California Bhakti Retreat: Devotional Yoga & Kirtan in the Mendocino Redwoods of Northern California
California Bhakti Retreat: Devotional Yoga & Kirtan in the Mendocino Redwoods of Northern California
From the moment you turn off the highway and wind your way beneath the redwood canopy, it feels as if the world softens. Over Memorial Day weekend 2026, the California Bhakti Retreat known as the Mendocino Bhakti & Kirtan Retreat unfolds at Spirit Camp, a redwood-framed haven in Mendocino County, Northern California. For four days and three nights—from Friday, May 22 through Monday, May 25, 2026—you are invited into devotional practice, community, and deep rest in the forest. You can learn more about the Mendocino Bhakti & Kirtan Retreat and book your cabin or campsite directly on the Spirit Camp retreat page here, and read about this transformative retreat on its dedicated page as well: Mendocino Bhakti & Kirtan Retreat.
If you are browsing options for a Northern California Yoga Retreat, you can also explore the full calendar of offerings on Spirit Camp’s retreat page: Spirit Camp Retreats Calendar. There you’ll find other nature-based immersions that, like this Mendocino Bhakti Retreat, center around embodied practice, community, and the magic of the redwoods.
Four Days of Devotional Practice: A California Bhakti Retreat Over Memorial Day Weekend
This long weekend Northern California Bhakti Yoga retreat weekend is designed as a spacious, heart-centered immersion. You’ll arrive at Spirit Camp on Friday afternoon, welcomed into a cozy “summer camp for spiritual adults” atmosphere with time to settle into your lodging, breathe in the forest air, and drop into your body before opening circle and practice. That first evening gives you a taste of what’s to come: grounding yoga, a nourishing vegetarian dinner, and an opening kirtan in the Sanctuary to soften the edges of everyday life.
The full days in the middle of this Bhakti Yoga Retreat in California follow a rhythm that is both structured and easeful. Mornings begin with light snacks, coffee, or tea before a meditation and mantra-infused flow practice. Late mornings invite you to savor hearty vegetarian brunch—organic, locally inspired meals that support your practice rather than weigh you down. Afternoons weave together time for rest, nature walks, and community connection, with a late-afternoon restorative or dharma-infused session that invites you deeper into the teachings.
Evenings are reserved for devotion. After dinner, the group gathers again to sing. Nightly kirtans become the beating heart of this California Bhakti Retreat, offering a place for your voice, breath, and emotions to be welcomed exactly as they are. By the time departure day arrives on Monday, you’ll have moved through opening and closing circles, multiple yoga practices, and three nights of chanting under the trees—an arc that feels both expansive and beautifully contained.
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 California Bhakti Retreat. All cabin spaces are included in Bhakti Yoga Retreat in California.
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.
Guided by Devotion: Meet Bhakti & Kirtan Teacher Nat Kendall
San Francisco–based yoga teacher and acclaimed world music recording artist Nat Kendall brings a deep well of devotion and experience to this Bhakti Yoga Retreat in California. Known for his Bhakti-infused offerings and heart-centered guidance, Nat creates spaces where beginners and long-time practitioners alike feel held, inspired, and free to show up exactly as they are.
Nat’s teaching style bridges ancient yogic wisdom with the realities of contemporary life. Rooted in authenticity and grounded in compassion, his classes offer practical tools for emotional resilience and spiritual growth—everything from mantra and breath awareness to simple practices you can weave into a busy week. His kirtans blend soulful music, storytelling, and mantra in a way that feels both timeless and refreshingly human, inviting your whole self into the practice. (Bigger Life Adventures)
At the heart of Nat’s work is a clear mission: to share what has been awakened in him through the yogic traditions and to offer the sanctuary of teachings that illuminate the path home. This California Bhakti Retreat in the Mendocino redwoods is a natural extension of that mission—a chance to gather in community, sing, move, and remember the deeper reasons we practice at all.
Immersed in the Trees: Life at a Redwood Retreat Center in Mendocino
Spirit Camp, your home for this Mendocino Yoga Retreat, is a former youth summer camp turned boutique retreat sanctuary on the Mendocino coast of Northern California. Lodging ranges from rustic-cozy private cabins with queen beds to shared cabins, a nostalgic bunkhouse, tent cabins, and seasonal glamping. Regardless of where you sleep, you’ll have access to a shared bathhouse with plenty of hot water, plus beautiful shared spaces like the Sanctuary, Magic Meadow, and Redwood Lodge.
Meals are vegetarian, organic, and thoughtfully prepared, often sourced from local farms. During this Nature and Yoga Retreat Mendocino, a local chef will be providing hearty, nourishing dishes designed to support yoga and devotional practice—think colorful vegetables, whole grains, seasonal ingredients, and satisfying plant-based proteins. Meals are served family style, so you can sit shoulder to shoulder with new friends, laugh, share stories, and digest the day’s practices together.
Daily life at this Northern California Yoga Retreat naturally spills beyond the yoga mat. You might find yourself journaling in Magic Meadow, lying in the grass and listening to the wind moving through the trees. You may wander the private forest trails, sip tea in the sunlit Sanctuary, or linger around an evening campfire as stories, songs, and quiet moments weave a sense of village. The vibe is relaxed and playful—summer-camp nostalgia blended with adult-level spiritual exploration, all within a sober, inclusive environment.
To get a feel for the land and the wider offerings, you can explore the Spirit Camp retreat center, a Redwood retreat sanctuary crafted with care and devotion.
