More Than a Venue: Why Groups Call Monte Toyon Their Winter Home
Bay Area Country Dance Society (BACDS) Family Week Maypole at Monte Toyon.
Every retreat has a beginning.
For some groups, that beginning is choosing a location. For others, it's gathering around a campfire, sharing a meal, or hearing familiar voices echo through Helgeson Hall.
At Monte Toyon, we've had the privilege of welcoming some groups back year after year, some for nearly two decades, others even longer. While every retreat has its own purpose, one thing keeps showing up in conversations with our returning guests:
Monte Toyon has become part of their tradition.
A Place That Feels Like Home
The organizers of the Bay Area Queer Contra Dance Camp have been gathering at Monte Toyon for 18 years.
They describe the retreat center as:
“an oasis in the redwoods where everyone knows they're somewhere special when they arrive."
For BAQCD, it's a place where people can be themselves, build lasting friendships, and find a true sense of community in a warm and welcoming environment.
“Monte Toyon has always been a home for us.”
Spaces Designed for Connection
When BACDS Family Week moved to Monte Toyon in 2016, they found more than just a convenient location.
With families ranging from preschoolers to grandparents, they needed a place where everyone could participate together while still having room for multiple activities at once.
Helgeson Hall provides a dedicated dance space, while nearby meeting rooms and outdoor gathering areas make it easy for campers to move naturally between classes, meals, and fellowship.
The towering redwoods offer cool temperatures throughout the day, making outdoor conversations just as enjoyable as indoor activities.
As Family Week Co-manager Sola G. shared:
“There are many features of Monte Toyon that work well for our group... Not having to worry about meal preparation is a huge feature for our families, and every year we feel that trust and understanding grow.”
That trust is something we treasure.
It's the Little Things Guests Remember
When we asked returning groups what they would miss most if Monte Toyon weren't here, very few talked about buildings first.
Instead, they remembered experiences.
Singing around the fireplace.
Live music filling Helgeson Hall.
Sharing tea with friends on the porch.
Walking familiar paths beneath the redwoods.
Seeing the same staff members each year who know their names and understand what makes their retreat special.
Winter Retreat Director Janet of California Coast Music Camp captured it beautifully:
“We’d miss all the parts of the whole package—the beauty of the redwoods, the warmth of the fire, and the comfort of treading the familiar paths that truly feel like home.”
The People Matter Too
Beautiful surroundings are important, but our guests consistently remind us that relationships make the biggest difference.
Several organizers specifically mentioned the Monte Toyon staff by name, sharing how much they appreciate the responsiveness, flexibility, and genuine care shown throughout their stay.
“The staff has always supported us in making a magical event for our campers.”
That partnership is something we never take for granted.
Our goal has always been to do more than provide lodging and meeting space. We want every group to feel welcomed, supported, and cared for from the moment they arrive until it's time to head home.
Winter Is the Perfect Time to Begin a Tradition
There's something special about gathering in the winter.
As the days grow shorter, the warmth of a fireplace, the quiet beauty of the redwoods, and the joy of spending uninterrupted time together become even more meaningful.
Whether you're planning a church retreat, leadership gathering, music camp, nonprofit planning session, or community event, winter offers a chance to slow down, reconnect, and begin traditions that your group may look forward to for years to come.
Many of the groups featured here started with a single retreat.
Today, they can't imagine winter without Monte Toyon.
Perhaps this winter is the beginning of your group's tradition, too.