Self-Realization Fellowship International Headquarters

Visited while hiking up the remains of the Mt Washington Incline, of which the old hotel is now the administrative building. The views are absolutely spectacular, everyone is very friendly as long as one respects the space, and the grounds look gorgeous. Somehow the minute I entered the space I suddenly was hit with this wonderful feeling of calmness. It was almost like someone flipped a switch. I ended up spending more time than I expected to just sitting within the gardens, absolutely wonderful. Plus the history is neat too. Do note though that if one plans to walk up to it, the sidewalks along Mt Washington Drive are slanted to the hill in such a way that someone in a wheelchair or other mobility device will have major difficulties. If possible have someone bring you up to the fellowship. Totally Wonderful and I will return

They have a super peaceful and beautiful green space. I brought a book with me and read for a little bit after exploring the space. There’s plenty of seating, some shaded and some not. You can hear all kinds of birds, and there’s a variety of plants to admire. The volunteer working the visitor center was so kind and welcoming. She also advised me of other SRF locations.

Beautiful 🙏 (Others have shared more details so short review. Try to come here once a year to get “there”.🙏)

It is just the most incredible surprise to find this beautiful, peaceful oasis so close to home. It's free, it's quiet - I felt immeasurably better upon leaving than I did when I arrived. What a gift!

Very very peaceful. Awesome location.

Everything about this place is so good, and it's filled with positive vibes. There's plenty of place to meditate, relax, yoga or read. You can see the rooms where Sri Paramahansa Yogananda Guruji and Daya Mataji lived with their belongings well preserved. The volunteers, Nuns and Monks are really welcoming and friendly. It's just peaceful !

Inspiring to see such a serene place! Gorgeous views, calm people... I had a chat with a monk who lives there, very kind and helpful. I wish the temple would be open for guests all week.

Gorgeous serene gardens! Quiet 🤫 spot to take in nature, and views of LA 🌄

Reserved a reservation on eventbrite for one car and 2 people 2 weeks prior. This place is very peaceful. It's free. I celebrated my 32nd birthday here. Worth bringing my mom here. Fantastic place.

I love this place and come every Friday and Saturday to spend all day working and meditating. The view of the field is so peaceful. I love to sit by the waterfall and work from that place. Also on the cool day I sit in administrative house and work from the library. I would highly recommend it to everyone who wants to find balance.

I visited this location for the first time. I saw stollers with babies and children enjoying the grounds without an issue. I can understand if there is a no pet policy and am ok with that. I can only say my experience was very pleasant and felt alot of peace and was very welcomed by all I spoke with affiliated with this special place. I really was enveloped with peace while on the grounds as I have been upset lately by my personal life's circumstances. I highly recommend visiting here and am sorry to read any negative experiences.

*HOURS: The hours listed here are wrong. The hours (per the website) are Tuesday-Saturday 11am-3pm. Closed on Sundays, Mondays, and holidays. They also close occasionally so check the website before coming as they post updates. This is the specific website for this location: https://yogananda.org/locations-international-headquarters#Visiting%20Hours. The website is also wrong here but I've contacted Yelp about making the changes. This is the international headquarters of the Self-Realization Fellowship. The organization was started by Paramahansa Yogananda, a Hindu monk and guru, who was very influential in introducing yoga to the West. The SRF is a spiritual organization that doesn't teach Hinduism but focuses on the specific teachings of Yogananda. They have many locations throughout the world and a few in the Los Angeles area. Their Lake Shrine location in the Pacific Palisades is particularly beautiful. This location is much smaller but it is still lovely and peaceful. Yogananda established the headquarters in 1925 and lived and worked here for more than 20 years. The meditation garden is charming with a variety of little enclaves and multiple benches. It's a nice place to come meditate, read, or just get away and think (or not think). The visitor's center and main building are currently closed. I understand that there are some exhibits relating to Yogananda's life here. I don't know when they intend to reopen this area. I encountered a staff member who was very nice. They do have some rules about not sitting on the grass, FYI. There were plenty of benches though. Ample parking along the road once you enter their gated area. LA is a stressful city so having access to serene places like this is so valuable. Thank you to the SRF for granting that access to the public for free.

