Psychedelic Retreats in California: Legal Status, Safety, and the Future of Guided Healing

California has long been a haven for free thinkers and bohemians, so it’s no surprise people associate the Golden State with psychedelics. And while mind-altering compounds are becoming more accepted—socially, scientifically, and even politically—you shouldn’t blindly jump into just any experience that’s offered.

In this guide, we’ll break down what’s legal (and what’s not) in California right now, what really happens at a psychedelic retreat, how much they cost, and how safety and regulation compare across the state. We’ll also look ahead to what the future of guided psychedelic healing might hold in California.

The State of Psychedelics in California

In 2023, California passed legislation that decriminalized the possession of certain psychedelics—psilocybin, DMT, ibogaine, and mescaline (excluding peyote)—for people over the age of 21. Meaning, anyone caught with these compounds for personal use isn’t subject to criminal penalties.

But decriminalization is not the same as legalization. Selling psychedelics, hosting ceremonies, and running licensed retreats remain illegal, leaving retreat operators in a legal gray area. For example, several California cities have taken progressive steps ahead of state-level policy. Oakland, San Francisco, and Santa Cruz have deprioritized enforcement of psychedelic possession and use. So, while there are zones where people can theoretically use these compounds unbothered, there’s no legal infrastructure in place to ensure safety or the presence of experienced facilitators. 

Initially, the plan according to the bill (SB-58) was to develop a framework for supervised psychedelic therapy, but those efforts stalled after Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed the bill in 2023. Still, many advocates believe California will revisit the issue in the coming years as public support continues to grow.

Although California doesn’t have a blueprint for introducing legal guided retreats to the public, Oregon does. Since 2023, Oregon has operated the only psilocybin therapy program in the United States, making it legal for adults 21 and over to participate in guided psilocybin (aka mushrooms) sessions at licensed service centers, facilitated by state-trained professionals.

According to Psychedelic Alpha’s Services tracker, Oregon has issued over 500 facilitator licenses and operates over 35 service centers across the state. For Californians seeking legal and regulated psychedelic experiences, Oregon is the closest option. And, no, you don’t need to live in Oregon to utilize these services.

It’s important to note that while more popular psychedelics, MDMA and mushrooms, aren’t legal in California, ketamine is. Beckley Retreats offers a two-night ketamine program in the state for those who qualify. (Learn more here.)

What Happens Before, After, and During a Psychedelic Retreat

There are three stages to a well-run psychedelic retreat: prep, taking the compound, and integration work. Here’s what you need to know about all three phases.

Preparation: Setting Intentions

Intention setting, as facilitators call it, is the process of deciding what you want to address and understand from the ceremony. If you work with a legitimate practice, i.e., the state services in Oregon or a retreat company like Beckley Retreats, your preparation will consist of psychedelic education, mindfulness practices, and breathing exercises.

Research indicates that preparation significantly impacts the outcomes of a psychedelic experience. A 2022 analysis in Frontiers in Psychology emphasized that “the manner of preparatory practices…contributes to shaping phenomenological content and influencing the integration of experiences afterward.”

Immersion: Guided Experience

Depending on the retreat you’re attending, things shift, but you’ll be on a set schedule that typically includes a tour of the space, group sessions, dosing ceremonies, meals, and decompression times.

Licensed facilitators or trained guides remain present throughout the experience to provide support, monitor well-being, and ensure safety. The environment is typically designed to minimize external stimuli—featuring calming music, comfortable seating, and natural light.

Session length depends on the compound you take. Psilocybin and MDMA (aka ecstasy) last between four and six hours, and ketamine can last anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours. During the sessions, participants may experience altered perceptions, emotional release, and profound insights. The role of the facilitator is to hold space, not to direct the experience, allowing each individual to navigate their inner landscape.

Integration: Making Meaning

Simply put: integration is about distilling your thoughts and realizations during the ceremony and applying them to your daily life. This is an ongoing process—which most retreats support post-ceremony—that can take weeks. Really, the work never stops. 

