SRF Lake Shrine

A Sanctuary Hidden in Plain Sight

Just blocks from the Pacific Ocean, a 10-acre oasis sits in a natural amphitheater carved by Santa Ynez Canyon. You park in the lower lot off Sunset Boulevard, make your way past the visitor center, and suddenly the city noise fades. A spring-fed lake opens before you, ringed by paths that wind through bamboo groves, fern grottos, and flowering gardens. White swans drift across the water. Turtles sun themselves on rocks. The air smells of eucalyptus and jasmine.

This is Lake Shrine, and it belongs to everyone. Paramahansa Yogananda dedicated it in 1950 as a place where all people could find peace, regardless of what they believe. The grounds honor that promise. You’ll find statues of Krishna and Jesus, a Star of David and a Buddhist wheel, Islamic crescents and Hindu om symbols. The Court of Religions displays each faith’s emblems side by side, suggesting they’re different paths up the same mountain.

Walking the Lake Path

The dirt path circles the lake in about 20 minutes if you walk steadily. But you won’t. Benches appear every few dozen feet, each positioned to frame a particular view—the windmill chapel across the water, a waterfall cascading down lush hillside, the golden lotus archway catching afternoon sun. People sit and stare. Some meditate. Others just breathe.

The path takes you past Krishna Falls, where water tumbles over rocks beneath a statue of the Hindu deity. You’ll cross small bridges and duck under archways of tropical trees. Dragonflies zip past. Ducks paddle close to shore, hoping you brought food (you’re not supposed to feed them, but they remain optimistic).

The Gandhi Memorial

The most historically significant stop sits behind the Golden Lotus Archway on the southern shore. Here, in an open-air shrine, a 1,000-year-old stone sarcophagus from China holds a brass and silver coffer. Inside: a portion of Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes, sent to Yogananda by an Indian friend after Gandhi’s assassination in 1948. It’s the only place outside India where you can pay respects to Gandhi in this way.

The memorial has sparked some controversy—Hindu tradition calls for ashes to be immersed in water, not enshrined. Gandhi’s relatives have disagreed about whether to remove them. For now, they remain, flanked by statues of Guanyin, the Buddhist goddess of compassion.

The Windmill Chapel and Houseboat

The property’s quirky history shows in its architecture. Before Yogananda bought it, the land belonged to H. Everett McElroy, assistant superintendent of construction for 20th Century Fox. In the 1940s, he built an authentic replica of a 16th-century Dutch windmill, complete with functional sails that turn in the wind. Yogananda converted it into a chapel. Step inside and you enter a small octagonal room with wooden pews and stained glass. It’s tiny—maybe 15 feet across—but it radiates calm.

The Mississippi-style houseboat moored at the dock also predates the shrine. McElroy transported it from Lake Mead and used it as a rental property for movie industry folks. Yogananda turned it into a meditation space. You can’t go inside anymore, but it makes for a picturesque photo op, especially in late afternoon light.

Note: The windmill chapel and houseboat are currently closed for restoration following the January 2025 Palisades Fire. They’re expected to reopen in late 2025 or early 2026. The meditation gardens, lake paths, and Gandhi Memorial are open.

Sunday Services and Daily Rhythms

Lake Shrine functions as both public garden and active spiritual center. Monks of the Self-Realization Fellowship live in the ashram on the property. A hilltop temple hosts Sunday morning services—one hour of guided meditation followed by a talk on Yogananda’s teachings. (The temple is currently closed but services may resume once restoration work finishes.)

The meditation gardens welcome visitors Wednesday through Sunday. You must reserve in advance—spots open each Saturday at 10am for the following week—but admission is free. This keeps crowds manageable. On a typical afternoon, you might see 30 or 40 people spread across 10 acres. It never feels crowded.

Some visitors come weekly. Others make a pilgrimage from across the country. You’ll see couples holding hands on benches, solo visitors with journals, families explaining to children why swans mate for life. The shared behavior: moving slowly, speaking softly, respecting the space’s contemplative purpose.

What the Fire Changed

The Palisades Fire in January 2025 surrounded the property with flames. Local firefighters and a family of SRF members (the Asads) fought for four days to save it. They succeeded in protecting the main historic structures—the Gandhi Memorial, windmill, houseboat, and lake-level gardens all survived. But several buildings sustained smoke damage. The monks’ living quarters and an office building were more severely affected.

The grounds closed for eight months while crews cleaned smoke residue from buildings and cleared ash from paths. Landscapers replanted damaged vegetation. When the meditation gardens reopened in August 2025, they looked remarkably close to their pre-fire condition. You’ll notice some younger plants and trees, but the essential character remains intact.

The temple, windmill chapel, houseboat, gift shop, and retreat center remain closed as restoration work continues. The timing for their reopening depends on how quickly repairs progress, but officials estimate late 2025 into 2026.

Making the Most of Your Visit

Plan for 45 minutes to an hour if you want to walk the entire loop and pause at key spots. Bring water—there are no food or drink vendors (though restrooms and a visitor center are available). Wear comfortable walking shoes; paths are packed dirt and can be uneven.

The reservation system requires you to select either morning arrival (10am-11:30am) or afternoon (1pm-3pm). You can stay until 4:30pm closing time regardless of which window you choose. Morning tends to be cooler and less crowded. Afternoon light is prettier for photos.

Remember this is an active place of worship. Keep voices low. Don’t lounge on the grass (stick to benches). Leave pets at home unless they’re ADA service animals. The rules aren’t about being uptight—they’re about preserving what makes the place work.