SHADOW PLAY RETREAT ~ 2025
La Jolla Shores
San Diego, CA · September 12th - 16th, 2025
Click your body and soul back into place
When I envisioned our first retreat, I knew we needed to be near the beach (preferably, within walking distance). Known for its gentle beaches, marine life, and tide pools, La Jolla is the perfect setting to click your body and soul right back into place. Our retreat is house two blocks from La Jolla Shores Beach and surrounded by meandering trails of UCSD’s whimsical architecture, Dr. Seuss-like plant life, and cliffside views of the Pacific Ocean.
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La Jolla Shores Beach - 0.2 miles
Scripps Coastal Trail - 0.2 miles
Scripps Pier - 0.4 miles
Kellogg Park - 0.4 miles
La Jolla Cove - 2.4 miles
Mt. Soledad National Veteran’s Memorial - 2.5 miles
Torrey Pines Gliderport Park - 2.8 miles
Above Scripps Pier on Christmas Day
Dr. Seuss / portal vibes on Scripps Coastal Trail
Steps from the beach
Our 4,000 square foot retreat house has 5 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, a sprawling kitchen, 2 living rooms, outdoor dining and terraces, hot tub, fire pit, ocean view, and so much more.
Meet your host, Julia
Julia Paige Lemke (she/her) is a somatic meditation guide, tarot reader, and poet based in San Diego. She is the author of Silent Sound: 44 Poems to Hear Your Soul, a poetry collection inspired by the Strength card in the tarot. Her clients come to her for a gentle, grounding approach to intuition and stay for refreshing presence and play.
Julia has hosted 100+ events that blend somatic shadow work with playful intuitive development—called Shadow Play—to facilitate gentle, affirming meditation experiences for people with busy brains and sensitive bodies.
Her practices are trauma-informed and neuro-affirming—ideal for creative, neurodiverse (including Autism/ASD, ADHD, OCD, cPTSD, bipolar), or anxiety-prone individuals. Julia's clients are often skeptical or disinterested in meditation, and stunned when they take my classes and have a fun, safe experience instead. Her clients say "I can't meditate with anyone else," "I thought I hated meditation," or "Julia's meditations are the best in the world."
This retreat is a culmination of her ongoing work of bringing gentle, supportive company together in meditation voyages, creative and psychic play, and grounded presence on the ever-winding path of a soulful, human life.
(Under)scheduled
Each day will blend activities for your soul with the replenishment your body needs to be in the present and refill your cup.
Quality time with soul humans
This was the photo that kept bringing me back to this beautiful house. Let’s lose track of time during (soul) family dinners under string lights and ocean breezes.
Indulge in food for the body & soul
Taste, cook, and dine together with meals that nourish your body & soul and rival your favorite food blogger (recipes and prep co-hosted by essayist, @angelinadanae_).
Play in the portals of consciousness
Each day, I will host Shadow Play (my signature meditation method) workshops to tap you into the energy of your most intuitive, creative, and psychic self.
Rest, replenish, & meander
Honor your unique rhythm by sleeping in, going for a run on the beach, or settling into a nook to write or read. This retreat plans for breathing room so you can explore or recharge.
Live like a local
Experience the food scene, people-watching, and coastal life as we visit some of my favorite places for tacos, açaí bowls, coffee, and more. After all, this is a vacation too.
Adventure with your inner child/teen
We’ll visit some of the most stunning destinations within ~20 minutes from our house to receive the ultimate nourishment from the Pacific Ocean and (Kumeyaay) land.
Rooms
What’s included
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All meals, snacks, and dessert from dinner on Friday to dinner on Monday.
Meals will accommodate all dietary needs and preferences.
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I will host 1-2 practices a day and bring in my own favorite healers for the ultimate mix of practice/play with replenishment.
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Our 4,000 square foot retreat house has five bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms.
There are ten sleeping arrangements at various price points. Please see the registration form below for all room options.
During your stay you are insured as an overnight guest in the house.
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All transportation and activities during your retreat are covered.
Transportation from the airport is not included but you may be able to get a ride from a local attendee or share an Uber.
The SAN airport is just 13 miles from the retreat house.
