CenCal's 2026 Writers Retreat - CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

Schedule

$349 for SCBWI Members early bird price before February 15 or $415 for nonmembers. After February 15, the member price is $385. Price includes 4 meals but does not include your hotel room. Keep scrolling for more info on booking a hotel room.

FRIDAY

4:00 pm Check in at hotel if you booked a room.

4:30 pm Welcome

4:50 pm Options: critique group for those who signed up, beach walk, creative time

6:00 pm Dinner (Mediterranean Buffet includes soup, salad, roasted vegetables, garlic bread, fettuccine alfredo w/chicken, roasted vegetable pasta & dessert) Agent Kayla Cichello will discuss what she’s looking for.

7:00 pm Campfire Chat

SATURDAY

7:00 am Breakfast buffet includes eggs, bacon, sausage, fruit, muffins, juice, coffee and tea.

8:00 am Check-in Chat

8:30 am Options: 10 minute Live pitches with Kayla Cichello for those who pre-registered, creative time

12:00 pm Lunch on your own or RSVP for lunch at the Cavalier Restaurant (everyone pays for their own lunch).

2:30 pm Options: 2 hour School visit session with Alexis O’Neill for those who pre-registered, creative time.

5:45 pm Check-in Chat

6:00 pm Dinner: You must select a plated dinner option when you register: salmon, chicken or vegetarian shepherd's pie

7:00 pm Fireside Chat or Focused Creative Time

SUNDAY

7:00 am Breakfast buffet includes eggs, bacon, sausage, fruit, muffins, coffee, tea, and juice

8:15 am Options: 2 hour Work-for-hire How To Session with Rebecca Langston-George for those who pre-registered, creative time

10:30 am Closing

11:00 am Check out of hotel

Optional Add-Ons

Live manuscript pitch with Upstart Crow literary agent Kayla Cichello on Saturday morning $60. She’ll hear 10 minute in-person pitches on picture book text, middle grade, young adult, nonfiction and picture book dummies.

School Visit How-To Session with Alexis O’Neill Saturday afternoon $50.

To book a room at The Cavalier Oceanfront Resort, 9415 Hearst Drive, San Simeon, CA, call the hotel directly at 805 927-4688. Ask for the SCBWI writing conference rate. They've set aside a block of rooms as follows:

·        Deluxe King Ocean View $239 night (King's Row)  with patio or balcony overlooking the ocean.

·        Standard Double Queen Room $189 night  (2 beds) (perpendicular to the ocean, not facing the ocean directly).

·        Standard King Bed $189 night (1 bed) (perpendicular to the ocean, not facing the ocean directly).

There are also rooms on the cliff directly over the ocean in the Cavalier Terrace with one king bed. We did not set any of these aside and they aren't discounted for the conference, but you can inquire about the price if you're interested.

Additional hotel information:  The hotel is two stories and there is NO elevator. The conference room is on the ground floor and is accessible. If you are booking a hotel room and need a first-floor room, make sure you indicate that when making your room reservation. 

Please bring:

+ Your current writing or art project.

If you signed up for the optional critique session be sure to bring a copy of the pages you sent to your critique group so you can jot down notes on it. Also bring paper and pen.

+ You may want to bring a mentor text to guide your writing. 

+ Have questions about writing? Jot them down and bring them along so you don't forget them.

+ The weather is typically cool, so bring a medium-weight jacket, good walking shoes suitable for the beach (it's a pebbly-somewhat rocky beach) and throw in an umbrella just in case.

+ If you're staying at the hotel, the rooms have refrigerators, so bring your favorite snacks and drinks (but we promise to feed you well!).

+ Bring your swimsuit if you plan to take a dip in the pool or spa. 

+ A flashlight will come in very handy when walking in the evening--I highly recommend bringing one. 

+ Don't forget your sense of fun and adventure!

Important Retreat Policies

1. Space is limited. Book as soon as possible.

2. Booking a slot at the retreat does not include a hotel room. Please check the "Booking a Hotel Room" page for more information.

3. The hotel will release our set-aside block of rooms and discontinue our discounted rate after February 4, 2026. Please book prior to that date. You might find rooms available after that date, but we can't guarantee it. 

4. Retreat attendance cancellations (not rooms) made before February 15, 2026 will receive a refund less a $35 processing fee. Refunds after that date will be handled on a case-by-case basis depending on whether we have a waitlist and can get a refund on catering. Contact Rebecca at [email protected].

5. Any hotel room cancellations must be done directly with the hotel. You are responsible to check the hotel cancellation policy. Cancelling your hotel room does not cancel your retreat attendance, nor does cancelling your retreat attendance automatically cancel your hotel room. These are two separate things, and it is your responsibility to track these. 

6. While the location is lovely and it may be tempting to bring family with you, this is a writing retreat just for you to get away and focus on your work, so we urge you to leave your loved ones at home (feel free to send them some great pictures of you having a wonderful time). Only attendees will be permitted in the conference room and at meals. 

7. In the past, the hotel has permitted some pets in their hotel rooms. If you plan to bring a pet, it is your responsibility to check the hotel's current rules. No pets will be permitted in the conference room or at meals with the exception of trained service animals. If you need to bring a trained service animal, please inquire with Rebecca at least two weeks prior to the event so she can check the hotel policies regarding the conference room.

8. Meals are listed in the schedule. Vegetarian options are included. If you have special dietary restrictions, please notify Rebecca at [email protected] immediately after booking.