IRSF’s RettAway is a destination vacation for families to spend time together and build connections with other members of our Rett community. Registration and hotel room block open on Monday, Feb 3, at 12 p.m. ET!
IRSF’s RettAway is a destination vacation for families to spend time together and build connections with other members of our Rett community. Register now to join us!
July 9-12, 2025 | San Diego Area, California
Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to have fun together in a location that understands the challenges and joys of caring for a loved one with Rett syndrome. Mark your calendar!
What is a RettAway?
A RettAway is more than a getaway—it’s a chance for families to come together in a supportive and understanding environment. Designed specifically for the Rett community, IRSF’s RettAway offers families the opportunity to enjoy adventures, connect with others who truly understand their journey, and create lasting memories in a space where no one is left on the sidelines.
Connect
Build meaningful relationships with other families who share your journey and truly understand life with Rett syndrome.
Explore
Experience new adventures in a supportive environment that accommodates your loved one’s needs and encourages everyone to participate.
Recharge
Take time to relax and find joy in a welcoming space where your family is embraced and understood.
Agenda
This year’s RettAway is all about fun in the sun! Planned activities include the San Diego Zoo, a day at the beach with optional adaptive surfing, and more!
schedule highlights:
- Wed, 7/9 – Arrival & Registration
- Thu, 7/10 – San Diego Zoo with lunch at Zoofari Park
- Fri, 7/11 – Beach Day at Oceanside Pier with lunch for all and optional adaptive surfing experience for individuals with Rett
- Sat, 7/12 – Departure or explore on your own!
A Day at the Beach
The Oceanside Pier is one of California’s most famous coastal landmarks, known for stunning views and seaside activities, like surfing!
We are excited to be teaming up with Surfin’ Fire, Surfing Madonna, and the Kayla Mosca Foundation to offer a 1-on-1 adaptive surfing experience for individuals with Rett syndrome right next to the pier.
Surfing not for you? No problem! We’ll have an area set up for families to enjoy the beach and the Pacific, with lunch provided.
Accommodations
We have secured a room block in Carlsbad Village at a beachfront, all-suite hotel centrally located to all RettAway activities. All standard rooms are equipped with a mini fridge, microwave, and space to accommodate a wheelchair navigated by a caregiver. The discounted rate is $249/night with complimentary breakfast included. Due to demand in the area, space is limited.
Agenda
This year’s RettAway is all about fun in the sun! Planned activities include an excursion at the San Diego Zoo, a day at the beach with optional adaptive surfing, and more!
schedule highlights:
- Wed, 7/9 – Arrival & Registration
- Thu, 7/10 – San Diego Zoo with lunch at Zoofari Park
- Fri, 7/11 – Beach Day at Oceanside Pier with lunch for all and optional adaptive surfing experience for individuals with Rett
- Sat, 7/12 – Departure or explore on your own!
A Day at the Beach
The Oceanside Pier is one of California’s most famous coastal landmarks, known for stunning views and seaside activities, like surfing!
We are excited to be teaming up with Surfin’ Fire, Surfing Madonna, and the Kayla Mosca Foundation to offer a 1-on-1 adaptive surfing experience for individuals with Rett syndrome (aged 4 & up) right next to the pier.
Surfing not for you? No problem! We’ll have an area set up for families to enjoy the beach and the Pacific, with lunch provided.
Accommodations
We have secured a discounted room block at the Springhill Suites in Carlsbad Village, a beachfront, all-suite hotel centrally located to all RettAway activities. Complimentary breakfast is included, with all standard rooms equipped with a mini fridge, microwave, and space to accommodate a wheelchair navigated by a caregiver.
springhill suites san diego carlsbad:
- 3136 Carlsbad Boulevard, Carlsbad, CA 92008
- +1-888-287-9400
- IRSF Room Rate: $249/night
- Available Nights: 7/9-7/13
- Booking Deadline: May 27, 2025 (or block full)
- 3136 Carlsbad Boulevard, Carlsbad, CA 92008
- Discounted rate room block is full; rooms at rack rate are available via the hotel website.
If you have technical difficulties with the booking site, please call the hotel directly at +1 442-333-9892 and ask to book into the “Rett Syndrome Group.”
There are multiple accommodation options, including hotels and vacation rentals, also available in the area surrounding the RettAway events and host hotel. Click here to view options from a Google search.
Pricing
Each ticket includes all-day entry to the San Diego Zoo, support at the beach, and lunch on both activity days. As space is limited, registration for the surf experience may fill up, but you can join the waitlist. When completing registration, please pay close attention to the “ticket type” to make sure you are registering each individual for the correct ticket.
