A Note on Our Facilities

Dear SFRC Visitor,

 

Welcome to Surprise Farm Retreat Center! We hope you will enjoy your stay. Please review this note on our facilities, and make yourself at home in nature and our Retreat Center.  

 

Kitchen, Grill, and Stone Hut: Feel free to store your food & drink in the refrigerator and use condiments & wares. Coffee makings, utensils, table settings, and toaster oven can be found in the stone hut. There will be signs around the kitchen for light switches.

 

Bathrooms and showers: Supplies in the bathrooms should be stocked, but let us know if they are running low. The showers are on both sides in the back of the bathrooms. Turning on for hot water is automatic; temperature control is at the top of the showerhead. Be careful; they can get hot.

 

Office/ Library: Our library is open during your visit. A hotspot is available for wireless connection. The library has air conditioning and heating.  The outdoor deck towards the creek is a peaceful spot for reading and relaxing.

 

Trails, gardens and enchanted places: A location map is posted at our info stand at the entrance of the bridge. Please explore the trails and gardens, and find enchanted places that call you to interact and linger. Be mindful that the house on top of the hill is a private area.

 

Tents and Lighting: The tents do not have electricity. Tent lights can be recharged in the kitchen area. There are also headlights on the kitchen shelf. 

 

Canines: You may hear howling coyotes at night. Our dogs, a Lab Dublin & and Aussie Luna, may come up for a visit. (We live ½ mile down the hill). They are friendly, but sweet Luna gets jealous and territorial with other dogs. So, please, if you bring dogs, keep them close.

 

Caution: Please be mindful where you step and reach. Rattlesnakes live in the region. They usually send out a warning—rattling that may sound like a sharp hiss. Please back away and inform us.  

 

Poison oak likes to grow near the creek in the shade. We have been removing it, but there may be a batch here and there.

   

We are fortunate to be stewards of this beautiful piece of land and hope that your interactions with nature will be friendly and meaningful.

           

Enjoy your stay! 

​

The SFRC Crew

760-704-7792