Kids' Fun at Hidden Valley Retreat!

Hanging out in the Children's Garden

Family reunions, summer camps, group retreats; no matter the occasion, kids love Hidden Valley! With 10 acres of private, natural space, kids have plenty of room to explore. Young ones can splash in the pool, throw frisbees on the built-in frisbee golf course, play board games in the Main House, walk through the Children's Garden, perform skits on the stage, and much, much more! There are bugs and butterflies to be discovered, fresh, juicy fruits to be tasted, and marshmallows to be roasted. Your kids will adore their time at Hidden Valley!

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

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

Lucky and Lulu's Wedding Video

Our dear friends Lucky and Lulu just sent us a video of their wedding at Hidden Valley Retreat and Spa! Watch their special day unfold through these lovely photos by Inphone Vongphakdy. Stay tuned for our official blog post about this special couple!

Reset your Perspective: Retreats at Hidden Valley

Hidden Valley Retreat and Spa is located at the top of a mountain in a pastoral area of Escondido. The views are incredible! Let your eyes bounce over the surrounding hills and plains. You can gaze for miles into the big, big sky.

This amazing setting is fantastic for any kind of event, including retreats. Imagine being able to escape the workplace and the all-too-familiar locations of your daily life. Reset your perspective in this unique, mind-opening setting. Your retreat will be even more rejuvenating and productive because of the surroundings. 

Meeting Space at Hidden Valley

Looking for a great place to hold your next Retreat? Hidden Valley has amazing meeting spaces perfect for all kinds of groups!

Not only is the Stage beautifully decorated with natural flora, it is entirely functional for any kind of Retreat! Your host or keynote speaker can make presentations from the platform, while your guests watch from the lawn. Showcase the focus of your corporate retreat by elevating the speaker on the stage. Use the lawn to lead a group yoga session for your personal growth retreat. This space is as versatile as it is practical!

The Event Center contains a generous 2,000 square feet of indoor meeting space. It is split between the Gallery and the Forum. Set up tables to hold programs, workshops, and activities. Have meetings running in the Gallery while lunch is served concurrently in the Forum. The space can be easily adapted for special uses. The Event Center is nestled in a fig grove and landscaped with orchids and sculpture gardens.  

Enjoy the spectacular view from the Main House Deck. This space is wonderful for sharing meals, or relaxing in between planned programs. 

Plan a presentation at Hippocrates Circle, located in the old Oak Grove. The elegant trees will provide natural shade and a protective atmosphere. Hidden Valley's original owner Dr. Bernard Jensen led his iconic lectures on natural health and healing from this historic platform. This space is equipped with power for your presentations.