**Register by March 14th to take advantage of our early bird pricing discount!**
Our 2023 Sponsor
Thank you to our 2023 event sponsor for helping IRSF provide educational resources and support to families affected by Rett syndrome.
Our 2025 Sponsor
Thank you to our 2025 Empowerment Sponsor for helping IRSF provide educational resources and support to families affected by Rett syndrome.
Presenting Sponsor:
diamond Sponsor:
platinum Sponsor:
Thank you to our in-kind partners:
Download the Sponsor Benefits Packet below to find out more about sponsorship opportunities for 2025. For questions or to secure your sponsorship, please email info@rettsyndrome.org.
Register today and then make sure to join our official RettAway 2025 Facebook Group to connect with Rett families and plan your trip!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a RettAway?
IRSF’s RettAway is a destination vacation for families to spend time together and build connections with other members of our Rett community. RettAways are held exclusively in locations that understand the challenges and joys of caring for a loved one with Rett syndrome. It’s not a conference, just an exclusive opportunity for families to have fun together and thrive.
This year’s RettAway will bring us to the coast of Southern California! Join us for a long weekend of fun in the sun, with activities including the San Diego Zoo, a beach day, and more! There will be ample time to catch up with friends, new and old, throughout the weekend or explore all the area has to offer. No matter where you are on your Rett journey, there will be activities, support, and bonds to be made at this year’s RettAway.
What is the cost of registration?
Registration for the RettAway is free for individuals with Rett syndrome and children 2 and under, $40 for children aged 3-11, and $50 for children and adults aged 12 and over. Before March 14th, we offer an early bird registration discount.
What is included in my registration?
Registration includes tickets to the San Diego Zoo on Thursday, access to our beach zone on Friday, lunch on both days and support from the IRSF team all weekend long. You will also receive access to our private Facebook group to meet other families and plan your trip.
Individuals with Rett syndrome, age four and up, can also sign up for the exclusive 1-on-1 adaptive surf experience on the beach day. Space is limited for this experience, and available spots will be filled on a first-come basis. Once filled, you will be able to join a waitlist should a spot open up closer to the event.
Please note that a la carte registration to RettAway events will not be offered.
What am I responsible for coordinating on my own?
Each family is responsible for coordinating all travel to and from the RettAway and its activities, including airfare, hotel, transportation, other meals, and entertainment.
How do I register?
Registration will open on Monday, February 3rd at 12 p.m. ET. You must register everyone who will be attending the RettAway and traveling with you to any RettAway events.
To ensure the RettAway is open to all families, we limit each family to include up to five (5) family members or caregivers. If your family or group has more than 5, please contact us at info@rettsyndrome.org.
What is your cancellation policy?
Confirmed registrations will not be refunded or transferred. IRSF is committed to providing quality programming at the 2025 RettAway.
Location Information
This year’s RettAway includes planned activities along the coast of Southern California in Oceanside and San Diego, with our preferred hotel located in Carlsbad Village in between. This location is also very close to theme parks, including Legoland and Disneyland.
Please note that RettAway activities span a distance of about 40 miles total, and there is no shuttle service or group transportation offered between the activities. We recommend renting a car, planning a road trip, or coordinating transportation in advance with other families in the Facebook Group.
How to Get There
There are two airports near the RettAway. Both airports offer flights from most major airlines and rentals from all major rental car companies. Please note that San Diego Airport has a shuttle to rental cars while John Wayne’s rental cars are onsite.
- San Diego International Airport (SAN) – (35 miles/40 minutes to Carlsbad Village)
- John Wayne Airport, Orange County (SNA) – (55 miles/50 minutes to Carlsbad Village)
When driving, all RettAway activities are located along the I-5 Freeway.
Where to Stay
IRSF has reserved a block of rooms at a beachfront, all-suites hotel at a discounted rate exclusively for RettAway attendees. The hotel offers:
- Complimentary breakfast
- Mini fridge in every room
- Microwave in every room
- ADA rooms are available by request at registration but note that all standard rooms have space to accommodate a wheelchair navigated by a caregiver.
Because we reserved rooms in bulk, we have secured a room rate that is substantially lower than similar hotels along the beach during the summer months. Space is limited and the room block will open on Monday, Februrary 3, at 12 p.m. ET. Room reservations for individuals not also registered for the RettAway will be canceled.
There are additional hotels and vacation rentals in the area, especially a few miles inland.
Other Things to Do
More information coming soon!
Connect & Stay Up-To-Date
Once you register, you’ll be invited to join our official Facebook group to stay up-to-date on weekend plans and connect with other families.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a RettAway?
