Event Info

Room keys will be available for pick up anytime on Sunday, October 16th after 2:30pm. We encourage you to arrive on Sunday before 4:00pm in order to get checked in to your room and explore the property.  We have a welcome reception planned for 5:00-6:00pm and then dinner from 6:00-7:45pm.  

Room keys, schedules, and maps will be distributed at the Main Gate or at the office (depending on the time of your arrival) when you initially pull up in the car. You’ll need to give your name and you might be asked for ID, so be prepared. You’ll then find your room and park to unload.  Check in for the Symposium will happen outside the main lodge/dining area, and the welcome social will be from 5:00-6:00pm on Sunday nearby.  

What time should I depart by?

Participants (not staff) may leave anytime after dinner and programming have finished at 9:00pm Wednesday night (October 19th) but are invited to stay for wine & evening events on Wednesday and breakfast on Thursday morning. The staff will be meeting on Thursday afternoon and evening. You are welcome to enjoy the property while we are meeting, but please don’t lure the staff from our task. We ask that you please check-out of your rooms by noon. If you would like to stay through the afternoon and through lunch to enjoy the grounds and a massage please let us know so we can plan for you to be in the lunch food numbers.

Burning Man Team/Staff/Board: Staff and board members are asked to stay through Friday, October 21st at noon. Rooms must be vacated by 10am so that Esalen Housing can begin to turn the beds over for the weekend guests, and all participants are asked to leave property after lunch, by 2pm on Friday.

Esalen is located along a scenic and relatively remote stretch of California’s central coast, approximately 12 miles south of Big Sur. The address is:

Address:
Esalen Institute
55000 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920
888-837-2536

Driving Directions:

Google Map Link with Driving Directions

Traveling by Air:

The closest airports are in Monterey and in the San Francisco Bay Area:

• Monterey Peninsula 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

Esalen offers shuttle van transportation to Esalen from all three airports on Fridays and Sundays. Van service schedules and pricing are available here.

Parking at Esalen

Please note that Esalen does not have adequate parking spaces for large vehicles on the campus. Large vehicles need to park on Highway 1 at the Esalen entrance.

Esalen is known for providing an atmosphere to care about your body as much as your mind. The majority of the food you will eat was grown on the property or within 20 or 30 miles. The hot pools will rejuvenate, and there are massages you can (for a cost) sign up for. Your name has been input into the Esalen reservation system so you’ll be able to sign up for bodywork with them should you want to in advance. There isn’t an extensive amount of free time so check the schedule to get an idea of what is available. Monday is the least desirable day to book a massage, due to our schedule and the content.

To book a massage call Esalen: 888-837-2536 

Whatever you need in order to be comfortable in an outdoorsy setting. The Esalen grounds are large, and there will be plenty of walking, so your sturdy, comfortable shoes are a good idea. With the main lodge now complete we will have our group meetings in Huxley upstairs, not Leonard Pavillion. Seating in the breakout rooms will be some chairs, but mostly pillows and backjacks.  Bring your own special pillows or seating devices if necessary. Along with comfy and/or fun clothes, you’ll want to bring anything you desire for your comfort and enjoyment, like:

• Water bottle
• Tea/coffee travel Thermos/mug
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Wind breaker/rain jacket or umbrella
• Headlamp
• Sunscreen
• Playful hat or clothing (don’t panic, costumes not required, just allowing those with a creative flair to bring it!)
• Christmas tree lights for outside room decor (optional)
• Swimsuit (Optional)
• Robe (Towels are provided)
• Mini travel bar (or find Stuart as he will have his)
• Sketchpad or paints
• Musical instruments for hanging out at the fire pit 

According to weather forecasting, the temps should be in the low 70’s early in the week with a chance of rain or drizzle. Overnight temps dip to around 57-54. However, we’ll be right on the coast, overlooking the Pacific ocean, which has the potential for anything from wind, fog, rain and hopefully that glorious sunshine! But, do count on cool nights, so remember your warm layers. 

Contact Burning Man: [email protected] for any questions you may have

When onsite look for Sayulita Storm, Lindsay Loeffler or Irina Lazar for assistance. You’ll meet one or all of them at check in!

Contact info for Esalen: by phone 831-667-3000 or email [email protected]