Driven by a desire to visit this peaceful monastery, we drove 75 miles yesterday only to be met with total disappointment. The main entrance was completely chained up, and the grounds looked entirely deserted. While there are older mentions of a multi-year reconstruction project started around 2022, it is deeply frustrating that there is no current signage, status update, or warning for visitors. Their official website is primarily in Vietnamese, and the limited English sections make no mention whatsoever of a total public closure. If you are planning a trip here, please be warned that it appears closed to the public with no clear timeline for reopening or completion. I sincerely hope the temple management updates their online English platforms soon so other travelers don't waste hours on a long drive. read more

This Vietnamese buddhist temple is a great meditation center set on Mount Madonna in Watsonville where the street ends on Summit Road, a scary drive for sure with seemingly endless twists and turns. When we got to the top, the sign said "closed due to construction work" but the gate was open, so we entered, and there was plenty of parking and we found several other visitors on site as well. The monastery and surrounding area were beautiful with tall trees, lots of greenery, so many buddha statues large and small, peacocks, deer, a gazebo, a restroom, areas for worship and prayer, and a dining area where we were invited to share a meal with the monks. But the place seemed lacking in maintenance and cleanliness, even considering that it was "under construction". To make matters worse, flies and mosquitos were abundant making it hard to have a snack outdoors. Also, though the animals on site added some charm to our visit, the cawing of the birds was relentless during the hour we were there. Besides that, the main draw was still the quietude in our surroundings. With the current "under construction" condition, I'm not sure it's worth the scary winding roads required to get here. That being said, it's a lovely place to visit, and I would certainly return on better days. read more

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I've visited this monastery about 5 times but the last time I was there it was closed. Spacious and beautiful place to practice meditation.

Never open to visit! Not sure place is always closed big gated community. I hVe visited 5 years ago beautiful place surrounded by redwood trees. Quality of fresh air. read more

There is some beauty here amid apparently haphazard construction, but I can't recommend it because, frankly, the monks are shockingly bigoted. A young monk ran off a charming family, then told my Vietnamese friends that people from India aren't welcome. Neither are people from the Middle East, he added. It was made clear that I (white guy) would have been asked to leave if I hadn't been with my Viet friends. No doubt African-Americans and Latinos are also persona non grata. Various signs say the temple is closed due to construction -- which provides the excuse to turn people away. If I hadn't been with Vietnamese folks, I never would have known. This doesn't fit any philosophy that I wish to support. read more

Ở Tu viện kim sơn có 1 cô cư sĩ Tên Quang Tâm . Làm thư ký của tu viện . Nhưng mà cô hay chửi cách sư ni quá đáng. Đòi đánh cả nhưng phật tử lên làm công quả . read more

Huge temple everyone should visit beautiful view. I was visiting yesterday afternoon , very nice view and everyone very friendly read more

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To be fair I kind of waffled on the 3-4 star thing. The temple is really a work in progress (that seemed to have stalled a few years ago) so its its kind of hard to give it a true rating. That being said. First and foremost it is a beautiful property. You can see the ocean and Monterrey Peninsula and your nestled among trees with very little noise but the wind. It is a phenomenal spot for mediation and contemplation. Scattered around the property were several smaller shrines and statues. There is a dinning hall where you can eat for free with the monks (Its vegetarian and a donation is in order). The gift-shop is basically standard fare for a temple, however, this one has a decent plant selection. Don't expect and advice on the care of or the even type of plant you are buying from the staff The monk and nuns we encountered were friendly and we got an extensive walking tour of this unfinished gem. We did spot a peacock wandering the grounds, but given this remote location I wonder how long he will survive given all the predators in those hills. The main temple structure is like I said about 50% complete. Construction stalled years ago and while the foundation has been poured the unfinished upper temple structure has been left exposed and is showing it. Barring a major infusion in cash they may need to tear down the existing top part and start over. The other issue is its location. While it looks like its close on the map it is a pretty windy road and gets fairly narrow as you get closer. If I were running things, I would perhaps in an effort to raise funds and awareness offer this as a 'Disconnection retreat". Confiscate electronics, and basically allow people to spend quiet time in their awesome environment. I think people would jump at the opportunity to turn off, slow down, and tune into themselves read more

