California Central West
(PRIVATE)
Esalen’s springs, are no longer open to the public, and are now only available to registered guests and staff. Mudslides from storms destroyed the integrity and safety of the old baths. “THE BATHS ARE OPEN and they are magnificent! After four and a half years, several million dollars and a series of challenges that were almost insurmountable, the restoration of the Esalen baths on their original site at the source of the hot springs is complete.”
several outdoor hot baths, mostly modern wooden structures, some bathtubs, some under shelters. Fabulous coastal views.
clothing optional
fee $$$ (must sign up for classes or be a worker/employee of the facility, or a local.)
notes: It’s worth signing up for a workshops and paying for lodging just to enjoy the hot springs. See the website for the latest updates on construction and access to the general public (which is currently 1am-3am!). Please see Esalen’s website for details on the extensively renovated website.
address:Big Sur, CA 93920
how to get there: On Hwy 1, about 45 miles south of Monterey.
phone:
(info and seminar reservations) 831 667-3000; (1am-3am public access to hot springs, by reservation only 831-667-3047).
shelter: lodging, simple bungalows in a row for about $100/night. Also common rooms where one brings a sleeping bag.
food: wonderful tasty and health bolstering buffet for participants, made from the organic garden.
payment accepted: unknown
massage: yes, plus wide range of health and healing arts.
BUT better call ahead and check on the availability of this. Mostly these
services are only available for participants of the institute’s programs.
temperature: adjustable
links: www.esalen.org
http://www.esalen.org/place/hot_springs.shtml
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8/05/2003- The Esalen web site says the temporary baths are being removed. The new baths are operational. See: http://www.esalen.org/place/hot_springs.shtml “THE BATHS ARE OPEN and they are magnificent! After four and a half years, several million dollars and a series of challenges that were almost insurmountable, the restoration of the Esalen baths on their original site at the source of the hot springs is complete.”
Brian Phelps, Livermore, CA, USA
REVIEW 10/97:
(NOTE ESALEN’S HOT SPRINGS ARE CURRENTLY OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC 1am-3am, by appt and $20 credit card payment only. No massage services available during that time. The stone pools and fascilities described in this review have been extensively renovated.
What an odd yet fabulous experience! It’s worth the inconvenience. Week ahead reservations are a must during the busier warm seasons. Then you must wait in the dark parking lot beside HWY 1 till the attendant show’s up at 1am to guide everyone down the convoluted dark path to the hot springs.
The night I went it was a full moon. A few dark cars gathered in the swirling mist. It was an odd feeling sitting silently in the dark at 1am with a bunch of strangers. All expectant … the uninitiated wondering when we should get out of our cars and worrying if the guide would miss us. I thought that we must look like a drug deal about to go down.
Suddenly, a flashlight appears out of the mist. Silently, slowly, we gather our towels and water bottles and shuffle down to meet the light. The cool moist air is filled with an indescribably glorious aroma. What is that? A heady mix of eucalyptus, mint, rosemary, bay, sage and who know’s what else?! We breathe deeply… I think, this is special, I’m glad I came. After a formal inspection of ID’s and brief orientation and payment ($10), we continue down through famous Esalen grounds to the springs…
Clean, nice looking wooden structure, convenient co-ed locker rooms & showers.The lighting is soft and warm. Strip and shower and amble to the pool of your choice. Most walked past the orderly array of prefabbed baths and massage tables (the latter getting afternoon sun) to the last two stone lined pools open to the stars. These have the best views of the ocean. From the right spot, one can peer over the edge at the crashing waves and admire the beautiful coastline, and perhaps have a fat racoon stir up some sweetly pungent mint as he ambles by. The time goes too fast.