New Camaldoli Hermitage

Absolutely a wonderful experience, and I am not Catholic. It is a must experience for everyone. Especially a great place if your heart is troubled. I was able to do what I wanted but the location and the spirit there is truly wonderful. Thank you Father Issac.

I stayed here for 1 night in a cell, which is the hermitages old fashioned term for a suite. It had a bed, study, kitchen with fridge, utensils, coffee maker and microwave plus a full bathroom and my own private chapel! It was a great experience. I actually showed up on the wrong day, but the receptionist at the bookstore graciously worked to accommodate me. I forget her name but she was an older, petite woman with blond hair. Father Renaro showed me around — very friendly! I went to the religious services, knowing nothing but i followed along best i could and nobody gave me a hard time, and they aided me as best they could. They serve buffet style meals twice a day, all vegetarian — simple fare. They have the kitchen open ²⁴⁄₇ so even if theres no prepared meals, theres yogurt, fruit, bread and oatmeal. You eat by yourself in your room or elsewhere on the grounds – its a hermitage not a commune. If i saw a monk or another guest I told them good morning or gave them the old-​fashioned head nod. Dont bother trying to engage people in conversation in the kitchen because the goal there is to maintain silence. if you want to talk to people it’s ideal to do it away from buildings. Again, this place is meant for contemplation although I did observe a few guests congregating amongst themselves. It’s located at the top of a very high and curvy, road so be careful going up and down. And there’s no cell phone service or wireless Internet that you can connect to so don’t even bother trying. Be sure you get a map or look at the route I ahead of time because it’s very easy to miss the entrance on highway since there’s no cell phone coverage for your GPS. They do have electrical outlets in the room so you can plug in your devices, but again that defeats the purpose of being there. You have to wash your own dishes and turn in your linens but I don’t think you’re expected to clean up your room and unless you make a serious mess. If you don’t get a room with a bathroom there is a common shower with private stalls, so be sure you bring some flip-​flops and a towel. Maybe toiletries, if youre a soap person. All things considered, the brothers were very friendly and pleasant.

This place is unbelievably magical. It is perfect if you are looking for a spiritual, humbling, relaxing experience. The monks are incredibly welcoming and prepare 3 delicious, mostly vegetarian home-​cooked meals/​day — it feels like you are staying with family who welcome you with open arms, but give you complete privacy.
Upon arrival you are left with a set of clean linens so you can make your bed how you prefer, as well as a set of dishes that you can use for the duration of your stay — meaning you wash them yourself after each meal. That being said, this isn’t a luxury resort by any means — but I really enjoyed this aspect, it was all so grounding and meditative.
The views are absolutely breathtaking. I stayed in the Retreat House, there are 9 private rooms, each with a half bath and their own private courtyard. The bed was very comfortable — I slept better than I had in ages. The showers are located in the kitchen area and are very clean and comfortable!
This place is such a gem — and the monks are so welcoming and sweet. I don’t consider myself a religious person but I attended Eucharist twice while I was there — the chapel is absolutely stunning (in a modest way) and there is such a gorgeous warm energy there. I highly recommend attending the worship ceremonies even if you aren’t religious! They are so open minded and welcoming — this really gave me a new perspective on religion as a whole! The monks truly demonstrate how religion SHOULD be.
They are very accommodating — I decided to extend my stay (on a holiday weekend) and they initially were fully booked, but ended up taking care of me — they even found a way to let me stay in the same room.
I’m hesitant to leave a good review because I don’t want too many people to find out about the beauty of this place! :)

BIg Sur’s Camaldolese Benedictine monastery is known for vast oceanic views, prayer retreats & famous fruitcakes. It is a beautiful, no frills place to unplug and to take some time for yourself. No TV, no internet, no cell phones, no land lines in your room; just peace and quiet, a rarity these days. The monks are friendly, inclusive (not intrusive) and non-​judgmental. Although it is Catholic, it is not your traditional Catholic experience. All are welcome however this is not a place for noisy, disruptive, high maintenance types or anyone under 16 (no kids, no pets). Their domain is ‘con​tem​pla​tion​.com’ so that should give you a clue. The chapel is beautifully designed, the gift shop has all sorts of items, some spiritual, some secular, all interesting. Read the FAQ’s to learn more

I always wanted to spend a night in the majesty of Big Sur. I read the reviews of the New camaldoli Hermitage and decided that it would be perfect. Well, i t was even more than I expected… I hesitate to write a review, because I wouldn’t want hordes of tourists coming here, but I had to comment on my wonderful stay here… the setting is epic… I seen a staggering Big Sur sunset, and the views high above the coast in either direction were epic… The sense of serenity and quiet in this wonderful place were unprecedented in my experience… I love this place. love it.

