Villa Maria Del Mar

History of Villa Maria Del Mar

Villa Maria del Mar's roots lie in the late 1890s. The Catholic Ladies Aid Society of San Francisco wanted a summer hotel where women of limited means could rest at little or no cost, with proceeds supporting Saint Margaret's Residence, a home for single working women in San Francisco. Local farmers donated the land, and in 1892 the three-story Santa Maria del Mar Hotel opened on a bluff above the Pacific. In 1906 a chapel was added next to the hotel and dedicated 'Sacred Heart' by Bishop Thomas J. Conaty. In 1949 the original hotel was replaced with a more modern structure (keeping the original foundation) and a sixteen-bedroom building was added. The Catholic Ladies Aid Society operated the property until 1960, when it could no longer continue. In October 1963, the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary purchased the hotel and its furnishings, beginning a new chapter as a retreat center under their ministry of hospitality. In 1986, the chapel joined the parish of Our Lady Star of the Sea in Santa Cruz, and in October 2023 the Sisters marked 60 years of welcoming guests to Villa Maria Del Mar.

Our Chapel

Originally named 'Sacred Heart,' the Villa Maria Del Mar Chapel was dedicated in 1906 by Bishop T.G. Conaty, Bishop of Los Angeles and Monterey. Since 1963 it has been owned and operated by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, and since 1986 it has been part of the parish of Our Lady Star of the Sea in Santa Cruz. The chapel is described on the retreat center's website as 'peaceful, traditional, contemplative' — an intimate space for worship serving retreat guests, neighbors, and friends of the Holy Names Sisters.

• Dedicated in 1906 as 'Sacred Heart' by Bishop T.G. Conaty
• Joined the parish of Our Lady Star of the Sea in 1986
• Seats up to 90 people
• Available for personal prayer, weddings, and memorial services
• Weekly Saturday Mass celebrated by Our Lady Star of the Sea

Mass and Worship Schedule

The chapel hosts a Roman Catholic Eucharistic Liturgy every Saturday at 4:00 PM, fulfilled by the parish of Our Lady Star of the Sea. Mass times are not listed for weekdays. Confession and adoration schedules are not published on the retreat center's website; visitors are encouraged to call the chapel at 831-475-1236 for current service information. The chapel can also be reserved for weddings and memorial services depending on availability.

• Saturday Vigil Mass — 4:00 PM (English)

Groups We Serve

Villa Maria Del Mar welcomes a wide variety of retreatants, drawn by its beachfront setting and the Sisters' tradition of hospitality. The retreat center organizes its outreach by the kinds of groups it hosts.

• Diocesan Groups
• Worship Communities
• Religious Congregations
• Healing Groups
• Non-Profit Organizations
• Religious Education Groups
• Individuals Seeking Retreat

Facilities and Meeting Spaces

The beachfront property includes the chapel and three buildings used for bedrooms, meeting rooms, and dining areas. Overnight groups have access to 70 beds, and the retreat center accepts up to 90 guests for day-use programs. The retreat brochure highlights locally sourced and organic meals, complimentary all-day beverages and snacks, free WiFi, and onsite parking included with meeting-space rentals. Audio-visual capabilities include computer video and audio projection, two microphones (lavalier and handheld), Zoom integration for remote participation, and a technician available on request for an additional fee.

• Seaview Room — 70+ guests
• Meeting Room — 20–25 guests
• Marie Rose Room — 10–12 guests
• 70 overnight beds, 90 day-use capacity
• Complimentary locally sourced organic meals, WiFi, and parking included

Individual Retreat and Renewal

Beyond group retreats, Villa Maria Del Mar welcomes individuals seeking a beautiful and serene space for prayer, planning, and healing. Guests can book a personal retreat with the help of a Guest Services Manager, taking advantage of the chapel, oceanfront grounds, and the prayerful presence of the Sisters of the Holy Names. The retreat experience is rooted in the Sisters' charism of hospitality and their commitment to the full development of each person.

• House of hospitality for individuals and groups
• Sacred space for prayer, planning, and healing
• Catholic Eucharistic Liturgy Saturdays at 4 PM

Diocese and Parish Affiliation

Villa Maria Del Mar Chapel is part of the Diocese of Monterey in California. Since 1986, it has been joined to the parish of Our Lady Star of the Sea in Santa Cruz, which provides the Saturday vigil Mass and sacramental ministry for the chapel. The retreat center itself is independently owned and operated by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary.

• Diocese of Monterey in California
• Parish affiliation: Our Lady Star of the Sea, Santa Cruz
• Owned and operated by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary

Visiting and Contact

The retreat center and chapel are located at 21918 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95062. Inquiries can be made by phone at (831) 475-1236 or by email at [email protected]. Onsite parking is available for retreat guests.

• Address: 21918 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
• Phone: 831-475-1236
• Email: [email protected]
• Onsite parking available