My batteries are in serious need of recharging.

Does anyone know of quiet, retreat-like, contemplative gay locales that are open in Dec/Jan? I figure there must be some in California or New Mexico or somewhere in the continental US. We're not talking Island House or Cathedral City Boy's Club here. I tried googling "gay retreat"- and got a lot of summer events and very organized new-agey things (not what I'm after.) A place with hiking/vistas/away from big cities - that's what I'm after.

Or where do y'all go when you're looking to get away from the hurly-burly?

SFD

go up to the Russian River

the tourists are all gone and it's nice and quiet

this is my favorite time to go up

SFDutch, Here are some of my recommendations for places I've been. Although they may not be "gay" per se, many gay people go to these places looking for exactly what it is you want.

This is near Santa Barbara. There's only 8 or 12 cabins w/ no TVs or radios. The cabins have jacuzzis & wood burning fire places. There's ONE restaurant (continental/french food & yummy) operated by the owners of the cabins (which happen to look like, I swear, throwback California hippies from the 60s/70s). Needless to say it's VERY laid back:
Zaca Lake

This monastery is run by Episcopal (not Catholic) monks (some of which are openly gay). Unfortunately I couldn't find any photos of it, but it's breathtaking there. It's on top of a mountain overlooking Santa Barbara with ocean & mountain views. There are many hiking trails also. Also all the meals are cooked/served by the monks & most of what they cook is raised on the grounds of the monastery--which are very fresh & delish!:
Mount Calvary Monastery

This is Desert Hot Springs, just outside of Palm Springs. It's known for its spas & natural hot springs. I've never been to a particular spa, but I've heard nothing but praise about them. You'd also be near Joshua Tree National Park:
Desert Hot Springs

Hope that helps.

I don't know what the Bed and Breakfast scene is like in California but I personally have found,in general, that they are the best type of establishments to relax in.

Stay in a strait or mixed B&B in the Wine Country. I find the gay resorts tend to be a little more on the wild side...

It's not a gay resort or anything and there is not even one single gay bar, but San Miguel de Allende in Mexico is my favorite retreat. There is no beach, no resort golf, no "must see" tourist attractions that fill up your day. It's a colonial town, that due to its historic district designation is very nicely presereved (no lit business signs or streetlights in the town center!) It's charming and peaceful. Getting a massage in an open air bungalo on a rooftop deck, where I all hear is churchbells is about as relaxed as I can get nowadays. It's an artist colony with many expatriats from the US and around the world. It is very, very gay friendly, so much so that a "gay bar" is not even necessary. The light, the colors and the friendly people make it special. Most of the nice places will arrange for a driver to meet you an airport (usually Leon or "BJX") about 1 1/2 away. I am not sure if this is what your looking for, but I do recommend it.

Great suggestions, guys! Thanks!
Now to the web to research 'em.
A grateful SFD

Might I also recomend Tassajara Zen Mountain , part of the San Francisco Zen Center group. Established by Shunryu Suzuki , it was the first Soto Zen Buddhist monastery in the United States.

It is located in the Los Padres National Forest in the Ventana Wilderness area. It is a residential monastery.

The SF Zen Center also has another place called the Green Dragon Zen Center located somewhere in Sausalito.

Tassajara

Green Dragon

Main Office and Bookstore
1601 Shoreline Highway
Muir Beach , CA 94965
(415) 383-3134
E-mail: ggfoffice@sfzc.org


Rob

SFDutch, something I forgot to mention about the Mount Calvary Monastery is that the brothers on the weekend at there 5 pm service sing Gregorian Chants. To be at such a place & hear them live is beyond describing. Even if you just sit outside of the chapel & listen to their voices permeating the walls is in itself an experience.