2014 Roadtrip: Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA

We made it to Esalen after 40 years of wanting to go (Esalen Institute, 55000 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920, tel. 888-837-2536). We chose a 2 day (3 night stay) for a couples massage workshop. The setting was exquisite, our accommodations in the Terrace Room of the house overlooking the cliffs and ocean were good enough, and the food was quite good, all served buffet style.

Our Terrace Room at Esalen

The grounds are beautiful, with flower gardens galore.

Our patio at the Terrace Room at Esalen

The large, gassy lawn in front of the big house attracts people to sit, read, do exercise or yoga and to gaze at the cliffs and the sea.

Fabulous grounds at Esalen

The hot tubs hanging over the ocean were a perfect temperature with awesome views. 

We brought our own robes to wear to the hot tubs at Esalen. One of our fellow workshopers thought we looked so cute, she photographed us

And all the nakedness was a non-event. Quite extraordinary, really.

Esalen Hot Tubs

The workshop had 4 three-hour sessions with about 50 people learning. There were 2 leaders (Rob Wilks and Vicki Topp) and 3 assistants. They were so good; it was as if we were in the large room (Leonard) by ourselves--not with 50 other people in various degrees of nakedness. This was better than we imagined it might be; we learned news ways to communicate and achieve one-ness. The weekend, including everything: accommodations, workshop, food, baths cost $1850.

The property was just exquisite with the rocky, rugged coast and ocean to the west and the (then) green mountains of the Santa Lucia Mountains of the Coastal Range to the east. There were gardens with vegetables growing and flowers all blooming.

Audre in the gardens on the way back to our room from the hot tubs (in her robe that we brought)

The trees were Monterey Pine and Cypress, as well as eucalyptus and they were Tall. There was even a flowering magnolia.The spot is sensational and the atmosphere created there was very special. We met people who have worked there 35 years—choosing that environment over a wider world. We are very glad we went and learned and experienced.