A welcoming retreat of pure peace, tranquility and reflection. Great for meditation, writing, and spiritual healing.

I met Alfred the auto maintenance technician. What a wonderful human being he is. As professional as it gets. This place is wonderful as well, truly a remarkable experience here at the self realization fellowship

Love coming here. Soothing. I try to swing by once a decade, worth coming more often. Excellent recentering in the heart of LA. Hidden gem.

I come here for meditation and to enjoy the silence in the outdoor mediation area and of course people from all over the globe come to do the same since this is the headquarters of SRF - a Yogananda founded spiritual organization. I was not impressed with the visitors having a full on conversation in the meditation garden. People come from all over the world to have peace and quiet in that small wooded area. There might be 6 or 7 signs in the garden that say " please maintain silence." Well I had no problem telling them they were disrespectful to the people who are communing with God. They did not like that. If you plan to visit, please have respect for the space you are occupying.

The grounds and nature are so beautiful and calming but the people working there are very unwelcoming . The older woman patrolling the grounds makes it feel like you may be breaking a rule you are not even aware of . She stopped us from walking down what I thought was a walking trail for guests, but was a private area. Her demeanor was a bit snotty and belittling while redirecting us . She hawked the mediation area while we were there too and it just didn't feel like a comfortable space to enjoy . Very beautiful nonetheless

A place where you can say "ME time". I came in here this afternoon by myself just because I want to explore and to relax. If you want to relax, meditate, to release your stress and to have some alone time well this is the right place. To the parents out there this place is nice too for kids, they can run around or have some picnic. I will definitely come back here and bring my friends here. Also, the parking is not that bad.

I love this place! Paramahansa Yogananda is one of my favorite yogis. He is one of the yogis that inspire me in my spiritual and meditation practice especially after I read the Autobiography of a Yogi. I come here to meditate, read, journal, and practice pranayama. The garden is very quiet, serene, and beautiful! I bought a book by Paramahansa Yogananda from their store called the Yoga of the Bhagavad Gita and I loved it very much! I'm so happy I found this place. Whenever I feel like I had a stressful work week, I come here to disconnect and reconnect with my spiritual self. Namaste

Beautiful space to go quiet your mind and listen. I was fortunate to find this sanctuary on my visit to LA-

I was on the East side of town and had some time to kill. Heard about a meditation garden up in the hills of Mount Washington, so I figured "Why not?" Ughhhh. Absolutely gorgeous, peaceful and secluded from the world (or so it seemed). I know it sounds funny, but I felt like nature was giving me a big ol hug. :) The gardens are wonderfully kept! This place may be small, but it's immaculate. They also have a succulent garden as well as a temple of leaves. And don't be surprised by the random yogis meditating. They seem to pop up out of nowhere, catching you off-guard, but no worries...they're in deep meditation. (see photos!)

With its own touch of beauty, the Self Realization Fellowship site at Mount Washington is not exactly the same as the SRF Lake Shrine site. It is different and beautiful in its own way as it sits on top of a hill and you could get a great view of the city on a clear day. With more flowers and trees within the garden grove, there are benches and tables that allow you to sit and meditate either by yourself or with others. As other SRF sites, it is open to the public and people from all religious and spiritual backgrounds and are welcome to visit the grounds. I appreciate this small getaway as it is tucked away from the busy energy of the city. I definitely consider it one of the gems in the Northeast part of Los Angeles. If you ever find yourself with some extra time, or if you need to get away and are in Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Lincoln Heights or any of the neighborhoods that surround Mount Washington, take a drive up to the Self Realization Fellowship site in Mount Washington. It can definitely serve as your mini-retreat from a stressful day or aid in helping you delve further into yourself.

Very relaxing place and a must see! 5 star all the way! Great experience and highly recommended

Needed to reflect on a few life issues and As I walk through the front gates, I feel a wave of calm enter my body. The outdoor space is intimate and just enough to grasp the perspective of the landscape. I met Bob who tends to the landscape and he filled me in on the property history and gave me a mini tour. I was grateful for his presence. There are sisters onsite as well to support you if you need to talk through your thoughts with someone. Very loving space and I'd recommend this to anyone looking for positive energy, perspective and a way to seeking their humanity.

