Retreat at Big Sur: Silence, Solitude & Scenic Bliss
Do you ever dream of really getting away from it all? A little while back I decided I wanted to completely unplug and experience peace and quiet with maybe some meditation and prayer time, and to not have to deal with making or buying my meals. Oh and to do all that in a gorgeous setting!
The famous Esalan in Big Sur sounded ideal, except for the $615/night price tag! I kept searching and found a place only 20 miles south of Esalan, with equally stunning views of the Pacific for $145. I figured even if I couldn't afford to be like Don Draper at Esalan, I could handle the Dick Whitman version at the New Camaldoli Hermitage (Mad Men humor)!
So I booked it. And in this post, I’ll spill all the tea (silently, of course) on what it’s really like to go on a silent retreat in Big Sur, including how not talking to strangers might be your new favorite vacation activity.
What is the New Camaldoli Hermitage?
Sat high on a hillside in Big Sur, the New Camaldoli Hermitage is a Benedictine (Catholic) monastery that welcomes anyone seeking solitude and stillness. For solo female travelers over 50, it’s a unique kind of retreat: no pressure to socialize, no itinerary to follow, no one expecting you to be “on”, and zero expectations to “find yourself” before lunch. Just you, the Pacific Ocean, and a deep, uninterrupted quiet.
Where You’ll Sleep: Room Options at This Peaceful Big Sur Retreat
When you make your reservation you can choose from these options:
- Main Retreat House – 9 single occupancy private rooms with 1/2 bath and private backyard.
- Cottages – 5 portable mini-houses scattered along the hillside. Some allow two people to stay together.
- Monk Cells – Private rooms within the monastic cloister so only available for men.
- Guest House B – En Suite accomadations with 2 twin beds and kitchenette in the same bulding as the Bookstore. Up to 2 guests allowed.
- Scholastica – On a hill above the bookstore, large room En Suite accomadations with 2 twin beds and full kitchen. Up to 2 guests allowed.
What It’s Really Like to Stay at a Silent Retreat in Big Sur
The Hermitage is located just off California's famous Pacific Coast Highway (aka PCH or Highway 1). Be ready for stunning views everywhere along Highway 1. You'll turn off the rather windy, sometimes nerve-wracking PCH and go up an equally windy (but short) road to the Hermatige BookStore/Gift Shop to check in. It is all well marked with signs.
Note: you will loose cell phone connection and all internet connectivity before you even reach the Retreat! They have a couple of LAN line phones for emergency use. So be sure to pre-download any books/ shows/ music you might want before you arrive, and let your peeps know the phone number so they can reach you if needed – 831-667-2456 x124.
When you arrive, you check in at the bookshop and someone will lead you to your room (called a “cell” in monastic tradition). You are allowed to speak, quietly, in the Bookshop by the way.
I chose one of the rooms in the Main Retreat House. My room was simple: bed, desk, chair, private bathroom, and a porch with a view that will stop you in your tracks. The Pacific stretches endlessly below, and you'll have a perfect sunset view. The rooms are stocked with essentials like towels, sheets, blankets, a cloth napkin.
The Retreat House is set up with the rooms in a crescent shape, facing the ocean, with a communal kitchen in the middle. There are two private showers with dressing areas near the kitchen. Bring your own soap, shampoo and conditioner.
Food supplied in the Retreat House kitchen includes: coffee, tea, cereal, bread, butter, yogurt, milk, peanut butter, jams/jellies, salad dressing, and cookies. More items are put out for a continental breakfast in the morning, lunch is the main meal of the day (usually vegetarian quiche, sometimes with meat), and dinner is generally soup, salad and bread. The food was pretty good, though I'm not super picky. You go pick up your food from the kitchen, then bring it back to eat in your room.
When I first encountered other people in the kitchen I felt a little nervous and awkward about being silent. It felt sort of silly, “Do people really not say anything?” It ended up being fine. We would kind of mutter a “Sorry” or “Excuse me” or “Hi” here and there. Soon I got used to it, and it then felt normal to just nod hello and goodbye, and was kind of a releif to not have to chit chat with strangers.
I asked for an electric kettle for my room so I could make tea there. You could also bring your own snacks and drinks. Heck, you could bring your computer with some shows pre-downloaded and binge watch with your earphones on! I downloaded a bunch of books on my iPad for a delectable reading binge.
There’s no formal schedule unless you choose to attend the mass or other service with the monks. You can get a schedule of service times onsite or here. There are also occasional guided retreats for which you can sign up here.
Silence is respected across the grounds, but you're free to walk the trails, read, write, meditate, or do nothing at all.
Why This Silent Retreat Is Exactly What Women Over 50 Need Right Now
For women over 50, especially those traveling alone, this kind of retreat strips away the noise—both literal and mental. There’s no pressure to achieve anything here. No one’s measuring how “spiritual” your retreat is. You just exist. And that, in itself, becomes the healing.
The Hermitage draws a wide range of visitors: artists, caretakers, professionals in transition, and folks looking to reset after caregiving, loss, or burnout. Everyone arrives with something they need to leave behind.
Practical Tips
Book early. The Hermitage only has a handful of guest rooms, and they fill up fast.
Pack simply. Bring layers, walking shoes, a flashlight, and maybe a journal. No need for makeup or fancy clothes.
And remember: no phone, no Netflix, no last-minute Googling. Download anything you want beforehand, including that one playlist that always makes you cry in a good way.
The Takeaway
This isn’t a wellness spa. It’s not a yoga retreat. It’s deeper than that—because it’s quieter than that. At New Camaldoli, silence is the real luxury. If you’ve ever wanted to reset your mind, listen to your inner voice, or just disappear for a few days (in a good way), this is the place.
For solo female travelers over 50, especially those ready for a deeper kind of journey, the Hermitage offers something rare: peace without performance.
And you’ll come back clearer. Calmer. Stronger.
How to Book Your Stay at the Hermitage
Click here to go to the Hermitage's website. You need to book directly with them. They have a handy calendar with availability and prices easily seen. Note that they have a 2 night minimum stay.