A very scary ass drive from Santa Cruz but it was well worth it. Greeted w/ massive statues of many Buddhist icons once you enter the parking lot. I felt a sense of ease the second I arrived. I'm usually not a calm and patient person but visiting temples in general made me stop to smell the roses. You kidding me? Usually I don't have time to stop to smell the roses! Once Gavin and I entered the temple, we prayed and continued to be in awe w/ everything. It was still early and I didn't want to leave so soon so I asked if there is anything I can do to help; setup tables and chairs, kitchen help, anything! I was put on carrot duty. After chopping carrots for just a few minutes, I had a deeper appreciation for those working in the kitchen. It also made me feel blessed for being able to help in their kitchen. Gavin was right beside me, eating oranges and helping me "inspect" the carrots as I chopped them. After what seemed to be forever, we were asked to join everyone outside for lunch. Eating at a slow pace, eating just enough to survive, and forgetting life's problems was preached and lectured before we lined up to grab our plate of food; all vegetarian options. Gavin didn't care for much of the food except the fruits but I enjoyed every single morsel. We live in a world where food is cheap and we take things for granted (including myself). Sometimes it's OK to not have a big feast, a fancy meal, yoga pants, Nikes, chocolates, or even a workout. The things that matters are health and self happiness. If you are not happy w/ yourself then being w/ someone else will not make you happy. If you do not have your health, you will not be able to work or enjoy life. All very simple and common sense practices that we tend to forget. read more

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This place reminded me of a monastery I visited in Thailand, but relocated to the coastal redwoods. I was camping in nearby Mount Madonna, so I thought I would come here for a change of scenery. Going up the winding road, I would have never imagined seeing the large statues of Buddha. This place has seen better days. Signs of disrepair and neglect on the grounds such as piles of rubbish, overgrown weeds and broken statues abounded. I would like to think that if they had a weekend where a troupe of volunteers came and cleared the area, it would do wonders. The view from the area is magnificent. You can see out to Santa Cruz on a clear day. In the main building, you'll find the prayer area and dining hall. Yes it is true they offer lunch to the public. Although I came here twice during lunchtime, I just didn't find it appropriate to partake. The food smelled amazing! Walking along the grounds area, I discovered a huge pond complete with turtles and koi. You can spot concrete blocks where eventually a bridge leading to a platform will be completed. There are CDs in Vietnamese and a few in English you can take, with a donation box next to it. I tried out a couple English ones of Thich Nhat Hanh, but they ended up not playing! A peaceful retreat to meditate, contemplate life or just take a breather from the fast-paced, stressful world we dwell in. read more

Tu Vien Kim Son Monastery - Buddha in the garden - Buddhist Temples Near Me - Watsonville, California

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Always feel peaceful while we are here! The great place to relax my mind during the whole busy week. The food here is the best vegetarian food I have ever tried. The friendly people are around! Fresh air, good food, and nice people are everything I can tell you about this place! read more

I drove up mid morning on a Saturday. Place was colsed for construction. Nice drive up and bummer that it wasn't open.

Great place to visit on all occasions! Chinese/Vietnamese New Year, Christmas, Thanksgiving etc. Although Christmas isn't really a Buddhist holiday, I went with family for Christmas this year and was welcomed to eat lunch with the monks. They acknowledged this holiday and also announced that people of all religions are welcome to their monastery. First time coming here from San Jose (North of this Monastery), and we took the "old" road there. Our GPS showed us the "quickest" way there, but really it's the slowest way there. If you're planning to take Redwood Retreat road and Mt Madonna road to Summit road Its through the forest with thin, undivided two-direction roads that seems to only fit one car's width at a time. In addition, some hikers and bicyclists might be taking those same roads. It's much SAFER to take 101S and then 152W to get to Pole Line Rd/Summit Rd. Lunch is free but the monastery predominantly depends on donations to keep their practice alive. Lunch is vegetarian but definitely filling! During lunchtime, you will be eating with monks, so they ask you to turn off your phones, eat silently and sit to face the monks. It's more their tradition than anything, so its nothing personal!! The monks are really nice and often translate in English before they speak in Vietnamese for their announcements. I was able to talk to one of the main elderly monks who spoke fluent English and Vietnamese, and threw out some jokes here and there! Pretty chill people. Definitely stop by the gift shop. Honestly, most items are pretty cheap! Small palm-sized statues of Zodiac animals, fish, elephants, Buddha and so forth might come to be about $4 each. They also sell English and Vietnamese books, and a lot by Thich Nhat Hanh, a famous Zen Buddhist. I will definitely come again in the future! They have many events during the year and have a pamphlet about their events. Construction is being undergone at the side of the main building, so I cannot wait to come back when it's done! read more

