Private Retreat

A weekend of quietude.
With meals and lodging provided.
So that you can focus on what matters.

A few days of uninterrupted time and space are sometimes necessary. The guest cottage at Pastime Farm is reserved for this purpose. It provides an opportunity to remove yourself from the typical distractions and intentionally focus on self-guided retreat (e.g., silence, meditation, writing, reading). Picnic baskets containing homemade vegetarian meals are placed at your door three times daily. (You’ll have selected your favorite menu items ahead of time.) Day or night, you’re encouraged to spend plenty of time outdoors (e.g., sunbathing, hiking, picnicking, star gazing). The natural surroundings support reconnecting with yourself.

Although solitude is an absolute necessity for some of us, it isn’t suitable for everyone. If you’re comfortable being alone with yourself, then Private Retreat is for you. Otherwise, a Group Weekend Retreat is likely a better fit for you.
You are welcome to invite a friend, family member, or colleague if your purpose for spending the weekend together is aligned with the intention of private retreat (e.g., meditating, co-creating, aligning, reconnecting).
Private Retreat is offered for the sole purpose of supporting your solitude and focused attention (e.g., silence, meditation, writing, hiking, reading). Aside from preparing and delivering your food, I will be carrying on with my typical activities and will do so in silence (e.g., gardening, hiking, meditating). The weekend is not intended to be interactive — either therapeutically or interpersonally.

Participation

Spend a few days.
Relax, replenish, refocus.
A sanctuary in the SF Bay Area.

You are being invited into the sanctuary we’ve created within our family’s backyard. Our property is secluded and yet accessible. Unstuffy, relaxed, and at ease. It is truly a place to come home to your senses — offering privacy, protection, and natural space in which to unwind.

Retreat takes place at Pastime Farm — a private property in the San Francisco Bay Area. The address will be provided upon confirmation of your registration. Until then, aim your travel plans toward Sunol, California.
Our small hobby farm has a relaxed, down-to-earth, and harmonious vibe. By day, you can expect to be greeted by two cats, a dozen hummingbirds, and our friendly flock of chickens. After sunset, birdsong is replaced by that of bats, frogs, and our two resident barn owls. In Spring 2024, you’ll hear the 9 newborn owls testing out their hoots from their owl boxes. (If you’re a sensitive sleeper, please bring earplugs.)
Our backyard opens directly to the Sunol Regional Wilderness. Just slip out the back gate and hike 6,000 acres of ridge lands. (Or feel free to unwind here. By night, lounge in the terrace be entertained by the baby barn owls. In the late afternoon, rest in the orchard to sunbathe in the wintertime.)
The guest cottage is located at the rear of the property. Access requires walking approximately 200 yards over relatively flat ground covered by bark mulch, as well as crossing a 4” tall door threshold. The property offers many places to rest, including picnic tables, benches, and Adirondack chairs. Accessing these areas requires walking over uneven terrain, climbing stone steps, and remaining alert for holes created by our chickens. Please reach out with any questions.

Accommodations

Our 700-square-foot guest cottage (pictured below) is situated between the garden, fire pit, and chicken coop. It is split into two adjoining spaces that are connected by a passage door. If you prefer solitary retreat, then it’s all yours. If you bring a friend, then the privacy door can be locked (as in a hotel). In either case, you will have selected your favorite menu items ahead of time.

Meals are included with your stay. Picnic baskets will be placed at your doorstep three times daily. (You’re welcome to eat outdoors.) If you wish to bring some of your favorite food or drink, there is a kitchenette in the cottage. Tea and coffee are in the cottage, as well. If you have food sensitivities and/or allergies, then mention them in your application; I will respond with alternative menu items.
Sequoia (445) has hardwood floors and a 3/4 bathroom. It includes a queen bed, full closet, living space, flat-screen tv, small kitchenette, and wifi. Of the two rooms, this is more spacious and quiet.
Oak (225 sq ft) has hardwood floors and a 3/4 bathroom. It includes a queen bed, writing desk, chair, full closet, flat-screen tv, microwave, mini-fridge, and wifi. It is a brightly-lit space with views of the garden. From this space, you will be able to hear the frogs chirping and the chickens clucking.

