Chula Vista Wellness Retreat
Welcome to the Optimum Health Institute (OHI), where wellness meets serenity, and transformation begins. Though OHI doesn’t have a dedicated wellness retreat location in Chula Vista, our San Diego retreat is just a quick drive away—offering the ideal environment to step back from life’s demands and refocus on what truly matters. Whether you’re a local looking for a nearby haven or someone seeking a fresh start, OHI San Diego provides the peaceful atmosphere you need to renew your energy and revitalize your health.
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Only a short distance from Chula Vista, our campus invites you to immerse yourself in a space designed for personal growth. Guests often share that the shift in surroundings allows them to let go of daily distractions, reconnect with their inner selves, and leave feeling inspired and recharged.
Discover the healing potential of OHI San Diego, where a caring community, beautiful grounds, and a transformative program await.
About the OHI Retreat
Since its founding in 1976, the Optimum Health Institute has offered a sanctuary for individuals seeking healing and holistic well-being. Our San Diego location, nestled in the quiet neighborhood of Lemon Grove, is a space where tranquility and support go hand in hand. Spanning two lush acres, the retreat features 60 comfortable guest rooms, lovingly maintained gardens, and open green spaces where you can reflect, relax, and restore your spirit.
The San Diego campus is thoughtfully designed to foster peace and mindfulness. As you explore the grounds, you’ll find walking paths lined with greenery, secluded areas for meditation, and inviting spaces for quiet reflection. The on-site chapel provides a calm and sacred environment for prayer and inner exploration. These elements come together to create a setting that feels as though it was tailor-made for healing.
One of the highlights of OHI is its organic garden and greenhouse. Here, you’ll see firsthand how living, plant-based foods are cultivated and why they are central to your health. The garden serves as both a source of nourishment and a place for education, helping you understand the connection between what you eat and how you feel. Guests are often amazed at the energy boost they experience from the clean, nutrient-rich meals prepared fresh on-site.
For moments of stillness and introspection, shaded seating areas throughout the campus offer a perfect retreat. Whether you’re reading a book, journaling, or simply enjoying the natural surroundings, you’ll feel the healing power of the environment seep into your day. Many visitors find that even brief moments of pause in such a setting can lead to profound clarity and relaxation.
Our on-site store offers resources that support your wellness journey. From inspirational books and health-related guides to personal care items, the store ensures you have access to tools and products that align with your goals. This convenient addition helps guests carry the lessons learned at OHI back home, extending the benefits of the retreat long after they’ve left.
View a map of the OHI San Diego campus.
Holistic Wellness Programs
At the heart of the OHI experience is our holistic wellness program, which is thoughtfully designed to guide participants toward balance and renewal in all aspects of life. Through an integrated approach, our classes and activities nurture physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, creating a foundation for lasting health.
Physical Health
Our physical wellness program emphasizes detoxification as a cornerstone of the healing process. Detoxifying at OHI is not simply about cleansing your body; it’s a holistic approach that also clears emotional and mental clutter, creating space for renewal.
The meals served at OHI are raw, organic, plant-based, and carefully designed to provide essential nutrients while promoting your body’s natural detoxification processes. Guests often express surprise at how satisfying and energizing these meals are, especially when combined with the supportive, intentional environment of the retreat. The focus on living foods supports not only physical health but also mental clarity and emotional balance.
In addition to nutrition, the physical health program includes yoga, meditation, and gentle exercises. These activities are tailored to suit all fitness levels, making them accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Breathwork and mindfulness practices are also key components, encouraging you to slow down and connect with your body in a way that fosters relaxation and inner peace.
Mental Health
At OHI, mental wellness is recognized as a vital element of overall health. The mental health program combines practical tools and techniques with a supportive community atmosphere, creating an environment where growth and healing thrive.
Guided meditation sessions provide a structured way to quiet your mind, while workshops on mindfulness and positive thinking help you develop skills to manage stress and maintain mental clarity. These sessions are designed to be empowering, giving you strategies that can be easily integrated into your daily life.
Self-reflection activities encourage you to look inward and identify patterns or habits that may be holding you back. This introspection is often transformative, helping you develop a deeper understanding of yourself and your needs. Group therapy sessions complement this work by fostering connection and mutual support among participants. Guests frequently say that these sessions help them feel less alone in their struggles, creating a sense of belonging and shared purpose.
