SF North/East: Creative Retreat at Ratna Ling
May 15, 2026 - May 17, 2026
Ratna Ling Retreat Center, 35755 Hauser Bridge Road, Cazadero, CA.
NEW LOCATION! SINGLE ROOMS are back!! Join us at the beautiful RATNA LING RETREAT CENTER in Sonoma County. No programs, just time and space to write and illustrate. Let the bucolic surroundings inspire you!
Event Info
WHAT
The Spring 2026 creative retreat will be at a new location, Ratna Ling Retreat Center in Cazadero, Sonoma County, a small community nestled along the flowing waters of Austin Creek. Come with a writing or illustrator friend, a critique partner (you can share a cottage) or your entire critique group, if you wish.
WHEN
Friday, May 15 to Sunday, May 17, 2026
WHERE
Ratna Ling Retreat Center
35755 Hauser Bridge Road
Cazadero, CA
(See venue details below!)
PRICE
$636 per person for Friday & Saturday night (Includes accommodations, ALL meals and snacks, informal critique group.)
Please contact Natasha Yim if you have dietary restrictions so that she can pass this along to the dining hall. The Ratna Ling staff can accommodate gluten/wheat free, vegan/dairy-free, and food-allergy meal and most dietary restriction requests.
REGISTRATION INFO
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: DECEMBER 1, 2025
(PLEASE NOTE: Priority is given to SCBWI members for our creative retreats. On occasion, we may open it up to non-members if slots are still available after registration closes.)
Make sure to log into your SCBWI account before registering. (After logging in, you may need to come back to this page and select Register for Event again.) Once logged in, click Register for Event at the top of this page. The registration page will automatically select the fee. Click on the Purchase button at the bottom of the page. This will take you to the Stripe website for payment. The Registration Summary should indicate "Ratna Ling Creative Retreat" with the amount of your selected choice. Please contact Natasha Yim if you have any questions about registration or payment.
Please scroll down to review the Health Policy and Cancellation/Refund Policy.
QUESTIONS?
Contact Natasha Yim.
Ratna Ling Venue Highlights
Ratna Ling
is located on 130 acres along a ridge, shielded by forests of redwood, pine and oak trees. To the east one sees the rolling hills of Sonoma county stretching out for miles.
A collection of private cottages
spreads out across their majestic landscape, providing an inspiring view of the surrounding countryside.
Each suite-style cottage
has two separate bedrooms. Two attendees per cottage; each will have their own room and share a bathroom.
Each cottage has large windows
flooding the interior with natural light, and includes a living room, dining area, full bathroom, stocked kitchenette and outdoor deck.
You will luxuriate
in comforts like fine linens, gas-burning woodstoves, quality furnishings, and modern bathrooms with spacious Jacuzzi tubs.
On-site vegetarian meals
at Ratna Ling use organic products, with many of the vegetables and herbs harvested from their gardens, to produce a delightful dining experience that reflects the current season’s bounty. Meals are served buffet style in their Grand Dining Hall where you can cozy up to the stone fireplace or you may choose to dine outside in the Garden Pavilion where you will be surrounded by the beauty of nature.
Health Policy
Ratna Ling requires proof of at least one Covid vaccine, and a negative Covid test taken 24-hours before arrival at the retreat (links to upload these documents will be provided after registration.)
SCBWI takes the health and safety of our members and attendees of our events very seriously. If you develop Covid or fall sick 10-days prior to the retreat, we politely request you withdraw from attending due to illness. We will refund your money in full.
Should you become ill while on retreat, please inform co-ARA Natasha Yim. If you are unable to drive yourself home, we will assist you in reaching an emergency contact to make arrangements for care or transportation. Should you be too ill to travel, Ratna Ling will work with us to accommodate you in a separate space away from other retreaters to recuperate.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Refunds requested on or before 12/15/25 will be made in full less a $25 administrative fee. After 12/15/25, refunds less the $25 fee, will only be made if there is a waiting list and a substitute can be found. This retreat is available only to SCBWI members (You do not need to reside in our region). If you are not a SCBWI member, you can join here.