Esalen Institute is open! However, Highway 1 to the south is closed — please review the current travel advisory.
Learn More.

Learn more.

Due to road closures along Highway 1 to our north and south, Esalen is closed through April 11.
Esalen Institute is open! However, Highway 1 to the south is closed — please review the current travel advisory.

Esalen opens May 3, 2024

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.

Learn more.

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Esalen in the News

Press /Media Requests: Members of the press who require assistance, please email marketing@esalen.org. Kindly allow 1–2 weeks for a response.

Carmel Magazine
Carmel Magazine
December 2022

Inside Esalen: 60 Years of Exploring Human Potential

Journalist Dina Ruiz explores and reflects on the Institute's 60 years of growth, transformation, and healing through the pursuit of human potential.

Vogue
Vogue
May 2024

Global Spa Guide | Esalen: Big Sur, California

While Esalen isn’t a spa, Vogue Magazine has recognized the healing powers of our hot springs, healing arts services, and transformational programming in its spa guide — a compendium of the 100 best spas worldwide.

Audible
Audible
November 2023

Maejor Unpacks Sound, Psychedelics, and Wellness in New Podcast Series

Post '60s Psychedelics Renaissance: Stan Grof developed the consciousness-altering practice of Holotropic Breathwork while living at Esalen. Stacia Butterfield, a Grof student-turned-Esalen faculty, led an unprecedented experience.

The Bay Area Reporter
The Bay Area Reporter
May 2023

Queer African-centric retreat coming to Big Sur

Marques Redd, PhD and Mikael Owunna return to Esalen for a workshop focused on African cosmological traditions using imagery, movement, writing, and rituals to help participants transcend personal blocks and move forward.

Business Insider
Business Insider
April 2023

Esalen Instructor Talks About Why Silicon Valley Comes There

Justin Michael Williams on how his workshops help people expand their human potential, which can help increase their productivity and improve their performance.

Integral Life – Deep Transformation Podcast
Integral Life – Deep Transformation Podcast
February 2023

The Human Potential Movement: Then and Now (with Michael Murphy)

Esalen co-founder Michael Murphy speaks about the birthplace of the human potential movement, transformational practices, and Soviet-American Citizen Diplomacy with Roger Walsh and John Dupuy of the DEEP Transformation podcast.

Atlas Obscura
Atlas Obscura
December 2015

How a Famed New Age Retreat Center Helped End the Cold War

Discover how “dreamers in hot tubs” organized the first Soviet-American “space bridge” — the 1980s version of video chat — and brought astronauts, writers, and politicians together to “thaw out” then-frozen international relations.

V Magazine
V Magazine
February 2024

Catching Up With Professor Kesha

Pop music’s most unpredictable player chats about the Esalen community, becoming an artist in residence, and The Alchemy of Pop Music, the songwriting course she led during her two-and-a-half-week stint on campus.

Freakonomics Radio
Freakonomics Radio
February 2024

Mr. Feynman Takes a Trip — But Doesn’t Fall

Voices of Esalen’s Sam Stern and Stephen Dubner discuss the noted genius and theoretical physicist’s time at the Institute and his 1984 “Tiny Machines” lecture.

Food Drink Life
April 2025

No-phone zones are on the rise — Americans are finally paying attention

Places of Healing
December 2024

Exploring Healing and Connection: Attending an Esalen Massage Workshop at the Esalen Institute

Discovery Channel
December 2018

California: Innovation Nation, Episode 2

KTLA
August 2023

Travel Tuesday: Travel for the Soul

Daily Beast
May 2015

Inside Don Draper’s Big Sur Nirvana: The Esalen Institute

Today
January 2020

Meet 2 sisters on a mission to beat burnout

Scientific American
December 2019

Can Mysticism Help Us Solve the Mind-Body Problem?