I love this place. It's my go to in this part of town if I need to get away from all the noise and be still. This place is so calming and beautiful and peaceful. The entry is free and despite some of the reviews on here, everyone has been gloriously kind and parking is very easy. There's also a ton of parking in the neighborhood just outside the gates for free. If you have the time, don't miss going inside the administration building and learning a bit more about the institution. It's fascinating even if you already adhere to a different way of life. The staff is very welcoming and informative

This space is gorgeous, calm, and peaceful. The ONLY reason I'm giving it 3 stars is because of an elderly woman who works there (maybe late 60's) who interrupted me while I stretched my body after a deep meditation with my eyes still closed. She told me that I couldn't practice yoga on the grounds lol. First of all, I was peacefully stretching my legs all by myself. Secondly, this center was founded by a man named YOGANANDA!!!!! The irony blew my mind. Then she told me that a section of my stomach was showing! I was literally wearing black leggings and a tank top because it was summer. She really ruined this place for me that day. Her energy is the opposite of what this space is supposed to be about. I understand rules and guidelines, but these didn't make sense, and I felt HIGHLY judged by her for no reason whatsoever.

Amazing and relaxing, what a great place to visit! I took the metro (exited southwest museum) & walked the rest to the self realization fellowship! Directions from the metro will follow by going down and turning right on Ave 43 until later it changes to canyon Dr as you walk up, take the flight of stairs, continue walking up until you hit San rafael! Unfortunately for me, I couldn't handle walking up so steep continuously for 1.1 mile so I called an Uber, but if you're super fit or like a challenge - be prepare to walk with such a steep incline! We had our Uber drop us off at the place, but once you hit San rafael then make a right on the first Street as you enter some fancy looking gates and you're there! It's pretty small but it's worth visiting. It has a great view of LA if you look towards where the sundial is at. Lots of trees, flowers, grass...very nature like atmosphere! It feels like you're not even in LA. You van enter inside the administrative buildings where you can meditate or observe the cool rooms with bunch of antiques. There's fans going on in almost every corner so it's cool in here!! Lots of rich history going on in this place and it's the main headquarters! Throughout the place had many benches to sit and meditate! Highly recommend visiting if you need to relax :)

I was in the area and lucky enough to have some time to pay a visit. I have been to Lake Shrine (Palisades), a sister/child/cousin of this headquarters. The garden area was not quiet as lush or vast as the Palisades, but still beautiful. There was a miniature cactus garden which I adored, and still plenty of space to mediate. If I lived locally, I could easily be here all the time. I was lucky enough to receive a tour of the grounds from a nun who was extremely sweet and kind me to me - I am a beginner in this Self Realization business, so it was kind of her to take the time to explain things me to me. Overall, a nice experience, and would visit again if in the area.

Stumbled upon this amazing place thru the serendipity of climbing mountains. Flora, vistas and serenity exist here at the top of LA's Mt. Washington. The myriad old growth pines, palms and succulents encourage deep and slow breathes. There is silence mandated here. Thankfully, the beauties found within the Self Realization Fellowship's meditation garden will leave you speechless.

One of the most serene places. This place truly helps those who want to quite their mind and find peace. What an incredible gem. Friendly and welcoming people.

