Sandstone Retreat
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From late 1969 through mid 1976, Sandstone Ranch, a 15-acre rustic estate located high in the Santa Monica Mountains overlooking Malibu and the Pacific Ocean, was the home of the revolutionary Sandstone Retreat, Sandstone Community, and Sandstone Foundation for Community Systems Research.
Their brochure stated, “The wearing of clothing at Sandstone is always optional. Open expressions of affection and sexuality are appropriate when mutual. While neither nudity nor sexual sharing are ever required, Sandstone does offer a serene setting where the real worth and dignity of human sexuality may be experienced." It was this statement of purpose that clearly distinguished the Sandstone experience from the “swinger” culture.
Much of the history of Sandstone is well documented especially in Thy Neighbor’s Wife, by Gay Talese, Doubleday, 1980, [1]and in More Joy, by Dr. Alex Comfort, Crown Books, 1973, [2]but which excludes Sandstone in later editions, and the movie Sandstone [3].
Founded by John and Barbara Williamson, together part systems theorists, gestalt psychologists, teleocrats, bon vivants, and Renaissance people, they created a warm, supportive environment where people might give themselves permission to craft unique intimate experiences of their own. They, and several therapists and other professionals and donors founded and supported the Foundation for Community Systems Research which offered a year-around calendar of special events, seminars, workshops, trainings in human potential, and publications.
The Retreat maintained a Club roster of up to 400 members who paid an annual fee and monthly dues for the privileges afforded by the Ranch. It offered all the resources of a first-class hotel spa with the singular exception of several communal sleeping areas, both indoor and outdoor (snorers), and bathrooms.
Members could bring guests with advance notice. A strict rule was that a gender balance, while not required during the day, had to be observed and enforced after 6:00PM. It was an equal opportunity group, with regard only for “good vibes” rather than age (minimum 18 years-old), race, appearance, or gender preference. That also went for the numerous celebrities who attended. Illegal drugs and their associated behaviors were strictly prohibited.
The Retreat and Club were managed by the residential Community of up to 20 persons, each of whom had been club members, and, on an egalitarian basis, had decided to self-identify and select a function and a dwelling where they thought they might fit in. From mid-1970 through 1976, Martin Zitter was the maven, major domo, public spokesman, arbiter of the vibes, dj and gaffer, and bearer of all tidings for the Retreat.
Along with the normal management duties of running such an operation, days were spent meeting a constant flow of mostly couples who had arranged for a daytime visit. It was this critical 45 minute interview and their noted observations of the guests’ behavior that determined whether they would stay for the evening, or be invited them back for another event, or be refer them to Ed Lange’s Elysium Fields “growth center” over on the other side of Topanga Canyon Boulevard.
The main building consisted of two large floors with a living room, kitchen, and buffet area at entry level and a cavernous waterbed-lined mirrored “ballroom” below. Upstairs was cowboy-chic, with a massive beam ceiling in natural woods and softly lit gold tones, velour sofas and couches, and, of course, shag carpeting. Downstairs was a study in red; lighting, carpet, washable brocade bed covers. Both had huge fireplaces, byob beer and wine only bars, studio quality sound playing the latest Rolling Stones, Ike and Tina, and Moody Blues, etc., and room to dance.
The atmosphere of these parties ranged from what one wag called a "naked salon" with humor, wit, and constant good natured banter, repartee, and laughter, to the abandon of a wild rock 'n roll luau. The large magnificent indoor heated swimming pool was also the scene of great joy and abandon with sometimes dozens of couples engaged and involved.
Many members reported from impression and from extended observation of others’, that the experience of ubiquitous open sexuality, at least in the first instance, is roughly analogous, in the interpersonal sense, to the intrapersonal psychedelic or enlightened meditative experience. With few exceptions, first-timers were observed staying up all night to watch the sun rise over the Pacific while reporting a clear and relaxed state of euphoria.
While Saturday dinner buffet was well received, Sunday breakfast service, starting at 7AM and consisting of either eggs Benedict or Florentine, with fresh fruits and juices and several coffees and tea varieties and Champaign, further heightened the mood. On mild days, the acre-plus of lawn filled up quickly with sleepovers and new arrivals engaging in all manner of outdoor frolic, from volleyball to soixante-neuf to bongo drumming, all also to the delight of the occasional Los Angeles Fire Department or Sheriff’s helicopter crews. Hikers or those looking for solitude could ramble over the miles of surrounding mountain trails.