I’ve visited a few remarkable and stunningly beautiful spiritual retreats in North America, Europe and Japan. And yet this is the one place I couldn’t bring myself to leave. The beauty, the quiet, the utter simplicity of the place. I’m not sure if it’s the height from which you look down to PCH and the vast ocean ahead of you, the decades of meditation that’s been happening or the now-​ness that you find yourself in, it’s so majestic, beautiful and peaceful it made we weep with happiness. Please go, even if only for a few hours.

tl;dr; A very serene place, perfect place for you to take a break and rediscover yourself.
A very beautiful place. Go here to find your inner peace. You’ll be immersed in silence so profound and so meaningful you could almost hear your thoughts.
Fall asleep in the night listening the sounds of leaves falling off the trees or stay awake looking deep into starry sky pondering over the mysteries of the universe.
Wake up to see the pacific ocean completely blanketed by clouds which would clear out at about 2 PM.
Walk over to one of the prayer sessions, where people of all faiths are welcome, I should know, I am agnostic.

I’ve done a fair amount of traveling. From a hilltop fortress in the Caribbean I’ve watched the red burning sun turn into the green flash as it dipped into the sea. After a well-​timed rain storm ended, a friend and I ended up the only two people left to wonder the perfect flower gardens and hedges in the garden of Versailles without another soul in sight. I’ve stood with friends along the bank of Lake Nakuru in Kenya looking out at tens of thousands of flamingos mulling in the shallow water and I have hiked the perfect forests of Western Massachusetts and Vermont.
That said, this is one of my favorite places on the planet. New Camoldoi Hermitage is the intersection of a stunningly beautiful section of Big Sur and a humble and thoughtful group of monks. Even if you decide not to stay, just visit.
They only have space for so many people to stay overnight, a main source of their income. Expect very basic rooms and showers. The food is cooked by the monks. You might need to make a reservation months in advance, but call. As several people point out, sometimes people suddenly just cancel at the last minute (I hope that the monks can keep a deposit when this happens) and now the room is empty. If you are really flexible, I would just call and tell them that you would really like to stay there in the near future and could someone call you if there is a cancellation.
When I lived in California, I went there enough that I got to know several of the monks, and they are really amazing people who were encouraged to use their many talents. You will pretty much be left on your own while you are there. If you want to talk to a monk, request this. The best tip that I can give you is to try to visit on a Sunday, because after the mass on Sunday everyone is invited to have lunch with the monks. This is a chance to talk to some people and see the cloister. After the meal everyone helps with the dishes, it’s a real community moment.
Also, I would go to all of the prayers. The first one starts at 5:30 am and there is probably a tendency to skip it. First, that’s really when the stars are brightest, and rarely do you see stars like you do in Big Sur so go out and see them. Second, just roll out of bed and go (my hair is sticking out in every direction) — that’s why you are here. Then afterwords walk down the main road to where the driveway bends — there is a great look out. The sea has splashes of turquoise and you can see the cars way down on route 1 as they come and go. There are so many little animals that pop out along the way that it is like a Disney cartoon.
Sadly, just before I left California, I went to visit knowing that I would not get to come here much more and also because one of the monks that had befriended me was dying. He found me, and eventually we found our way to a balcony to talk. I wish that I could replay that conversation for you here instead because the fearless and cheerful way that he understood and welcomed a death that was now weeks away had so many insights for really living. If in anyway I’ve convinced you to visit and you gain some moment of reflection or understanding, then I am very truly happy for you.

Big Sur’s best kept secret. If you’re looking for a no-​frills silent retreat center, this is the perfect place.
It sits on top of Big Sur’s hills, at a Catholic monastery. For an affordable amount per night, you get your own room and private garden overlooking the hills and ocean, breakfast, lunch and dinner and lots of spots along their trail with beautiful views of the coastline where you can meditate and just be. Again, this is a no-​frills place so if you want the kind of luxury that Post Ranch Inn or Esalen has, you will not find it here.