It still amazes me how I could live in LA for most of my life and still not see everything it has to offer. The Self-Realization Fellowship Mother Center is definitely a site to see. I almost wanted to keep this place a secret because I simply fell in love with the quiet, peaceful environment when I visited. This SRF is one of many located all around the world, and serves as the international headquarters, thus the name "Mother Center". Once you walk pass the tall, black, metal gates you will see a visitor center on your left. When I visited, the center was closed for lunch so I didn't get to go inside. It wasn't a problem at all because the entire center isn't that big, nor is it confusing. Nonetheless, there are a lot of little gardens for you to see. My friend pointed out how much she enjoyed the way the dessert garden was "juxtaposed with the Japanese garden, showing contrast" and something, something. I didn't catch everything she said because I started zoning out to the sound of water trickling gently from a small waterfall 30 feet in front of me. Ahhh, peace! You can definitely see everything within a 30 minute time frame, but I recommend you give yourself at least an hour so you can sit on one of the many benches located all over the center and take in the love that Nature has to offer. Also, you can see the Downtown skyline from the center, which makes things quite interesting. I personally prefer the Lake Shrine center a little more since that location has a huge lake, but this center is a bit closer to me than Pacific Palisades so I definitely won't mind driving out here again. It's preferable that when you come, you don't try to start a party or anything because the SRC is a place for people to meditate and relax. Keep that in mind when you want to squeal in sheer excitement from the cuteness that is the Japanese Garden or the lotuses floating in a small pond.

Rules regarding babies/kids should be posted or handed out as you walk in. Something about no strollers on the lower level and no sitting on the grass

I guess they got a new manger- I got kicked out today (my birthday) this morning for wearing a cropped tank top that was "showing to much midriff for a mediation place". i was wearing yoga pants and a tank top- it's 89 degrees out today! I guess my belly button is too distracting for anyone to meditate...? Also they do not allow any drinks- even tea or coffee.... I don't get the wholesome vibe here anymore... don't go.

Can't really say much about their practice since I've only been there to hang out in their Meditation Gardens. However, their gardens are a perfect place to relax and meditate since the place is so serene, beautiful, and calm. There is also a great view of the LA skyline from where it stands on top of Mt. Washington. I was there with my toddler (going out for a walk) so I couldn't quite meditate there.... but I really wanted to. The lady at the visitor's center was nice as well. Open to the public till 5PM.

Even though I was sick I felt like I needed a pick me up and this place surely did it for me! Decided to walk there by just taking San Rafael all the way down. Once there you are greeted by a gorgeous entrance with gold decorations. I felt as if I was in a far off land and taken back by the beauty of it all. There are places to sit through out all though my personal favorite was by the waterfall. Close your eyes and take in the sounds of water, birds and silence. You will not be disappointed by taking the time to meditate in this garden!

The energy at this place is unparalleled. We visited for a special holiday/Xmas event and they were serving hot apple cider, mint tea and the most delicious sweets! Every volunteer look very happy and most of them glowed. If you want to find your spirituality, this is the place to start exploring.

The good news is that, as previously mentioned in many other posts, this center is an absolutely beautiful, tranquil, and butterfly-filled place for people looking to meditate or walk in nature. My major tip: I would highly recommend not driving here. My wife and I went through hell on about 2 miles of roads that lead here, because there were cars parked on both sides of the road, across from each other. If you are not bothered by driving on winding roads with room for only one car, backing up into people's driveways many times to just get here, and in general taking about 45 minutes to drive 2 miles due to this, then go for it. Or see your frustration as part of your spiritual evolution. By the time we got here, we were looking for a place to meditate, not because we wanted to meditate, but because we NEEDED to meditate from the trauma that we experienced on the ride up here. Then my wife and I searched for a place to meditate. We entered an area that said "no talking", sat down, and were violently shaken from our meditation approximately one minute later by self realization construction people banging metal against metal. So much for the meditation part of the experience. Good business idea: open up a horse rental place at the bottom of the hill leading to this place and charge people a whole bunch of money to ride a rented horse up the hill.

If you don't want people coming here, then close the gates. So many new rules it's ridiculous. My son and I literally got chased out. First it was no dogs on the grass. Ok, I can understand that. I'm sure enough people ruined that for the rest of us. Now it's no sitting on the grass. Ok, I'm sure enough annoying hipsters in the neighborhood ruined that as well. But now you can't sit anywhere but a bench. My 11 month old son and I were sitting on that tennis court looking thing on a blanket and that was still a no no. This woman waits till I've completely taken my son out of the stroller, taken his bottle out and started to feed him before she rudely came over to tell me to leave. I can't just stop feeding him. I wish she would have told me before. Whatever. I'm done coming here and it's a shame. Such a beautiful place that is so unwelcoming.

