Presentation Center

Three stars only because I had the worst night sleep there. It was raining, actually pouring and the pipes and everything made my room so loud. The heater was also clanging. I had to use ear plugs and crank up my white noise. The place also started leaking in the main room as well as several other places. I was walking to the bathroom on the 2^nd floor and the carpet was soaking for at least 3 feet. My socks were soaked which wasn’t awesome when you go to the bathroom at 3:00am and have to change.
The food was good, the place just needs a go over for leaks when it rains.

We had our wedding at the Presentation Center in May, and it was a dream come true. Our ceremony was in the redwood amphitheater. It was breathtaking and was just what we had been looking for. We had our reception in the Curran Room, with beautiful views of the Pueblo Building and mountains. The lights in the room created a great ambiance for dining and dancing, and there was plenty of room for our 130 guests. The food was delicious, fresh and original. The staff were very friendly and efficient. They really went out of their way to help us with logistics for the wedding. We met with Sharon Barrington several times beforehand, and she made sure every detail was in place so we were able to relax and enjoy the day. There are lots of very nice and remodeled cottages for the bridal party to get ready in too. The landscape is gorgeous and our photos were amazing. Our guests said that it was one of the most fun and beautiful weddings that they have been to and were really impressed. I would highly recommend the Presentation Center for weddings!

I have been going to Presentation Center for retreats and family reunions for 42 years. I feel so comfortable and welcome here, It is like home to me. The grounds are always very clean and well kept with fresh flowering plants and trees everywhere. I love sitting on a bench by the duckpond to clear my head. The views are beautiful, with enormous redwood trees surrounding an amphitheatre by the pond.
The dining hall is a newer green, environmentaly susainable building, with a living roof. The food, in my opinion, is wonderful on a consistent basis. Served buffet style, there is always plenty, along with accomopations for gluten-​free and vegetarian. The staff are alwys happy to assist when asked.
The history of the Montezuma School for Boys, the original owners, is preserved with archives for viewing, and then by Presentation Sisters in the 1950’s for a training center for nuns.
I have brought my daughter here for a weekend in one of the cabins available for rent. During the summer, the pool and hiking trails make for a well rounded stay. They are now also offering their venue for weddings. What a picturesque setting!

I recently attended a training at the presentation center. I stayed friday and saturday night, location was easy to access not far off hwy 17, outside of Santa Cruz. I am glad I did not decided to commute daily, and stayed on site. The food at the center was A-​okay, and the staff were very friendly and helpful. The food served at meal time would include special vegeatairna and gluenten free options if you tell them ahead of time about your dietary needs. Lunch and dinner meals included salad bar, and their was always oatmeal to eat in the morning in addition to the other special dishes they served. Fresh fruit salad at almost every meal was also quite pleasurable. There were several groups using the center while we were there that weekend. We would see them at lunch time and sometimes hear them in adjacent buildings during our training session, in this way it was a little less peaceful then I had imagined, but also didn’t really interfer with my experience in any way.
I stayed in lower St. Clare, and the room was OK. Very rustic, but did include a double bed, bathtub, microwave and fridge. If I come again I would bring snacks and other easy to prepare items to augment the meals served on site since the location doesn’t allow for easy access to a grocery store.
Tea coffee and water was easy to access at several spots. A-​ok, nice to get out of the city.

I have stayed at Presentation Center several times for church retreats. We always have a good time at the facility. There is nothing fancy about the housing but it works for a night or two. The rooms are good size and come with linens and towels typically. The heater can be noisy when it first goes on but we did not experience that this last time we were there. Bathrooms are shared. They actually look like they have been remodeled recently. Nice clean tile and floors. The dining hall is a completely Green building with a garden on the roof. Food is overall pretty good for cafeteria style food. We had fish for dinner one night. Pancakes for breakfast and sandwiches for lunch the next day. The grounds are really beautiful and peaceful. A bunch of us took a nice hike during some free time. The trail is well marked and not too difficult. Definitely a nice place to go if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Silicon Valley. And its so close to civilization. Only a little ways up Highway 17 off Bear Creek Road.

