Tucked away in the serenity of the Los Gatos mountains lies one of the South Bay Area’s most precious secrets. A retreat and conference center build on 70 acres of lush woodland and touches of sprawling open space, the Presentation Center is truly a unique venue for anyone who is looking for a break from reality.
We met with Susan Hoppe, who was a panelist with Miranda for the August Silicon Valley NACE meeting. Susan had graciously invited us to check out her “best kept secret” property and we happily obliged. The drive was serene, if a little windy, but shortly after turning on to Bear Creek Road from Highway 17 we arrived up the drive of the well marked Presentation Center.
Stepping out of the car, you can feel the energy difference. There is no buzzing of traffic or busy living vibration. The best way to describe it is just plain peaceful. You walk down the driveway and shortly come to the main dining hall that also serves as the reception area. The conference center can hold up to 200 guests for a buffet dinner and has several smaller rooms for vendors, children, or breakouts. Attached to the main dining hall is a sprawling patio area that overlooks the grassy knolls, including a well worn labyrinth.
Hop into a golf cart and you’re a short drive away from a newly constructed redwood ampitheatre that nestles into the mountainside of a large natural pond. If structure is more your ideal ceremony location, there is the Pueblo building and its courtyard, with charming elements of old Mission style architecture. Making up one side of the courtyard walls is the dormitories, which can sleep up 135 guests in perfect proximity to the festivities. If the weather gets cool, you can step inside to the adjoining assembly room, with picturesque stained glass windows and a handsome wooden beam ceiling structure.
There are more than enough options for food, including in-house, off prem, and BBQ. Guests are invited to make a weekend out of their celebration by creating a full agenda of pre-parties and brunches. Half day options are available as well.
Divine Affairs Wedding Planning is proud to partner up with Presentation Center to create dream weddings and other group events. Take some time out of your schedule to pay a visit to this little piece of Heaven- whether for a quick meditation, a day of solitude, or a multi-week retreat sabbatical. The choice is yours, but the end result is always the same. When you leave Presentation Center you will feel rejuvenated, peaceful and invigorated to take on this crazy beautiful thing called life.