Best Wellness Retreat for Women with Yoga & Meditation near the Bay Area

This September 26–28 (Friday through Sunday), Spirit Camp in Mendocino County invites women ages 20+ to a weekend devoted to yoga, mindfulness meditation, movement, writing, and playful group connection. What sets this retreat apart is the ethos of Sacred Feminine: a focus on agency, consent, and joyful exploration. Every session is an invitation, not an expectation.

Reserve your spot through the Sacred Feminine page, and view other upcoming opportunities on the Spirit Camp Retreats calendar.

This is more than another weekend workshop; it’s an immersive experience that balances depth with delight. Here, you are free to say yes or no, to dance or rest, to move or be still. That choice-based container is why so many consider this one of the Best Wellness Retreats for Women in Northern California.

Context for Yoga & Mindfulness as Core Wellness Tools

Mindfulness began reaching mainstream attention in the West during the 1980s, framed as a practice of non-judgmental presence. Retreats and wellness programs have adopted it as a simple, secular method for reducing stress and enhancing emotional clarity. It continues to serve as a gentle gateway for many into deeper awareness of mind and body.

Much of that mainstreaming traces back to Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), launched in 1979. Though this retreat does not teach MBSR as a curriculum, the lineage explains how mindfulness has been embraced by hospitals, schools, and communities worldwide as a proven wellness tool.

Yoga has also evolved into a broad, global practice. In contemporary contexts, yoga blends postures, breathing, and relaxation, serving both physical and emotional well-being. At retreats, it functions less as athletic performance and more as a compassionate, breath-led way of returning home to the body.

It’s important to hold balanced expectations: while research shows yoga and mindfulness can support stress management, resilience, and emotional healing, outcomes differ for everyone. What you’ll find at this retreat is not a prescriptive formula but a supportive environment to explore these practices with curiosity.

Photo of Deer Haven, one of the our many unique cabin spaces. This cabin has three beds. Cabins have between 1 to 8 beds each and provide several different sleeping arrangements for Best Wellness Retreat for Women. All cabin spaces are included in healing retreat for women in Mendocino.

Photo of Group Glamping Tents Setup in Sunset Meadow.  We have 10 Glamping Structures that can be added with 1to 3 beds each. This can increase bed capacity of campus to 50 guests across 20 unique accommodation spaces.  

Facilitators — Experienced, welcoming, research-informed

This weekend is guided by Lisa Gungor and Dr. Hillary McBride. Lisa is a Grammy-nominated musician and author with yoga training that infuses creativity and accessibility into her facilitation. Hillary is a therapist, researcher, and author with a PhD in Counselling Psychology, known for her compassionate and evidence-informed approach. Together, they co-founded Sacred Feminine in 2018, committed to creating non-hierarchical, playful, and transformative spaces for women.

Spirit Camp Experience — Rustic-meets-refined: choose your lodging style

Spirit Camp offers a balance of rustic charm and refined comfort. Choose between private cabins with cozy heaters and linen bedding, shared rooms for smaller groups, the nostalgic bunkhouse for camp camaraderie, or seasonal glamping and tent sites under the stars. Every space is clean, thoughtfully designed, and infused with redwood character.

Communal meals, largely plant-based and locally sourced, are shared around long wooden tables, while practice spaces like the Sanctuary and Redwood Lodge bring warmth, sunlight, and community. This unique Northern California retreat center honors both solitude and connection, creating a nourishing environment for your inner work. Explore more at Spirit Camp.

Location & Access — Near the Bay Area, worlds away

Spirit Camp is located in Mendocino County, about three hours from San Francisco and Oakland and two hours from Santa Rosa. Just minutes from the historic village of Mendocino and Highway 1, the retreat feels both secluded and accessible. Whether you arrive from the Bay Area or fly into a regional airport, the drive north becomes part of the reset: winding roads, coastal views, and the hush of redwood groves. See additional programs on the Spirit Camp Retreats calendar.

FAQs

1. What makes this one of the “best” retreats for women?
   The combination of skilled facilitators, choice-centered programming, inclusive ethos, and Spirit Camp’s redwood sanctuary creates an unparalleled environment for rest and transformation.

2. Can I come solo?
   Yes, many participants arrive on their own. The container is designed to be welcoming, and new friendships often form naturally.

3. What age range attends?
   This retreat is open to women ages 20 and up. The community tends to be intergenerational, with women in their 20s through 60s participating together.

Nearby Activities — Extend your stay with local wonders

Just south of Fort Bragg, the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens stretch to the ocean’s edge, showcasing dahlias, roses, and native plants against sweeping coastal views. Birders love spotting hummingbirds, hawks, and even migrating geese among the blooms. A stroll here complements retreat time with sensory delight and quiet reflection.

Another highlight is the Point Cabrillo Light Station, perched on dramatic coastal bluffs east of Mendocino. Trails lead to the lighthouse itself, where history meets panoramic ocean views. It’s a serene place to walk, breathe the salt air, and let the coastal horizon broaden your perspective before returning home.

Top Women’s Retreats Mendocino & the Bay Area

If you’ve been seeking the best women’s wellness retreat North of San Francisco or wondering about the top women’s retreats Mendocino, this program combines both proximity and depth. The redwoods, yoga, mindfulness, and supportive community create an unforgettable environment for growth.

Looking for a Healing Women’s Retreat “Near Me”? Explore Spirit Camp

From the Bay Area to the redwoods, Spirit Camp offers more than a weekend away—it offers renewal. Between yoga, meditation, shared meals, and starry night skies, you’ll find yourself restored and reconnected. This is why many call it the Best Wellness Retreat for Women in Northern California.

Final Invitation & Conclusion

If you’re ready to immerse in a weekend that honors your body, mind, and spirit, the Sacred Feminine retreat awaits. September 26–28 is your opportunity to pause, breathe, and belong in community. Reserve through the Sacred Feminine page, and browse all upcoming programs at the Spirit Camp Retreats calendar.

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