Esalen in Big Sur: A Journey of Rest, Renewal, and Transformation

*Disclaimer: This blog post was written in 2011. The content is still relevant, and I have been back to Esalen many times since then. It is still one of the most delicious places on the planet. I usually do a 5 Rhythms workshop with Lucia, who grew up on the property, or her husband Douglas when I am there.

I have said it for many years: Lake Tahoe is heaven on earth. So when I refer to Big Sur, California, I had to come up with something that surpassed this sentiment because Big Sur is even more majestic and breathtaking. Where the mountains crumble to the sea (Led Zeppelin), Big Sur, California is…. yeah, I just can’t even put it into words. 

14 years ago I traveled from Los Angeles to San Francisco with a few girlfriends from college. To break up the route 1 coastal drive, we stayed overnight in Big Sur in a little cabin I found online. On our way up from LA, every twist and fenceless curve was a heart-stopping adventure. Once we arrived, we all knew we were someplace special. Some of our most well-known American literary contributions were written in or about this hidden sacred space. It is only until you walk amongst the redwoods and stare over the cliffs into the Pacific that you can comprehend the omnipotence of Big Sur. 

It wasn’t until 7 years later that I made it back to Big Sur, to one of the country's most renowned retreat centers, Esalen. Esalen offers continuing education programs, farming and gardening apprenticeships, ongoing residency programs, weekend workshops, personal retreats, and so much more. The clothing-optional hot springs are built into the side of the mountains, the fresh organic meals are prepared with fruits and vegetables grown on their grounds, and you are able to get what I will go on record as saying, the most amazing massage you will ever get in your entire life. 

Not only does Esalen have its own style of massage, but the experience itself is also truly memorable. Your massage is conducted on the same cliff as the hot springs, so you are literally hanging over the Pacific Ocean. My first time at Esalen, my masseuse was the angelic Sabina. Intuitive and nurturing, she lulled me into bliss along with the waves crashing below. My most recent trip, which was in December 2011, I had another spiritual experience with Silvia. In both cases, my visit to Esalen was a personal retreat, so I can’t speak too much to the workshops. I can, however, point out that some of the accommodations are very rustic – to the point where I only wanted to shower at the newly renovated bathrooms down at the hot spring tubs.  But the didgeridoo meditation and evening music program I attended are enough for me to vouch for authentic and enriching programs they have available.

You can go to www.esalen.org to read more about the other talented body workers and all the magic that awaits at Esalen.