Shambhala Ranch: A Green Retreat

An internationally known Esalen style retreat with a diversity of events, it's a Green facility completely off the grid with solar energy. The pulse of life permeates the 140 acres of beautiful, rolling hills. Sensitive to the environment, they strive to keep this amazing setting pristine and natural.

The owners, Stuart and Tara Marcus, met on a blind date arranged because they each wanted to open an ecological showcase retreat center and inn in Northern California. Shambhala Ranch is the result of their dream. Tara is from London and Stuart is from New York City. After purchasing the land in 1993, they immediately began remodeling and improving the facility.

They take particular pride in trying to function in harmony with the natural environment. Many native plants have been used for landscaping and natural materials have been used for buildings. Conservation and maintenance of an ecologically sound environment that is clean and organized are values that have been maintained. They care about preserving the pristine quality of the land and practice recycling, energy conservation, and use green products. They feel that this is a special place in a wonderful Green County.

Shambhala is located in Mendocino County, which is renowned for its natural beauty, a leader in solar and alternative energy, organic wine production and the first in the U.S. to ban genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The County has long been recognized as eco-friendly and environmentally oriented.

As for the Ranch itself, originally homesteaded in 1890, most of the original structures have been removed. The new Shambhala Ranch now has features and modern amenities that would have doubtless amazed both Pomo Indians and Weist Homesteaders alike.

Shambhala Ranch hosted a green wedding in 2007 that achieved national attention. In January 2008, California Travel and Tourism Commission used the Ranch as an example to showcase Eco friendly lifestyles: "Ecotourism isn't just a buzzword in California, it's a way of life," said Executive Director Caroline Beteta of the California Travel and Tourism Commission.

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