Tassajara Announces January–March 2027 Winter Practice Period; Applications Due November 27

TASSAJARA HOT SPRINGS, Monterey County — October 29, 2026. The San Francisco Zen Center has opened information and applications for its 117th Tassajara Winter Practice Period, scheduled for January 6 through March 31, 2027. The application deadline is Friday, November 27, 2026. This is a new winter training period, separate from the fall 2026 program currently taking place.

Who can apply?

The three-month residential program at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center will be led by Ryushin Paul Haller. The Zen Center says applicants for the full program generally need to have completed at least one two-month residential practice period at the organization’s City Center or Green Gulch Farm, or comparable experience supported by a teacher’s recommendation. It also offers a limited first-month option for practitioners who have sat at least one traditional sesshin and have a recommendation from their Zen teacher.

What does it cost?

According to the official announcement, the full winter practice period costs $4,000, covering room, board and tuition. The one-month option costs $1,700. Payment is expected before arrival unless an alternative is arranged with the monastery. The center explains that financial assistance can be available for qualifying priests in training. Availability or an acceptance decision cannot be inferred from a publicly listed program.

Are the hot springs open for casual visitors in January?

No. Tassajara’s winter practice period is a residential monastic program for approved applicants, not a hotel booking, general-public bathing ticket or drop-in day visit. The center’s separate guest-season schedule lists the next public retreat season from April 27 through September 5, 2027, subject to the center’s reservations and policies.

What about winter road conditions?

The center explicitly warns applicants that its remote access road can be affected by rain, slides, debris flows and erosion. Participants are expected to review the health-and-safety protocols and travel requirements. A listed program date does not mean a public road is guaranteed to be passable; check official access guidance close to travel.

Sources: San Francisco Zen Center — 2027 Winter Practice Period, requirements and application deadline; Tassajara annual operating schedule.

Editorial note: This article reports an upcoming 2027 program and application deadline. It is separate from our coverage of the fall 2026 closure to general visitors and does not claim that applications are automatically approved.

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