Marin Magazine
July 2014

Michael Murphy

Golfweek
November 2022

Deep thoughts with Michael Murphy: On the 50th anniversary of 'Golf in the Kingdom'

TANK Magazine
August 2020

The Invention of Wellness

Houston Chronicle
September 2019

The Rice professor who saw cosmic consciousness

Carmel Magazine
December 2015

Transformation at the Pacific's Edge (pdf)

The New York Times
December 2017

Where Silicon Valley Is Going to Get in Touch With Its Soul

Allure
February 2018

Losing Clothes, Finding Zen

The Wall Street Journal
November 2024

I Was Feeling Hopeless About Love. Then I Went on a Singles Retreat

Document Journal
November 2024

What if the artistic impulse is wisdom from the future?

Edible Monterey Bay
September 2024

Found Treasure: Esalen’s Kitchen (and the Big Sur Fashion Show)

Lookout Santa Cruz
July 2022

My Esalen experience: Big Sur’s ‘one-of-a-kind, you-gotta-be-kidding-me, is-this-a-dream?’ kinda day

GOLF
October 2019

Into the mystic: Golf in the Kingdom’s magical power still inspires, as does its visionary author

San Francisco Chronicle
September 2019

What’s next for the Esalen Institute?

The Mercury News
July 2017

Esalen’s survival story: A tale of transformation

San Francisco Chronicle
November 2016

Esalen refreshed for another new age

Skoll
April 2016

Wellbeing Project Reveals Changemakers’ Need for Personal Support

Institute for Cultural Evolution
October 2014

Reflections on Esalen’s 2014 Conclave on Political Polarization

Huffington Post
June 2014

Moving Conflict Beyond Words

MASSAGE Magazine
April 2011

A Happy Song: Esalen Massage

US News & World Report
June 1992

Human Potential Hits 30 (pdf)

International Herald Tribune
May 1990

Playing by Ear: Upper West Side to Esalen

Los Angeles Times Magazine
December 1987

Esalen at 25 (pdf)

The New York Times
December 1985

Esalen Wrestles With a Staid Present

The New Yorker
January 1976

Profiles New Paradigms: Michael Murphy (pdf)

LIFE Magazine
July 1968

Inhibitions Thrown: A new movement to unlock the potential of what people could be — but aren't (pdf)

The New York Times Magazine
December 1967

A Trip to Esalen Institute — Joy Is the Prize

Psychology Today
December 1967

Esalen: Where It's At (pdf)

Mentions

❯
Carmel Magazine

Inside Esalen: 60 Years of Exploring Human Potential

December 2022

Journalist Dina Ruiz explores and reflects on the Institute's 60 years of growth, transformation, and healing through the pursuit of human potential.

Vogue

Global Spa Guide | Esalen: Big Sur, California

May 2024

While Esalen isn’t a spa, Vogue Magazine has recognized the healing powers of our hot springs, healing arts services, and transformational programming in its spa guide — a compendium of the 100 best spas worldwide.

Audible

Maejor Unpacks Sound, Psychedelics, and Wellness in New Podcast Series

November 2023

Post '60s Psychedelics Renaissance: Stan Grof developed the consciousness-altering practice of Holotropic Breathwork while living at Esalen. Stacia Butterfield, a Grof student-turned-Esalen faculty, led an unprecedented experience.

The Bay Area Reporter

Queer African-centric retreat coming to Big Sur

May 2023

Marques Redd, PhD and Mikael Owunna return to Esalen for a workshop focused on African cosmological traditions using imagery, movement, writing, and rituals to help participants transcend personal blocks and move forward.

Business Insider

Esalen Instructor Talks About Why Silicon Valley Comes There

April 2023

Justin Michael Williams on how his workshops help people expand their human potential, which can help increase their productivity and improve their performance.

Integral Life – Deep Transformation Podcast

The Human Potential Movement: Then and Now (with Michael Murphy)

February 2023

Esalen co-founder Michael Murphy speaks about the birthplace of the human potential movement, transformational practices, and Soviet-American Citizen Diplomacy with Roger Walsh and John Dupuy of the DEEP Transformation podcast.

