Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine Temple

Amazing place to go to relax. Very pretty, very calming good energy. Kids get excited seeing fishes & turtles in the lake. There was a black cat that you could pet and a bird who was also not afraid of people. Friendly energy everywhere!

This place is heaven on earth. I try to go here every Sunday for meditation. My secret place to relax and enjoy gods creations. Please turn your cellphones off as you may disturb others meditating. And no food or bottles of any kind allowed. Because people liter. I love their rules, because it keeps the facility clean, pretty and most importantly it’s shameful to liter people. No fees, no fee for parking and they’re closed when it rains. But if you go donate whatever you can in their donation boxes. The donations go to maintain, clean and pay for the food expenses of the animals. I have been going here for 7 years now. I love the beauty in everything you see. Part of Mahatma Gandhi, the master himself is held here at his shrine.

Came here because of all the great reviews this place has. They are ALL true. This place is beautiful!!! Most of all it is relaxing. There are lots of benches around where you can sit and simply enjoy the view or search deep inside for answers you might be looking for.

Beautiful respite in the heart of Los Angeles. Calming, peaceful, embracing of all paths …

Great place if you just need to get away to a quiet place to relax or meditate and collect your thoughts. There are many benches throughout the place, so you’ll be able to find a place for yourself with a great view of the greens and the lake. Beautiful and relaxing. You can slightly hear the noises from the cars driving near there, but it’s not so noticeable.

I’ve been coming here as a child — as a girl, it was fun to feed the ducks, and try in fit in the larger shells (it’s still there, but has water and is a make shift wishing well). I didn’t come for years, but decided to come again. This place is hands down the most special part of this city. I say that without hesitation. It’s my favorite get-​away, and you wouldn’t believe that buzzing sunset blvd is right outside. The air and scenery are incredible here, and it offers you a chance to dig deep in yourself. There are meditation services and temple as well, that I haven’t fully tried, but I love to just take a notebook and sit by the ducks/​swan and write my heart away. My only experience that wasn’t perfect was when a bunch of little boys were aggressively feeding the ducks and yelling, lol, so it wasn’t serene that day. But after they left, peace was restored. Basically, if you’re still reading this, get up, leave, and come here.
There is also a cat named Roma who belongs to the Shrine. She is black and so cute!!!

This is one of my favorite getaway places in LA. :) I spent my birthday here for 3 days and 2 nights through a general retreat. They really emphasized the essence of quiet during the retreat which I really appreciated. Being able to be quiet in actions, speech, and in mind helped me have a clear perspective of where my life is spiritually and mentally at this time. The vegetarian food was yummy and very filling during my retreat. The meditation gardens are a great place to reconnect with nature and meditate. I was really able to feel Paramahansa Yogananda’s spiritual imprint that he left here at his beautiful shrine. I recommend this little getaway from the hussle and bustle of LA to anyone at anytime. And I will have a retreat here again soon

It’s where I go to disconnect. To get that calmness. Serene views & beautiful flowers. Perfect place for meditation. Perfect place to bring a loved one for squirt walk. There are swans, ducks, coi fish, turtles, waterfalls. Even a lotus flower (the flower of life)

A little hidden gem! This place is gorgeous and the environment is so calm and serene. Everything here is green and lush, unlike other parts of California. Parking is free and the people who work here are also very friendly. Upon entering, they greet you and through out your time there, they often warn you when they’re closing.
My friend and I didn’t really know about this place and stumbled across it, but it’s so beautiful! The lake is gorgeous and there is a swan wandering around the water too! They have this area for meditation which is pretty cool. If you’re looking for a place to relax, this is the spot! My favorite part is the sunken garden! It looks just like a movie and the atmosphere just makes you forget everything.

The absolute best place to come to if you want peace and quiet.

Beautiful to come see. Parking is free. It is a fun place to come in a group or solo.
Plenty of places to sit and reflect on life. Feels a little cult like. You should research the history of the fellowship before coming to enhance your experience.
Part of Gandhi’s ashes are buried here.
Actually a nice place for a date.

This is a very peaceful place to come and hangout at. You can walk around., meditate, and visit their gift shop. If you are looking for a place to get away and just be by yourself, this is the place. The view is gorgeous and the atmosphere is relaxing.

Finally made a trip here to explore… and just breathe. I visited an afternoon during the week and it was a very pleasant time. There were a few other small groups of people wandering about and finding a peaceful place in the shade came easy. Walk around with your eyes open, taking in all the beauty and then sit with your eyes closed and breathe.

Great place for a walk. Park of five religions with a calm lake. I do like coming here even by myself. There’s no need to talk, only serenity and peace follows step-​by-​step. Feels like it’s an hour getaway to Timeless Zone.

This is a beautifully serene little spot nestled in the hills by Malibu. They welcome people of all faiths, opening their doors to promote tolerance, acceptance and enlightened spirituality. The grounds are well tended to, the various little seating areas are perfect for getting a little privacy to unwind, and the admission and parking is free!
Can’t get much better if you need a quiet spot to meditate, read a book or sketch. Plus the drive from the PCH is not too shabby in itself, even traveling through Topanga Canyon I’ve discovered a variety of cool shops, art installations and parks I’m eager to make separate trips for. Would definitely recommend.