IRSF’s RettAway is a destination vacation for families to spend time together and build connections with other members of our Rett community. RettAways are held exclusively in locations that understand the challenges and joys of caring for a loved one with Rett syndrome. It’s not a conference, just an exclusive opportunity for families to have fun together and thrive.
This year’s RettAway brings us to the coast of Southern California! Join us for a long weekend of fun in the sun, with activities including the San Diego Zoo, a beach day, and more! There will be ample time to catch up with friends, new and old, throughout the weekend or explore all the area has to offer. No matter where you are on your Rett journey, there will be activities, support, and bonds to be made at this year’s RettAway.
What is the cost of registration?
Registration for the RettAway is free for individuals with Rett syndrome and children 2 and under, $40 for children aged 3-11, and $50 for children and adults aged 12 and over. Before March 14th, we offer an early bird registration discount.
What is included in my registration?
Registration includes tickets to the San Diego Zoo on Thursday, access to our beach zone on Friday, lunch on both days and support from the IRSF team all weekend long. You will also receive access to our private Facebook group to meet other families and plan your trip.
Individuals with Rett syndrome, age four and up, can also sign up for the exclusive 1-on-1 adaptive surf experience on the beach day. Space is limited for this experience, and available spots will be filled on a first-come basis. Once filled, you will be able to join a waitlist should a spot open up closer to the event.
Please note that a la carte registration to individual RettAway events will not be offered.
What am I responsible for coordinating on my own?
Each family is responsible for coordinating all travel to and from the RettAway and its activities, including airfare, hotel, transportation, other meals, and entertainment.
How do I register?
You must pre-register everyone who will be attending the RettAway this year. It’s easy! CLICK HERE, follow the instructions to fill out the required information, and enter your credit card information to reserve your spot. Please make sure to pay close attention to the “ticket type” to fill out attendee information accurately. You’ll receive a confirmation via email.
To ensure the RettAway is open to all families, we limit each family to include up to five (5) family members or caregivers. If your family or group has more than 5, please contact us at info@rettsyndrome.org.
What is your cancellation policy?
Confirmed registrations will not be refunded or transferred. IRSF is committed to providing quality programming at the 2025 RettAway.
Location Information
This year’s RettAway includes planned activities along the coast of Southern California in Oceanside and San Diego, with our preferred hotel located in Carlsbad Village in between. This location is also very close to theme parks, including Legoland and Disneyland.
Please note that RettAway activities span a distance of about 40 miles total, and there is no shuttle service or group transportation offered between the activities. We recommend renting a car, planning a road trip, or coordinating transportation in advance with other families in the Facebook Group.
How to Get There
There are two airports near the RettAway. Both airports offer flights from most major airlines and rentals from all major rental car companies. Please note that San Diego Airport has a shuttle to rental cars while John Wayne’s rental cars are onsite.
- San Diego International Airport (SAN) – (35 miles/40 minutes to Carlsbad Village)
- John Wayne Airport, Orange County (SNA) – (55 miles/50 minutes to Carlsbad Village)
When driving, all RettAway activities are located along the I-5 Freeway.
Where to Stay
IRSF has reserved a block of rooms at the Springhill Suites San Diego Carlsbad at a discounted rate for attendees who book by May 27th. You can reserve your room by clicking here. Space is limited with rooms available at the group rate for check-in on 7/9 and check-out on 7/12, with a limited number of rooms available through 7/13. The hotel offers:
- Complimentary breakfast
- Mini fridge in every room
- Microwave in every room
- ADA rooms are available by request at registration but note that all standard rooms have space to accommodate a wheelchair navigated by a caregiver.
Because we reserved rooms in bulk, we have secured a room rate that is substantially lower than similar hotels along the beach during the summer months. Room reservations for individuals not also registered for the RettAway will be canceled. If you are interested in booking additional nights outside the room block, please contact the hotel directly.
There are additional hotels and vacation rentals in the area, especially a few miles inland.
IRSF ‘s block of rooms at the Springhill Suites San Diego Carlsbad is sold out.
There are additional hotels and vacation rentals in the area of Oceanside, Carlsbad, and San Diego, especially a few miles inland. You can click here to start a Google search to view available hotels or search a service like Airbnb or Vrbo to find vacation rental options.
Other Things to Do
More information coming soon!
Connect & Stay Up-To-Date
Once you register, please join our official Facebook group to stay up-to-date on weekend plans and connect with other families! CLICK HERE to join!
Contact us
Still have questions?
We’d love to speak with you to learn more about your needs or further questions about the event!
Stay up to date for your loved one.
Join our community to stay informed about the next RettAway and other opportunities designed to support and empower your family.