The Best Yoga Retreats in California + How to Pick the Perfect One
California offers great weather, natural beauty, and a wide range of yoga styles, making the golden state an ideal place for a yoga retreat.
If you are looking for a yoga retreat in California and want to know how to go about your search, I will share everything you need to know with you.
This article covers the best yoga retreats in California and how to choose the right retreat center for you personally, the best time to go, and what to pack. Let's get started!
Where To Book Your Yoga Retreat?
If you’re looking to book your yoga retreat or teacher training, you want to browse and compare various retreats and know that they are all legit.
Breathing Travel recommends Book Yoga Retreats, the world’s largest yoga retreat site, to book any retreat from beginners to yoga teacher training in every destination imaginable.
The Best Yoga Retreats in California
We've selected some of the best yoga retreats in California that cater to a variety of preferences and experience levels. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced yogi with specific style preferences, there's something for everyone on our list.
The cost of the retreat will vary depending on whether you choose a shared or private room and the inclusions.
3 Day Spiritual Joshua Tree Retreat with Julia Quena Kavi in Yucca Valley
This is one of the best spiritual retreats in California. Guided meditation sessions, cleansing rituals, and healing practices help you connect to your higher self and feel one with the universe.
Duration: 3 days / 2 nights
Location: Joshua Tree Retreat, Yucca Valley, San Bernadino
Experience level: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced
Yoga style: Hatha
Price from: US$500
5 Day Getaway and Personal Yoga Retreat in Santa Barbara
At the Santa Barbara Yoga Center, you have the opportunity to create your own personal yoga retreat. Join the classes with various yoga teachers offered by the center, you can easily do so on a daily basis.
Additionally, you can enjoy the scenic beauty of the coastal city of Santa Barbara while pursuing your yoga practice.
Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
Location: Santa Barbara Yoga Center, Santa Barbara
Experience level: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced
Yoga styles: Hatha, Iyengar, Kundalini, Power, Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative, Therapeutic
Price from: US$885
3 Day Women's Weekend Climbing, Camping, and Yoga Retreat in Joshua Tree National Park
The Whitney Base Camp & Climbing School offers a unique experience of the calm of morning yoga sessions and the thrill of rock climbing.
There are campfires each night to end the day and spectacular national park views.
Duration: 3 days / 2 nights
Location: Whitney Base Camp & Climbing School, Joshua Tree National Park
Experience level: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced
Yoga style: Hatha
Price from: US$428
5 Day SUP, Healing Waters, and Yoga Wellness Retreat in Big Bear Lake, California
This retreat offers a week of mindfulness with stand-up paddleboard yoga and healing waters hiking retreat.
If you are looking for a place that is relaxing, offers experiential practice, and provides home-cooked meals, this is the best yoga retreat in California.
Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
Location: Yoga Bloom Wellness, Big Bear Lake
Experience level: Beginner and Intermediate
Yoga style: Restorative Yoga
Price from: US$1,699
3 Day Rejuvenating Meditation and Yoga Retreat in Los Angeles
This yoga and meditation retreat is the perfect place to build on your yoga practice, study yoga philosophy, and engage in community service.
The environment is calm and peaceful, and the schedule allows for enough time to study and contemplate.
Duration: 3 days / 2 nights
Location: Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center, Los Angeles
Experience level: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced
Yoga styles: Hatha, Kripalu, Sivananda, Karma, Bhakti, Raja
Price from: US$435
2 Week Personal Yoga Retreat with Your Own Studio and Unlimited Yoga in Santa Barbara
This retreat center offers unlimited yoga classes along with a private yoga studio for your personal practice.
You live in a private apartment with a kitchen, can plan your day, and choose any yoga classes you like.
Duration: 14 days / 13 nights
Location: Santa Barbara Yoga Center, Santa Barbara
Experience level: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced
Yoga styles: Hatha, Iyengar, Kundalini, Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative
Price from: US$2,500
4 Day Digital Detox: Move, Breathe, Laugh, Play, and Learn to be Well Retreat in California
This yoga and meditation retreat in Southern California provides a digital detox, which all of us can benefit from.
There are daily yoga classes, meditation practices, and wisdom sessions. Add to this delicious vegetarian meals.
Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
Location: SoCal Wellness Retreats, San Diego
Experience level: Beginner and Intermediate
Yoga style: Nidra
Price from: US$997
3 Day Weekend Warrior Yoga Retreat in Santa Margarita, California
Tired of city life? This weekend getaway is the perfect way to recharge and rejuvenate.
There is a guided morning hike, two yoga classes in the day, and star gazing. Other than this, you can enjoy some delicious wine tasting.
