Private Retreat Resources

Please review the information below before arranging travel, packing, and arriving for retreat.

Pastime Farm Stays

You are being invited into the sanctuary we’ve created within our family’s backyard. Our property is secluded and yet accessible. It offers privacy, protection, and natural space in which to unwind. The emphasis is on confidentiality. Unstuffy, relaxed, and at ease. This is truly a place to come home to your senses.

  • Unlike a B&B, this isn’t our livelihood. We have created a sanctuary for ourselves and, periodically, offer the guest cottage to support a woman’s deep reunion with herself. Meanwhile, we will be carrying on with our typical weekend routine (e.g., gardening, hiking, entertaining). You might call this a supported sanctuary to do your own thing (a place to “be” with yourself).

  • No. It’s our family home in a residential-agricultural setting. We have neighbors in close proximity along each fenceline. Although it’s rare, you’ll sometimes hear them in their backyard — shooting hoops or hanging out. There are places on the property to find peace and quiet any time of day.

  • In order to support your solitude during retreat, my husband heads out of town for the weekend (along with our two large dogs). With the exception of Kelly gardening, you will have the property largely to yourself.

  • Please do not wear or use artificially scented products (listing “fragrance” on the ingredients) because they trigger migraines in Kelly. We do not allow marijuana or illegal drugs. Due to high fire hazards, there is no incense, candles, or open flame of any sort to be used on the property. If you would like to smoke, there is a designated area (near your cottage). Quiet hours are 10p to breakfast.

Meals

  • Meals are included with your stay. Picnic baskets containing homemade-from-scratch vegetarian meals will be delivered to your door three times daily. Everything is local, organic, and mostly from our garden, orchard, chickens, bees, and olive trees.

  • Vegetarian meals will be provided in accordance with what you’ve pre-selected. Tea and coffee are available throughout the day within your cottage. You are welcome to bring outside food and drink if you wish. There’s a fridge in the Sequoia studio and a mini fridge in the Oak room.

  • Yes. Please let us know your food sensitivities, allergies, and/or preferences upon registration so that she has sufficient time to arrange meals with our chefs and caterers. (Most meals are local, organic, and vegetarian.)

  • Meals will be delivered to your door three times per day.

Packing

  • Roller bags do not “roll” on our property. Instead, plan to carry any bags to your room.

  • Kelly is severely allergic to synthetic fragrance and, if exposed, will immediately experience anaphylaxis. Prior to packing, check the ingredients in your hair, body, and laundry products. (If the word “fragrance” or “parfum” is listed in their ingredients, then it will be a problem.) When you registered for this retreat, you agreed to forego fragrance entirely and not bring residue on your person or belongings. (If you arrive with fragrance, then you will be asked to leave without receiving a refund.)

  • We do not allow marijuana or illegal drugs. (If you smoke, please let us know so that we can direct you to the designated area.) Due to high fire hazards, there is no incense, candles, or open flame of any sort to be used on the property.

  • Sunhat. Comfortable, layered clothing. Average temperatures in June are 80° (daytime) and 53° (nighttime). Closed-toe shoes (wood chips cover the property).

    Water bottle, travel mug for tea/coffee. Notebook, favorite pen. Flashlight. Alarm clock. Eyeshades and earplugs if they help you sleep. Anything that will support you in your free time (e.g., yoga mat, art supplies, book). If you intend to hike, then bring long pants and hiking boots (foxtail weeds, snakes).

    Please note: A bath towel, hand towel, and two washcloths will be provided for you during your stay; If you want more towels than that, feel free to bring them.

  • Bark mulch is used throughout the property to build soil, improve water-holding capacity, and protect against wildfire. Closed-toe shoes are recommended.

  • While there are no roosters, we have some fairly raucous hens. They make some noise at the break of dawn and they celebrate each time they lay an egg. The property is bursting with bird sounds throughout the day — including red-tailed hawks, doves, jays, robins, and hummingbirds. By night, the frogs and resident barn owls can get raucous If you’re a sensitive sleeper, please bring earplugs.

Accomodations

  • No, the retreat space is limited to retreat participants only.

  • No, we do not provide laundry facilities.

  • Cell phone reception and wifi are available throughout the property. Let us know in advance if you will be using online conferencing during your stay. In that case, we will do our best to boost your bandwidth during that time.

Travel

  • Pastime Farm is located between Silicon Valley and San Francisco. Please familiarize yourself with traffic patterns and any likely delays when planning your travel (e.g., train schedule, commute traffic).

  • The closest airport is Oakland (OAK, 27 miles, appx 35 minutes) followed by San Jose (SJC, 28 miles, appx 35 minutes) and San Francisco (SFO, 40 miles, appx 1 hour). Travel times are based on light traffic and can double during commute hours. When purchasing tickets, please check average travel times from/to that airport for the time of day you’re arriving/departing.

  • Oakland Airport offers the easiest access to public transportation (BART to Pleasanton followed by taxi or rideshare to Sunol).

  • Navigation systems will accurately direct you to the property. Please park behind the private gates. As you pull into the driveway, there are five parking spots immediately to your left (see photo below). Please do not block the driveway.