Absolutely stunning property and welcoming community. The rooms are clean and sparse -- perfect for resetting (whether you're religious or not). They welcome everyone and simply ask that you try to blend into the lifestyle of the monastery while on your retreat. I wrote part of my MA thesis here and recently returned to rejuvenate and reflect after our first child. I always meet lovely people and will absolutely return for additional private retreats! (PS The food is amazing.) read more

Saint Andrew's Abbey - Churches Near Me - Valyermo, California

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Even though it's over an hour from where I live, I've been going here every Good Friday for over five years. I just find it peaceful. They have an outdoor stations of the cross that I'd like to take advantage of and a pond with benches that I can sit on to pray the rosary and do my spiritual meditations. I can't tell you how the retreat and rooms are as I've never taken advantage of them though. I stay here for about two hours and the. Head down to my local parish to attend the Good Friday service. I definitely recommend this place just to get away. read more

Most beautiful and peaceful place not too far from Palmdale. It's full of good people and helps you get in touch with the holly spirit read more

Saint Andrew's Abbey - Did your gender Reveal there - Churches Near Me - Valyermo, California

Such a peaceful place. The grounds are very green. Lots of little nooks to talk or be reflective or contemplative. It's also a good 15 degrees cooler than the surrounding areas just for the fact of the trees. Not a place to really take children though since they don't allow picnics and it's not a park space. My kids would be hella loud so just went with my mom. They also have a wonderful gift shop with handmade local ceramics plus a whole assortment of religious and spiritual gifts. Plus jam and biscotti made by monks. And even soaps! And wonderful art pieces from a variety of places that would be fair trade and even made with recycled objects. Definitely would come back for the gift shop. read more

Highly recommend visiting St. Andrew's Abbey in Valyermo, CA. We had the pleasure of stopping by earlier this week. My wife called and made a reservation for our party of five so we could have lunch at their place. Yes, they serve lunch here. It was about a 2 hour drive from our place. St. Andrew's is not too far from the Palmdale/Lancaster area, but far enough away to be quite peaceful. We found the Abbey easily, and there were some signs to assist as we got closer. Before going to lunch, we explored a bit of the grounds and the gift shop. Also, attended Mass which is held everyday at 12 Noon (I believe). The mass was solemn and held at their little chapel. There were about ten Monks officiating the Mass. A very nice experience. Lunch was served at their Hall after the Mass. The monks served us delicious Split Pea Soup. Afterwards, we were all invited to get up and partake of the rest of the food (help yourself style). Apparently, the food changes everyday. The day we were there, they made some ceviche, salad, bread, and macaroni w/beef. Everything was delicious and fresh. That Macaroni entree was very very good! There was also a vanilla pudding and fruits to end the meal. We all thoroughly enjoyed our experience at St. Andrew's Abbey!! Hoping that we get visit twice a year now that we know about them. Amen!! read more

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This is such a beautiful place to go see and visit. If you want to just get away from the bustling city and find peace this is a place to walk around get to know yourself and just look at the beautiful architecture. In times like these I'm so thankful that places like this exist. read more

Serenity, Friendship, and Thanksgiving Pictures are worth more than thousand words. - My fifth retreat at the Abbey. read more

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Beautiful. The monks were soo kind and cool. The food was good. A very cute area to go on a church retreat. 10/10 would come back again. Here is a photo of the beautiful chapel they have. It's amazing. read more

Saint Andrew's Abbey - Retreat Chapel - Churches Near Me - Valyermo, California

I have read the reviews that were stellar, and I based my visit on these reviews. My experience was less then stellar. Ants invaded the shower and on one bed, the heat from the heater kept the room very uncomfortable. It was off but heat came off the pilot light constantly. The swamp cooler was so loud, I could not sleep. The grounds were unswept, chairs on patio broken and weeds on the walkways. Ants everywhere. No phone in room, no cell service at all, no night clerk in case of emergency. The monks were unfriendly, food- ravioli smothered in sauce. Water run off was profuse because of overgrown beds. While I believe all the other reviews, my experience there was very disappointing to say the least. I think they are proud of no cell service but I think it is not safe. There is wifi but this was not told to me. I think that the desk should be open all night, this is typical for all hotels or motels. I would have felt better. I am not a computer or phone addicted person, but no way to contact anyone at night is scary. Perhaps a short circuit telephone to the front desk for safety sake. The grounds are beautiful but poorly maintained. They have made updates but their pest management needs addressing. I do not want to spray Raid in the shower. It can managed better. I cannot recommend this retreat house in all consciousness. I think God's House deserves better. read more