Immediately after the ceremony, participants engage in structured reflection to process their experience and apply insights to their daily lives. Integration may include one-on-one coaching, group circles, journaling exercises, and ongoing therapeutic support.

A 2025 study in Frontiers in Psychiatry found that participants who engaged in structured integration reported sustained improvements in emotional regulation, psychological flexibility, and overall well-being months after their psychedelic experience (psilocybin in this instance). 

Retreat Cost and What Else to Expect

The costs of psychedelic retreats vary widely, depending on location, facilitator expertise, program length, and level of support.

According to Oregon Public Broadcasting, licensed psilocybin services in Oregon typically cost between $1,200 and $3,000 per client for a complete program, including preparation, ceremony, and integration sessions. Multi-day retreat programs in legal international destinations generally range from $2,500 to $6,000, depending on accommodations, group size, and facilitator qualifications.

High-end retreats offering luxury accommodations, private facilitators, and extended integration support can exceed $10,000. Wellness seekers should prioritize quality of care over cost, as safety and trained facilitation are non-negotiable.

Most retreats follow one of two formats: multi-day group immersions (typically three to seven days) or private one- to two-day sessions. Group programs foster community and shared reflection, while private sessions offer personalized attention and flexibility. Both formats should include preparation and integration as core components.

Before attending a retreat, you must be medically cleared. Not everyone is suited for the experience. Most retreats offer a medical intake form to screen for contraindications, like: cardiovascular conditions such as uncontrolled hypertension or heart disease, a history of psychosis or schizophrenia, use of certain medications, including SSRIs and MAOIs, and pregnancy or breastfeeding. 

Psychedelic Experience Alternatives for Californians 

Oregon remains the most accessible option for the U.S.-based legal psilocybin services. For those seeking international experiences, Jamaica and the Netherlands offer legal frameworks and established retreat infrastructures. Both destinations have vibrant psychedelic wellness communities and experienced facilitators.

When legal access opens in California—or when traveling to legal jurisdictions—choosing the right provider is critical. Here’s a checklist of what to look for in a psychedelic service and a series of questions to ask the onboarding facilitator. 

Due Diligence Checklist

• Legal compliance: Is the program operating in a jurisdiction where psilocybin is legal?
• Medical screening: Does the provider conduct thorough health assessments?
• Trained facilitators: Are facilitators certified, experienced, and trauma-informed?
• Emergency protocols: Is there a plan for medical or psychological emergencies?
• Integration support: Does the program include structured aftercare?

Key Questions to Ask Before Booking

• What is your facilitator training and certification?
• How do you screen participants for medical and psychiatric contraindications?
• What is the facilitator-to-participant ratio?
• What emergency medical support is available?
• How is integration incorporated into the program?

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

1. California State Legislature. (2023). Senate Bill No. 58: Controlled substances: Decriminalization of certain hallucinogenic substances. LegiScan. https://legiscan.com/CA/text/SB58/id/2840638
2. Figueroa, O. (2025, January 3). The legality of magic mushrooms in California in 2025. Omar Figueroa Law. https://www.omarfigueroa.com/the-legality-of-magic-mushrooms-in-california-in-2025/
3. Oregon Health Authority. (2025, October 18). Oregon psilocybin services. https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/preventionwellness/pages/oregon-psilocybin-services.aspx
4. Bathje, G. J., Majeski, E., & Kudowor, M. (2022). Psychedelic integration: An analysis of the concept and its practice. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, Article 824077. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.824077
5. Neitzke-Spruill, L., Takahashi, E., Levine, M., Yaden, D. B., Uthaug, M. V., & Carhart-Harris, R. (2025). A landscape analysis of psychedelic retreat organizations: Examining safety protocols and ethical practices. PLOS ONE, 20(5), Article e0321648. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0321648
6. Oregon Public Broadcasting. (2025, July 2). Oregon psilocybin therapy clients tend to be wealthier, new data shows. https://www.opb.org/article/2025/07/03/oregon-new-date-shows-psilocybin-therapy-clients-wealthier/