2 Reviews
Hello everyone! This is a friendly reminder that any of these fun places we may visit, we are a guest at. Please treat both businesses and trails with the utmost respect. We here at Hidden San Diego follow the 'Leave no Trace' mantra, meaning whatever you bring with you comes back with you. If you see trash on a trail, please do your part to help remove it. Remember, we are not picking up trash from another person but instead cleaning up for Mother Nature. Happy adventures!
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2499 Melru Lane
Escondido, CA 92026
Phone: (760) 291-1003
33.189151, -117.073392
Hike: There are many hiking trails on this property   Levels: All different levels for each trail
Dog-Friendly: No   Kid-Friendly: Yes
Hours:Â Sundays from 8am-4pm but it is crucial to check their calendar as they are not always open to the public
**Make sure to check out our article on Hidden Gems in Escondido for the ultimate day trip!**
About Deer Park Monastery
Deer Park Monastery is a 400-acre Buddhist sanctuary in Escondido. It was founded in July 2000 by monastic and lay practitioners from Plum Village in France.
The monastery is under the direction of Thich Nhat Hanh’s Order of Interbeing in the Vietnamese Zen tradition. Deer Park follows the same practices and schedule as Plum Village and its sister monastery Blue Cliff Monastery in New York.
Since its founding the monastery has grown to be very active. Deer Park hosts an annual retreat when Thich Nhat Hanh travels to North America. Over the years several people have taken novice vows and members of the other monasteries have moved to Deer Park so the ordained sangha has been growing. Lay practitioners also live at the monastery.
**While you’re in the area, make sure to check out Dixon Lake nearby!**
The monastery is now composed of two hamlets; Solidity Hamlet for monks and laymen and Clarity Hamlet for nuns and laywomen.
All retreats at Deer Park Monastery include the basic practices of sitting meditation and chanting, walking meditation, eating in mindfulness, group discussions, touching the Earth, total relaxation, and working meditation.
Depending on the retreat, extra activities may include private consultations, mountain hiking, bon-fire, and song & skit performances. Retreats are for beginners and experienced practitioners of meditation.
Admin (mod)
Thank you for sharing Victoria. I don’t know how I’m just seeing your comment but it’s a very nice blog post!
June 6, 2014
Anonymous
Not sure if you are aware, but there is a huge boulder formation (natural) in that area that looks like the face of a bulldog. It can be seen on the mountain-side as one is driving on North Avenue; on the way to this monastery.
February 14, 2019