Chaminade Resort and Spa

A Sanctuary for the Senses – Chaminade’s forest therapy trail is a journey through diverse and tranquil landscapes. The trail begins at an accessible deck, designed to support a full forest therapy experience for all guests. From here, visitors may choose to remain on the deck for a mindful forest therapy immersion or wander down through a vibrant eucalyptus grove into a sunlit meadow where monks once lived in harmony with the land, meditating and tending to the earth in quiet reverence. This open space offers warmth from the sun and is an idyllic place to rest. As you rest in the meadow, the songs of birds around you and below fill the air, luring you gently down into the forest. As you enter the stunning redwood grove, you may hear the creek inviting you to sit in stillness. The forest floor is alive with lush ferns and the famous Santa Cruz banana slug, a reminder of the area’s rich and thriving ecosystem. Every element of this trail—from the ancient redwoods to the golden meadow—invites a sense of grounding and presence, making it a perfect setting for forest therapy and mindful retreats.