Where This California Bhakti Retreat Lives: Mendocino County, North of San Francisco
This California Bhakti Retreat takes place in Mendocino County, California, on the Northern California coast. Spirit Camp sits just a short drive inland from the Pacific Ocean, on the traditional and unceded lands of the Pomo people. It lies a few hours north of San Francisco and the broader Bay Area, making it an accessible yet world-away destination for those traveling from cities like San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, San Jose, or Santa Rosa.
For many participants searching for a Bay Area Yoga Retreat that still feels like a true getaway, the drive itself becomes part of the pilgrimage. As you leave the urban skyline behind and wind through forests and coastal landscapes, the pace of life naturally slows. Spirit Camp is also conveniently positioned within reach of counties like Sonoma and Marin, and only about ten minutes from the historic town of Mendocino, where you’ll find cafes, grocery stores, and small shops for any last-minute needs.
If you’d like to look ahead and see other dates for a Northern California Bhakti Yoga retreat weekend or similar offerings, you can browse upcoming programs on Spirit Camp’s retreat calendar.
FAQs for a California Bhakti Retreat in Mendocino
“Is this California Bhakti Retreat suitable for beginners in yoga, meditation, or kirtan?”
Yes. This Bhakti Yoga Northern California immersion is intentionally welcoming to all levels. Practices are clearly guided, with space to rest, modify, or simply observe. If you’ve never stepped onto a mat, chanted a mantra, or sat in meditation before, you’ll be supported. If you’re more experienced, you’ll find depth, nuance, and a chance to reconnect to the heart of your practice.“What kind of accommodations and shared bathroom setup can I expect at Spirit Camp?”
Spirit Camp offers a spectrum of lodging—from private cabins and shared cabins to bunkhouse beds, tent cabins, and seasonal glamping options. All accommodations share access to a communal bathhouse with toilets, sinks, and hot showers. The spaces are rustic yet thoughtfully updated, blending Redwood charm with clean, cozy details so you can rest deeply between sessions.“Do I need to fully unplug for the weekend, or is limited phone use okay?”
This Best Bhakti Retreat California-style gathering encourages a gentle digital detox so you can drop fully into the land, the practices, and the community. You’re invited—not required—to set your phone aside for much of the weekend. Wi-Fi is available for essential check-ins or emergencies, so you can stay reachable where needed while still giving your nervous system a much-needed break from constant notifications.
Extending Your California Bhakti Retreat With Mendocino Adventures
Many participants choose to arrive a day early or linger after this Kirtan Retreat California to enjoy the wider Mendocino coast. The area around Spirit Camp is rich with state parks, beaches, and forest trails that echo the retreat’s themes of presence and embodied connection.
Hike a Waterfall Trail at Russian Gulch State Park Before or After Retreat
Just a short drive from Spirit Camp, Russian Gulch State Park is known for its lush, fern-lined canyons, rugged coastline, and a graceful waterfall tucked into the forest. The popular waterfall loop trail winds beneath towering redwoods and through a moist, green corridor where moss, ferns, and filtered light create a dreamlike atmosphere. At the end of the canyon, a roughly 35–36-foot waterfall spills into a tranquil pool, offering a beautiful spot to stand in silence, listen to the water, and feel your body soften after a long week. (California State Parks)
Spending a few hours on the Russian Gulch waterfall trail can feel like an extension of your Mindfulness Retreat California experience. As you walk, you might repeat a favorite mantra quietly to yourself, noticing how the rhythm of your steps aligns with your breath and the sound of water in the distance. The hike is accessible enough for many ability levels yet immersive enough to feel like a true forest adventure—an ideal way to bookend your time at the Mendocino Bhakti Retreat.
Stroll Coastal Bluffs and Secret Coves at Mendocino Headlands State Park
Mendocino Headlands State Park wraps around the village of Mendocino, offering miles of trails along dramatic coastal bluffs. Here, you can wander at your own pace, pausing to watch waves surge through sea arches, explore secluded coves, and feel the wind on your face as you look out over the vast Pacific. The park’s gentle paths and sweeping vistas make it a favorite destination for visitors seeking a quiet yet awe-inspiring encounter with the Northern California coast. (California State Parks)
After your California Bhakti Retreat, an afternoon at Mendocino Headlands can serve as a moving meditation—a way to integrate the chants, insights, and connections you’ve experienced. You might walk the bluffs alone in silence, or wander with new friends, sharing reflections as the light shifts across the water. The proximity of this coastline to Spirit Camp underscores what makes a Best Yoga Retreat California-style experience so special here: you don’t have to travel across the world to be transported. You can drive just a few hours north and find yourself in a landscape that feels utterly timeless.
Say Yes to Your California Bhakti Retreat in the Mendocino Redwoods
If your heart is longing for community, song, and stillness in nature, this California Bhakti Retreat offers a clear and gentle invitation. Picture yourself waking to the scent of redwoods and fresh coffee, moving through morning meditation and flow, sharing laughter over brunch, and then gathering at night to chant under the stars. Imagine vegetarian meals served family style, fireside storytelling, slow walks through the forest, and the feeling of being truly met—exactly as you are.
You’re invited to learn more and book your spot for the Mendocino Bhakti & Kirtan Retreat through the retreat’s information and registration page: Learn more and book your spot for the Mendocino Bhakti & Kirtan Retreat.
To explore additional Bhakti Yoga Northern California and nature-based offerings, as well as other Nature and Yoga Retreat Mendocino experiences, you can also explore the full Spirit Camp retreat calendar here: Spirit Camp Retreats.
When you feel that inner “yes,” the redwoods will be waiting.
TOPICS:
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