Atlas Obscura

How a Famed New Age Retreat Center Helped End the Cold War

December 2015

Discover how “dreamers in hot tubs” organized the first Soviet-American “space bridge” — the 1980s version of video chat — and brought astronauts, writers, and politicians together to “thaw out” then-frozen international relations.

V Magazine

Catching Up With Professor Kesha

February 2024

Pop music’s most unpredictable player chats about the Esalen community, becoming an artist in residence, and The Alchemy of Pop Music, the songwriting course she led during her two-and-a-half-week stint on campus.

Freakonomics Radio

Mr. Feynman Takes a Trip — But Doesn’t Fall

February 2024

Voices of Esalen’s Sam Stern and Stephen Dubner discuss the noted genius and theoretical physicist’s time at the Institute and his 1984 “Tiny Machines” lecture.

Press Releases

❯
May 13, 2020
Esalen Institute Sets Goal of Re-opening in July after COVID-19 Quarantine Lifts
May 17, 2019
Esalen to Host 9th Annual Blue Mind Summit
April 12, 2019
Annabel Teal Appointed to Esalen Board of Trustees
January 26, 2017
William Donius, Author of "Thought Revolution", Named to Esalen Institute Board of Trustees
October 17, 2016
Ken and Maddy Dychtwald Receive the 2016 Esalen Prize for Advancing Human Potential of Aging Population
February 19, 2016
Esalen Institute Elects Noted Scholar and Author Jeffrey Kripal Chairman of its Board of Trustees
May 19, 2015
Esalen Appoints Silicon Valley Entrepreneur Ben Tauber to Board of Trustees
March 12, 2015
Esalen to Celebrate Lodge Renovation & Campus Renewal Project on Saturday, March 14th with Groundbreaking Ceremony
September 24, 2014
Press Release: Esalen Tackles Political Polarization and Gridlock
August 19, 2013
Esalen Selects Arkin-Tilt Architects to Renovate Lodge
Esalen in the News

2023

Harper's BAZAAR | December 2023
‍The 67 Best Gifts for Couples to Enjoy Together
W Magazine | November 2023
‍Dermalogica Founder Jane Wurwand Invented Hype-Free Skincare
eurweb.com | November 2023
‍Maejor Unpacks Sound, Psychedelics, and Wellness in New Podcast Series
KTLA | August 2023
‍Travel Tuesday: Travel for the Soul
dezeen | July 2023
Thermal celebrates "vast experience and rich heritage" of bathing culture
Local Getaways | June 2023
Best Spa and Wellness Hotels on the Monterey Peninsula
Women's Health Magazine | June 2023
The 2023 Women’s Health Travel Awards Are Here
Knowledge and Science Bulletin Board System | May 2023
Unlock Your Potential with These Top-Rated Personal Growth Retreats Near Me
The New York Times | May 2023
Want to Fix Your Mind? Let Your Body Talk
The Bay Area Reporter | May 2023
Queer African-centric retreat coming to Big Sur
Business Insider | April 2023
Esalen Instructor Talks About Why Silicon Valley Comes There
Observer | March 2023
The Best Hotels in Big Sur
Integral Life – Deep Transformation Podcast | February 2023
Michael Murphy: The Human Potential Movement Then and Now
Fathom | February 2023
Love Yourself, Treat Yourself: 8 Retreats For Solo Travelers
Pin Adventures | February 2023
Big Sur Village, California: A Traveler’s Guide
Walnut Creek Magazine | January 2023
California's Healing Hot Springs
Time Out | January 2023
Relax and unwind at the best yoga retreats in the U.S.