Spiritual Health
Spiritual wellness is an integral part of the OHI experience. Whether you’re looking to deepen your existing spiritual practice or explore new ways to connect with your inner self, the spiritual health program offers a welcoming and supportive space.
Prayer, meditation, and gratitude practices are central to this aspect of the program. These activities are not tied to any specific religious tradition but are instead designed to nurture the spirit in a way that feels meaningful to you. OHI San Diego operates as part of the Free Sacred Trinity Church, a non-denominational Christian organization, but the retreat welcomes individuals from all faiths and spiritual backgrounds.
Many guests find that the spiritual health program brings a sense of renewal and insight that complements the physical and mental aspects of their journey. By taking time to connect with your spiritual self, you’ll leave OHI feeling more centered and aligned.
Visit OHI San Diego for Wellness
If you’re looking for a place to refresh and renew near Chula Vista, OHI San Diego is your destination. Just a short drive away, our retreat offers a calm and nurturing environment where you can step away from the demands of everyday life and focus on your well-being.
Whether you’re seeking physical healing, mental clarity, or spiritual growth, the OHI program provides the tools and support you need to succeed. Take the first step toward a healthier, more balanced life by reaching out today.
Call (800) 588-0809 to reserve your spot. We look forward to welcoming you to OHI San Diego!
Program Tuition & Fees
The OHI program is structured as a one-week curriculum, with the option to attend multiple weeks for a deeper experience. Tuition covers all meals, materials, and classes, and room rates are designed to be affordable for guests seeking an immersive retreat.
For those who live near San Diego, a commuter option allows you to fully participate in the program without the need to stay overnight. This flexible option is ideal for local residents who want to prioritize their wellness without traveling far. View our latest special offers and room rates.
Our Policies
Room fees are subject to change without notice.
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Amenities
OHI promises a rare opportunity to escape from the hectic pace of our lives at our wellness retreat center. Consistent with this promise, OHI does not provide any alarm clocks, televisions, or radios.
- Telephones, with programmable wake-up calls, are available in all guest rooms.
- WiFi internet access is available in all guest rooms.
- Some mobile phone services may be accessible in this rural setting.
- OHI for Life® skin care products are provided in each room to enhance your holistic healing retreat experience.
- Hair dryers and toiletries are not provided. However, natural hygiene products are available for purchase at the Optimum Health Store on campus.
- Laundry facilities with coin-operated machines are located on the grounds.
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Reservations
Full payment is required for the first week at the time of your reservation. Subsequent weeks must be paid upon arrival. OHI accepts MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express. If someone else is paying for your stay, you will be required to provide 3rd party, credit-card authorization by the account holder at the time of reservation. Personal checks must be drawn from U.S. banks and must be received 14 days prior to your stay.
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Cancellation policy
- A fee of $400 is charged for cancellations made 14 or more days in advance.
- No refund is eligible for cancellations less than 14 days in advance.
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Rescheduling a visit
- One rescheduled visit is allowed. A rescheduled visit must begin within four months of the originally scheduled visit.
- There is no fee for rescheduling a visit if made 14 days or more in advance.
- A fee of $400 is charged for rescheduling a visit with less than 14 days notice.
- After a guest has checked in for the original visit, no refund is allowed.
- Guests must sign an acknowledgement of cancellation within 2 weeks of requesting a rescheduled visit. Once signed, no additional reschedules are allowed.
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Campus policies
- Pets are not permitted. For more information, read our FAQ.
- Cigarettes, alcohol, and recreational drugs are not allowed on campus.
- Rooms are only available to guests participating in our program.
- Use of computers and mobile phones in public areas is prohibited.
- Guests are required to be self-reliant in order to participate in the program. For more information, read our FAQ.
- Promotional literature should not be passed out to other guests. This includes brochures, business cards, or other forms of written literature for outside programs, products, or services – whether they are yours or someone else’s. Anyone who violates the above or performs or offers to perform a service (massage, counseling, proselytizing etc.) for other guests will be asked to leave the premises without a refund.
What Guests Are Saying
I have been coming to OHI regularly for over 35 years, and highly recommend the program here. I credit the diet and classes with helping me maintain good health and proper weight all that time. I just feel so much younger than my actual age of 77.
