Esalen Hot Springs
- Source temp
- 122°F
- Soakable
- Yes
- Permit
- Required
The source runs about 122°F at Esalen Hot Springs, a resort hot spring in Monterey County, California, on private land (Esalen Institute).
Closures and warnings
Northern Big Sur access may depend on Caltrans Highway 1 convoys at 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. only; plan entry and exit before booking. As of September 30, 2026.
Soaking
| Development | Resort |
|---|---|
| Source temperature | 122°F |
| Pools | 4 |
| Soakable | Yes Hot springs available to workshop guests, Self-Guided Exploration stays, and Healing Arts Day Pass visitors with advance reservations. |
| Soaking allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Water type | Spring |
Access
| Road note | When Caltrans Highway 1 convoys operate in northern Big Sur, convoys run only at 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. daily for travel to and from Esalen. |
|---|---|
| Parking | Reserved visitors are met at the campus gate on Highway 1 (55000 Highway 1, Big Sur). |
| Fee | Healing Arts Day Pass starts at $380 (includes service, meals, and hot springs access); workshop guests book separately |
| Hours | Healing Arts Day Pass access 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (advance reservation required; no walk-ins) |
| Reservation or permit | Required |
| Reservation window | Healing arts sessions and day passes often require booking at least three weeks ahead. |
| Managed by | private (Esalen Institute) |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Esalen Hot Springs open?
Northern Big Sur access may depend on Caltrans Highway 1 convoys at 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. only; plan entry and exit before booking. As of September 30, 2026. Hours: Healing Arts Day Pass access 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (advance reservation required; no walk-ins).
How hot is Esalen Hot Springs?
The spring's source runs about 122°F. There are 4 pools.
Can you soak at Esalen Hot Springs?
Yes, swimming is allowed at Esalen Hot Springs.
How do you get to Esalen Hot Springs?
When Caltrans Highway 1 convoys operate in northern Big Sur, convoys run only at 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. daily for travel to and from Esalen. Parking: Reserved visitors are met at the campus gate on Highway 1 (55000 Highway 1, Big Sur).
Do you need a reservation for Esalen Hot Springs?
Yes. A reservation or permit is required: Healing arts sessions and day passes often require booking at least three weeks ahead.
Is Esalen Hot Springs free?
The fee is Healing Arts Day Pass starts at $380 (includes service, meals, and hot springs access); workshop guests book separately.
Photos
Nearby
Camping nearby
Public land
Just outside: California Coastal National Monument (under 0.1 mi) , John Little State Natural Reserve (0.1 mi) , Los Padres National Forest (0.3 mi) , Ventana Wilderness (0.3 mi) .
Sources
4
- https://www.esalen.org/visit (accessed September 30, 2026; backs manager, access.permitRequired, access.roadNote / hazardNote, access.parking)
- https://www.esalen.org/visit/massage (accessed September 30, 2026; backs hotSpring.development, access.hours, access.fee, swimmerNotes.swimmingAllowed, hotSpring.soakableReason, access.reservationWindow)
- http://esalen.org/page/planning-your-visit (accessed September 28, 2026; backs hotSpring.poolCount, hotSpring.soakable)
- https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.981233 (accessed September 28, 2026; backs hotSpring.sourceTempF)
More: California hot springs