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I came here with a couple of my Vietnamese friends to celebrate the Lunar Year. Even though I am not a Buddhist, either Vietnamese or Chinese, I still enjoyed my visiting experience here. This temple has a lot of iconic statues. The monks are very cordial and inviting. I find the gardens and ponds quite magnificent and alluring, alongside with tall green bamboos to add the real Asian look. The incense, the chanting and the pious worshipers was picturesque. Visit this temple! It feels like into a whole other world of serenity. It was lovely, the Buddha was huge and the ceremony also made you appreciate the Buddhist faith. The food in a tray they provided is free out of compassion, but donations are greatly appreciated. Great vegetarian food. Thank you Kim Son! read more

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This is a completely beautiful, serene Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monastery up on a mountaintop near Gilroy, Ca. It is located north of Mt. Madonna Center on the left. You should see a sign for it. It's totally off the beaten path and is run by mostly Vietnamese speaking monks and if you go there, you will see mostly Vietnamese people. The website unfortunately is all in Vietnamese with no English translation. They are used to English speakers coming for a visit though, but it may be wise to call ahead and let them know that you are stopping by. This monastery also serves yummy vegetarian lunch on certain days. Seriously, the landscape and scenery is enough to center you. It's beautiful. I almost hesitate to share this information! read more

Tu Vien Kim Son Monastery - Buddhist Temples Near Me - Watsonville, California

************************** 587 **************************** My folks have been coming here for years, but I never did till this time. I was never that spiritual to begin with, I believe in volunteer, lend a hand to the less fortunate, and I practice what I preach. I volunteer weekly. I heard so much about this temple, and finally I got to come here at Tu Vien Kim Son Monastery. The place is so peaceful. It was the early AM when we arrived, it was foggy, and the place just amazing. I fell as I was in another world. Beautiful gardens, structures and outdoor Buddha statues. I was amazed of everything I saw. All the monks and people visit this temple was kind, polite and friendly. I left my cousin and hurried up to help out in the kitchen. It's the seventh lunar month, so we got a lot of visitors from all over the places, this past Sunday was 250 plus. We had to prepare, cook, clean up, wash the dishes and then served all these people with vegetarian meal for lunch. A few hours later, I was all sweaty but watching people lining up enjoyed the food, it was all worth it. We left then, my cousin got mad because he didn't get to eat! (they serve lunch every day and open doors to all people for free). I just found another place to meditate, be alone, and volunteer at the same time. You can't buy this peacefulness for your soul, but I found it here, it's priceless! read more

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It's quite a trek up here. The roads are windy up the mountain and at some points there's only one lane so drive cautiously. Once you get to the monastery though, a blanket of peace and calm just sweeps over you, no matter what state you are in. There's many giant statues to take in. I've seen similar ones while traveling in Thailand. The last time I went here was more than a decade ago. Kim Son has come a long way. I was in such awe that I even asked a couple of the female monks if I could join their ranks. When they laughed at my request, I asked if they could teach me the Iron Fist instead. Whatever your beliefs may be, Kim Son Monastery is definitely a great place to pay your respects and find some solace to a troubled soul. http://www.angryasianlady.com/archives/75/your-god-is-not-better-than-my-god/ read more

