Offering hiking & zen retreats, Tassajara was the first training monastery founded outside of Japan.
Hours not specified
What clients say about Tassajara Zen Mountain Center in Carmel Valley Village (CA)
A True Sanctuary: Nourishing Body and Soul at Tassajara
My recent visit to Tassajara Zen Mountain Center was nothing short of transformative. Tucked away deep in the Ventana Wilderness, this place emanates a truly special, positive spiritual vibe that you feel the moment you arrive. It's a palpable sense of peace that invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and simply be.
One of the most grounding parts of the day was participating in the morning rituals. Hearing the resonant Buddhist chant echo in the zendo, followed by the mindful practice of the Five Contemplations before breakfast, sets such a powerful tone of gratitude and awareness. It centers you and connects you immediately to the community and the essence of the place.
And the food! Every meal was a delight. You can truly taste the care and intention that goes into the preparation. The delicious, freshly made vegetarian cuisine is nourishing, flavorful, and clearly made with high-quality ingredients. It feels like fuel for both the body and the spirit.
A highlight is undoubtedly the bathhouse. Warmed by natural geothermal hot springs, the waters feel incredibly pure and possess a deeply healing effect. Soaking in the serene atmosphere, surrounded by the sounds of nature, melts away tension and leaves you feeling refreshed and restored on a fundamental level.
Being immersed in the raw beauty of the Ventana Wilderness, it's easy to understand why Tassajara feels so potent. Honestly, spending time there, soaking in the quiet practices, the nourishing food, and the healing waters, you might just start to believe that this remarkable place truly is the spiritual center of the Ventana Wilderness. It's a profound sanctuary for anyone seeking peace, reflection, and deep rejuvenation. Highly recommended.
I’ve been to Tassajara numerous times, with my most recent visit in August 2024. While pre-Covid visits always provided an out-of-this-world reset—complete with rejuvenating baths and delightful meals—this time felt different. The meals were heavily carb-centric, leaving me craving more wholesome options and fresh veggies.
Despite this, I believe Tassajara will bounce back and regain its former magic. I look forward to returning and experiencing the wonderful ambiance and restorative offerings that I’ve loved in the past!
One of the most magical, transformative places I've ever been. The nature, the quiet, the contemplative life guided by Zen rituals and wisdom - it's all amazing. Most important are the people living and working and studying there, practicing an ancient lineage for the benefit of all life.
It's less accessible to the public than it used to be but if you make some connections to the San Francisco Zen Center community you can find out how you can attend practice sessions and retreats there
Spectacular place, filled with beauty and spirit. The food is simple, wholesome and delicious, people are friendly and the practice is honest, clean following the steps of the founder Suzuki Roshi. I did the 1/2 service 1/2 guest combo, which was an ideal combination which allowed meeting the students and the guests. Highly recommended.
I love this place - it's FREE thanks to the generous donations of other donors. It allows me to focus on my practice and not things of the world like finances.
Remote, incredible people. If you're into Zen Buddhism, join them for meditation practice with rare precision and thorough traditional forms. If you're into hot springs and a great place to be in the wilderness, go during the "guest" season (spring/summer/beginning of fall months). Can't recommend it enough.
The mountains, the baths, the food and the Zen atmosphere create a world of its own. A treasure. Make sure to sit in the zendo and take a long hike. Your phone won't work there and when you return to civilization, you may never turn it on again.
This place in the Santa Lucia range is a Buddhist monastery and school for the six winter months. During the rest of the year they are open to guests as a way to raise funds. It is not easy to get to; I suggest taking the 4 wheel drive stage for the last 14 miles on dirt road.||||Here is what I found here: Friendly and helpful staff. Simple, yet clean and comfortable cabin with private toilet. Fresh, creative, gourmet, healthy vegetarian food served family style. The world's best bread. Great coffee and teas. Soothing hot mineral spring baths. Miles of hiking trails with beautiful vistas. Clear sky with more stars than I have ever seen. Peace and quiet beyond description. An ever flowing creek through the entire property. Opportunities for meditation and prayer in the zendo (but certainly not expected or required of guests). Other like-minded, friendly, and interesting guests.||||This place is off the grid so there is no cell service or wi-fi. They generate their own electricity by solar for minimal low wattage LED lighting. There are no electrical outlets. It is not for everyone, but offers a peaceful spiritual alternative.
Finally made it to Tassajara. Just a day visitor, but hope to return soon. The hour-plus drive one way on Tassajara Road over the mountains is spectacular, with scenic views and wildflowers, but it’s a rough, rutted road. We stayed in first gear much of the way, and stopped frequently to cool our brakes. The shuttle is only available for overnight guests, so it was our only way to visit. || Tassajara is a peaceful reward, well worth the bumpy road. We felt welcomed by the monks and guests in multiple ways. Lunch (an extra charge) was simple: black bean soup, cornbread, salad, and a selection of cold teas (hibiscus, ginger, chai, etc), served in a lovely room above the river. || Tassajara has a swimming pool, a few swimming holes in the river, and plenty of hiking trails, but the best part: the baths, separate for women’s and men’s. Clothing optional, with an indoor deep soaking pool, outdoor shallow soaking pool, natural steam room, and steps to the chilly, rocky river, where you can cool off. || Magical place, Tassajara.