I had the pleasure and honor of living and working with the monks at New Camaldoli for over two years. It is a place that will remain forever dear to my heart. The setting is nearly impossibly beautiful. The monks are deeply spiritual, kind-​hearted men. Even if you are not Catholic, I would encourage you to attend the services held in the lovely chapel. You will find yourself filled with a sense of wonder and peace no matter your faith. The retreat accommodations are simple and clean and all offer breathtaking views of the Big Sur coast 1300-​feet below.
If you want some time out from the misery of the mainstream world, this is the place to go. Words really cannot do it justice. You have to go and see, and then you will understand.

Silence. Lots of silence. Lots of reflection. Lots of rest. Lots of beauty. Perfection of simplicity.
I had been meaning to come here to practice the above. It was perfect, especially as I was to begin a new school year. I came to re-​center myself. Such a beautiful time. :)

I would definitely recommend this place. Views were beautiful and monks were friendly. We paid $ 190 a night (busy season) for a room with two twin beds. Be prepared for a sparse room. It’s not a «hotel» experience, but it’s not meant to be. The room was clean enough. Bathroom small but good enough (although the refrigerator and place you washed dishes was in the bathroom which was kind of icky). Given that most coastal hotels are not worth what you pay for, I would say this was a steal. You will have to kill several bugs, but that seems to be the case at all the hotels in Big Sur, A fairly decent lunch time meal is also included (saving us quite a bit). I’d recommend bringing some food and water to keep in your room.
Be prepared that if you’re looking for an old school «Catholic» experience, you will not get it here. I don’t know if it has to do with the sect or this particular hermitage, but if I didn’t know otherwise, I wouldn’t even know they were Catholic. There was a very, very small selection of Catholic books in the bookstore, Most were on spirituality in general, self-​help or entirely other religions, which I found disappointing. So if you’re okay with an East meets West approach and practicing yoga with a bunch of hippies, then you’ll love it. If you’re just looking for a nice, secluded spot with beautiful views for a few days of quiet meditation, you’ll love it. But if you’re looking for a traditional Catholic experience, you might be turned off, or even offended.
So although it wasn’t exactly what I had expected in terms of the religious aspect, I’d probably go back, now that I know what it’s like.

I found this place so last minute fourth of July weekend. When I originally called they had one room available but I really wanted to another day than what they offered me. Then I decided I wanted it, but it was too late somebody else grab it. But they put me on a list, just in case somebody cancelled, & it was my lucky day, somebody did cancel. Ask for Doxa, the room is stunning, yes jaw-​dropping view of the ocean. I needed this retreat, & God works in mysterious ways right.
I’m looking forward to my next retreat. We all need to practice silence disconnect from the outside world & check-​in. So if you are looking for a true getaway this is the place to visit.

Lovely location with gorgeous views of the Big Sur coast.
I attended Mass last Sunday. I liked the Eucharistic prayer part of the Mass. They have a separate room for that. There is an air of mystery with the chanting, the incense and the light streaming from the top.
The fruitcake is awesome too.

This is a spiritual place, not a Hilton Hotel. If you spend anytime there you soon realize that you have entered a very special place.
There is a strong request for silence. The monks are available for spiritual counseling. Make an appointment at the gift/​book shop. The services are very simple, but yet beautiful. Non-​Catholics will get a lot out of the locale and the serenity of the services.
Be aware that there is no cell phone, TV, internet available. This is a place for peace and serenity/

I absolutely recommend this place if you are in need of some solitude, simplicity, spirituality, beauty and quiet. The price is totally reasonable as well.
I recently went for a few days on a significant birthday to ponder the meaning of it all. It was more than I expected.
The rooms have recently been updated and remodeled. They are simple, but not at all grungy. The staff is unbelievably nice and accomadating. They have food available ²⁴⁄₇. The trails are spectacular. The views are indescribable. Book early.
I love making retreats and my old places had lost their charm so this will definitely become my new yearly place to get away and contemplate it all.