I attend the services Sunday in the temple here and am a fairly new SRF member. I love it here. Wish I lived closer so I could take advantage of the retreats and meditation classes every week.
SRF Lake shrine Temple is my sweet spot and my haven away from life’s chaos.
There are not enough stars for this on Unilocal

The Self-​Realization Fellowship, Lake Shrine is a breathtaking place to come to in order to gain peace, spirituality, regain focus and/​or a place to clear the mind.
The founder is Paramahansa Yogananda. It was founded in 1920 and opened to the public in 1950.
It is a ten acre lot with a court of religions (Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism).
The Windmill Chapel is currently being renovated but looks beautiful in its current state.
Across from the Windmill and Lake you find the Ghandi World Peace Memorial facing a «wall-​less temple» a site to witness in this lifetime if you ask me.
Paramahansa Yogananda wished for a temple/​retreat to be constructed but his passing came before his vision became a reality. In 1996 his vision of said temple came true. I entered the temple and was able to sit inside and meditate. It was quite spiritual and enlightening.
Do not forget to look at all the beautiful flowers and read the quotes that are posted all around this wonderful place.
I truly encourage all people of this world to come and experience this gorgeous sanctuary. Best part of it all… it is completely free!

A sanctuary for all who seek it. This stop has been long over due for me. To think in Los Angeles there is a place of spiritual enlightenment such as the Lake Shrine.
It is harbored around a natural fresh water lake not too far from the Pacific Ocean. This is undoubtedly one of the most scenic gardens I have ever seen. The path that leads around the lake is nestled among mossy cobblestone lush vibrant greenery and meticulous placement of colorful flowers and plants. Swan and waterfowl swim as turtles bask near the cascading waterfall. A true photographers paradise, although, no professional photography is allowed. You will absolutely have to take a few snapshots from your phone.
The focus of the Lake Shrine is to offer a place to meditate, calm the mind, be still the heart and lift the spirit. All religious sects are welcome to visit. Just above is the temple of Paramahansa Yogananda. If you are not aware, he was a great man.
There are a few guidelines to be respected on any visit to the shrine. These aren’t anything other than simple gestures of respect that anyone should express when you are visiting any other place where beliefs are shared.
Simply put:
–mute your phone
–tell your children to keep their voices low
–respect the others visiting the shrine
–try to respect & keep the silence
–do not disturb others during meditation
I was very proud to experience the shrine with my little family. My boys rejoiced as they came across the pathway. Everything I imagined it to be was simply surpassed as the breathtaking view came beyond the entrance. I cannot exaggerate. It is a stunning lake. I could see the peace in my fiancé and our sons with each step. I understand why my idol Lux Interior of the cramps chose to be spread over the lake. We will be visitors throughout our lives.

A spiritual location is not seemingly appropriate for judgment, especially over the internet, if we are to respect each other’s beliefs and the sacredness of a temple. However, the Self-​Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine Temple has always allowed me to catch my breath and find some peace in this anarchic city. It has many visitors on weekends, most of whom are attending service, however during the week it is truly a quiet and restful place to step back from the world.
Don’t even try to sit on the grass though, its not a Park. Don’t make that slip.
There are plenty of benches throughout the loop around the lake– which is a quick loop. Its really meant for you to pause and reflect, not sightsee, although it is still a lovely place to sightsee if you do come for that. If you struggle with reflection, there are a variety of plaques surrounding the path that offer meditation points.
Reading is also an acceptable activity.
The garden is tidy and well groomed, with bright flowers, swan, turtles, koi, beautiful insects like butterflies and dragon flies, pine cones and the traffic sounds of Sunset Blvd– seemingly distant– blending together with that gentle hum of the Pacific, just over the hill.
Although I’m not a religious person, I AM spiritual, and because of the historical significance of this Shrine Lake (a plaque says that a portion of Ghandi’s ashes are kept here), it is in my benefit to attend service one day and listen to the message shared by this temple. My guess is its karma-​positive, and a little exposure could only do good.
PS~ my karma is kickin’.
There are two entrances and a private parking lot to the right off Sunset, if you’re coming from the beach. It is FREE to visit (Donations Gladly Accepted), there’s a small gift shop.

Review #400!
I would have never found this place without the help of a friend’s check in. The name says it all: Self-​Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine Temple. All religions are welcome here and the garden will immediately put you to rest.
Since 2014, my fiancé and I make a pilgrimage here on each LA visit to reflect on our current and future life plans. It is located close to PCH on Sunset Blvd with free parking. The garden and lake is open Tuesday — Saturday 9AM-4:30PM and Sunday noon-4:30.
Once you walk into this lush garden environment, you will find yourself transformed into a beautiful spiritual refuge with benches and dirt covered walk ways. The garden is surround by the lake and some minor upgrade are currently occupying the windmill. In the lake, you will see many swans, ducks, koi and turtles.
Some of the highlights is the five religions throughout the garden, the Mahatma Gandhi World Peace Memorial (enshrined ashes) and the calm atmosphere.
I highly recommend not bringing children under 10 because many of the attendees are mediating and the noise level is always kept at a minimal. There are mediating benches and places to reflect in silence.
My soulmate and I have made this our special sanctuary filled with lifelong promises. We hope you find peace, love and happiness.