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Contact Lake Shrine Retreat
Located At:
17080 Sunset Blvd.
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Mailing Address:
17190 Sunset Blvd.
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Phone: 310-459-4740
Email: lsretreat@yogananda-srf.org
Our Schedule:
Office Hours:
Wed–Sun, 9:30 AM–5:30 PM
Closed from 1-2 PM for lunch
Find Out More
A Place of Pilgrimage
photographed on August 20, 1950, at dedication of
Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine,
Pacific Palisades, CA.
Yogananda once wrote of the “great value in visiting places where saints have lived.” He wrote, “Such places are forever permeated with the vibrations left there by the divine souls who walked those grounds. Their vibrations will remain until this earth is dissolved. Where souls have communed with God, there you will find greater communion and response from God. Often such pilgrimages completely change one’s life for the better.”
Paramahansa Yogananda (1893–1952) is considered one of the preeminent spiritual figures of modern times and is now widely recognized as the Father of Yoga in the West. As the author of the best-selling Autobiography of a Yogi, this beloved world teacher has introduced millions of readers to the perennial wisdom of the East. He founded Self-Realization Fellowship in 1920, which continues to carry on his legacy. Paramahansa Yogananda has profoundly impacted the lives of millions with his comprehensive teachings on the science of Kriya Yoga meditation, the underlying unity of all true religions, and the art of balanced health and well-being in body, mind, and soul.
The Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine is a sanctuary founded by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1950, situated at the western end of Los Angeles, a very short distance from the Pacific Ocean. Paramahansa Yogananda foresaw the important role that Lake Shrine would play in his world mission—as a place of pilgrimage for all faiths—a living shrine to harmony among the peoples of the world. Here he sought to provide a glimpse of God’s beauty, peace, joy, and harmony. Yogananda meditated, slept, and walked on the grounds at Lake Shrine, permeating this environment with his vibration of peace and leaving a beautiful spiritual oasis where all may come to escape the frenetic pace of daily living.
Request a Retreat
Please complete the form below for each individual retreatant and submit it at least two weeks in advance of your requested retreat dates. A Lake Shrine Retreat staff member will respond shortly.
Please Consider a Contribution to the Lake Shrine Retreat
“Divine Abundance follows the law of service and generosity. Give and then receive. Give to the world the best you have and the best will come back to you.”
— Paramahansa Yogananda
For close to 30 years, Lake Shrine Retreat has welcomed countless souls to this oasis of spiritual renewal. The Retreat is sustained by your generous contributions which help defray the costs of meals, lodging, utilities, maintenance, gardens, improvements, and any other expenses.
We deeply appreciate and welcome your support of the Lake Shrine Retreat.
Please consider making a general tax-deductible donation today:
Attending a Retreat?
If you are attending a Retreat, the donation towards your stay will be made at check-in. If you have questions, please contact the retreat office (310) 459-4740.
There are two additional ways to donate to Lake Shrine Retreat
Check:
Please make check payable to Self-Realization Fellowship.
Write “Lake Shrine Retreat Fund” on the memo line.
Mail your check to Lake Shrine Retreat
17190 Sunset Blvd.
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Card:
Please phone the SRF Mother Center at 818-549-5151 and indicate you would like to contribute to the Lake Shrine Retreat Fund.
Recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, Self-Realization Fellowship is a public charity under federal law and a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation under the Revenue Taxation Code of the State of California. Accordingly, contributions to Self-Realization Fellowship are deductible to the maximum extent permitted by law for income tax purposes. Donations can be made through outright gifts in the form of cash, check, credit card, appreciated securities, real or personal property, and other types of assets, and deferred gifts in the form of charitable trusts.
Arrival Information
Personal Retreats are offered for 2 or 3 nights beginning on Thursday or Friday with check-out on Sunday. 2 night minimum. Conducted Weekend Retreats, longer stays, and late arrivals are not offered at this time.
Check-in
Due to our limited staff, we have limited hours for check-in. Our staff is available to welcome you from 2 pm to 4 pm (Thursday and Friday), to allow time for the evening meditation before supper; so please plan to arrive between these hours. If your plans require an earlier or later arrival, please contact us to make arrangements. However, regretfully, we are unable to accommodate arrivals after 6:30 pm. If you are not able to arrive before 6:30 pm, you may need to make alternative lodging arrangements for the night. Then you can check in the next morning.