2022

Carmel Magazine | December 2022
Inside Esalen: 60 Years of Exploring Human Potential
Trip Advisor | December 2022
9 places to escape the crowds on New Year's Eve
USA Today Golfweek | November 2022
Deep thoughts with Michael Murphy: On the 50th anniversary of 'Golf in the Kingdom'
Gotham | September 2022
7 Luxury Wellness Resorts To Help You Relax, Reconnect And Recuperate
Lookout Santa Cruz | July 2022
‍My Esalen experience: Big Sur’s ‘one-of-a-kind, you-gotta-be-kidding-me, is-this-a-dream?’ kinda day
goop | June 2022
‍How to Pack for  the Great Outdoors
Global Viewpoint
‍10 Best Retreat Centers in 2022: Where to Host + Attend a Retreat
Trips to Discover
The 20 Best Wellness Retreats in California, Based on Google Ratings
Barron's Penta
Great Escapes: A Road Trip Along California’s Rugged Coast in Big Sur


View web articles from 2021 and prior.

Browse article archives going back to the 1960's.

Press Releases

❯
May 13, 2020
Esalen Institute Sets Goal of Re-opening in July after COVID-19 Quarantine Lifts
May 17, 2019
Esalen to Host 9th Annual Blue Mind Summit
April 12, 2019
Annabel Teal Appointed to Esalen Board of Trustees
January 26, 2017
William Donius, Author of "Thought Revolution", Named to Esalen Institute Board of Trustees
October 17, 2016
Ken and Maddy Dychtwald Receive the 2016 Esalen Prize for Advancing Human Potential of Aging Population
February 19, 2016
Esalen Institute Elects Noted Scholar and Author Jeffrey Kripal Chairman of its Board of Trustees
May 19, 2015
Esalen Appoints Silicon Valley Entrepreneur Ben Tauber to Board of Trustees
March 12, 2015
Esalen to Celebrate Lodge Renovation & Campus Renewal Project on Saturday, March 14th with Groundbreaking Ceremony
September 24, 2014
Press Release: Esalen Tackles Political Polarization and Gridlock
August 19, 2013
Esalen Selects Arkin-Tilt Architects to Renovate Lodge

2022 Articles

Lookout Santa Cruz
‍My Esalen experience: Big Sur’s ‘one-of-a-kind, you-gotta-be-kidding-me, is-this-a-dream?’ kinda day
goop
‍How to Pack for  the Great Outdoors
Trips to Discover
The 20 Best Wellness Retreats in California, Based on Google Ratings
Barron's Penta
Great Escapes: A Road Trip Along California’s Rugged Coast in Big Sur

2021 Articles

AFAR
6 Solo Wellness Trips to Book in 2021
Los Angeles Times

2020 Articles

TANK Magazine
MultiBriefs Exclusive
KCRW
San Francisco Chronicle
Monterey Herald
Trips to Discover
AFAR
Outside Magazine
AFAR
Conde Nast Traveler
The Today Show


View web articles from 2019 and prior.

Browse article archives going back to the 1960's.

Press Releases
May 13, 2020
Esalen Institute Sets Goal of Re-opening in July after COVID-19 Quarantine Lifts
May 17, 2019
Esalen to Host 9th Annual Blue Mind Summit
April 12, 2019
Annabel Teal Appointed to Esalen Board of Trustees
January 26, 2017
William Donius, Author of "Thought Revolution", Named to Esalen Institute Board of Trustees
October 17, 2016
Ken and Maddy Dychtwald Receive the 2016 Esalen Prize for Advancing Human Potential of Aging Population
February 19, 2016
Esalen Institute Elects Noted Scholar and Author Jeffrey Kripal Chairman of its Board of Trustees
May 19, 2015
Esalen Appoints Silicon Valley Entrepreneur Ben Tauber to Board of Trustees
March 12, 2015
Esalen to Celebrate Lodge Renovation & Campus Renewal Project on Saturday, March 14th with Groundbreaking Ceremony
September 24, 2014
Press Release: Esalen Tackles Political Polarization and Gridlock
August 19, 2013
Esalen Selects Arkin-Tilt Architects to Renovate Lodge

Press/Media Requests

If you are a member of the press and require assistance, please contact us at marketing@esalen.org. Please allow at least one week for a response.

Copyright © 2024 Esalen Institute and Esalen Center for Theory & Research. All rights reserved. Esalen is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax-exempt organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. View our Tax ID#, 990, and additional information.

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