Our Story
The Sequoia has historically been a center for compassion and peace, long before it became a venue for weddings, as well as artistic and social justice retreats for the community. Founded in the early 1950’s as a safe haven for science and religion to coexist, The Sequoia later became the national seminar grounds for the Beyond War movement.
In 1991, Israelis and Palestinians held a week-long seminar which produced a working document for peace. The document, "Framework for a Public Peace Process: Toward a Peaceful Israeli-Palestinian Relationship", was distributed widely among the negotiating parties. Two years later, men and women from Armenia and Azerbaijan met here for a week-long meeting to explore ways to end their war over Nagorno-Karabakh.
In 2007, Diane and Scott Myers-Lipton became the stewards of The Sequoia. It was Scott's involvement in Beyond War that led us to this mountain, and it was our mutual desire to ensure that the legacy and magic of this retreat center would continue on. For almost 20 years, we’ve been lucky enough to host countless celebrations of love and union, as well as host retreats.
The Sequoia is a place where the deepest meaning of life may be explored in an atmosphere of quiet and beauty. May you add to the spirit of love that builds and nourishes this sacred place, and return to your daily life renewed. The history of The Sequoia is a history of seasons, beauty, spirit, and peace. This can never be communicated by facts or descriptions; it must be experienced first-hand.
We look forward to your visit.