Raw Food Detox and Wellness Week at a San Diego Retreat

The programme runs for seven days, Sunday to Sunday. Mornings typically start with gentle exercise or yoga, followed by breakfast. The rest of the day is a mix of classes: nutrition talks, juicing and fasting demonstrations, guided meditation, cognitive behavioural workshops and emotional-release sessions. Afternoons often include time in the organic garden and greenhouse, where guests get hands-on experience with growing and preparing raw foods. Evenings are quieter, with meditation or reflection time in the chapel or gardens.

The food is the centre of the week. Meals are organic and raw, designed to support the body's natural detoxification. You will learn about juicing, fasting and incorporating superfoods. The programme also covers mental and emotional detox: meditation, mindfulness and workshops to help you manage stress and reframe negative thoughts. There is a spiritual element too — classes on prayer and gratitude, non-denominational and open to any background.

The campus sits on two acres of lawns and gardens in Lemon Grove, about 15 minutes from downtown San Diego. There are towering trees for shade, a peaceful chapel for quiet meditation, an organic garden and greenhouse, and a spa. The Optimum Health Store on campus sells natural hygiene products, since hair dryers and toiletries are not provided in rooms. Free parking is available in the gated community. The retreat recommends Orange Cab from San Diego International Airport at a flat rate of $38.

The staff are long-serving. Danielle Demko is the programme director and has been part of the community since 2018. Facilitators include Alaina Gallegos (since 2015), Jennifer Inman (since 2019), Carla Blea (since 2015) and Grace Wong (since 2013). Guillermo is director of guest services and has been with the organisation since 2013. Several staff members describe their own health changes after joining.

What makes this different from a typical fitness retreat is the combination of a raw-food detox, emotional and spiritual classes, and a long-established community. It is not a bootcamp or a luxury spa. Guests are expected to be self-reliant and to follow campus rules: no alcohol, no pets, no mobile phones or computers in public areas, and no promoting outside services to other guests. Rooms are only available to programme participants.

What's included

- 7 nights accommodation (if room booked) - All classes and workshops - All meals (raw, organic, plant-based) - Required materials - WiFi in guest rooms - Telephone with programmable wake-up call - OHI for Life skin care products in room - Access to gardens, chapel, spa, organic garden and greenhouse - Laundry facilities (coin-operated)

What's not included

- Room fees (separate from tuition) - Hair dryers and toiletries - Airport transfers (Orange Cab recommended at $38 flat rate) - Personal expenses - Spa treatments (if any) - Travel insurance