YOU'RE INVITED TO JOIN THE WRITING DOWN THE SOUL COMMUNITY FOR A SUMMER WRITING RETREAT AT BEAUTIFUL SANTA SABINA CENTER IN SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA
Tuesday, July 23rd - Sunday, July 28th, 2024
Last year a group of 25 memoir writers came together at Santa Sabina Center, a retreat facility and home of the Dominican Sisters, and had a wonderful, enriching, community-centered writing retreat. We all knew we wanted to come back again, and then we received the difficult news that 2024 would be the last year of programming at the center.
Please join us this year as we say hello to new and old friends, and goodbye to this wonderful place that has hosted us so well.
Please join us this year as we say hello to new and old friends, and goodbye to this wonderful place that has hosted us so well.
DETAILS
WHERE: Santa Sabina Center is located in San Rafael, California, in Marin County, at 25 Magnolia Avenue
WHEN: The retreat begins Tuesday at 5:00 pm, though you are welcome to check into your room anytime after 3:00 pm. It ends Sunday at noon. COST: For a single occupancy room, the all-inclusive rate for five nights is $1460. For double occupancy rooms, the rate is $1310 (please let Jennifer know who you are rooming with).
WHAT'S INCLUDED: Five nights lodging, all meals from Tuesday dinner through Sunday lunch, and all programming. (Please note: with apologies, the rate cannot be adjusted if you come later or leave early) |
WHERE YOU'LL SLEEP: There are 38 bedrooms upstairs in the two wings of the main building (an elevator is available)—19 single rooms and 19 with two beds. The rooms also contain a desk and a sink. Restrooms and showers are shared. The rooms are sparse (think dormitories for the Dominican Sisters) with no air-conditioning, but the windows open to catch the cooler night air. (Please note: single rooms are first-come, first-served basis and are expected to fill early) |
WHAT YOU'LL EAT: The food was wonderful last year! We were all very pleased with the quality of the meals. They serve such delights as sustainably raised salmon, free-range chicken, steamed fresh vegetables, fresh mixed green salads, & often times homemade desserts. Local organic produce is used whenever possible. Vegetarian options are available (sorry, no vegan options). There's a communal refrigerator you can use to store food. Coffee, tea, and water are always available and some light snacks. Meals can be eaten indoors in the dining room, or taken outside on the picnic benches in the large, grassy area, or into the inner courtyard. |
WHAT WILL OUR DAYS LOOK LIKE? We start Tuesday at 5:00 with an introduction to the center and its grounds, dinner, and a meet-and-greet with fellow Writing Down the Soul-ers. Each day has its own schedule filled with guest speakers, workshop sessions with Jennifer, times to write together and alone, time to meet with your cohort or in small interest groups, and free time. All group sessions are optional, so you can design your retreat around your interests and balance community time versus time alone.
Friday is our designated field trip day, one of the highlights of last year. Some groups headed into the charming town of Sausalito and had lunch on the bay (10 miles); others drove or took the ferry into San Francisco (18 miles); others went to the ocean at Stinson Beach (20 miles) and Muir Woods (14 miles). Others stayed back at the center and took a quiet day to write.
Friday is our designated field trip day, one of the highlights of last year. Some groups headed into the charming town of Sausalito and had lunch on the bay (10 miles); others drove or took the ferry into San Francisco (18 miles); others went to the ocean at Stinson Beach (20 miles) and Muir Woods (14 miles). Others stayed back at the center and took a quiet day to write.
Some other highlights from last year...
WHAT ELSE IS AT THE CENTER? There is a bookstore, a large, dedicated art-making space with lots of supplies, a chapel for quiet reflection, a library, many breakout rooms for individual cohorts to meet, an inner courtyard and garden for silent writing and meditation, and opportunities for hiking around the grounds and beyond.
WHAT'S AROUND THE CENTER? The city of San Rafael has vibrant restaurants and shopping. A Trader Joe's and Whole Foods is nearby for any grocery needs, and a CVS pharmacy as well. Public transportation is abundant.
HOW TO GET TO THE CENTER: The center has ample parking for those who drive. The closest airport is San Francisco International, and the Marin Airporter is a shuttle service that's easy and affordable, with hourly pick-up and delivery to the heart of San Rafael (click here for a link), followed by a quick Uber or Lyft to the center.
QUESTIONS? Please email Jennifer with any inquiries.
HOW TO REGISTER: Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis for single rooms.
PAYMENT DUE DATE: All payments must be received in full by July 1st. CANCELLATION POLICY: If you need to cancel, you'll receive 100% of your registration returned (minus any credit card fees) as long as we have the minimum number of participants to cover the facility rental (which we fully expect to have). NEED PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS? If you need to pay in installments, please email Jennifer. There are also a limited number of very small scholarships available upon request. |