Check-out
Check-out time is 1 pm on the day of departure.
What to bring
The Retreat provides towels, bed linens, books, devices loaded with inspirational media, cushions, and armrests (used for practice of the SRF Aum technique). Please bring your toiletries and personal headphones. Hair dryers and alarm clocks are available upon request.
Dress
We ask that retreatants dress conservatively in casual and comfortable clothing that is modest, in keeping with the ideals of a spiritual community. The coastal weather at the Retreat can be unpredictable. Layers are recommended.
Payment
The suggested donation is $150 per night, per person. This donation includes the cost of accommodations, the retreat program, meals, 24 hour tea service, access to the Lake Shrine grounds during daylight hours, and all the amenities that the retreat center offers. We request that donations for your retreat stay be made in-person during check-in. We accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, check, money order or cash.
Cancellations
If you need to cancel your reservation, please let us know as soon as possible, as there may be others on a waitlist who wish to come in your place.
Getting Here
The LAX Airport is 13 miles and the Burbank Airport is 25 miles from Lake Shrine Retreat.
The Retreat does not provide a shuttle service. Most retreatants are using rideshare services like Lyft or Uber or a taxi. Commercial shuttle and public transit options are more cost effective, but take considerably more time.
Los Angeles traffic can be heavy, and even using the fastest rideshare or taxi option can take an hour or longer to arrive at the Retreat.
We remind retreatants that check in time is between 2-4 PM. Please book plane tickets and transportation options accordingly.
The Lake Shrine Retreat entrance is located at 17080 Sunset Blvd. Pacific Palisades, CA 90272. Your confirmation materials will include directions and a map for entering the Retreat grounds, including code numbers for locked entry gates. Please be sure to bring these enclosures with you so you will have all the information you need when you arrive. Please note that the Retreat and the Lake Shrine Gardens do not share the same entrance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a student of Self-Realization Fellowship to stay at Lake Shrine Retreat?
It is not necessary to be a student of Self-Realization Fellowship to participate in our retreat program. It is important that guests be familiar with meditation and be comfortable spending their time at the retreat in silence. For those unfamiliar with Self-Realization Fellowship, we suggest visiting an SRF Temple, Center, or the SRF website at yogananda.org. Additionally, it may be helpful to read some writings of Paramahansa Yogananda before scheduling a retreat.
Can I bring my children on Retreat?
The Retreat program is open to adults 18 years and older. The retreat activities are not designed for children who are unaccustomed to keeping silence for extended periods of time, or participating in longer periods of meditation.
Children are welcome to visit the Lake Shrine Meditation Gardens and the Lake Shrine Temple offers Sunday School programs.
Is it possible to rent your facility for our organized group to host retreats?
The Lake Shrine Retreat offers year-round Personal Retreat and Conducted Retreat programs that are designed around the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda and the spiritual work of Self-Realization Fellowship. For this reason, the Retreat facilities are not available for rental.
How much should I donate for my retreat?
Our suggested donation for personal retreats is $150 per night and $200 a night for conducted retreats (not currently offered). This donation is used to offset the cost of operating and maintaining the Retreat. We strive to keep the donation as low as possible so that the greatest number of souls might be able to benefit from a spiritual retreat. Even though the suggested amount does not fully cover our expenses, the generosity expressed through donations that have been given above the suggested donation, has helped substantially to keep this sanctuary available to all.
How do I make my donation?
Donations for retreat accommodations may be made at the Retreat office upon check-in. All rooms at Lake Shrine Retreat are Single Room Occupancy. The suggested donation is $150 per night, per person. Lake Shrine Retreat accepts American Express, Visa, Master Card, Discover, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, or cash, checks, traveler’s checks, or money order.
Can I come and go from the Retreat for work or social activities during my stay?
The Lake Shrine Retreat offers a protected spiritual environment that encourages you to leave behind the pressures of everyday life. We kindly ask that you book a reservation only when you are able to disengage from other activities and responsibilities for the duration of your retreat stay.
How should I dress during my retreat?
In keeping with the ideals of a spiritual community, we ask that retreatants dress comfortably, but modestly and that they not wear shorts or similar attire inside the Retreat. Some type of footwear should be worn in public spaces, preferably soft-soled to help preserve the quiet atmosphere.
