About us
Connect more deeply to yourself, to the environment and to your community!
We are Off-Grid Retreats - a California nonprofit dedicated to providing camping and other close-to-nature (and comfortable!) mindfulness retreats and experiences. Think of us as a nomadic retreat center. We've partnered with several land stewards around the Bay Area; sites are typically a 3 hour drive from San Francisco. We are proud of our scholarship fund along with our sliding scale prices related to our lodging: Large Glamping Bell Tent, Medium Glamping Tent or BYOTent / Van.
We offer retreats on beautifully rustic and intentional pieces of land depending on whatever season is best suited for camping in the area. We also collaborate with loads of local and certified teachers (i.e. meditation, mindfulness, yoga, etc) to lead our events.
No mindfulness or meditation experience is required to participate in our retreats - Just come with a willingness to learn and to respect and connect to the natural world and communities around you.
Our event and retreat programs vary based on the teacher(s) we're collaborating with. So far we've offered these two types of retreats for 4 days and 3 nights: mindfulness nature-based retreats and traditional silent retreats (but in nature). We always offer a free informational Zoom so those who are interested can learn more about the upcoming retreat's specific program and teacher along with meeting other people who are interested in attending. We are beginning to offer shorter in person events as well in various neighborhood parks in San Francisco. Some of these on the horizon incorporate mindful breathing, mindful walking, mindful birding, guided meditation and so on.
For more information and/or to ask any questions, feel free to contact us here and/or visit our website offgridretreats.org.
Upcoming events
10
Knowing Our True Nature: An Earth-Based Meditation Yoga Retreat
Pomo Tierra Ranch, 31723 Highway 128, Yorkville, CA, USDeepen your connection with body, community, and the living earth through meditation instruction, yoga practice, and deep listening to the earth body—both inwardly and outwardly. Led by Kirsten & Mary, this annual silent Buddhist Insight meditation and Hatha yoga retreat is open to practitioners of all levels. We will practice outdoors among the oak groves, pond, hiking trails, and natural waters as much as possible. This retreat is also dana (AKA donation) based so our fees are only set to cover the cost of vegetarian meals and lodging (glamping, camping and BYOTent).
Kirsten Rudestam, PhD, works as a meditation teacher, environmental educator and wilderness guide. She has been practicing Buddhist meditation since 2001 and teaching contemplative practices since 2006. She completed IMC’s 4 year Meditation Teacher Training Program along with several other extensive dharma and ecodharma trainings. She has a PhD in Environmental Sociology from UC Santa Cruz. She also offers individual mentoring and programs in meditation, deep nature connection, ceremony, and radical resilience.
Mary Paffard lives onsite at Pomo Tierra Ranch and has been teaching yoga and training teachers worldwide since 1985. She co-founded Yoga Mendocino, a non profit yoga center and was Director of Teacher Training. She completed the Dedicated Practitioners Program at Spirit Rock and is currently part of a Buddhist Ecology Chaplaincy program at the Sati Center.
Off-Grid Retreats is a nonprofit headquartered in San Francisco with the mission of connecting people to nature through a contemplative lens. We support certified teachers to bring their offerings outside so more people can access guided mindfulness / meditation / movement / etc in nature. We offer scholarships and providing sliding scale tickets to our retreats. We also coordinate a nature practice fellowship, rentals and overnights for other nonprofits.
For more info, please go to offgridretreats.org/events/april2026knowing
2 attendeesFinding Ease in the Wilderness with Lawrence Schuessler
Practice.Place, 11 Calle Del Pinos, Stinson Beach, CA, USLawrence is a wilderness guide, educator, Buddhist Dharma practitioner and meditation facilitator. He believes that with guidance and support anyone can find some sense of ease in the wilderness. Using mindfulness, humor, and movement, come to gain skills and understanding of how you can engage with the outdoors in a way that feels true to you. During the retreat, spend time in meditation, hiking, skill building, connecting with other participants and in reflection and rest. Open to all - this retreat is also dana (AKA donation) based so our fees are only set to cover the cost of vegetarian meals and lodging (indoor & BYOTent).
