Self Realization Fellowship Hermitage & Meditation Gardens

Came here before Christmas & it’s Beautiful manicured gardens, just worth the visit.
But the temple is lovely also. Well the old one as the new one was closed.

What a beautiful gem overlooking the cliffs in San Diego. I’ve passed by the Golden Lotus on the 101 many times but who know you could walk into the medication Gardens for free and just sit and reflect? It’s not huge by any means but take the time, walk through and watch the koi. Its quite the oxymoron but I almost don’t want to tell people about this place, there are a good number of people walking through… which is fine… but inevitably there are those who will talk louder than what I’d consider «polite». Sit, quiet your spirit and soak it all in=)

This is probably one of my favorite places in Northern San Diego. I go there every time I’m home, usually with my family, and it is definitely appropriate for all ages. Beautifully tended gardens and stunning views of the ocean make it a peaceful and tranquil experience.

This is such a beautiful little spot for reflection. It’s free admission (didn’t know until I got there) and closes at 5 on Saturday.
It IS wheelchair accessible at the top of the stairs. Security guard was super nice and said if I bring my family Member (uses a wheelchair) that they open the dude gate up top. From there, it’s 4 steps for the person to walk, if they can do that. I thought it was better than the flight of stairs, at least.:)
The koi were happy and apparently used to posing for cameras. At least it seemed like it to me! :-) I was able to get a little bench up top, overlooking the ocean and just meditate for a bit before going dow to the koi. Great place, even in winter.

Love this place! Encinitas is probably the hippiest and maybe also the happiest part of the whole North County. It’s got tons of yoga studios, organic, vegan, gluten-​free, whatever dietary cliches you can think of are all found in here, the city of Encinitas. At the corner of 2^nd and K street, you can find this hippie garden filled with natural beauty, peace, serenity with the sound of pounding waves, gods, angels and maybe unicorns if that’s what you’re into for your meditation.
The gardens are well-​kept and beautiful as evidenced in the pics I took. What I couldn’t capture was the landscaping and architecture of the garden. It is very textured with multiple levels filled with few stairs here and there. A few steps down you can see a koi pond, a few steps up in one direction there is a small bench, then another few steps in the other direction, you see a group of beautiful flowers. This is a place to explore and make sure you walk around with a curious mind!
Why is this a good place to meditate? The small benches (comfortable for one person but tight for two) that are scattered across the garden, with some being placed in inconspicuous spots that are good for some alone time. Most people who come here are pretty respectful and talk softly. Besides, I don’t think anyone can create drama with the security guards patrolling from time to time.
Great way to spend a relaxing morning or afternoon!

Beauty beauty beau-​ti-​full.
Refreshing garden with oceanside views. Plenty of benches to meditate and quietly wonder.
Cascading tropical trees and koi ponds.
Try a light walking meditation around the garden and charm your senses. :)

Beautiful scenery and you can meditate inside the gardens. It was breath taking. You can sit and meditate while absorbing the the western sun and maybe view the sunset. You have to speak softy inside garden. This place is a sanctuary and a peaceful place.

The gardens is beautiful, facing the ocean. Meditation Gardens Opens later on Sunday, and hermitage opens to public 2−4pm. No charge-​by donation. I couldn’t wait around to visit The hermitage, but the gardens itself is incredibly serene. It’s embellished with tropical and dessert plants, has an extended coy fish pond and overlooks the water. Gotta visit to know how peaceful it really is out there. Everyone seems respectful of the space, people were hanging out, taking pics, reading books. There was food traffic but wasn’t crazy. I recommend checking it out!

This place is amazing. Its beautiful, it’s relaxing to walk around, there’s several benches that have a great view of the ocean, best to come here on a sunny day.
I personally got more into meditation, I am a begginer, and it was great to actually spend 20 – 30 just relaxing, breathibg, and thinking. I would come here often if I lived closer to the location.

Awesome ideal location to meditate at: mantra, fresh air, peaceful tranquility, exotic floral/​fauna/​insects/​fishes, surfers riding on waves, hired security, and best of all it’s — FREE! [donations is optional]

Beautiful place to meditate and look at the beautiful grounds and ocean view. The foliage is fantastic and they have a beautiful babbling creek with koi fish. There are plenty of areas where you can sit and meditate but I can see how it could get quite busy. We went during the week and it was still hard to find a place to sit even though there was more than a dozen little nooks.

This place is so peaceful and beautiful. The views of the ocean are absolutely breathtaking all you can hear is the sound of the waves. The koi pounds are awesome, lots of them. It’s a very relaxing atmosphere and lots of trees and greenery.
The only downside is, there’s usually a lot of people. All of the benches are usually taken. Trying to find a spot to be alone without the sound of people is somewhat difficult. Also the security guard is always shadowing us which is a bit uncomfortable.