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Đúng là một con sâu mà làm sầu cả nồi canh. Cảm ơn tất cả mọi người đã viết lên tiếng nói của mình về vụ việc của cô cư sĩ lọng hành ngang tàng mà tôi đã từng thấy tại một tu viện lớn. Cách đây vài năm tôi cũng đã chứng kiến một vụ việc cổ chửi những người làm công quả cho chùa, với thái độ hung hăng mất cả nhân cách của một con người và nhiều lần khác. tôi cũng chứng kiến cổ chửi một vị sư cô lớn tuổi gần bằng mẹ cô nữa. Được biết cô ấy làm việc trong văn phòng kim Sơn và cũng tên quãng tâm là người đeo mắt kính tóc ngắn . Nên tôi cũng không thích cái thái độ và đạo Đức của cô ấy . Người ta nói có tài mà không có Đức thì cũng như đồ bỏ. Vậy rất mong thầy trụ trì cân nhắc lại có nên sử dụng những người như vậy không . Họ ở chùa nữa có ảnh hưởng đến nơi mình tu học không ? thành thật cảm ơn thầy rất nhiều và mong được nghe câu trả lời từ thầy cầu mong ngôi chùa mình ngày càng phát triển và không có những người không đáng ở nơi đây . Cho cảnh trong chùa ngày càng văn minh người ở chùa phải có đạo Đức . read more

What Hetty P. said, that is, TVKS may have gotten too popular - if there's such a thing? Other yelpeeps' reviews are pretty much correct as well. This place (almost a mini-compound) is quite scenic and serene and you don't have to be in Buddhism to visit. But if you want to learn or know more, there are English speakers and booklets in other languages too. Even though it's quite a drive from the City, I head over to here every few months - around some holidays, or just to pay respect. Recently, they just got the permit approval to expand and there was a fundraiser/getogether event. Great for everyone involved. read more

Whatever you do, do not take the Redwood Retreat/Mt Madonna directions up there. I checked it up on mapquest and my GPS, and it led me up a narrow muddy path. It was shorter, but at times, it was so bumpy I was forced to slow down to 10mph. I was tailing another car before I made the turn on Redwood and ended up at the monastery at the same time as the car. Located in the cuts, but well worth the drive. Went here for Tet (Vietnamese New Year). It was pretty packed during the day, on New Years Day. Lovely scenery. Large, radian Buddhist statues. They also had those wooden sticks in a cup, where you shake it and a stick falls out. You also wish for something and it'll give you a fortune for the next year (called Sam in Vietnamese). Free vegetarian food was provided. read more

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Beautiful place... People are very friendly here. It was our first visit to Monastery, we did not know about a lot of things. but, whenever we asked someone, they were more than happy to help. It is indeed very peaceful... And the incense aroma is all over the place..it feels so calm... Mt.Madonna is blessed with these two (Hanuman Temple and Monastery) sacred and beautiful places, Must Visit at least once. read more

Still under construction. But I think I go here every other month begin that my mom practices the religious beliefs. I always check my car and tires before I head up. * I recently found out that there are 2 different ways to get up to the monastery. One way (that I used to take) seemed much more safer and had paved roads. The other way was through Mt. Madonna County Park (i think). We went through Tan Oaks and tons of Redwoods, and even saw a waterfall. Although it was bumpy and VERY sketchy while going through it, it was well worth it (plus it was different). My mom was freaked out the entire way. The monastery is probably the biggest one i've been to so far. There is a pond and in the middle is a mini cave, and a view like no other. I recommend taking a trip here. read more

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Fantastic hidden wonder next to Mount Madonna County Park. Extremely nice, quiet, with views to the sea (the unfinished building that has its own charm and I took a peek at the giant budas and was in awe). It is very peaceful, whether you are a spiritual person or not, you will feel caressed by the incense smell and the flowers and fruits offered to many buda statues and figures throught the monastery. The trees and bushes are amazing, well taken care of. People who live/work there are amazing. We were just visiting and a female monk came to us and gave us a gift that I consider now precious: some decorations with prayers that were hanging in a tree. Please bring some cash for donations! The monastery is so beautiful and accessible and easy to park there too and they are so gentle and generous with the visitors. This is a Vietnamese monastery but everybody is welcomed. I will be back and see the progress of the main building that faces the sea. read more