Lawrence has spent the past 25+ years guiding and facilitating people in wild spaces all over the world. He has also completed Inward Bound Mindfulness Teacher Training, Nature Dharma Training with Susie Harrington, Gil Fronsdal, and Mark Coleman. And currently he is in Community Dharma Leader 7 at Spirit Rock Meditation Center and is a Guide with Sky Mind Retreats.
Off-Grid Retreats is a nonprofit headquartered in San Francisco with the mission of connecting people to nature through a contemplative lens. We support certified teachers to bring their offerings outside so more people can access guided mindfulness / meditation / movement / etc in nature. We offer scholarships and providing sliding scale tickets to our retreats. We also coordinate a nature practice fellowship, rentals and overnights for other nonprofits.
For more info, please go to offgridretreats.org/events/april2026finding
1 attendeeDharma & Recovery Retreat with Kevin Griffin & Paula Snow
Shelterwood Collective, 23500 King Ridge Rd, Cazadero, CA, USThis unique retreat combines traditional Buddhist practices with recovery work in nature. Primarily conducted in silence, the retreat focuses on insight meditation and heart practices, along with interactive exercises, talks, and meetings. All recovery paths are welcome, whether Twelve Step, Recovery Dharma, substance, process, or relationship-oriented. Participants must be at least 30 days sober and clean. But no prior meditation experience is required. This retreat is also dana (AKA donation) based so our fees are only set to cover the cost of vegetarian meals and lodging (indoor, glamping, camping and BYOTent).
Kevin is an acclaimed author and teacher. He began teaching meditation in 1996 and cofounded the Buddhist Recovery Network. He received Community Dharma Leader teacher training at Spirit Rock Meditation Center and trained with Jack Kornfield, Joseph Goldstein, etc. He teaches internationally in Buddhist centers, treatment centers, conferences and academic settings. He specializes in helping people in recovery connect with meditation and a progressive understanding of the 12 Steps.
Paula is a graduate of the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. Her practice is rooted in traditional Buddhist lineages and extensive training in Asia. Her instruction has both ancient precision and modern accessibility. She is currently training to teach Dharma & Recovery with Kevin Griffin and has 10 years in recovery.
Off-Grid Retreats is a nonprofit headquartered in San Francisco with the mission of connecting people to nature through a contemplative lens. We support certified teachers to bring their offerings outside so more people can access guided mindfulness / meditation / movement / etc in nature. We offer scholarships and providing sliding scale tickets to our retreats. We also coordinate a nature practice fellowship, rentals and overnights for other nonprofits.
For more info, please go to offgridretreats.org/events/april2026dharma
1 attendeeDeep Rest & Renewal: A Women’s Mindfulness Retreat in Nature
Shelterwood Collective, 23500 King Ridge Rd, Cazadero, CA, USWomen identifying practitioners from any and all backgrounds and meditation experience levels are welcome. This retreat is a precious chance to relax into connection and awareness during guided periods of traditional sitting and walking meditation, nature-based mindfulness, and relational mindfulness practices. Led by Juliana Sloane, we’ll spend much of each day outdoors, immersed in the beauty of spring, walking lush trails, and resting in the presence of madrone and oak trees. This retreat is also dana (AKA donation) based so our fees are only set to cover the cost of vegetarian meals and lodging (indoor, glamping, camping and BYOTent).
Juliana received Buddhist Chaplaincy training from the Sati Center and founded a weekly meditation group for those who identify as women. She participated in Spirit Rock’s Community Dharma Leader Program and received teaching authorization from Erin Treat. She currently works as a hypnotherapist and teaches at San Francisco Insight, Spirit Rock, Santa Fe Vipassana, etc.
Off-Grid Retreats is a nonprofit headquartered in San Francisco with the mission of connecting people to nature through a contemplative lens. We support certified teachers to bring their offerings outside so more people can access guided mindfulness / meditation / movement / etc in nature. We offer scholarships and providing sliding scale tickets to our retreats. We also coordinate a nature practice fellowship, rentals and overnights for other nonprofits.
For more info, please go to offgridretreats.org/events/april2026dharma
1 attendee
Past events
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