I came here for my two day retreat for my church. this has been my second time here back. such a beautiful! beautiful! place & area. I love it here because- really there's no other way to explain how I love it here so much especially sunday, church with the monks you can come here for a vacation and get away with anything and everything. Almost everything is perfect but because everyone complains about the weather. I think it's perfect weather cold and windy, sometimes sunny. read more

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Spent the weekend here on a retreat. Let me start off first by saying this place is beautiful. Who knew the desert could be the layout for such an awesome place. The monks who run the place are super nice. Shout out to father Carlos, he's a true inspiration. The monks take care of the place really well. Check out the gift shop, the ceramic stuff is made here. Also, the food is really good. I really appreciated the warm hospitality and hope to return. read more

Saint Andrew's Abbey - This place is peaceful - Churches Near Me - Valyermo, California

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Just an amazing place. Tranquil. Perfect for meditation. Serenity. Peace. Lovely way to spend the day with a friend or loved one or simply on your own. Also amazing retreats throughout b the year we'll worth your time. Cute gift shop. Monks make you feel welcomed. read more

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I absolutely love this place. I've been here for several personal retreats, my longest being 4 nights/5 days. I've brought friends here, family here, and I always recommend it. The retreat site is lovely; who woulda thought that the high desert could be so beautiful? The area is very quiet and serene. The rooms are nice and cool, 2 beds per room with private bath. The rooms I've stayed in all had AC and a little patio. Meals are served in a beautiful room with a huge mural that illustrates the fall and redemption of man (this might have changed). Food is delicious! I'd probably gain weight if I stayed here too long! Love the ceramics and angels/saints accents in the cement placed throughout the retreat site (if you walk about a mile further out, you can visit the ceramics shop and purchase saints/angels if you'd like!). I know this isn't the right word, but the whole place has that sorta dry/adobe/cool brick stone feel to it. Makes sense cuz it's in the desert. The huge pond in the middle of the retreat center is beautiful and restful. There used to be a resident duck, but last time I went, I was told he passed away. : ( They have other ducks now. But that resident duck was the best; he used to follow people around, and more than once he would just sit right next to me as I journaled and stick his beak under his wing and just snooze. :") Now they have two shepherd mixes that roam around freely; love the dogs. (: My other favorite place is across the parking lot, walking away from the rooms, you'll get to this area with thin trees that grow really high. I've spent many a hour with a chair and my ipod, listening to music and just resting and meditating there. I've also done this: laid out in that huge green pasture (they used to have sheep!) at night to see if I can catch any shooting stars. Definitely saw a few. If you practice catholicism, they have many different services throughout the day, as well as mass and eucharist. I'm a Christian, and a lot of healing happened for me during my times here. This place is near and dear to my heart. If you're looking for quiet and rest, this plays is for you. They also provide spiritual direction; just call and ask. Please consider making a donation if you're there just for a day/taking any meals. Hope your time is restful! read more

We just finished the twice yearly contemporary cinema retreat and loved it. The perfect get away from Palm Springs, LA, or San Diego. The monks are great regardless if you are Catholic or not. My husband is not and I am. The food is always wonderful and so are the retreat participants. I recommend the next one in July to whomever wants to experience monastery life for a weekend. read more

Just wanted to say a tremendous thankyou to the abby for being so gracious in allowing our cast to do our photo shoot. The grounds, as always, were beautiful and majestic and provided a perfect backdrop. For those looking for a peaceful retreat to visit, or attend mass, this is the spot! The sign as you enter posts "no hunting allowed except for peace" read more

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This place is really a jewel. The grounds, the monks, the congregants, everything is wonderful. My Mother is Catholic so I originally kind of went in honor of her, but there was such a strong Christ Presence I keep going back for my own sake. My spirit feels a little more healed every time I attend. There is a service everyday at noon that includes Communion. There are retreats offered, which I haven't tried yet, but I may at some point. The Stillness, Reverence and Presence at this place is something I haven't encountered in too many places, and I consider it a true blessing. read more

