• Comfortable clothes you don't mind getting a little dirty. Bring layers and a warm jacket. In the winter, lows can be in the 30s and highs in the 50s. In the spring time, lows can be in the mid-40s and highs from the low 60s to low 80s. Summer is much warmer with highs in 90s but still cooling off in the evening. A hat/beanie will be useful too.

• Sneakers/work boots that can get dust or muddy/wet and are good for walking on uneven surfaces. You must wear closed-toed shoes if you want to work with our animals. If you have a pair of work gloves, bring those. But we have plenty to loan out if you need some.

• Thick socks or slippers. We ask that everyone remove their shoes before entering the guest cottages, so bring something to keep your feet cozy.

• Personal toiletries including shampoo and bath soap. If you use a hairdryer, please bring your own.

• We have journals and pens that you are welcome to take as a gift from Iona House. But bring your own favorite journal/pen if you prefer to use those.

We provide the following:

• Bedding: pillow, sheets, and blankets (twin sized beds)

• Bathroom / shower (at the Welcome Center): towels, wash cloth

• Kitchen (at the Barn): hot plate, microwave, cookware, plates, cups, utensils, and some basic seasonings. You are also welcome to use the grills at the barn.

• Coffee maker with small coffee selection, sugar, and tea (available at the Barn and Welcome Center).

We also provide a copy of the Iona House Prayer Book, a journal, and pen for each guest.

Bathroom: Bring your own shampoo, conditioner, and soap

Kitchen: Your food. Iona House does not provide meals for guests. There are multiple grocery stores within 10-15 minutes: 

• Grocery Outlet

• SaveMart

• Raley's

• Safeway

Your own specialty tea/coffee (we have basic elements).

We go through a rigorous cleaning regime to assure the highest hygienic standards. All bedding is washed, sleeping and living areas are all cleaned between each guest.

Like all of our accommodations, the Prayer Huts feature twin sized mattresses (2 of them) located in a sleeping loft area. You will need to be comfortable climbing a ladder like stairs to stay in a Prayer Hut.

We strongly recommend living into the daily rhythm of life already unfolding on campus:

• Prayer times: 9am, noon, 4:30pm

• Manual labor (a variety of tasks from easy/casual to those that are physically demanding are available) - morning between 9:30-noon or afternoon 1-3pm. Ask the staff or residents how you can get involved.

• Silence & Solitude - any time, but campus wide between 3-4:30pm daily

Other possibilities:

• Study - check out a book from the library (2500+ volumes)

• A spontaneous shared meal with other guests / residents / staff: often people grab their lunches and bring them to the back deck of the village barn to eat together. Ask about this if you’re interested.

• Request a 30-50 minute Spiritual Direction session

• Request a pastoral meeting with a priest with a time of private confession

• Rest / Sleep - many of our guests tell us they sleep so well here!

• Art / writing / creativity - this is a very “right-brained” setting

• Walking - prayer trails and labyrinth

• Help feed the animals with residents in the morning (8:40am) or evening (times vary depending on the time of year).

Iona House is located between Placerville and Camino. But its weather is more similar to Camino.

We do not allow animals of any kind in our homes or on campus. Unfortunately, you will need to leave your pet and/or your emotional support animal at home.

We DO, however, have many wonderful creatures who make their home on our campus, both domestic animals and wild ones.

No, we do not have WiFi available anywhere on campus. This is an intentional decision to allow for some margin from the incessant intrusion of technology. Consider the absence of internet on campus a feature, not a bug. :)

If you need internet, there is a Starbucks about 10 minutes from campus.

Note that we STRONGLY discourage bringing your ordinary work to Iona House. This is a place for contemplation and Christian formation, not an off-site for your normal work. We are happy to provide other types of “work” for you in the form of physical labor as a part of our holistic approach to spiritual formation.

Yes, all of the major carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, etc.) seem to get signal on campus, though on the 1-2 bars level of signal strength.

We have a standard 110/115v outlet that you can plug your car into at either the Village Barn or the Welcome Center

You will notice that each of our dwellings around the campus are named after a saint. The Prayer Huts are each named after a significant “Desert Father” or “Desert Mother” (from the 4th century AD). Each of these characters shaped the monastic tradition and the story of Christianity in some important way. We are inspired by the legacy they have left for us about pursuing Christ above all else.

