Rocas Retreat

I just want to speak from the heart for a minute about Rocas Retreat Center and the experience we had there.

I’m the founder of HEART, a mens group, and from the very beginning, Brenda was part of this journey. She invited me out to see the property, meet the team, and join them in a temazcal they have there. After experiencing the land, the people, and the intention behind the space, I was sold. I could feel right away that this was a place where something meaningful could happen.

We recently hosted our men’s retreat on the property, and honestly, it could not have gone better. From the beginning, we felt so taken care of. Nikki helped us with the business side of things, and she was incredibly helpful, responsive, and supportive through the whole process. As anyone who has organized a retreat knows, there are so many details to manage, and it makes such a difference when the people you’re working with are clear, kind, and reliable.

When we got to the property, Brenda, Maggie, and Kathy were unbelievable. Brenda is the owner, and you can feel her heart all over the land. Maggie and Kathy were also so present and supportive. They helped with everything — setting up spaces, moving things around, making sure we had what we needed, making sure things were ready on time, and bringing so much love and care into the environment.

They decorated the space with so much thoughtfulness. Every detail felt intentional. It wasn’t just, “Here’s the property, good luck.” It felt like they were truly invested in our retreat being beautiful, smooth, and meaningful. There was a warmth there that you can’t fake. You could feel that they cared.

The property itself is amazing. It’s beautiful, peaceful, and has such a special energy. We had about 25 people there, and we had everything we needed to cook, gather, facilitate, rest, and create a really powerful container for our group. The land held us so well.

But what really stood out to me was the people. Brenda has such a deep, wise, loving presence. Throughout the retreat, I had several of my participants and guides come up to me and tell me how much she impacted them. She shared her worldly wisdom, her stories, and her heart with people in a way that really stayed with them. And I felt that too. She wasn’t just the owner of the retreat center — she became part of the experience.

By the end of the weekend, the whole team felt like family. Brenda, Maggie, Kathy, Nikki — everyone we interacted with was accommodating, generous, warm, and available. They were there before the retreat, during the retreat, and after the retreat, helping make sure everything unfolded in the best way possible.

We left feeling so grateful. Our participants loved it. Our guides loved it. And all of us were already talking about coming back.

I truly can’t recommend Rocas Retreat Center enough. The property is beautiful, the team is beautiful, and the way they care for people is beautiful. We had an incredible experience, and I’m deeply grateful we got to host our retreat there.

I recently had the privilege of running a men’s retreat at Rocas Retreat Center in Valley Center, and it was one of the most easeful, supported facilitation experiences I’ve ever had. From the moment we arrived, the staff at Rocas – especially Maggie, Kathy, and Brenda – were impeccable in their care, communication, and presence. They made us feel profoundly welcome, safe, and held, which allowed my team and me to fully focus on guiding the men into the deep work we were there to do. The land itself is quiet and spacious, with that rare combination of simplicity and intention that lets a group drop in quickly and stay connected to the process rather than getting distracted by logistics or environment.
From the moment we arrived, the staff at Rocas – especially Maggie, Kathy, and Brenda – were impeccable in their care, communication, and presence. They made us feel profoundly welcome, safe, and held, which allowed my team and me to fully focus on guiding the men into the deep work we were there to do. The land itself is quiet and spacious, with that rare combination of simplicity and intention that lets a group drop in quickly and stay connected to the process rather than getting distracted by logistics or environment.

What felt particularly unique about this retreat was having a men’s gathering so thoughtfully and peripherally supported by women. This was the first time I’ve facilitated in a space where the women on staff were consciously holding the container in the background – tending to meals, space, and subtle details – while we did intense men’s work in the foreground. Over the course of the weekend, multiple men explicitly named how nourishing it felt to know Maggie, Kathy, and Brenda were there supporting the edges of the container, even if they weren’t in the circle itself. That blend of strong, grounded masculine work with gentle, attuned feminine support created a sense of safety and wholeness that is hard to find.

Practically speaking, everything ran smoothly: communication before arrival was clear, the property was well maintained, and transitions between sessions, meals, and downtime were seamless. Whenever we needed something – from small logistical tweaks to subtle energetic support – the team responded quickly and with genuine care. As a facilitator, that level of reliability and attunement is invaluable; it dramatically reduced my cognitive load so I could stay present with the men and the process, rather than managing operations.

I would wholeheartedly recommend Rocas Retreat Center to any facilitator looking for a trauma-informed, heart-centered space to host deep work, especially if you value a setting that prioritizes safety, nervous system regulation, and authentic connection over performance or spectacle. If you are leading men’s work and are open to having women quietly and skillfully support the container, Rocas offers a uniquely healing and memorable experience for both the leaders and the participants

I have a beautiful experience on Rocas retreat , so beautiful place , nature and you feel so welcome.🙏
I recommend this place for anyone on any special occasion.
So amazing place.
Thnx Brenda for everything.
Robert O

The team at Rocas is absolutely fantastic. Everyone is so caring and does everything to make your stay so comfortable.
The rooms are beautifully fitted, the scenery is outstanding, the facilities like the pool are a great add-on is such a idyllic place.
The chef treated us with the healthiest and tastiest food. You can see and feel the love that goes into this place.
Our retreat was so wonderful, just the reset we needed.
Would return anytime and bring friends and family. Highly recommend. Book and visit people.

Rocas Retreat is an amazing place to go and enjoy all that they can offer. My wife and I engaged with a medicine ceremony and could not feel more safe, protected and at peace during the work. It was nice to be able to go confidently to a place to work with these medicines and most importantly feel and be safe. Brenda has a beautiful place and she has worked hard to make it what it is today, and also to cultivate this very specific, nurturing, loving, and safe vibe around the entire retreat and with her staff and team. Food was great, even though we were cleansing. We brought an RV to stay in, which was a very simple and easy process to park and stay in. Wayne was an incredible leader in ceremony, neither my wife or I ever had any concerns or issues, he is able to create, and hold such an amazing space for us, and the group that we saw him work with. We are definitely going to return, for the retreat itself, the people and team, and with Wayne.