I have dietary restrictions. Can the Retreat accommodate my special food needs?
We would like to explain that we have a planned menu in the retreat that is served in a buffet table. As our operations are very small and very simple, we are not able to offer options for each dietary restriction our guests may have. As the menu changes daily, we are not able to label individual ingredients in our food. Additionally, as it is a silent retreat, and because we have volunteers serving who are not involved in the preparation of the food, it is not possible for guests to ask the dining room servers about the food. It is up to each individual on retreat to decide what they choose from the buffet.
Lake Shrine Retreat
Dear Friends,
Welcome! The Lake Shrine Retreat is now open for reservations. To request a reservation, just click on Request a Retreat and fill in the form. Once your form is submitted, it will be reviewed, and you will receive confirmation via email. We look forward to hearing from you.
Many ask how they may donate to Lake Shrine Retreat. Your donations are needed and are very much appreciated. If you would like to contribute to the Lake Shrine Retreat, please click here.
In Divine Friendship,
Lake Shrine Retreat
A Silent Retreat for Spiritual Renewal
“You may be surprised at what seclusion with God will do for your mind, body, and soul… Through the portals of silence the healing sun of wisdom and peace will shine upon you.”
— Paramahansa Yogananda
Lake Shrine Retreat is an oasis where retreatants have the opportunity to leave behind the pressures of everyday life and cultivate a deeper awareness of the Divine through meditation, introspection, and study of the timeless Kriya Yoga teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda. In this peaceful sanctuary, retreatants are able to renew and revitalize body, mind, and spirit.
People of all faiths are welcome at the Retreat. As meditation is the foundation of the Retreat program, we suggest that one be somewhat familiar with meditation and Self-Realization Fellowship before requesting a reservation.
“Every person needs a retreat, a dynamo of silence where he may go for the exclusive purpose of being recharged by the Infinite.”
— Paramahansa Yogananda
About Your Stay
Amenities
- Private retreat chapel for meditation and prayer.
- Courtyard and dining room with expansive ocean views.
- Reading Room where Self-Realization Fellowship books are available.
- Access to the Lake Shrine Meditation Gardens and Temple.
Accommodations
- Retreat participants are provided with comfortably furnished single rooms and a shared adjoining bath. Some rooms with private bath are available.
- Fresh towels and bed linens are provided.
Meals
- Retreatants come together for wholesome vegetarian meals, served in our dining room.
- As we do not provide a choice of menu, if you have dietary restrictions please discuss this with the Retreat registrar when making your reservations.
What We Offer
The daily program at Lake Shrine Retreat follows the spiritual principles that were given by Paramahansa Yogananda. Thousands have felt peace, upliftment, and divine blessings in this sacred environment.
Personal Retreats
$150 per night
(Suggested donation. Made upon check-in.)
- Daily individual and group meditations
- Practice of the SRF Energization Exercises
- Inspirational classes and services
- Free time to enjoy the beautiful meditation gardens surrounding the lake
- SRF books and recordings available for private listening and study
- Inspiration and guidance on how to get the most from the retreat experience
(Not currently offered)
Conducted Weekend Retreats
$200 per night
(Suggested donation. Made upon check-in.)
- Conducted How-to-Live Retreat program guided by SRF monastics
- Tailored for those who are studying the Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons
- Review and practice of the SRF meditation techniques and classes on the various aspects of the SRF teachings
- Free time to enjoy the meditation gardens and the Retreat facilities
Guest Agreements
Please read and indicate your agreement before proceeding with your reservation.
Thank you for following our guidelines and respecting our shrine environment for the enjoyment of all! Your cooperation with the requests of our staff and volunteers is vitally important.
Agree to our General Guest Guidelines:
- The entire site is a smoke-free environment
- Dress code: Modest and respectful attire is requested when visiting our sacred site. Footwear is required.
- ADA service animals only, no emotional support animals or pets
- No food, beverages, or picnic lunches
- Children are welcome under the direct supervision of an adult
- Personal photography only-no staged photo or video shoots. No tripods or drones
- No ceremonies or group activities
- Respectful cooperation with staff requests
Read more about our guest guidelines
This reservation is for one passenger car. To request an organized group visit click here.
You are responsible for others in your vehicle.