Using the power pack / battery system can seem intimidating at first. But they’re actually quite simple.

1) Press the “power” button on the Jackery unit. It should turn on and display how much power is left as a percentage. Be sure that it is above 50% for a night’s use. If it is low, take it to the Welcome Center to charge or swap it out with another unit.

2) Press the “AC” button (for “alternating current” not air conditioning). That sends current into the plug that powers the rest of the Prayer Hut just like a normal house. The plugs and lights should all work.

Trouble shooting:

• Make sure the unit is plugged into the wall with the blue cord

• Make sure the unit has been charged

• It is recommended to shut off all non-essential electrical uses (lights, appliances, etc.) to save the battery as long as possible. It should go 2 full days on a single charge.

Ask a staff member or resident for assistance if something isn’t working.

There is a small heater connected to a propane tank. The “Mr. Buddy Heater” is designed for indoor use and has been tested to be safe. It does, however, have an open flame. So you will need to be quite careful with it. It is designed to automatically shut off if knocked over.

Follow the instructions in the Prayer Hut provided for you. If it isn’t working, try the following:

1) Make sure that the main propane tank is turned on. You will have to lift up the cover and check to see if the valve is open by turning to the left.

2) Make sure you hold down the starter dial for at least 30 seconds when you see the initial flame.

If neither of these are working, please talk to a resident or staff person and ask for assistance.

Unfortunately our Prayer Huts do not have air conditioning. To cool down the Hut you will need to utilize a combination of opening and closing windows at the right time. Open the windows at night and close them before it gets hot in the morning. There are also small battery operated fans.

Please tell a member of the staff and/or a resident and we will seek to address the issue as soon as possible. Note that we are GRATEFUL when you tell us so that we can fix the problem. Thank you!

All of our guest accommodations have locks that you can use to help you feel safe while you’re inside. Note that because we are in a rural area where only campus guests / staff are, we do not typically lock up the cottages or Prayer Huts between guests. PLEASE DO NOT lock the hut as you depart. Leave it unlocked. Thank you!

You are welcome to pray in the Village Prayer Chapel at any time day or night. It is heated in the winter for this purpose.

The Library / Welcome Center is available for use any time day or night. It is heated in the winter for this purpose and is often the coolest space in the summer.

The Spiritual Direction Room can be used for private prayer as long as it is not in use by a staff person. Please note the sign on the front of the door and/or ask a staff person.

Also available to visit / experience:

• The Prayer Labyrinth - on the Abbey side of the property.

• The Village Garden - feel free to walk around (and harvest something). If you want to assist in the garden, talk to a resident or staff person.

• The Village Barn - which functions a bit like the “watering hole” of Iona House - with the eating area, kids’ play area, and animals all there.

• Prayer Trails - go all over the property. You’re welcome to use them.

• The Animals - you may visit with them through the fence. Children must have adult supervision. Please don’t try to go inside the animal area without permission.

Please do not enter other guest cottages on campus as we may have other guests staying there, or are trying to keep it clean for arriving guests.

YES! It’s there for you to use alongside other guests, residents, and staff. Please turn off the propane tank when you’re done using the BBQ.

Unfortunately, no. We would like to keep our books on campus for other guests.

You CAN take an Iona House Prayer Book home with you.

During the winter / spring seasons we burn debris piles on the ground as a fire-safety measure to reduce fire risk in the hot season. It’s common (and recommended) practice in this area.

If you see a fire that looks like it is out of the pile or crawling away from where it started or appears to be dangerous in some way, please call Ryan (415.516.0551) or talk to a staff person / resident. Please DO NOT call the fire department or 911.

We never ask for money from any of our guests. It is truly a gift we are giving (echoing the generosity of God). That being said, if you feel so moved, you are welcome to partner with us by making a gift towards Iona House’s operating costs - allowing others to experience what you are experiencing. We operate entirely on the basis of gifts and generosity (there is no wealthy person footing the bill of Iona House; it is supported entirely by a community of generous, oftentimes sacrificial, givers).

You can learn more about our underlying philosophy of generosity here.

Also, you may be interested to learn about ARBOR - our network of monthly supporters that make Iona House possible. This page also describes our ongoing costs.