The Tolkien Retreat

The Tolkien Retreat

A tradition that began in 2024, a group of students and faculty/staff headed to the majestic Leonard Lake Reserve for the inaugural Tolkien Retreat. They spent one week in the misty mountains of Northern California reading and journaling their way through the greatest fantasy trilogy of all time: J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. Nothing but the cold woodland air, a good book, good friends, English breakfasts, warm tea, chips, and chats around log fires late into the night.

The retreat began as an answer to a question: What would it look like to take one of the good things at the very heart of Pacifica—the reading of beautiful books in beloved community—and find a space where that experience could work its magic unhindered by the many stresses of the school year? No phones, no homework, no grades, no college applications, no distractions.

Hear about the experience from previous its travelers! We invite you to consider being a part of the next Tolkien Retreat. The Tolkien Retreat is available to current Pacifica students only.

APPLY FOR THE 2026 TOLKIEN RETREAT

Communication about upcoming trips will be shared to students via email and through the announcements in MyPacifica.

The experience

On the first night, we will begin by reading our first chapter together by candlelight. Over the next five days thereafter, we will wake up, worship together, then wander to our favorite hiding places, tucked up in the corner of a cabin or nestled amongst old trees, to read the remaining books of the series.

In the early afternoon we will convene for Tea Time, eating our fill of baked goods and talking about Tolkien’s rich and ever-giving world. After tea comes any number of activities: nature hikes, rowing out on the lake, polar plunges, swinging on the rope swing, or simply taking a nap. 

In the evening we will sit down for a full dinner together to recap the events of the day followed by board games, impromptu sing-alongs around the piano, desserts, more reading, or on our penultimate night the annual Tolkien Games (beware of Shelob-in-the-dark). 

On our final night together, we will enjoy performances of poetry and music written by students and staff over the retreat, before our annual candlelit Tolkien feast, and the reading of the final two chapters of The Return of the King. Our hearts and stomachs will be filled to the brim before we wind our way back to Orange County.