Retreats & Vacations

Item Description

Plan to step away from the busyness and pressures of your life in the summer of 2020. Find the rhythm of your own breath at Tassajara, San Francisco Zen Center's mountain retreat. Enjoy the renowned gourmet vegetarian food, bathe in the hot springs, cool off in the creek or swimming pool, meander along the trails, and just generally slow down, unwind and relax. The successful bidder for this item is invited to book a two-night, three-day stay for two during the 2020 summer guest season.

Before the turn of the 20th century, people began to make the arduous journey to “take the cure” in the natural hot springs of Tassajara Creek. Within a few years, plans for a resort had been presented, and soon stages were leaving the James Ranch on a regular basis to make the 14-mile journey over the 5,000 foot pass at Chew’s Ridge. Each stage was led by a fresh team of four horses and on the final, hair-raising descent into Tassajara required a twenty-foot pine tree chained to the rear axel to slow them down. Tassajara Springs Resort, as it became known, had a colorful history, enduring a major fire and several changes of ownership and eventually earning a reputation for fine dining.

The Japanese-style bathhouse is clothing-optional with gender-separated facilities. We welcome guests who identify as transgender and non-binary to use the side of the bathhouse that best matches their gender identity or that they feel safest in. The bathhouse includes communal showers, a private room with a bathtub and a shower, steam rooms, indoor and outdoor plunges, deck space for sunning, and creek access. 

San Francisco Zen Center (SFZC) was established in 1962 by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi. SFZC has three practice centers: City Center, in the vibrant heart of San Francisco; Green Gulch Farm, whose organic fields meet the ocean in Marin County; and Tassajara Zen Mountain Center—the first Soto Zen training monastery on the West coast—located in the Ventana Wilderness inland from Big Sur.

Item Special Note

All prices $USD

The Two-Night Stay is based on a double occupancy (two people). For the 2020 season, the rate to add a child (4-11) is $64 (Sun-Thu) and $74 (Fri-Sat), and the rate for an additional guest (12 and older) is $130.50 (Sun-Thu) and $158 (Fri-Sat).

There are a very limited number of cabins/rooms that are child-friendly, and we do recommend that guests first experience Tassajara before deciding whether to bring children. Because we strive to maintain the quiet and tranquil atmosphere at Tassajara, we may request that guests address their child's volume level. There is no childcare or designated children's play area, we require that children be supervised by someone in their party.

Cost of transportation not included.

Cost of item will be charged to credit card on file at end of auction.