We were so pleased when Elana Kobernick, the Congregation Beth El young adult coordinator, contacted us about creating a weekend retreat for their planning committee. Chai is a spiritual home for young adults who want to create meaningful connections and establish a sense of belonging in the San Diego community. They often work to partner with other organizations to build enduring relationships and inspire participants to lead fulfilling Jewish lives.
"What an incredible retreat space. I work at a non-profit in San Diego and we were looking for a space to do a weekend retreat for one of our committees. We were looking for somewhere not too far from our San Diego and Hidden Valley was just perfect. It is about a 40 minute drive from our office so it felt like we were getting out of town without going to far. The view/scenery is spectacular. You are up in the hills of Escondido and we had clear skies all weekend. There is no city noise or distraction. The cell phone coverage is spotty (better in some spots than others) but we liked being unplugged and focused on the tasks at hand. We slept about 15 people in the main house. Everyone enjoyed the "camplike" feel of bunks (which were large and comfy) and those that stayed in the rooms were happy with the setup. Working with Fiona, the owner, was a pleasure. She invited me out to visit the retreat center and get a feel for it before we committed to using the space. She gave me a full tour and explained how different pieces of the property could be used. Both Fiona and her staff are great at quick responses to emails and phone calls. Every question had an answer. Her warmth and flexibility made working with her easy and fun :-) We used the house kitchen to make all our meals. Hidden Valley provided everything. When we needed anything additional, the grounds keeper was quick to help. We ate some meals outside on the patio overlooking the hills and some meals in the kitchen - adding chairs around the table so that we all fit together. We played games, used the hot tub, walked the property and surrounding areas, lit fires (both in the fireplace inside and the bonfire pit outside), and roasted marshmellows. When we had to focus on work, we were able to all fit in the kitchen and get things done. We had a wonderful weekend and were invigorated. I would definitely recommend using Hidden Valley Retreat and Spa for family reunions, retreats, etc."