I've been coming here since 1985. The peace you encounter here is absolute, if you let it in. The rooms are simple but have everything needed, 2 beds, a desk, usually a rocking chair, A/C and heating (depending on the season), a private bathroom, and a small porch with varying views. The rooms are concrete block construction, so you can hear everything including the water running in the neighboring rooms, but retreatants are asked to limit water use after 9:30 pm. And Grand Silence begins with night prayer (usually about 8:30 pm), so anyone who wants to talk after that can go to the Guest lounge to chat. There is usually coffee and tea, as well as hot and cold water available in the lounge any time of day or night. The meals are fresh, healthy, and generally food is plentiful. (If you go during Lent -- before Easter -- meals are more moderate, as it is a time of fasting and prayer.) Make sure you make a reservation for meals or overnight stays, so that they can adequately prepare. There are five prayer times each day, which are optional for guests, starting with Vigils early in the morning, Lauds before breakfast, (Grand Silence ends after breakfast), Mass before Lunch, Vespers before Dinner, and Compline at night. The surroundings are beautiful: The desert comes alive here. There is the cemetery atop the hill, where you can see for miles; the lake by the Ranch House, with ducks, turtles, dragonflies and koi; and Fr. Eleutherius's (rest his soul) Garden with flower patches and a grove of quaking aspen with seats and benches to rest upon. Down the road is both the Youth Center with its magnificent chapel and the Arts and Crafts center where they make and sell their world famous pottery. For a quick day trip, or for gifts and reading material, you can't beat the Welcome Center with its quiet fountain in the foreground. I enjoy spending as much time here as possible. read more

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Hey Y'all. This is going to be my 2ND attempt in writing and posting my review of my experience at St. Andrew's Abbey, Worship and Retreat Center in VALYERMO, CA. after about 30+ years ago, which was when I went here with the Mother Of Good Counsel Catholic Church Youth Group, located in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles. I was in my teens when I went here. So after many years of not seeing the old place, I felt compelled to have another visit, at the age of 52. Before I made the road trip to VALYERMO, I was on the internet looking for a business called Cadillac King, which was located in the desert. Since my tablet has the ability to get satellite imaging with the map, I located Cadillac King, and saw that it was FAR from San Gabriel where I live. I would need to spend a day driving there and back. While I was searching the map I remembered the retreat center and was able to locate it. I clicked on the dot and found out that the name was St. Andrew's Retreat Center. I called and spoke to a "brother", like a priest, and explained that I would like to go and visit the old place once again after many years from my last visit. I was given the permission and also was informed that they would offer me a very nice lunch for a small fee of $8.00 if I was interested. The brother on e phone was so nice, I could feel the peacefulness in his voice. The next day I went to have lunch at there. When I left the next day to get to St. Andrew's, I had a very nice drive. It took about 2 hours to get there. When I arrived I could see there were many changes and differences over the years. There was a gift shop, eating hall, new worship church, as well as the original 2 bungalows, the original worship hall, the original eating hall, and the original bell for ringing, high in the air, supported by the 2 logs of wood, holding it in place. There was also a man made lake with cute ducks swimming and squawking all around at the far end. When one saw me with a loaf of bread it swam towards me. Then they all swam towards me and surrounded me to get their fill of bread. As I walked on the grounds there were many interesting things I saw that weren't there when I was a kid. Such as the old Stations of the Cross landed in the hillsides and an outdoor open air stage with concrete seats all around as in a Roman theatre. There were views of beauty. When I met a few of the Spanish speaking employees one of them showed me around the original camp. I saw the old boys barracks with the same bunks and then saw to girls barracks, which were different. They were small separate rooms whereas the boys was one big room. When we were outside, I had asked about the monument at the top of the hill which was for a monk that passed away years ago. She pointed in the direction and there it was. Still in the same place. This time there was a dirt road which allowed me to drive to the top where the monument was standing. After I thanked her I got in the car and drove to the top of the hill. There was also a cemetery at the top. I parked my car and walked around the old cemetery to see that nothing changed, except there were more people resting there, compared to only a few, from my last visit to the top. In those days there was no road you could drive on, so walking was the only way to get there. On the other side of the cemetery where it slope downward, there was once an orchard of some sort. It was still there, but DEAD. After getting back to the car, I walked back to the monument and the same bushes were still there. Since I had my photo album with me, I was able to compare then and now. The bush was a lot smaller then and it was now so much larger and fuller. As the temperature was getting colder, my hands were starting to tingle. I got in the car and left to get back home in San Gabriel. One more note of interest. I actually came across a road sign that read, "SAN ANDREAS FAULT". I got out of the car to see if I could distinguish the FAULTLINE, but really couldn't. Maybe I was standing on it. But nonetheless, I took pictures of it, and many other things that I saw, once again, after 30+ years. It was a beautiful and peaceful experience, not to mention how DEADLY QUIET it was. I plan to go back again. And to feed the ducks would be cool and even another lunch for $8 which was a lot of food and drink. If you can, please let me know your feedback on my review. Thank you. read more