This is a great place for those who love to meditate in silence and contemplate Nature and God, those who can 'see' with the inner vision of their souls, those who never look at Nature as something ordinary, purely physical, but as an expression of The Divine Mother. Those who look only with their physical eyes might, one day, wake up --in this magical place-- and see its inner spiritual beauty and find their own inner connection to the magic and mystery of Nature and God (Goddess). I only wish the hours were longer.

This place is beautiful and has always been a place of respite for my family. I have been coming here since 2008 with my dogs and my daughter and my husband and my family members who come from out of town with kids. We have sat and meditated together and enjoyed the waterfall and gardens never with a problem. Until today. During a meditation I was approached, interrupted and told that my dog was not allowed. My dog was standing in front of me quietly as I sat on a bench peacefully. I'm a runner and hiker and have run through there with our dogs. It was always a shaded place during a long hike and or run. We would stop and rest and I would meditate. This was the first time ever that this is happened. There was a woman with her child who was picking flowers and not approached at all. Apparently kids destroying the garden are allowed to be there, but dogs sitting/standing quietly next to their owner are not. Later I was told it's a new rule that dogs are not allowed in the garden. I took pictures of the signs and none say this. I have mediated there for years. Especially in moments of turmoil, cancer treatment, fostering, and today I was there meditating on some upcoming medical procedures and was finding so much peace until this interruption.

I stopped by today simply to get some information about this beautiful place. I do not plan on going back, first impressions are the best impressions!!! I walked to the office to get literature. I have not felt so unwanted and uncomfortable in a place that I spent less than 5 minutes at .. The lady behind the desk acted Like I was going to rob her or something. Is it because I have tattoos or is it Because I had my dog ? She barely said 3 words to me and didn't seem like I was welcome inside as she barely opened the door, then locked the glass door as I turned around, mind you I weigh 115 pounds. It's amazing to me that this place is so beautiful and there's such a miserable bitter elder lady working the welcome center.

We showed up the first week of April and the gates are locked and we were told by a worker that the fellowship is closed indefinitely. Yelp says that they are open and for not keeping us up-to-date that is the only reason I am giving this one star.

This is the Mother Center, the home where Paramahansa Yogananda lived. LA is so lucky to have 6 Temples by Paramahansa. He was a high deity, an Avatar. I didn't know how big he was until I came here and got a tour of his home and meditated in his home meditation area. This site is a Holy site. The East had Jesus, the West had Paramahansa Yogananda. And we are so lucky in so many ways, that we have all his books, tapes, hand markings, and personal items to see, feel, and enjoy. He was such a Divine person, doing his Divine duty for all generations in his present time and future ones. I can only imagine how many miracles he performed and were not documented because He was very humble. I personally experienced things at this site. His teachings focus about using meditation to develop a Christ Consciousness and a direct communion with God.

I love the beauty of this place. Perfect area to be with nature, relax and allow everything to slow down.

This is only a review for the park and garden inside the self realization fellowship since I do not have any experience with the group as a religion or non profit. I think it is very kind for them to keep a gorgeous garden open to the public - a true testament to peace and the healing powers of nature. Every time I am there I am reminded of the possibilities for humankind with enough care, grace, and cultivation. Thank you for being such an asset to the NELA community.

Having been in Los Angeles all my life, I am very aware of the Self Realization center and what it represents. But recently, since I have become wheel chair bound, I have come to have a rather negative feeling about two of their locations. A group who professes such mindfulness seems to be completely out of touch when it comes to their disabled brethren. I recently tried to visit the shrine on Sunset and PCH only to be turned away in the parking lot by one of their representatives, , because their facility did not accommodate wheel chairs. Today I, for the first time , went to the headquarters on Mt. Washington and the only part available to someone in a wheel chair was the parking lot. Really need to come down from the clouds and address those of us who are still physically earthbound.

Beautiful and serene pocket of magic. I came here one day, not knowing what to expect. I left with a sense of solitude and oneness with spirit. Highly recommended.

