Down-to-Earth EcoShire - Hemet, California

ian dio-Lovecraft (semiautomagick)

This place is super amazing! Jim and the rest of the staff were awesome! If you want to get away and connect with nature this is the perfect place to do it. Can not wait to return and help out.
Came back for another trip and already sad to be heading home. This place is so special and we can not wait to return.
Updated again
Back again third year in a row and this place just keeps getting better and better every year. Jim, Dawn, and the rest of the staff are still amazing as they have always been. Lots of new things to check out and this time where was a sheep and a baby lamb!!! We will be back again next year but hope to come back before then as well.
Update for 2024
Just returned home from another amazing weekend at ecoshire. Everything was amazing and everyone was great as usual. Cannot wait to see what the future holds and to return home!

Diana Wei

Amazing covid safe group camping experience at private space here. Owners and staff were so welcoming. Really, you could come here with just your sleeping and hygiene supplies because they have adobe homes/room, cooked food, ice, and more for purchase. Compost toilet, shower and water access makes its luxury camping. Spacious, and far from other campsites.

Merisa Vernoy

Absolutely love this place to the bottom of my heart. Watching you folks constantly changing your land and making it better. It's amazing how fast you all can do it. I loved all the wildlife there. From the owl stretching to the wild coyote howling. Dawn and Jim this place wouldn't be the same without you two, so thank you so much for your beautiful space.

somewhere _ joshuatree

Welcome to Hemet, California where you are
surrounded by desert mountains, boulders, and a big
open sky. Just a little over two hours from Los
Angeles and about an hour and a half from San
Diego heading east, we drove onto Jim and Dawn's
Ecoshire. Our hosts have created an oasis nestled in
the hills from the reclaimed land they acquired. The
property is being used as an educational ground for
permaculture practices and self-sustaining, eco-
friendly structures. If you want to learn how to reuse
water and provide your own solar energy, be sure to
ask Jim as he can take you around the property and
teach as you go.
We arrived as the sun went down and the full moon
started to rise up. As you walk through part of the
35 acres of land, you may hear neighboring horses
and cows. As the sun goes down, you will hear the
owls and the resident coyotes in the night. Our site
was cozy and nestled in front of a hill. The emphasis
on community can be felt as the vision is well
underway at the Ecoshire with communal buildings.
You will find an old boxcar that is being restored
with reclaimed materials. They have turned it into a
beautiful bathroom with a well-lit shower. Rustic
luxury in the desert, simple yet sustainable.

In the morning, we walked through the Peace
Garden and ate our fresh picked snap peas and
added new starts to the garden as well. The hens
provided eggs for our morning scramble and
everything from our breakfast was harvested on site.
If you are lucky Jim and Dawn will share some of
their delicious home-brewed mead with you! They
plan on expanding their operation, as it is very
environmentally friendly and will bring more honey
bees to the land. If you want a desert oasis
experience with a wild, wild west feel, AND get a bit
of inspiration out of the whole thing be sure to visit
the Ecoshire.

Stephen Pink

Stayed last November with a homeschooling group. A very interesting property. A bit hot as has been mentioned but I think that will develop as they expand plants throughout property. And they do have shaded areas. So probably winter and spring are most pleasant times in the area.

Had innovative bathroom situation adding compost to waste and didn’t smell at all.
It’s definitely more rustic, but such a cool concept of revitalizing what I understand used to be a landfill. It also can accommodate very large groups including coordinating meal times.

alondra cornejo

This place was awsome we stayed in number 8 would recommend if you want more privacy. The camp sites are pretty spread out. Everything is clean. Loved it.

James John

I had an amazing experience today. Helloing to build, getting to know the staff and really having a great and peaceful escape from the rat race
of Orange County. The staff was awesome and the projects the have going on are amazing as well. If you want to camp and or help build something that will help the planet and people I highly recommend this place. I Ave studied permaculture for about three years and this is the first place I have visited that in only three ears has done amazing work. It is and will be a greater place in the future for training and camping and just getting away. Come visit! Put in some meaningful beautification, donate usable items and trees and apply yourself and talents to build a sustainable landscape.

Sanarica Katsu

One of the most amazing experiences of my life. Such a great spiritual adventure that I will hold with me for the rest of my life. Krystal is so sweet and accommodating. I felt welcome and enjoyed all the activities! It was definitely hott but they made sure everyone was taken care of and safe. I 100% will be back again to help heal the beautiful land as it helps heal me.