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The Esalen Institute

The Esalen Institute
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Top-Rated Nearby Hotels
Distance in: mi km
Hotel USD* Distance Rating
Fernwood Resort $103 0.0 mi 0.0 km 3.5 of 5 stars
Glen Oaks Big Sur $144 0.0 mi 0.0 km 4 of 5 stars
Gorda Springs Resort N/A 0.0 mi 0.0 km 3 of 5 stars
Ventana Inn & Spa $827 0.0 mi 0.0 km 4.5 of 5 stars
Post Ranch Inn $1031 13.5 mi 21.7 km 4.5 of 5 stars
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Top-Rated Nearby Restaurants
Distance in: mi km
restaurant Distance Rating
Big SUR Roadhouse 0.0 mi 0.0 km 4 of 5 stars
Deetjen's Big Sur Inn Restaurant 0.0 mi 0.0 km 4.5 of 5 stars
The Volcano Grill & Mai Tai Bar 15.3 mi 24.6 km 4.5 of 5 stars
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Top-Rated Nearby Things to Do
Distance in: mi km
Thing To Do Distance Rating
Bixby Bridge 0.0 mi 0.0 km 4 of 5 stars
Pfeiffer Big State Beach 0.0 mi 0.0 km 4.5 of 5 stars
Point Lobos State Reserve 9.6 mi 15.5 km 5 of 5 stars
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Traveler Advice on The Esalen Institute

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  • Ask a question or view 15 posts on Big Sur from this week.
Professional Advice (12)
Title Source
“Esalen: Still mystical after all these years” Sacramento Bee
“Big Sur Without the Crowds” New York Times (free registration required)
“California Dreamin'” Concierge.com / Condé Nast Traveler
“Naked Ambition” TravelLady
“15 places to visit to see the real California” Los Angeles Times (free registration required)
“Big Sur - The 71 Miles Travel Guide” 71miles.com
“Yoga in the Morning, Cooking in the Afternoon” New York Times (free registration required)
“Big Sur, Small Budget” Washington Post (free registration required)
“To Sur, With Love” Washington Post (free registration required)
“Big Sur's wild coastline makes travelers one with the elements” Boston.com / Boston Globe
“Bend it Like Beckham - Yoga Retreats for Everyone” Gayot.com
“On the Road” VIA Magazine
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating: 5 of 5 stars
TripAdvisor Popularity Index: #2 of 12 attractions in Big Sur
Traveler Description: Located off of a winding stretch of Highway 1 in beautiful Big Sur, California, this grandmother of all human potential centers offers workshops and... more »
Know about The Esalen Institute? Share your expertise with other travelers. Add to this description now.
Attraction type: Spa, Educational site
Activities: Dining, Leisure education
Address: Highway 1 Big Sur, CA 93920-9616
Tel: 831-667-3005
Fax: 831-667-2724

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Reviews of The Esalen Institute

( 1-4 of 4 )
“Gorgeous and serene”
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5 of 5 stars
andrewchurchill
Los Angeles
Oct 21, 2006
7/7 found this review helpful

I'm not a particularly new-agey kind of person and you don't have to be to love Esalen. It's spectacular visually - the ocean, the immaculate lawns, the unbelievable massages right over looking the ocean and the garden. You immediately feel at home and at ease here. The food is pretty good, very healthy. The massages are unbelievable - it's the... more

“Give Peace a Chance”
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5 of 5 stars
Blendedarts
Sherman Oaks, CA
Apr 19, 2006
10/10 found this review helpful

My boyfriend and I spent five nights at Esalen in Room 14 in March of 2006. It was bliss and I cried when we had to leave. No TV, radio, newspapers, cell phone service and two computers with 80's style inop dial up internet. Being from L.A. one forgets about the billions of stars in the sky available at Esalen.... more

“Basic But Blissful Paradise”
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3 of 5 stars
Los Angeles traveler
Los Angeles
Jan 25, 2005
18/18 found this review helpful

We stayed here on a "personal retreat" in one of the standard room accomodations, which are basic motel type rooms with two double beds and a private deck. The rustic wood panel walls are thin so you may hear your neighbors. Bear in mind that this is a retreat center and not a resort (you have to make up your... more

“This must be Heaven !”
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5 of 5 stars
A TripAdvisor Member
Bakersfield, Cal.
Jun 21, 2004
16/16 found this review helpful

Part of me doesn't want to tell you about Esalen because I'd like it to remain a well kept secret ! (Even though many Europeans vacation there !) My sister and I (ages 56/62) spent 8 days in this beautiful and peaceful location ! Esalen is where you go when you want to escape the rat race and get in... more

Reviews of The Esalen Institute

( 1-4 of 4 )
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The Esalen Institute: Management Resources

The Esalen Institute Address

Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920-9616
Tel: 831-667-3005 Fax: 831-667-2724