I have stayed at the Zen Center twice as a student. Working with the Monks and other summer student practitioners to serve full paying guests of the retreat. Work is part of Zen practice. It is a practice of staying in the moment and also learning a job the way Tassajara workers achieve the task. It can be very humbling and there is much time to examine you reactions to life inside a monastery. An amazing award winning kitchen serves up delicious vegetarian food. Surrounded by nature and natural sulfur spring Japanese style baths complete the day of hard work. Your day off can be filled with hiking or relaxing by the pool.
A unique place of beauty & serenity. Tasty vegetarian meals, simple cabins, hot springs, stunning scenery, and kind people (both staff & guests). If you need time off the grid to recharge, stay a few days at Tassajara. Optional Zen Buddhist dharma talks, meditation from the Zen Buddhist priests, monks of the SF Zen Center. Take a 4-wheel drive on the unpaved, steep, winding road up to the center.
Tassajara nested in the Ventana Wilderness is a very special place. Not only it is the oldest Japanese Buddhist Zen monastery in the US, it has a very spiritual, calm flowing energy. You will find many regular guests return every summer to seek solace and comfort -in the morning/evening meditations, in the rolling trails and rumbling creeks, in the soothing natural hot baths, or in the delicious and nutritious meals. It’s a true gem in the wilderness.
One of the best places I've been to in all of my travels. Super relaxing yet exciting. The drive is totally worth it and it is stunning. Extremely eco-friendly. You can go visit even you don't practice Buddhism.
Definitely better to take the stage coach than wrestle the winding gravel road filled with pot holes from last winter's rains. The student practice offers rooms at a 5o% discount and all that is required is 3 hours of work each morning in either kitchen or housekeeping
It's a quiet place with cabins you can rent and other types of lodging. Toilets only in some cabins (or all maybe) but no door. Cabin is comfortable and clean. There is a hot spring fed spa room, mens and women's sides. If you need services, A/C, etc. etc. you may not understand this place. It may be a stretch for you but keep an open mind, talk to other guests during lunch or dinner, 1-2 nights is enough time to start appreciating it unless you're really enjoying the serenity of it all. It's got a few trails but can't go too far. Cars can make it but sometimes it depends on the time of year (and the car), summer shouldn't be a problem. Truck (4x4) is a better choice in the winter. Motorcycles best if dual sport or knobby's regardless of time of year, I would have a few scary moments on a street tire, dirt is too loose. The people studying are all very nice and observe some silent periods but the guests are there mostly to experience it. The food is just a step above awesome. I couldn't find one thing I didn't like and regret not buying the cookbook, buy the book. You can also donate a little by adding it to your bill. Call in advance for info since things like wildfires etc. can affect the area and air quality. Don't pack for a trip, try to get it down to a small carryon or travel bag. No cell, computer etc. C'mon people.
Words can not describe this beautiful hidden gem in the wilderness. You will find natural surroundings along with kind, thoughtful, loving people who keep the retreat center running day to day. The food presented at breakfast, lunch and dinner is not only delicious but truly a gift of beauty., If you seek peace and quiet along with an opportunity to find yourself f this is the place to visit.
Stayed here for a three day yoga/meditation retreat. This is a very spiritual place, with resident zen practitioners and guests living in an amazingly peaceful and beautiful setting. ||Morning and evening meditation, gourmet vegetarian food, and pleasant hikes and swimming. Also, a traditional Japanese bath house with amazing baths, and sauna. ||Fantastic place to return to your breath, relax, and gain perspective. ||A truly unique experience.
It has been a long time ( 10 years) since I have been here and this was a wonderful return visit with friends. We decided to take the stage from Jamesburg this time as in the past our cars have been beat up ( lost muffler - once a flat tire on Toyota truck).||It was convenient & worry free and worth the cost.||We were lucky enough to share the Stone Suite- a favorite location - sleeps 4 -6. It is cool a beautiful with a deck along the river- very restful at night!||Many improvements have been done- new paint, curtain & roofs on cabins. And electricity - although our room still had kerosene lanterns, which I love!!!||Dining room improved- new ceiling with lights & fans. ||Outdoor guest refrigerator - stored our white wine :)||The pool was clean & refreshing- bug nets over a few chairs & new bathroom with cold water shower at pool!||Food was excellent vegetarian as always- some meals better than others, but all carefully prepared & presented.||Mineral baths wonderful & clean. At night you felt so relaxed!||New was Iced Latte to drink along with usual tea. A real afternoon treat!||Tassajara has a special place in my heart and I hope to return next year.
Very remote setting, similar to hiking in Arroyo Secco. Very clean, but spartan rooms. No electricity; kerosene lanterns give a warm glow. Three delicious vegetarian meals a day. Baths are the real deal--reminds me so much of being in Japan!
Tassajara Zen Mountain Center (Zenshinji) is a Buddhist monastery located in the heart of the Ventana Wilderness, just inland from the Central Coast of California. Every fall and winter, Tassajara devotes itself to practicing the monastic forms passed down through the Soto Zen tradition. Every spring and summer, Tassajara's practice opens to include guests and becomes a hot springs resort.
The location is beautiful and peacefully remote. I haven't visited since the fire last summer but the last 14 miles of the trip there are by dirt road over a mountain and takes about an hour. No cell phone coverage, no internet cafe, no billboards. Instead you can wake up for zazen with the monks when the bell is rung each morning or soak in the Japanese style natural hot springs baths or visit the library with its wonderful collection of buddhist books.
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