I went there for the first time today and thought the garden is beautiful/tranquil. Taking off one star for the reason below: Excited to learn more about the place and went into the visitor center when the elderly woman immediately complained to her friend about how she knew people would try coming in when it's time to close. She then cut me off and assumed that I was looking for the restroom when I was actually looking for location info in NY. She then said yes but went back to chat with her friends. No further info was offered..... Perhaps she is a volunteer but it's unfortunate that her attitude seemed discouraging for people that are new to meditation and needing more inspiration.

This SRF is the international headquarters. Once a hotel, the Yogananda said it was a perfect setting that reminded him of his hometown in India. So it is that Mount Washington can call this lovely oasis home. It's one of the great free things to explore in L.A. Well worth the drive should you be coming from a busy day downtown or decide to make it a destination if you've never been to that part of the city. Quiet, serene, calming, introspective, and explorative. Hang outside or visit the meditative chapel like setting inside the main building. I've spend time in the small library, just "being". Yes, sitting in a library ready, which is quite the treat. Best little know secret...your cell phone will most likely not work on the grounds...so, leave it in the car and have a quiet conversation with yourself!

SRF is a wonderful little oasis in the heart of Los Angeles that we stumbled upon while walking our Beans boy. It's tranquil and wonderful in ways that will surprise the hell out of you. The fact that this undisturbed bit of wonderfulness even exists is remarkable. Just check it out already! Keep in mind that they don't allow pets when you visit.

While apparently loud, rambunctious children running around and yelling are OK here, shorts are "immodest". I was lying on a bench staring up into the canopy of a tree when we were approached by an older woman who told me the garden was for meditation, everyone must sit up and only "modest" clothing was permissible. Sure thing, next time I'll wear long pants on a 90 degree day. She told me twice about the large sign I should have read on my way in (apparently sign was on the entrance from the road, while I came from an adjoining garden) and mentioned that if any nuns had seen me they would have called her and complained. Left immediately, not planning to return.

This place is AMAZING. I'm so thrilled to live within walking distance. You feel the peace and calm of this place just walking on it. They leave it open until 5:00 every day for people to walk the grounds and they are so beautiful.

This is located on one of the most spectacular lots in the whole of Los Angeles. I'm sort of amazed that they let just anyone in to enjoy the grounds of this place. It is incredibly beautiful with amazing old trees and several places to hide and meditate and ponder life. But when I'm there pondering life, this other thought always creeps in. What does all of this money and incredible property have to do with spirituality? But not for long. I always come back to gratitude that we can all enjoy it. No bad vibe here. People are welcoming and friendly.

I can say one thing.... the gardens are beautiful!! A great place to read, study, or sit for a while. You forget you're in the hustle and bustle, which is nice for a moment. I personally couldn't be here for more than an hour though. I got the feeling there was lots of "maintenance" going on here---gardens.....and other things... I smelled a lotus flower for the first time here. Usually found on the surface of lakes, here, they grow them in little bird baths, so you can press your nose right up to the blossoms. The scent is other worldly and it's worth the trip just for this!

I've been wanting to go to visit and I got the opportunity today and it is very nice for a short stroll. My kids enjoyed the pathways around the garden and the small ponds. The "welcoming center" is another story. I was there for less then 3 min with my 5 and 7 yr old. The elderly lady seemed as we were bothering her. For some reason she felt the need to tell me that she only had to tell her kids once when they were growing up and that they listened to her and that kids were not allowed to run in the temple. Mind you, my kids were not running in the visiting center. I quickly turned around and left. Very unwelcoming and will not be going back.

I'd been to the one with the lake in Pacific Palisades and much prefer it to this one. While beautiful and peaceful, there wasn't much to it. We went on a Tuesday and the visitor center was closed for lunch with a sign that said to go to the administration building if we needed anything. So we went and were shushed as soon as we walked in the door and told the library and other rooms were being used.

If you want to be in nature and meditate this place is amazing. The energy here is great and there are not the big crowds you get at the Lake Shrine. I see why Paramhansa Yogananda lived here.