Life at Pilgrim Place
Lifestyle & Community
Discover what life feels like at Pilgrim Place. From resident-led outings and performances to wellness offerings and community traditions, this page highlights the moments that bring neighbors together and make each day engaging, connected, and meaningful.
Activities & Social Life
Pilgrim Tours
At Pilgrim Place, there isn’t just one activities director—there are 200! Independent Living residents plan monthly excursions open to the whole community. Pilgrim Tours offers fun and engaging visits to destinations including Lake Gregory, the Hollywood Bowl, and Palm Springs.
Morning Dancers
Every weekday morning, a group of Pilgrim Place residents greets the day with 30 minutes of dance. Their playlist ranges from oldies but goodies to chart-topping new releases. This celebration of movement embodies the vibrant spirit of Pilgrim Place. Any and all are welcome to join!
Chorale & Bands
Many residents come to Pilgrim Place with a musical background, be it keys, strings, woodwind, brass, or their own voice, and are welcome to join our chorale or one of our campus bands. Our community also plays regular host to world-class visiting musicians.
Pendleton Arts Center
At Pendleton Arts Center, residents can take part in any number of artisan trades, such as weaving, ceramics, stained glass, woodworking, and textile fabrications. Come to show off your skill, or pick up a new one, in a community of fellow creators.
Decker Hall
From theater productions to stand-up comedy skits, movie nights to dance parties, Decker Hall is always lively and bustling with entertainment. Through the dedicated work of our Sights & Sounds Committee, these performances are available for the whole community to enjoy.
The Castle
Fridays are for coffee and conversation. Every Friday evening, residents and their guests come together to socialize at Pilgrim Place’s Warner House, affectionately dubbed “The Castle.” Donated to Pilgrim Place by the Warner family, this campus landmark is a popular gathering spot for our community.
Aquatic Fitness Center
Whether you want to work up a sweat or take a refreshing swim, as a resident, you have easy access to facilities and programming that support physical fitness. Residents have the option to take part in weekly classes that promote strong bone health, balance, and flexibility.
Dining Services
The onsite Dining Service’s leadership team manage and support a culture of service focused on elevated hospitality and culinary offerings meeting resident’s wishes! No matter their lifestyle, dietary needs, preferences or level of care, residents can count on the Unidine team to provide a high level of attention, responsiveness and distinctive service!
Wellness & Spirituality
Interfaith Services
Pilgrim Place is home to many different expressions of faith, and all are honored through weekly services and seasonal celebrations led by residents. Ours is an inclusive community that welcomes diverse spiritual backgrounds.
Wellness Clinics
Our on-site Wellness Clinic and Health Services Center is staffed with trained CNAs, LVNs, and caregivers, all dedicated to the health and wellness of any resident in need of rehabilitative care.
Meditative Practices
Mindfulness meditation, Qigong, and Tai Chi are weekly practices on our campus, reinforcing our community’s belief in a holistic approach to feeding the mind, body, and soul. Residents and neighbors of Pilgrim Place come together to ground themselves in nature and center their spirits.
Patient Advocacy
At Pilgrim Place, we believe in caring for each other. Residents in Independent Living serve as patient advocates to those in our community who have transitioned to a higher level of care.
Current Affairs Forum
Every second Wednesday of the month, Pilgrim Place hosts a Current Affairs Forum to keep our community up to date on everything from local policy to global affairs. Presenters include Congress members, social justice advocates, and our own residents as experts in their fields.
California Botanic Garden
Located just five minutes away from our campus, the California Botanic Garden is the largest botanic garden dedicated to California native plants. This garden is an 86-acre living museum, and every birder’s dream.
Campus & Community
Andiron
Each month, a resident selected by Pilgrim Place’s Andiron Committee presents on their life story and work to the community. These presentations give our residents a chance to learn about each other’s lives and connections.
Resident Governance
Resident governance is a core tenet at Pilgrim Place. All campus committees are resident-led and work closely with staff to shape both our physical and cultural environment.
Campus Landscape
Our community’s dedication to caring for the earth begins at home. By monitoring water usage and landscaping with indigenous flora, our campus has blossomed into a sanctuary for residents and Pilgrim Place neighbors to enjoy.
Intergenerational Partnership
Pilgrim Place’s intergenerational partnership with the five Claremont Colleges extends the opportunity for residents to become mentors to younger generations and learn alongside them through our Napier Initiative.