We are located along a scenic and relatively remote stretch of California's central coast, approximately 12 miles south of Big Sur.
Please note that travel from the south of Esalen on Highway 1 is restricted due to the Mud Creek slide. Alternate driving directions are listed below.
Please call our Guest Services Office at 888-837-2536 if you have questions regarding your travel plans.
Shuttle to Esalen
Our closest airports are in Monterey and in the San Francisco Bay area:
- Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) – 47 miles, approximately 75 minutes
- San Jose International Airport (SJC) – 120 miles, approximately 2.5 hours
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO) – 150 miles, approximately 3 hours
We offer shuttle service to Esalen from all three airports on Fridays and Sundays. Learn more.
Driving to Esalen
If you choose to drive to Esalen, please check road conditions prior to departure.
From San Francisco or Points North
- Take US-101 S.
- At Prunedale, take Route 156 west to the Monterey Peninsula and Highway 1.
- Take CA-1 S approximately 45 miles, passing Monterey, Carmel, and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.
- Nepenthe, a popular restaurant located on the ocean side of Highway 1, is 11 miles north of Esalen.
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is 3 miles north of Esalen.
- Look for the Esalen Institute sign on the right side of the highway, at mile marker 32.4.
From Los Angeles or Points South
Please note that Highway 1 to the south of Esalen is closed due to a landslide at Mud Creek and is not expected to reopen until sometime in 2018.
- Drive on US-101 N OR I-5 N and take exit #278 to CA-46 West toward Paso Robles, and then take US-101 N.
- As you approach Salinas, take Abbott St towards Spreckels.
- In 3.79 miles, turn left onto E Blanco Rd.
- In 1.61 miles, turn left onto S Main St / CA-68 W.
- Stay on CA-68 W for about 18 miles, then stay straight to merge onto CA-1 S.
- Follow CA-1 S approximately 43 miles until you reach Esalen.
- Nepenthe, a popular restaurant located on the ocean side of Highway 1, is 11 miles north of Esalen.
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is 3 miles north of Esalen.
- Look for the Esalen Institute sign on the right side of the highway, at mile marker 32.4.
Rideshare/Carpool
If you are interested in sharing a ride with someone from your area, we can add you to a ride share list. We will attempt to match you with other people who are scheduled to arrive at Esalen on the same day and from a similar location. To be added to the ride share list or to inquire about possible carpool matches, please contact Guest Services at 888-837-2536 or email info@esalen.org.
Current Road Conditions
For traffic updates and other Caltrans projects in Monterey County, call (800) 427-ROAD (7623) within California and (916) 445-7623 from outside of California, or visit the Caltrans District 5 website.
Our Location
Esalen Institute is located at:
55000 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA, 93920
888-837-2536
