Visitors are now able to access Esalen as well as other businesses and trails in northern Big Sur via twice-daily convoys on Highway 1 operated by Caltrans.
Convoys run only at 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. each day. These are the only opportunities to travel into and out of Big Sur, so visitors must plan accordingly.
Esalen is a world-renowned holistic learning retreat center located at the cliffs edge in Big Sur, CA. The remote natural setting invites guests and faculty to explore and realize their human potential through experience, education, and research.
Esalen is a creative laboratory, an incubator of human potential, asking the daring and curious questions that traditional universities and religious institutions can’t or won’t.
Esalen is a nonprofit that offers weekend and weeklong workshops designed to facilitate self-exploration, personal growth, and healing in a group setting.
At this time Esalen has paused further review of workshop proposals as our 2025 calendar is nearing completion. We will update this page when we are ready to build out the 2026 calendar and review proposals once more.
Please carefully review the criteria for holding a workshop at Esalen. If you do meet these standards, please submit your workshop proposal. For all other teaching inquiries, such as open schedule teaching, conference hosting, or our teacher/artist in residence program, please email Teach@esalen.org.
Thank you for taking the time to review our current workshop criteria. We look forward to reviewing your proposal.
Submit a Workshop ProposalLaunched in 2020, the Teacher in Residence program is a new Esalen offering that welcomes educators and leaders across an array of experiences and perspectives. Example disciplines include yoga, meditation, creative expression, writing/journaling, sound healing, nature awakening, etc. Balanced with independent time to explore and create, teachers will spend 8-10 hours of time each week leading classes available to all guests and staff. While the program features a grounded blueprint, teachers are encouraged to bring their own unique approach.
The program residency is funded by Esalen. This includes access to the Esalen campus and facilities, private accommodation, and meals across the duration of one's time in the program. Program participants will also have the opportunity to have their work highlighted across Esalen's social media, online channels, and other communications.
We are currently reviewing applications for late 2021.
Philosophers, artists, theologians, writers, scientists, musicians, psychologists — they all help us expand our understanding of who we are, and Esalen has been informed and shaped by all of them. Early influential leaders include Ansel Adams, Timothy Leary, Gia-fu Feng, Virginia Satir, B.F. Skinner, and Buckminster Fuller. Past scholars-in-residence include Joseph Campbell, Alan Watts, and Stanislav Grof. Workshop instructors have included Susan Sontag, Ray Bradbury, Moshé Feldenkrais, Ken Kesey, and Aldous Huxley. An Esalen faculty list doubles as a list of some of the most transformative luminaries of the 20th century.
Hero photo: Angie Smith
Esalen Institute
55000 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
US: 1-831-667-3000
info@esalen.org