Retreat Agreements

Agreements are necessary to create the holding space for a successful private retreat. Before applying, please review the following.

Kelly is severely allergic to synthetic fragrance and, if exposed, will immediately experience anaphylaxis. Before applying for retreat, determine the amount of effort required for you to arrive and stay fragrance-free by checking the ingredients in your hair, body, and laundry products. (If the word “fragrance” or “parfum” is listed in their ingredients, then it will be a problem.) By registering, you are agreeing to forego fragrance entirely, not bring residue on your belongings, and not bring any items containing “fragrance” or “parfum” onto the property.
Please note that the guest cottage is not offered as a typical weekend rental (e.g., VRBO). It is intended for the sole purpose of supporting your personal retreat. For that reason, with the exception of hiking, plan to stay on property during your visit.
Private retreat is self-guided. I provide the lodging, meals, and privacy so that you can completely focus on your purpose for retreat (e.g., silence, meditation, writing, reading). It is not the time for us to be interacting— either therapeutically or interpersonally.
Due to high fire hazards, there is no smoking, incense, candles, or open flame of any sort to be used on the property — except in the designated area. If you wish to access the area, then ask Kelly.
We do not allow marijuana or illegal drugs on the property. Please do not bring or use them on the property (e.g., micro-dosing, psychedelics).
Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. - 8 a.m.

Retreat Policies

Meals & lodging included.
Arrivals: Thursday or Friday at 2:00 p.m.
Departures: Sunday at 4:00 p.m.

Individual Retreat: Have the cottage to yourself
$1,500 (Friday - Sunday)
$2,100 (Thursday - Sunday)

Shared Retreat: Share the cottage with a friend
$1,800 (Friday - Sunday)
$2,400 (Thursday - Sunday)

Kelly is severely allergic to synthetic fragrance and, if exposed, will immediately experience anaphylaxis. Before applying for retreat, determine the amount of effort required for you to arrive and stay fragrance-free by checking the ingredients in your hair, body, and laundry products. (If the word “fragrance” or “parfum” is listed in their ingredients, then it will be a problem.) By registering, you are agreeing to forego fragrance entirely, not bring residue on your belongings, and not bring any items containing “fragrance” or “parfum” onto the property.
A fee reduction is available to qualifying school teachers, mental health workers (e.g., social workers, psychiatric aides and technicians), and mental health trainees (e.g., clinical interns, medical residents, postdoctoral fellows) if they would not otherwise be able to afford private retreat. If this applies to you, then please let me know.
Private retreat opportunities are limited and only available by request. Therefore, the cost of registration is nonrefundable regardless of attendance. Registration will not be pro-rated based on the choice to leave early.

Apply Here

Private retreats are available by request.

Before continuing, review the agreements and policies listed above. Be especially certain to understand what is required to meet the fragrance-free policy. (If you arrive with fragrance, you will be asked to leave.)
First, click here to review the Menu options. (This is the time to reach out with any questions or requests regarding food and drink.) Next, click here to complete the Application.
After receiving your application, I’ll respond from office@kellyminor.com. (Please check to be sure that it has not been culled to your junk folder.)
If it’s a good fit, then you will be offered upcoming availability and instructions for how to proceed (e.g., complete registration, make your menu selections, sign the liability waiver).
Upon registration, you will receive an automatic confirmation email (from acuityscheduing.com) providing access to our Retreat Resources page. This is where you’ll find everything necessary for our time together (e.g., address, packing).

Clarissa Pinkola Estés on Solitude:

“Solitude is not an absence of energy or action, as some believe, but is rather a boon of wild provisions transmitted to us from the soul.”