Duration: 3 days / 2 nights
Location: Sagrada Wellness, Santa Margarita
Experience level: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced
Yoga styles: Vinyasa, Restorative
Price from: US$1,204
4 Day Joshua Tree Desert Oasis Yoga Holiday with Hiking in California
Spend three lovely nights in a resort with luxury accommodations that have a yoga studio, private pool, and stunning views of the high desert.
Enjoy healthy meals with plant-based eating, go hiking, and spend time with like-minded participants.
Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
Location: GYPSET Yoga Retreats, Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree National Park
Experience level: Beginner and Intermediate
Yoga styles: Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative
Price from: US$2,100
3 Day Celebrate New You Yoga, Meditation, and Hike Retreat in Yosemite, California
Suitable for beginners, this retreat offers daily yoga sessions, breath work, and meditation classes. It provides the perfect opportunity to deepen your spiritual practice, connect with nature, and explore ancient tantric Tibetan practices.
Duration: 3 days / 2 nights
Location: Larisa Parashakti, North Folk
Experience level: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced
Yoga style: Kundalini
Price from: US$500
Check availability & book now
3 Day Heart Opening and Hot Springs Healing Yoga Retreat in Middletown, California
This intimate retreat offers daily yoga, meditation, breathwork classes, plant medicine ceremony, hot and cold plunges, integration sessions, nature walks, and a custom massage with Reiki and sound healing.
Duration: 3 days / 2 nights
Location: Katrina Baccetti Yoga, Harbin Hot Springs, Middletown
Experience level: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced
Yoga style: Hatha
Price from: US$850
7 Days Find Your Balance Solo Meditation, Mindfulness, and Yoga Retreat in California
There is sun, sand, and mindfulness. Located along the north San Diego coast in Southern California, this is the perfect place to practice yoga on a paddleboard.
You will leave empowered to lead an emotionally, mentally, and physically healthy life.
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
Location: Yoga Bloom Wellness, North Coast San Diego
Experience level: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced
Yoga styles: Hatha, Kundalini, Restorative
Price from: US$4,999
The Best Yoga Retreats in California – Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some of your most burning questions about California yoga retreats.
Why choose California as a yoga retreat destination?
Over time, California has become a paradise for both yoga gurus and practitioners. It is home to some of the most renowned yoga teachers in the world.
Yoga pioneers like BKS Iyengar, Yogi Bhajan, Pattabhi Jois, and Bikram Choudhury established yoga centers in California when they decided to expand to the US. Today, there are hundreds of yoga retreats in California.
Besides, the ecosystem of California supports the philosophy of a yogic lifestyle in terms of food, being environmentally conscious, and diversity.
How to choose the right yoga retreat in California?
There are several factors you can consider while choosing a yoga retreat that is right for you.
Here are some questions you can ask yourself.
Purpose: Do you want to make it more like a vacation where you also get time to yourself or only use the time to focus on your yoga practice?
Location: Would you like to spend time outside of the retreat? Are there any other activities you would like to try other than yoga?
Budget: Factor in transportation costs, costs of meals if they are not included, and if there would be any additional expenses.
Your Yoga Style: What is your intention with joining a retreat? Does the yoga style they practice in the retreat center speak to you? Is it only yoga that you would like to practice, or would you like a more spiritual or holistic experience?
Experience: Does the yoga retreat cater to your level of experience?
What’s the best time to go on a yoga retreat in California?
The weather in California can vary greatly from one part of the state to the other, so you can find something that suits you at any time of the year.
There are beaches, national parks, and mountains, so the landscape is also as diverse as the climate, there is something for everyone.
What to pack for a yoga retreat in California?
The first thing to take into account is the weather. It is good to check the weather forecast for the time of your stay and pack accordingly. Perhaps you need light and airy cotton clothes, or a rain jacket, or something to keep you warm.
Check if there will be any other activities. You might need to pack your hiking shoes, swimsuit, or cycling shorts.
If you are going to stay longer, make sure you have enough change of clothes, or a laundry facility is available at the retreat premises.
Then there are the basics. You might want to consider packing insect repellants, props for your practice if you need them, any medication you might be on, a journal, toiletries, and a reusable water bottle. I always bring a lightweight travel and yoga towel like this one too!
The Best Yoga Retreats in California – Final Words
Having learned about the top yoga retreats in California, it's important to note that each retreat offers a different and unique experience.
However, it's highly likely that regardless of the retreat you choose, you'll leave with a greater sense of inner peace and mental focus, which can only bring positive outcomes.
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