Getting Here
The first test of any quest is to begin the journey.
The rocky, winding dirt road leading up to Madre Grande from Highway 94 can be challenging. It is, in a word, a "bad" road. Improvements to the two-mile long road are being planned, and until then it presents an opportunity to practice mindfulness and loving kindness for yourself, others, your car, and the environment. Don't let the difficulty of the task stop you from visiting us. A higher clearance car is best, but with care and attention the road is passable to any vehicle. If you are unwilling to make the attempt you can park near the highway and we will shuttle you up to the Monastery. Please call to make arrangements.
By Car
From Los Angeles or Orange County: Take the 405 to the 5 South to the 805 South. Get onto the 94 East and follow the directions below.
From San Diego: Madre Grande is located about 36 miles from downtown San Diego. Take Highway 94 East through Spring Valley, past the point where the Freeway ends and turns into a surface road. Watch for the right turn at the traffic light about a quarter mile past Jamacha Rd. Continue on Highway 94 through Jamul and Dulzura. Travel 2.7 miles past Dulzura Cafe and turn left onto Lucky Six Truck Trail, a slightly tricky turn onto a dirt road. Look for our address sign "Madre Grande 2260" (as well as a sign for "Mottola Ranch"). Mindfully drive 2.2 miles up the rocky rough road and through the gate that marks Mottola Ranch. Respect our neighbors and drive slowly, and leave gates as you find them (open if they were open, close them if they were closed.) You will soon arrive at two closed gates. Madre Grande is on the left, and the gate is not locked. Speed limit on all roads after Mottola gate is less than 10 miles an hour. Children, live stock, and wildlife are using the roads, so please drive carefully and respectfully.
Public Transit
Public transit is also an option. San Diego Metropolitan Transit System operates Route 894 three times a day during the week (not on weekends or holidays) from the El Cajon Transit Center to points along Highway 94. You can ask the driver to drop you off at the intersection of Highway 94 and Lucky Six Truck Trail, and then enjoy an invigorating walk up the road for 2.2 miles. You can also arrange to have someone from the Monastery pick you up at the bottom of the hill and give you a ride.