I recently Officiated a wedding at the Presentation Center for my dear friends and I was not only breath taken with the beauty, mystique, and soulfulness of the grounds, but also the level of service, care and attention to detail from the staff.
I was born and raised in San Jose and never knew this place existed until recently. This jewel is nestled in the Los Gatos mountains and has so much space to work with. Whether you want to be indoors or out, you will find an earthy, rustic adobe meets LEED certified modern, and comfortable atmosphere — surrounded by a forest.
They offer endless possibilities for weddings, retreats, birthday parties, and celebrations — the best part is the service — Sue, Eric and Junior will move mountains to make whatever event you have outstanding, special and unique to you.
When I contemplated the intro for the wedding, I thought a lot about the Presentation Center grounds and location of the actual ceremony. What popped into my heart immediately was the Santa Clara Valley history.
I told a story about the Valley of Hearts Delight which is what the Santa Clara Valley used to be called many years ago before the urban growth and the term Silicon Valley was coined. I was able to share that where we were sitting and witnessing a beautiful union, was an example of how our heritage had been preserved and how the trees that surrounded us had strong root systems all around — just like when two families unite and grow root systems together — it was quite metaphorical.
The beauty that surrounded us that day at the Presentation Center is one that I will never forget. The people, the place and the way everything pulled together made it all the more perfect! Great job everyone!

Attended a friend’s wedding here a couple weekends ago, and was very impressed. Lovely setting, good food and very accommodating staff! The new welcome center is a perfect place to host a reception or dinner. The older buildings on the campus are charming and quirky – great sense of history and place. A nice mix of old and new!

I went to the Mother’s Day Brunch and it was amazing! The food was delicious and the venue was beautiful! I would go to another event at Presentation Center in a heartbeat!

If I had to describe my wedding at Presentation Center in one word, it would be– perfect! The venue is in a beautiful location nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The historic adobe buildings are juxtapositioned with the new LEED certified Welcome Center. It typified our wedding: traditional, yet modern and «green».
The staff at the Center was beyond helpful, anticipating and meeting our every need. Sue, the event manager, had great ideas and even helped with shopping for flowers. Since our wedding was going to be small, we asked if the service could be held in a lounge we spotted while on a tour of the facilities. Sue assured us that the Center would make it work. It was just the intimate setting we were looking for.
Following the ceremony, our guests were treated to a cocktail hour in a beautiful courtyard. My husband and I were driven around the grounds in a golf cart with our photographer to get some incredible shots near the wooded pond.
Afterwards, we all went to dinner at the Welcome Center. Chef Tom prepared a delicious and sustainable menu. There was plenty of room for dancing, and there was a new sound system which augmented the music.
There were no problems of any kind, the price was affordable, the venue was everything it promised to be, the food was delicious, and the staff was professional and service-​oriented. All my husband and I had to do was enjoy the day and our guests– perfect!
I cannot imagine a better place for a wedding!

I have been visiting Presentation Center since the mid-60’s. More recently, I have had days of personal retreat before I was ordained and then the joy of a seven day retreat. I always leave the Center feeling enfolded in God’s kingdom and renewed to go back into every day life. The food is wonderful. The sisters are welcoming and a model for community living. Their working in environmental programs is ground breaking. I highly recommend a visit to Presentation Center for any gathering!

I just started my PhD program at ITP, who holds there biannual seminars at the Presentation Center. I stayed in town at a motel, and only attended the meeting/​class parts this time, so I can’t comment on their accommodations exactly. The food was excellent however. Staff friendly. Beautiful location. The hiking trails and property are well worth investigating to its fullest potential.
If there was a bar here, it would be heaven. Not that I’m a heathen. I understand it IS a monastery. But, when I’m using my precious vacation days and can’t even have a drink, it is a damn shame!
I plan to stay onsite next seminar in January 2012 (sad sober vacation, lol). I will get back to ya’ll then…

School club retreat.
Great place and very clean!
Coffee, tea, hot cocoa and water available in all the buildings. Its a little old in the pueblo, but still cozy and clean.

What a beautiful, spiritual place. My daughter and i went on a retreat here at Presentation with her school — a «Mother /​Daughter Retreat». What a wonderful, uplifting, peaceful, thought provoking two days. My daughter and I, who have always been VERY close, both agree that these two days and all the retreat offered us, brought us even closer together. The grounds are breathtakingly therapeutic. Heaven on earth.

I have nothing but great things to say about Presentation Center. The sisters who run the place are gracious and hospitable, the food is award-​winning, and they get brownie points for having an environmentally sustainable campus. Their property backs up to an open space preserve, which you can reach via the nature trail– so if you’re a hiker like me, you have plenty of space.
I get the impression that it’s a little expensive, but I’ve only been here with the organization I work for, and so I haven’t had to pay out of pocket.
All in all, a great place to pray, bring groups, or take a personal retreat.