Beautiful and peaceful, but as noted in the other reviews, not for everyone. I’m not sure why anyone would choose to come here if they weren’t at ease with silence, solitude, vegetarian food, and no-​frills lodging, as it is a working cloistered monastery. You have to love, or at least be able to deal with, the routine and expectations of the place. It’s kind of like summer camp, if the camp only has a handful of campers, and they don’t talk to each other or to the counselors. But the scenery and general vibe of the place are great. The monastery is located up a winding two mile driveway, with views of Big Sur that are gorgeous, especially at sunset.
The hermitage has a small book/​gift shop and a lovely, simple chapel but other than that, it’s just you and your thoughts. You’re left on your own to soak in the quiet and beauty of the place, either in your hermitage or at the many benches and grassy spots scattered around the property. I brought a bunch of books, my camera and my laptop. I made good use of the first two, but there’s no WiFi or even cell coverage, so the laptop stayed in the bag.
Guests are invited to join in the worship, but not expected to. Aside from the two nice monks I met at check in and check out, I never saw any of them. The food appeared in the kitchen on time and the grounds are well-​kept, so they must be there somewhere. I stayed in one of the trailer hermitages, which had a kitchen, full bathroom, and a porch facing the water. I did try to sit out on the porch at night, but got freaked out by all the rustling in the foliage. I’m sure it was just woodland creatures, but I wasn’t going to take the risk that it was an axe-​wielding psychopath. If you’re braver (or saner) than me, you’ll probably enjoy sitting outside, looking at the stars. I ate my meals out there, though, so it wasn’t a total waste. I brought some of my own food, but I found the midday meal that was provided to be delicious, along with the soup and salad they leave out for dinner. There’s bread, cereal, fruit and yogurt in the kitchen 24 hours a day as well.
It’s a little unsettling to be totally unplugged from the world, but after the first night, I found it oddly refreshing. If you are keen for some quiet time to yourself, this is the place.

I’ve stayed here twice, and agree with much of the post below. It’s an amazing place, but not for everyone. I’m going to assume that you, dear reader, have gone on contemplative retreats before and/​or can handle silence :)
Pros
* $ 70 (room with shared bath) or $ 80 (private trailer) per night, which includes meals. In Big Sur? That’s a steal.
* 1200 feet above sea level + private ocean-​facing garden for each room = WOW. Sunsets are to die for.
* It’s super-​quiet. You will hear the foxes scuttling about at night… and the occasional F-​18 scream by due to the somewhat-​nearby military bases. (Can we say, sonic boom?) If you’re a city person, it will definitely take a day to adjust.
* It’s super-​remote. I love being totally out of cell range, which is rare in this day and age.
* There’s a great selection of spiritually-​themed items at the bookstore (mostly Catholic, of course. But it doesn’t matter what your spiritual bent is)
* The stars. Oh, my… if you’re lucky enough to go during a New Moon with clear skies (i.e. not during the summer) then you (and the foxes and raccoons who are also out and about) will never forget the sheer density of celestial items
* Last-​minute availability, if you’re spontaneous like me. It never hurts to call and ask.
Cons
* Facilities are reasonably clean, but are very old and have not aged well; there was a rat burrowing inside the wall of my trailer at night. Not fun. OTOH, the rooms are fine, but the showers leave a bit to be desired for. If you’re into hair dryers, be sure to do this during late morning or lunch — the walls are thin!
* The hot meal of the day is served at lunch, and it’s mostly vegetarian (aka pasta). If you’re not careful and show up with your plate/​dinner pail in time, you’re screwed for the day. Also, the quality varies depending on the monk in charge of meals that day, and if you have any sort of special diet… forget it. Reserve a trailer (which comes with a kitchen) and bring plenty of your own food.
* If there’s a rare heat wave, it’s gonna be roasting hot. These facilities have zero insulation. I’m not good with heat, so your mileage may vary.

Not many of you out there are ready for a very special place like this, a really special gem for those who happen to be fortunately at this stage of your journey. High in the mountains overlooking the Big Sur coast is a modest, very comfortable retreat for those who seek an introspective, contemplative moment. Basically, the experience here is an outwardly unstructured silent (yes, you rarely talk to anyone!) retreat of any length up to two weeks. One has a spacious private room with a bed, half bath, a desk and your own private garden overlooking the coast. Modest vegetarian meals are served and taken back to your room, and the kitchen and common showers are always open. There are four optional services a day at the chapel (vigils, lauds, Eucharist and vespers) and there are outdoor benches all over the place, all overlooking this spectacular coast. The monks truly respect your privacy, but one can make an appointment to speak to them. This is a religious retreat and the services are based on the Psalms (in English). It takes at least a day to adapt to the routine, but the results will be very rewarding. Cell phones don’t work here, a real plus. I recommend at least three nights; at $ 70 per day for room and board (a suggested donation) you will not find a finer way to really buff your spiritual side. Perhaps you have to go back to 12^th century Europe to find something like this…