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The Graduate Wine Collective

Wines crafted by UC Berkeley alumni.
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Thursday, March 27

Enthralled: What Explains Our Unshakeable Fascination with Cults?

Professor Poulomi Saha and California editor-in-chief Pat Joseph discuss what the surge of movies and documentaries about cults reveals about us.

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a snorkeler swims over a Hawksbill sea turtle
Upcoming Tour

Wonders of Palau: A Snorkel & Kayak Journey [on request]

February 18 - March 01, 2025
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Let’s camp

Get away to the Lair this summer!

Now booking summer sessions.

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Cover of the latest California Magazine issue.
Latest Issue

2024 Fall/Winter

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New for Summer 2025

Get ready for an unforgettable 2025 at the Lair! We’ve got exciting additions, from bringing back Dream Bars to dreamier nights with brand-new mattresses for a better night’s sleep.

We’re making sure your time with us is better than ever and can’t wait to welcome you back! Read on to learn more.

sign in car window reads lair or bust

Get a Better Night's Sleep

New Mattresses!

Sleeping accommodations just got more comfortable as 900 new mattresses with reinforced bed boards will be added throughout our three camps. Plus, hundreds of older bed frames will be replaced with new ones.

Interior of a Lair tent with two twin beds and a cubby. Interior of Lair tent with two twin beds

Improved Wi-Fi, a later check out, and more!

Strong swings and strong signals—Reach home when you need to. We’re updating our wireless system to allow for more consistent access to Wi-Fi in select areas of camp including our camp stores, lodges, and Vista Lodge.

Stay a little longer, take a little more time for good-byes—We are pushing back our Saturday check-out time to 10:00 AM, with Saturday breakfast from 8:00-9:00 AM.

Sweet dreams are made of these—Back by popular demand, our decadent Dream Bars will make your Lair stay even sweeter!

Savor the night—Prime Rib returns this summer to The Vista Lounge!

More program and dining improvements are in the works—stay tuned!

 

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A woman in a tie-dye jersey getting ready to hit a softball. Photo by Suz McFadden

Club Lair: Sports, Wine, and Recreation Retreat

Club Lair is the perfect pairing—a blend of our former Sports & Recreation Week with the rich flavors of our Food & Wine Experience. Cheers to the best of both worlds!

New in 2025, Club Lair offers the perfect combination of adventure and relaxation for active adults in our stunning corner of the Sierra. Enjoy professional instruction in tennis, pickleball, and golf, along with hiking, photography workshops, mixers, dancing, pottery, evening entertainment, and wine tastings. Whether you’re seeking engaging activities, athletics, or peaceful downtime, Club Lair provides the ideal balance of structured fun and personal freedom with a breathtaking backdrop.

Learn More about Club Lair
A man in shorts and a purple shirt serving a tennis ball Photo by Kevin Kitsuda

Brighter Lights and Bigger Sounds—All Thanks to our Lair Community!

Thanks to generous auction donations, our three camps will now shine brighter and sound better with new lighting and sound systems!

An evening campfire at Camp Blue, view from the top of the bleachers of the stage. Photo by Kevin Kitsuda

Oski Week 10

We’re bringing a new 6-night session to Camp Oski!  A Week 10 Oski session means more families, more fun, more memories—who’s ready?

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Family at Camp Oski B Circle
Photo by Kevin Kitsuda

Camp Calendar

Start planning now to join us in the summer!

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A Lair staffer instructing archery to a younger girl with her bow raised. Photo by Kevin Kitsuda

Camp experience for the corporate world: How a summer at the Lair builds success stories

Lair veteran staffer Jessie Fisher's Daily Cal article spotlights the highly desirable soft skills staffers hone through their hard work at the Lair. Working at the Lair opens doors and helps prepare college students for a range of careers both in and out of the corporate world.

TAAP scholars at the Lair 2022 Photo by Charles Poloka

TAAP Scholars take on the Lair

Last summer, an incoming cohort of The Achievement Award Program (TAAP) Scholars and Alumni Scholars Program staff traveled to Pinecrest for a weekend at the Lair of the Golden Bear. The result—a weekend of bonding, hikes to the lake, sunshine, and of course, s’mores.

Private Events and Group Rentals

The Lair of the Golden Bear provides a beautifully forested and private venue for your special event in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Our forested setting and welcoming atmosphere allow guests to celebrate, recharge, play, and focus on what’s important. Fall wedding packages include full access to two indoor and outdoor event spaces, fifteen cozy heated cabins, sports courts, complete meal service, and no corkage fee! We are currently booking special events for fall 2025.

Lair Updates

Suz McFadden / Cal Alumni Association
Lair of the Golden Bear

Top 5 Reasons to Visit the Lair in the Non-Summer Months

Fall, winter, or spring, Cal alums and friends can stay at the Lair of the Golden Bear at any time of the year to explore nearby nature and enjoy the Lair’s different offerings.
The Lair of the Golden Bear hosted LUSD middle school students at Oski Science Camp in the spring of 2023. / Cal Alumni Association
Lair of the Golden Bear

Middle School Students Experience the Lair through Oski Science Camp

The Lair hosted hundreds of middle schoolers at Oski Science Camp over the course of several months, resulting in learning, spreading Cal love, and creating long-lasting memories.
Chancellor Lyons and his wife, Jen, smile big, with Pinecrest Lake sparkling softly in the background.
Lair of the Golden Bear

Chancellor Lyons Talks Lair of the Golden Bear

Chancellor Lyons, who’s known for carrying his guitar around camp, shared his personal stories, reflected on how the Lair fuels Cal spirit, and offered some words of wisdom for the staffers and campers to come.
Camp Resources
Learn More About Our Camps

Family Camp >

Women’s Wellness >

Club Lair: Sports, Wine, and Recreation Retreat >

Oski Year-Round Cabins >

Science Camp >

College Prep Camp >

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Cal Live event with Poulomi Saha