I first heard about the gardens about 5 yrs ago and it has been on my Unilocal bookmarks list ever since then! My bf and I visited the gardens this past Sunday. We had ate lunch at URBN and decided to do the 10 min walk to the gardens. Totally worth it. The gardens are so pretty and the vibe is very serene. The views are incredible and I was taking tons of pictures of the scenic water views. I loved the koi pond… probably some of the largest koi I’ve ever seen! A lovely surprise and I can’t believe there is free admission!
We saw a few people meditating and relaxing. The security guard maintains quiet around the garden so it’s a great spot to rejuvenate yourself! They close at 5p so you won’t be able to see the sunset here but it’s still beautiful at any time of day!
Definitely worth a visit if you’re in Encinitas. All this beauty is good for the soul!

Shhhhhh — even your breathing is distracting!
Keep the mouth breathing to a minimum and tip-​toe politely through the gardens. Drop some paper into the collection box and you’ll be golden.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or just in a funk, head to these beautiful gardens for a quiet meditative moment.
Beautiful vista’s, lovely plants, and mammoth koi abound.
Spend some time meditating in the grass next to the pool for some therapeutic outdoor Zen.
What are you waiting for? Enlightenment awaits!

This is truly a hidden gem.
Ive past this area so many times and had no idea about the gardens. From the main road all you can see is the church but sure enough there’s a beautiful private meditation garden behind it.
This place has plenty of koi ponds with rock waterfalls to listen to. There’s ample benches placed around each corner to sit. The view of moonlight beach is breathtaking. I wish it was open after 5pm so I could sit and watch the sunset from in there. There’s beautiful plants and flowers surrounded by plenty of moss.
Its free to enter but donations are welcome. It’s pretty small, so plan to come early if you want to have it to yourself peacefully. I recommend making a day of it. Go to the beach, go eat somewhere nearby, and then check this out.

An interesting cruise down the southern coast of California with non-​stop beach towns brought us to this special spot. This is an ashram, a monastery or hermitage, where people come for retreats and training of Kriya yoga, spiritual enlightenment, guidance, and balance. While the hermitage is not open for tours, the gardens are open to all. You cannot imagine the positive effect until you have stopped and wandered the gardens.
Peaceful, beautifully maintained, this is a place with history. The location had a temple until the early 1930’s, and although it no longer exists, the essence of it still pervades. Strong, mature trees and exotic plants are carefully placed in a well planned garden where paths wind and secret gardens, each with its own personality, surprise and fascinate. There are many spots to stop and relax, contemplate life and humanity, meditate, with impeccable coastal views from the cliffs above the ocean.
The well established trees and shrubs have been lovingly manicured by an artistic hand. Stones, water, bridges, vegetation, natural pathways, and mature koi ponds complete with lily pads are all elements carefully placed throughout the small garden. Listen for the sounds of trickling water as gravity causes it to naturally slither over big and little stones connecting pond to pond. Gaze at massive plant root systems that coil their way up heavy trunks. Allow your senses to be assaulted by the ocean and herbal smells and feel the influence as the plant life makes a climate all its own.
Parking is only available on the street, but the gardens are quite close to the gateway. There are public bathrooms, well kept. The stairway to the top might be challenging to the physically challenged, and I am not sure if there is wheelchair accessibility to reach to top. If any of this concerns you, it would be wise to contact the hermitage before coming and risk being disappointed.
It is a wonderful way to erase the effects of the hard cement, rushing cars, and negative influences of daily life, if only for a short while.

Beautifully kept grounds. Peaceful seating areas amoung trees, ponds, waterfalls, and ocean views.
Wonderful place to visit for a short time or hours. A must see when in the area.

Such a serene place to go to think, meditate, take pictures…
I take all my out of town friends here and they are never disappointed.
Great ocean views, great fresh air, great ambiance!

An oasis of peace in one of the most beautiful settings in the San Diego area.
I have been going to the meditation gardens from time to time for the last 17 years to meditate, to sit in peace, to look out over the ocean, to read, to bring friends there and for photography.
The gardens and koi ponds are meticulously cared for and the ambience is very conducive to meditation with only the sound of the wind and the waves on the cliff below.
As for photography, I have gotten some beautiful images here over the years, but am always mindful of being quiet and out of the way and I always quietly acknowledge the security staff that walk around. I have gotten to know some of them so well that they show me the newest flowers or hummingbird nests.
If you want to talk to others or on the phone, or come in groups, this is not the place. If you seek a place to meditate or sit in peace, to enjoy the beauty of the gardens I can highly recommend stopping here for an hour to take it all in. It does a mind good.

If you’re looking for a quiet place to stroll or sit and be in nature, visit these meditation gardens! The views of the ocean are incredible. There are walking paths, benches, koi pond, beautiful flowers and plants, and a zen environment that will encourage you to slow down and breathe more deeply. It’s free to visit.
Fun Fact: Years ago, I got kicked out for walking around in just a bikini. The meditation gardens are so close to the beach where I had just come from… but they don’t want visitors creating distractions for anyone trying to meditate. So cover up your cute booty and top! Put some clothes on, you seductive little thing. You can take it off after you leave and be the skin-​baring babe you really are outside of SRF.