Unplug in the Mountains: How the Perch Helps Guests Step Away from Screens, and Into Nature & Discovery

By Michaelene Haddad — Project Manager, The Perch at Twin Peaks

There’s a kind of stillness you find in the mountains that makes you want to set your phone down—and leave it there. At The Perch, you don’t need to turn your devices in at the door. We simply invite people to a place that’s so quiet and natural that people forget to check their phones.

Nestled in the mountains of Southern California, The Perch is a small retreat venue with a simple purpose: to help people reconnect with nature, with one another, and with themselves.

We have found that offering people rich, real-world experiences helps make unplugging feel natural and not forced." When people are surrounded by fresh air, trees, thoughtful conversation, and creative expression, they don’t want to reach for their phones. They’re already deeply engaged and they forget to check the screens.

The Perch at Twin Peaks

The Perch is a boutique retreat center, a mile above sea level, where you can finally put your phone down and truly arrive. Here in the mountains, the air is crisp, the trees are tall, and the only alerts are the rustle of wind in the trees or the sudden sound of birdsong. The Perch is on 4 acres, with 12 restored cabins, plus a barn for gathering. We believe in simplicity – The Perch is quiet and distraction-free. The magic of The Perch is the way people can reconnect with others, and themselves, even after only a short stay.

Kick Off the New School Year…The Right Way

To kick of the new school year in the right way, our Unplug & Just Play event (August 29 to 31st ) is a joyful, screen-free weekend for families, designed to help kids and parents reconnect through games, nature, and shared time. Our full agenda includes forest bathing, s’mores around the fire pit, arts and crafts, outdoor games, and more. Plus, there’s kid-friendly meals that everyone will enjoy.

Upcoming Events at the Perch!

The Perch welcomes couples, families, and individuals who want to escape the noise, complexities, and distractions of everyday life. Throughout the year, we hold curated events that foster screen-free, meaningful and fun activities. Here’s an idea of just some of our upcoming events:

August 29th-31st:
Unplug & Just Play — A joyful, screen-free weekend for families, designed to help kids and parents reconnect through games, nature, and shared time.

September 19th-21st:
Reading Retreat — Come unwind at our Reading Retreat featuring the author of gripping thriller A Murder in Zion by Nicole Maggi, who will lead us on hiking, conversation, journaling, and more.

November 10th-13th:
Artists Residency — We welcome writers and artists to apply for a three night, and four precious distraction-free days of focused creativity.

March 6th-8th:
Global Day of Unplugging — The Perch is joining the global movement of elevating human connection with our unplugged activities. Outdoor fun, great food, creativity, journaling, giveaways, hiking, and wellness activities. You’ll forget you ever had a phone.

To learn more about The Perch at Twin Peaks and other upcoming retreats, please visit us at www.theperchattwinpeaks.com/

If you’re interested in writing your own Gathering Story