Mushroom compost is a natural by-product of mushroom farming. After the mushrooms are harvested, the soil that they grew in is steam treated to remove any weeds or pests. At that point, it can be used moist, organic, nutrient-rich compost fertilizer to replenish and condition the soil in your garden or farm.
• Mushroom compost is composed of natural, organic substances like hay, peat moss, cotton seed, grape mulch, ground corn cobs, and cocoa shells. Therefore, it smells much better than traditional fertilizers! It has a fresh, earthy smell that is sure to enliven our gardens.
• The particular mushroom compost that we collected came from a farm that grows white button mushrooms. They do not use any chemicals or pesticides. 

Diego unloads the mushroom compost at Hidden Valley!

Find out more about this mushroom compost from NBC San Diego! 

Amanda and Tom's Wedding!

You might wonder why someone would want to have their wedding at Hidden Valley. Well, Amanda and Tom's Wedding Weekend would be the answer! Their celebration was a special day of refreshing fun over Labor Day weekend. From Thursday to Monday, their family and friends enjoyed time spent together creating new memories to cherish. They chose a team of fantastic and creative vendors to make their day a smashing success. A bright color scheme, rustic details, and an array of yummy treats unfolded
 into a perfect wedding in the country.

Amanda and Tom took advantage of a very talented, professional team of vendors to create a unified decor with tons of details. Bright blue, orange, and yellow brought light to the ceremony and reception. Little details like old books, vintage china, and cowboy boots added rustic charm.

To spice up the party, Amanda and Tom invited their friends to play acoustic instruments for the first dance. The group was all smiles as they joined together to make carefree music. Delicious food and yummy pies by Carriage Trade Catering topped off the delightful experience!

Congratulations Amanda and Tom! Your Wedding Day was a smash and we were so pleased to be a part of it! We wish you all the best in your future together. We know it will be long and happy.

Another big thank you to all of the wonderful vendors who made this day possible:
- Photography: Heidi-O-Photography
- Catering: Carriage Trade Catering
- Music: Three Blind Mice
- Planning: Sarah Allen
- Transportation: Wess Transportation (760) 741-9953