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At weekends we serve lunch at the man hall and everyone can join our free lunch! But in the time of eating, our traditional is quiet and just eating, not taking in between the time to serve lunch. That is good for meditation!!! I love it. read more

Tu Vien Kim Son Monastery - Buddhist Temples Near Me - Watsonville, California

Last Saturday, I visited Kim Son Monastery 574 Summit Rd, Watsonville, CA 95076. My religion is not Buddhism. But when I saw the main hall is still being built nearly for 6 years and not finished yet. I felt sad and wanna do something in my ability. I also talked to the monk and the nun there. They are really friendly and nice. And thanks to their conversation, I knew that they have some problems in finance to build the main hall. It depends on your heart and financial condition. So if you are possible, you can donate a little bit for Kim Son Monastery. For every information, you contact directly to Kim Son Monastery. Thank you very much for reading this message. read more

I been going to this temple ever since I can remember and this place definitely has update. They been remodeling for the past 5 years or so. I love coming here because it so far away from the city. Seriously every time I leave this place I feel like my soul has been lifted. Lol if that makes any sense. Anywho, I love coming here and can't wait to see what good things they are doing to this place! Remember to donate so they can keep making this place better!! read more

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I remember when this place didn't have a cemented parking lot, or a large main compound... I also remember when those fountains did not exist, when it was nothing but small pits being dug by the people that maintained the grounds... Every year I visited, that pit turned into a ditch, ditch turned into a hole, hole turned into a chasm... then one day I returned - it was a fully functioning pond/fountain/water-feature with a bunch of tiny little statues super-glued to the rock-face waterfalls... ["A" for effort...] The scenery here does calm the soul. I love being up there around sunset to see the golden rays cut through the Santa Cruz fog reigning over the tree tops. I'm not Buddhist - I was raised a Catholic by my mother, and my father was a non-practicing Buddhist with his own views on religion... we came here to connect with our Vietnamese roots whenever my parents felt up to the drive.. Call me selfish, but I loved this place much more during its humble beginnings - now with the cemented over parking lot, it can accomodate many more during Chinese/Vietnamese New Year, and it's a bloody mess trying to acheive anything on your visit during this time. The statues are nice, but some of them are a plastic cast mould - not stone as you would think... but I'll let that slide, considering how crappy it is to drive up the winding dirt road and getting yourself there is a hassle - let alone getting a gigantic statue up through those windy roads. Vegetarian food there is awesome. I don't need to say anything else to back this up - it speaks for itself. I agree with some people when they say some girls need to cover up. I've been to temples in VN, and there IS a dress code, girlies - and I'm an advocate for flaunting what you got, but temple is NOT the place to do so... do your husband hunting elsewhere, ladies. read more

Excellent place to visit on Tet "Chinese New Year" every year. They serve great vegetarian food during lunch so it's good if you come hungry... I'd recommend everyone to use Google's map direction to come here. Make sure you stay on CA-152 W/Hecker Pass Rd toward the 3-way intersection with Pole Line Rd. This is a little bit longer in the distance but it's much safer path. read more

Out of all the temples I have ever been to, this is my absolute favorite Just stepping foot onto the premises washes away all my headaches, worries and sorrows. It is extremely peaceful even with the hundreds of people there for a special occasion. I came here a couple of times for Tet, Trung Thu and Le Vu Lan. Everyone who belongs to the temple, who volunteers and even people who visits are extremely friendly. I learned so much from each and everyone within my 30 mins visit than what I have at other temples. There are no such thing as "rights" and "wrongs" and you wont get scorn at for mistakenly not obliging to the "rules". Overall, I love and adore this place. If it was as more convenient to get to, I would definitely come more often. But sometimes, the trip is what makes it more worthwhile. PS: they are currently renovating so do not expect to see everything that you saw from 3/4 years ago, nor expect to see more. Alot of things as been shuffled around, such as the Xin Xam place place has been moved to the front, etc. PSS: Theres 2 routes to get there, one route takes you directly up the hills, but it will be a brutal hour drive. I highly recommend going on the route that wraps around the mountain if you aren't a strong driver. Just to ease down your nerves and anyone else in the car. read more

