Catalina Island Hiking & Yoga Retreat

Highlights

• Full gear haul support — hike with just a daypack while we transport your main gear between camps
• Gourmet plant-based trail meals from Chef Zach: veggie-tempeh bowls, Thai peanut noodles, fire-roasted tacos, campfire s'mores
• 42 miles of the Trans-Catalina Trail with experienced guides Zach and Carrie, who've hiked it 10 times and are Wilderness First Responders

The alcohol-free positioning

This retreat is fully alcohol- and substance-free for the entire 5 days. Like all Bigger Life Adventures retreats, this is a drug and alcohol-free experience. You don't have to identify as sober, but you do need to be open to taking a break from substances during the retreat. We believe everyone is navigating something — stress, burnout, addiction, disconnection — and this retreat is a chance to step away from the noise and come back to yourself. Zach and Carrie walk the trail with you the whole way, and we all really get to know each other around the campfire. There's no formal recovery programming, but the shared substance-free agreement plus the intensity of backpacking together builds real trust fast. Instead of trailside beers, you get gourmet plant-based meals, cold ocean swims, campfire s'mores, and restorative yoga under the stars.

A typical day

1. Morning

   Wake up at camp, guided group warm-up, then break camp and load your gear onto the haul vehicle. Start hiking the day's section of the Trans-Catalina Trail with just a daypack.

2. Midday

   Continue hiking through rugged hills and ocean vistas, keeping an eye out for the island's famous foxes and bison. Trail snacks and lunch on your own (2 lunches are on the trail, purchased at the Airport Cafe or the cafe in Two Harbors).

3. Afternoon

   Arrive at the next campsite, set up camp, and cool off with a swim in the ocean. Free time to relax, journal, or explore before dinner.

4. Evening

   Group dinner cooked by Chef Zach around the campfire, then restorative, yin-style yoga to stretch out and let your muscles recover. Evenings close with campfire s'mores, songs, and stories under the stars before an early night.

Is this trip right for you?

Anyone craving a beginner-friendly backpacking trip in California, willing to train a bit and take on some hills. A great fit for those wanting a yoga retreat that's active and outdoorsy, a supportive group where you can show up as you are, and a real chance to disconnect from technology and reconnect with your body. You don't need prior backpacking experience, but reach out if you're unsure whether you're ready — we're always happy to help you prepare.

Support & Environment

Accommodation

Camping

4 nights of beach and backcountry camping at some of the most beautiful campsites in California — think white sand beaches, sweeping hillside views, and unforgettable sunsets. This is BYO tent and gear (backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad), but we handle the gear haul between camps so you only carry a daypack on the trail. Campsite reservations and logistics are all arranged for you.

What’s Included

Not Included

Also not included: camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpack), 2 lunches on the trail, and personal spending. Fly or ferry into Los Angeles/Long Beach; we'll share ferry booking details once you're registered.

Refund Policy

About the Host

We're Carrie Hoffman and Zach Minnich, the husband-and-wife team behind Bigger Life Adventures. We started this in 2018 out of a shared love for world travel, yoga, real food, and time outside, and a belief that adventure and sobriety aren't a tradeoff. Every retreat we run is plant-based, alcohol-free, and rooted in trauma-informed yoga, whether we're leading a hike through the cloud forest in Monteverde or a beach camp on Catalina Island. We try to tread lightly on the places we visit, and we treat yoga as more than a workout. You don't need a label to join us. Just a desire for something real.

Frequently asked questions