John Worcester
Optimum Health San Diego was an amazing experience, you have to go to yourself to truly appreciate. A perfect environment to relax and allow your body to heal -mind, body, and soul. I would recommend this program to everyone in my life. You owe it to your body to go through a program like this at least once a year. Thank You OHI for an amazing experience, can't wait to come back.
Carlos Gonzalez
I came to reset my health and body. NOT disappointed!!! What a beautiful experience of community supporting each other through the incredible learning process of maintaining a healthy body. I came for one week and my goal is to finish week 2 & 3 in 2024. Greatest gift you can give yourself.
Raylene Brundage
Meet the Staff
Danielle Demko
Program Director
OHI community member since 2018
“I’m passionate about people—and inspiring them to live life at the highest level. That’s why it’s such an honor to encourage and cheer our community members on as they navigate their healing journeys. I’ve also pursued my own healing journey through the years—and joining OHI finally sync’d what I knew instinctively and had learned over the years about the connection between body, mind and spirit. Its simple truths are profound!”
Alaina Gallegos
Facilitator
OHI community member since 2015
"I found a true calling working at OHI after an unfulfilling career in International Development and Public Health. When you change your diet, your mind, and align with spirit, transformation truly takes place. It is an honor to hold space for our guests who are courageous enough to do the work it takes to heal and become whole again. This is so much more than just a job; it is a life purpose."
Jennifer Inman
Facilitator
OHI community member since 2019
"Life is happening in and around us and god is in everything, therefore healing potential is everywhere. Our awareness of this gets so obscured through our routines, distractions and stresses resulting in imbalance and dis-ease. But our bodies are marvelous machines that are constantly repairing themselves; and given an optimal environment, they do this with ease. OHI is a sacred place for people to reconnect to their awareness of the miracle of life through powerful food and faith; and healing is rapid. Working here and witnessing miraculous transformations day after day is medicine for me as well as for all the friends who come here and power up."
Carla Blea
Facilitator
OHI community member since 2015
“Working at OHI has opened my eyes more to the wholeness of healing beyond just a clean diet. I have met some incredible people since working here and love knowing that all of our team’s efforts help heal our guests. Even after receiving my bachelor’s degree in Food and Nutrition, I’ve gained so much knowledge here at OHI about how a raw diet heals the mind, body and spirit.”
Grace Wong
Facilitator
OHI community member since 2013
"I feel honored to be a part of the OHI community…extending support and encouragement to our guests who begin to transform their health and well-being the moment they arrive here. So much of it has to do with the power of community. It’s true that we can do more than we think we can by doing it together. Fellow guests seem to bond quickly…encouraging and inspiring each other. This truly is a blessed place to work!"
Guillermo
Director of Guest Services
OHI community member since 2013
"When I first started working at OHI, I didn't realize what I truly signed up for. It didn't take long for me to see the significant difference that OHI makes in peoples' lives. I see that now and want to be a part of it. The connection between the guests and the staff is like a family. I'm so blessed to be part of this wonderful atmosphere. To work here is very fulfilling and rewarding."
OHI San Diego Campus
6970 Central Avenue
Lemon Grove, CA 91945
(800) 588-0809
Our 6 acre campus is nestled in a residential neighborhood in Lemon Grove, CA – a nearby suburb of San Diego. Free parking is available in our securely gated community.
For transportation from San Diego International Airport to OHI San Diego, we recommend using Orange Cab and request the special flat rate of $38.00. Orange Cab phone number: (619) 223-5555 or (619) 291-3333.
Disclaimer
NOTE: Optimum Health Institute-San Diego is not a hotel, spa, healthcare facility, business establishment, or public accommodation. Optimum Health Institute-San Diego is a healing mission of the Free Sacred Trinity Church and is tax-exempt, non-profit California religious corporation organized pursuant to California's Nonprofit Religious Corporation Law. Optimum Health Institute-San Diego is organized exclusively for religious purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Americans with Disabilities Act provides an exemption for religious organizations. 42 U.S.C. § 12187. Pursuant to this exemption, the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act that address public accommodations and services operated by private entities do not apply to religious organizations or entities controlled by religious organizations, including places of worship.