I have been coming to this monastery for over 32 years. The Benedictines practice hospitality as part of their outreach to the community. This is an oasis in the high desert of Valyermo, CA which is fairly accessible from all parts of Southern California. It is very ecumenical. Those who want to join the monks in the Liturgy of the Hours are most welcome to do so, but it's not a problem if one is not so inclined. There is a sense of peacefulness and quietness here which is in wonderful contrast to the hustle bustle of LA. There are beautiful places to walk and to hike as the monastery is situated on about 2000 acres. There are preached retreats as well as private retreats available. The accommodation is comfortable, and all of the meals are served buffet style. The monks are a very interesting and eclectic group of men. There is a wonderful store which sells all kinds of religious books, medals etc. along with the quite famous ceramics which are made at the monastery. There is also a line of coffee, olive oil, and some preserves. Some people come for the day; others for a weekend or a few days midweek. I keep coming back as it is now a part of my spiritual life. read more

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So many wonderful memories here, I don't even know where to start. It is such a peaceful place. I still enjoy feeding the ducks, just as I did in my childhood. Most of all, I love seeing Father Phillip (my favorite uncle) smile and hear his voice. read more

St Andrews Abby is an absolutely beautiful retreat. I have been going up there since the early 1970s. I have to admit my favorite place is the ceramic shop. I have ordered so many items for their to give as gifts. read more

I visited the Abbey for a 4 day retreat on the Spirituality if Aging in August 2016. The Abbey is an oasis in the desert! I took memorable walks and found beautiful secluded spots to sit, reflect,meditate and pray, The monks prepare and serve delicious meals in silence and we ate in silence at breakfast and dinner. If you want to eat mindfully, this is the time and place to do it. The hospitality of the monks is exceptional but the rooms,while comfortable, are basic, small and simple. There is no cell service and wifi is available solely in the large meeting room. A big plus is the wonderful,people I met. Group discussions, to me, were better, more valuable than the presentations were. This was my 5th time to return to the Abbey and I look forward to my next visit. read more

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Just visited this weekend. What a beautiful, peaceful retreat from the world's chaos. Met some churches members to walk the Stations of the Cross which evoked stirring revelations for me. Stopped by the book store before we left and found just what I was looking for. read more

Monday, October 5, 2015 Saint Andrews Priory 661-944-2178 31001 North Valyermo Road P.O. Box 40 Valyermo, California 93563 information@saintandrewsabbey.com http://www.saintandrewsabbey.com/ http://www.saintandrewsabbey.com/category_s/66.htm Dear Saint Andrews: It's been almost three decades since I first learned about your Priory and then visited and met Abbot Francis. I returned several times, once for the unforgettable awesome festival. I often tell others about your blessed priory, retreats, workshops, bookshop, ceramic store, and encourage them to visit. My experiences there have been highlights in my life. One of my first contacts after a violent assault a decade ago was to reach out to Abbot Francis and share with him a coma metaphysical experience where I believe I heard my mother's voice saying one word: Names. Before this trauma, I had a very long prayer list. It certainly has grown since then. I walk to daily mass; you - one - all in my prayers. Thank You for yours, being there, your blessed service. God Bless. Respectfully, MJG Posted YELP read more

Very peaceful & holy. They celebrate 12 o'clock noon mass everyday with the monks which is very solemn. To be able to attend holy mass with a couple of monks is an honor. A small church, so you must go early so you can be well seated, other wise you have to stay outside. The Way of the Cross on the mountain side, which is not a faraway walk is good enough to pray & meditate. read more

I am sorry to only give this two stars, but my experience was not like the others. I read the other yelp reviews for Saint Andrews Abbey and believed that it was going to be a really nice retreat. This was not the case . Though the grounds are spacious and peaceful, there were parts of the facilities that were not very well maintained. There was mold on the bottom of the chapel holy water bowl, and little dead flies hanging in webs on the chapel porch ceiling. There were sounds coming through the paper thin walls at night that kept me up, and ants crawling in the rooms and bathroom. This was considered a silent retreat, but it was by no means silent. Everyone was talking to each other (not that this is a bad thing in general) but it did not leave the quiet time you want with God on a retreat. I called the reatreat house after I left to explain why I had such a negative experience, but the office assistant lady asked me if I had "negative childhood experiences" that might have determined why I was feeling this way about the retreat. read more

Hospitality is #1 with all concerned. Retreat house is spartan & more than adequate. Food excellent. Monks are so friendly & welcoming. Always want to come back for silence & seeing God in monks faces. read more