OMG it shocked me from the female monk responses! Our group rode the bicycle to the temple and it was the long ass technical routes. 5 members ran out of water so they asked for water refill. The female monk told us that water is very costly so why didn't you bring your water. Wtf! I saw some members put $$ in the donation box when they used their incense. How should I response to her??? All my respective about this monastery just got flushed to the toilet. read more

I was raised Catholic but left the Catholic Church at 14 . I came here on Christmas Eve . It was surreal . I felt like this was meant for me. I can't even put in words what coming here has done for me.. life changing. read more

I love this Temple. I had found it six year ago, and I forgot to write a review for it. It it is a Vietnamese Buddhist Temple. Most of the lecture are in Vietnamese, and some time our master will speak a sentence or two in english. His name is Thich Tinh Tu. We call him Su Ong. He is the founder of this temple. He is very kind, loving and very passionate. I have great love and respect for him. The surrounding is so so beautiful and serene You can see the pictures... I suggest you visit this place for yourself bring your family too. It is time for Spiritual Nurturing with vegetarian meal and retreat and much more..... read more

Driving to the secluded Kim Sun monastery in Mt. Helena, going through the forest was quite a drive and at times the road is not in best condition especially when you get closer to monastery just drive slow. Its makes you wanna question if you are going the right direction despite what's the GPS is telling you. Hang in there and be prepared to find peace and serenity! Soon as you drive on to the property you will see a beautiful and huge Laughing Buddha w/little kids playing statue carved out granite. It's amazing! Photo opp! There are many many statues on this property. This place is clean and the volunteers were performing many task on the Saturday 7/19/2014 we visited. No appointments necessary. The volunteers and monks here are very welcoming and friendly. Please don't be loud and disturb any prayers that might be going on. You don't have to be a Buddhist to go to this place. Please respect the people there and their practice of their religion. You can browse the property and the building. There were many statues that were stored in the parking lot and it seems like the monastery is expending, construction happening on the left of the current main building. Most likely the statues will go in or around the new building. You are free to light incense stick at the statues were they have it and maybe say a prayer. There's a gift store you can visit if you go down the stairs on the back side of the building. The two nice elder ladies in gift shop were very nice and pleasant and helped us chose some beads we bought. This place gives you the sense of calmness and peacefulness within. Smile because you are breathing! read more

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I use to come here a lot before renovations (when the street parking lot was just tons of dirt, there was no lake/pond thing, and the new dining hall area was not there at all). But ever since the renovations, it does not have the tranquility and serenity I came here for. If you are here for major buddhist festival, make sure to come here early because the parking situation is ridiculous , the vegetarian meals here are no longer delicious .. it must be from the upgrade in kitchen (the kitchen use to be a tiny shack like near the middle building). read more

Visited today (a tuesday). The 4 of us were the only visitors, besides the construction workers. We were told they DO NOT serve food to the public. They don't have a proper license. (The Madonna Center, down the road at 445 Summit, has a public Cafe open before and after lunch. Lunch is served with advance reservations.) Beautiful grounds...I encourage walking around. Don't miss the pond, with turtles and koi, in the lower part of the grounds. read more

My family came here... we really enjoyed it,the environment was peaceful,calm, and relaxing I would recommend it for sure and there's free food, the place is huge and there's even a peacock, overall this place is really great and is really calming read more

I was looking for a temple and my friend recommended Kim Son Monastery. I'm not a buddhist, but my close friend's Mom recently passed and I wanted to pray for her and her family. Hearing my friend's Mom pass just broke my heart and driving 90 miles or so to pray is a small price to pay. When driving up the dirt road my first thought was wow if I had a bus I may not make it up or if someone was coming down as I went up we might get stuck. Upon entering the monastery I see one of the Buddhas and notice a lot of statues on the sides. There is a lot of construction going on and when completed it will look amazing. While walking around I feel a sense of calmness. Not only are you in the middle of a forest and high on the summit, but just aura of the monastery makes me feel at ease. I went down to little temple/cave where I prayed for my friend and her mom and also found my fortune. I've always seen the sticks in the cylinder in many Chinese films and was curious to what my fortune would be. I looked at it as more curious, but after I had it translated my chest felt heavy. Many of the things said were true though one I cannot quite understand yet. The only unfortunate part was when I was there the monks were praying so I could not go inside the temple. I would love to come back here soon. I could actually feel the difference to when I drove back to the bay area from the monastery. read more

