Esalen Frequently Asked Questions
Page 6: Miscellaneous Topics
- Preparations
- Contacting guests, staff, and residents
- Communications and Technology
- Children
- Food
- Other Amenities
- Hours
Preparations
What should I bring?
- Casual, layered clothing for 40-70 degree Fahrenheit weather (rain gear in Winter)
- comfortable shoes
- flashlight
- earplugs
- alarm clock
- note book and pen
Bedding, linens, and towels are provided to guests in single, standard, and bunk bed accommodations. Sleeping bag rooms are provided with towels only.
Information Phone Line
How do I call to get more information?
When placing a call to our information phone line at 831-667-3000, you may select from the following options:
- For general information, including directions, contact information, introduction to Esalen, and information to plan your visit, press 1;
- to make a reservation, press 2;
- to request a catalog, press 3;
- to leave a message for a guest, workscholar, or staff member, press 4;
- to workstudy program, press 5;
- to to conduct other business with Esalen, press 6;
- to access the Esalen directory, press 7;
- to repeat these options, press 8;
- press 0 or stay on the line to contact the front desk.
Contacting guests, staff, and residents
How do I get in touch with someone staying at Esalen?
Esalen guests do not have phones in their rooms. You may leave a short message for a guest, staff person, or resident on our information phone line at 831-667-3000. Messages are individually hand written by office staff and posted on the community message board, so please do not leave lengthy messages. We post messages several times throughout the day during office hours.
Communications and Technology
Do cell phones work at Esalen?
No. While some cellular phone service may function in parts of the Big Sur area, they do not work at Esalen or in the surrounding area.
What if I need to make a phone call?
We have several pay phones available on property. You can bring a calling card or purchase one in the Esalen bookstore.
Does Esalen provide Internet access?
Esalen provides limited Internet access through several Internet stations and free wireless Internet. Internet station use is very limited since others are often waiting to use the stations. Wireless Internet is also available in the lodge for free, except during meal times. Because of the limited seating capacity of the lodge, we ask that laptops not be used during meals. Esalen does not provide technical support or printing capabilities. Due to our remote location, Esalen cannot and does not guarantee that Internet service will be available.
Children
May I bring my child to Esalen with me?
Two full-paying adults housed in standard accommodations may have their children stay in the room with them. A meal charge of $20 per child per day ($10 for children under six years of age) will apply. Note: If you require child care at Esalen's Gazebo School Park, contact Gazebo at 831-667-3026 for information regarding their fees.
Food
What kind of food is available?
Esalen provides its guests with three meals a day prepared mainly with produce picked fresh daily from our organic farm and garden. Meat, dairy, vegetarian, vegan, and raw foods are served at every meal. Coffee, tea, milk, fruit, and a selection of breads and condiments are available throughout the day and most of the night. Our drinking water is exceptionally pure filtered spring water. A cash-only bar offering alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and candy is open during dinner. For meal times see the hours section of this document.
Other Amenities
What other products and services are available at Esalen?
Our bookstore sells phone cards, toiletries, and flashlights. We have no ATM and cannot act as a banking service. Please bring adequate funds for your stay. We do not sell cigarettes. For bookstore hours see the hours section of this document. You may also access our online bookstore.
Hours
General information:
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, & Sat: 9am-3:30pm, 6:30-8:30pm
- Friday and Sunday: 9am-8pm
Phone reservation line:
- Monday-Thursday 9am-7pm
- Friday-Sunday 9am-5pm
Best times to call for reservations:
- Mon, Tue, & Thu 4pm-7pm
- Saturday 9am-4pm
- Sunday 12pm-5pm
Rooms: you may arrive anytime after 2pm on the day for which you have reserved a room. Rooms are ready for occupancy at 4pm. Please let us know in advance if you will be arriving after 8pm. Check out is at 12pm.
Orientation: we hold an orientation group for first-time visitors at 7:45pm on Friday and Sunday.
Workshops: most workshops begin at 8:30pm on the first night of your stay. Meeting times vary.
The Bookstore is open 6:30pm-8pm daily.
Meals:
- Breakfast: 8:30am-9:45am
- Lunch: 12:30pm-1:45pm
- Dinner: 6pm-7:30pm
- Sunday brunch: 12:15pm-1:30pm
Main Office:
- Sun 9am-10am & 12pm-8pm
- Mon, Tue, Thu Sat 9am-3pm
- Wed 9am-12pm
- Fri 9am-8pm
Please note, Esalen is in the Pacific time zone.