Self-Guided Explorations Weekend of December 25-27, 2026

There is a rare kind of retreat that asks very little of you except to listen. Self-Guided Explorations at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, CA, is built for the seeker who wants to reconnect with their own dreams, desires, and interior landscape without a rigid schedule telling them where to be. Here, the invitation is to choose, or to choose not to choose.

Held on the Big Sur coastline, this in-person retreat is anchored by opening and closing circles with your cohort. Between them, the days are yours to shape. Musicians Sam Stern and Micha Merrick are part of the gathering, adding a musical presence to a weekend that honors self-discovery unfolding at its own pace. If you have been craving a reset that blends formal practice with unscheduled time, this retreat offers both.

The program carries forward Esalen's founding ethos, born in the 1960s as a center for human potential: the marriage of rigorous practice and radical freedom.

What to Expect

The retreat begins and ends with group circles, and the space in between is shaped by your own intuition and curiosity. Depending on what you need, you might:

- Deepen your yoga practice or join movement classes
- Explore breathwork and meditation
- Enjoy conscious dance
- Immerse yourself in creative writing and the creative arts
- Attend presentations by guest faculty
- Take a long soak under the stars
- Rest in solitude and quiet enjoyment of the land

Daily open classes are led by Teachers in Residence, whose offerings may include yoga and dance-based movement, journaling, and breath work, all designed to encourage joy and mindfulness. Some guests will fill their days; others will do much less, and both approaches are welcome.

Participants may leave with a renewed sense of vitality and well-being, whether that comes from awakening dormant passions, healing past wounds, or simply remembering the joy of being alive.

Healing arts sessions, including Esalen Massage and other holistic services, are available for an additional fee.

About the Lineup

Sam Stern is a musician taking part in this Self-Guided Explorations weekend. Music has long been a companion to contemplative practice, and his presence adds a sonic thread to the retreat's open, exploratory rhythm.

Micha Merrick is a musician also joining the weekend. Alongside Sam Stern, Micha contributes to the atmosphere of a retreat devoted to listening inward and moving at your own pace.

Venue & Logistics

The retreat takes place at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, CA. The program is offered as workshop plus stay on-site, workshop plus stay off-site, or an individual day pass. The on-site option includes housing accommodations, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, coffee, tea, and snacks, access to the hot springs and other campus features, and classes on the Open Schedule. Healing Arts sessions, specialty coffee and tea or bar purchases, and bookstore purchases are not included. Self-Guided Explorations guests have access to open classes but not to preregistered workshops.

Scholarships are available by application. Highway 1 access around Big Sur has been affected by road closures and travel advisories, so review Esalen's current travel advisory before planning your journey.