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What a cool experience on Vietnamese New Year! My friend and her family took me here and we lit incense, shook Buddhist fortune telling sticks, ate some vegetarian food, walked around the grounds and took pictures, saw a koi pond, statues of the Gods, shrines, a fountain, money trees, and prayed for good health, luck, and fortune! It was so much fun seeing all the ladies in their traditional gowns, the view, and just being in a positive environment that was exciting and celebratory. read more

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Heads up for visitors.. temporarily closed for renovations..I loved this place when we came once earlier so we headed out here weekend of 19th Aug... disappointed to find the monastery temporarily closed due to renovation..wish they would post that on the Google page. Please post when u will reopen. read more

Beautiful location! There's an especially great view of the Santa Cruz/Watsonville region, and on a clear day you can see the ocean. Ever since I moved up here 8 years ago, my family have been frequenting this monastery and only go to the ones in San Jose out of convenience (i.e. for midnight of Lunar New Year). My favorite things about this temple: 1. The FOOD! It's so good here, it's always good here. Even "poor people" food is good here. It might be from all that driving that you feel that the food here is delicious, but in any case, it's still good. It goes without saying that it's free, but you should support the temple by donating a dollar or two, at least, if not five or ten, if you're gonna just leech off the food :P Food can be found in the main building by the parking lot. There's also a cooler with hot and cold water, for use with tea or coffee. 2. The PEOPLE. The temple workers are so nice. If you want to volunteer they always welcome you, especially during really busy holidays like New Year and Buddha's Birthday and Mother's Day. 3. The DOGS! There are about 4 or 5 temple dogs here and they're the most benign things you'll have ever met (except for the new labs that were born about a year or two ago. They're going through the growing up phases!) 4. The ENVIRONMENT. You don't have to go camping to appreciate the beauty of nature, especially in this case. There are hiking paths all around the temple that, if you had the time and energy, you could take. My mom loves this place so much that she's willing to take the hour and half drive to just go up there, pay her tributes, have a quick bite, and leave. My tips: This is possibly the most failsafe route to the temple. Despite what Google Maps/your GPS tells you, you should take this route because it's so simple! 1.101 South to 152 Leavesly Rd exit 2. Turn right onto Leavesly Rd (turn left if you wanna go shopping at the outlets) 3. Turn Left at Monterey Rd (where the train tracks are) 4. Turn right at 1st st/152 (second street on your right. There's a church at that corner). If you want to go by mileage, between this turn and the next turn, you will have driven 9.4 miles. 5. Keep driving down this street. You'll pass by tiny markets, restaurants, and then eventually pass by a supermarket, McDonald's, Goodwill, etc etc. Just keep driving! 6. The street will have a bunch of left turn/right turn lanes and one lane going straight. Stay in the lane going straight. 7. This is where the fun begins. You'll pass wineries, farmland, etc. You'll drive through a windy path with lots of trees on either side. It will be *fun*. Trust me. Haha. 8. Eventually, you will reach a street called "Pole Line Rd." It will come up after a crazy hairpin turn you have to make. There will also be a sign that says, "Mt Madonna Park" or something to that degree there. Turn RIGHT here. It's a rather sharp right, so slow down! 9. Continue up the road. A trick my mom uses: "Follow the yellow line (the painted divider)." You'll pass by camping parks. 10. Eventually you'll reach Summit Rd without knowing it and you'll pass Mt Madonna Elementary and a Korean summit. You are nearing your destination! The road will become really narrow and a little muddy, but it's okay! Just drive slowly :) 11. The Kim Son monastery will be on your left. Another tip: If you need to go pee, stop off at the McD's or Starbucks that you'll pass before you hit the mountain. The bathrooms at the temple aren't exactly THAT clean and are sometimes closed for repairs--in which case your alternative is a Porta-Potty. If you can stomach it or if this is no issue to you, then do what you want. read more