counts the cheapest realistic way in — scholarships and sliding scales included
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Land of Medicine Buddha — Soquel, CA
$650–1,575 · + dana
Price by room type: single tent platform $650 up to single room $1,575; payment plans available.
A retreat weaving dharma talks, meditation, and silence with movement, art, writing, and sound work, inviting participants to reconnect with themselves amid the redwood forest at Land of Medicine Buddha.
verified Aug 31, 2026
Land of Medicine Buddha — Soquel, CA
$785–1,575 · + dana · scholarships
Commuter $785 up to single room $1,575; separate discounted monastic rate $21-$280 for ordained sangha; financial assistance/scholarships available on application.
Seven-day retreat opening with a White Tara Long Life Empowerment, followed by teachings on Lama Tsong Khapa's Three Principal Paths—renunciation, bodhicitta, and wisdom realizing emptiness. Vegetarian meals included.
verified Aug 31, 2026
Tassajara Zen Mountain Center — Carmel Valley, CA
$1,700–4,000 · + dana
$4,000 for full 3-month period; $1,700 for first-month-only option (limited spots); both include room, board, tuition.
for experienced practitioners / has prereqs
90-day intensive Zen monastic training on the traditional Soto Zen schedule: zazen, kinhin, work practice, study. Remote wilderness monastery. Full period requires a prior residential practice period; 1-month option open to those with sesshin experience.
verified Sep 7, 2026
San Francisco Zen Center — San Francisco, CA
$3,089–5,604 · + dana · scholarships
Full Resident Standard $3,089 / Benefactor $3,861; Limited Schedule Standard $4,484 / Benefactor $5,604. Online/commuter option also available. General Support and BIPOC Support Funds available for financial assistance.
A 6-12 week residential practice period at City Center's urban Zen temple, combining daily zazen, work practice, and dharma study under the temple's full schedule. Application deadline September 4, 2026.
verified Aug 24, 2026
Vajrapani Institute — Boulder Creek, CA
$380–1,336 · + dana · scholarships
Tiered pricing by accommodation (commuting through private cabins); scholarships available, application deadline one month before retreat. Registration closes Sept 30, 2026.
for experienced practitioners / has prereqs
Highest Yoga Tantra initiation and commentary on Vajrayogini practice, described as effective for cutting through ignorance and cultivating wisdom, love, and compassion. Requires prior Highest Yoga Tantra empowerments plus Refuge vows and Bodhicitta intention.
verified Sep 7, 2026
full (waitlist open)
Insight Retreat Center — Scotts Valley, CA
free / by donation
refundable $100 deposit required to reserve space.
4-day residential insight/vipassana retreat at Insight Retreat Center.
verified Sep 7, 2026
full (waitlist open)
Hillside School — Berkeley, CA
$185–230 · + dana · scholarships · sliding scale
Sliding scale covers food/supplies only; teachings by donation. Scholarships via Open Dharma Foundation. Sold out; waitlist only.
Three-night silent retreat: sitting and walking meditation, three daily meals, evening dharma talk, exercise time, one individual meeting with Tucker. Noble Silence observed, no communication tech. Runs Friday 6pm through Monday 2pm; full attendance required.
verified Aug 31, 2026
Green Gulch Farm Zen Center — Muir Beach, CA
$1,208–3,019 · + dana · scholarships · sliding scale
Tiered pricing: Supported $1208, Member $2174, Standard $2415, Benefactor $3019. $30 non-refundable application fee. Financial aid via General Support and BIPOC Support Funds.
for experienced practitioners / has prereqs
Nine-week residential practice period: daily zazen, work practice, study, and one-on-one teacher meetings. Includes lectures, ceremonies, and formal meals. Prior Zen experience (all-day sit, sesshin, or guest student stay) recommended.
verified Aug 24, 2026
full (may have waitlist)
Insight Retreat Center — Scotts Valley, CA
free / by donation
refundable $200 deposit required to reserve space.
1-week residential insight/vipassana retreat at Insight Retreat Center.
verified Sep 7, 2026
Vajrapani Institute — Boulder Creek, CA
$720–2,200 · + dana · scholarships
Tiered pricing by accommodation (commuting through private cabins), includes 3 vegetarian meals daily; a $200 Zoom-only (non-residential) option also offered. Registration closes Oct 16, 2026.
Weeklong retreat exploring the Four Foundations of Mindfulness integrated with Mahayana compassion and Madhyamaka philosophy. Six daily sessions alternate breath meditation, guided placements, and open awareness, with periods of silence woven throughout; optional full silence available.
verified Sep 7, 2026
Land of Medicine Buddha — Soquel, CA
$1,050–1,450 · + dana · scholarships
Shared room $1,050, single room with private bath $1,450; scholarships offered for financial need.
Four-day residential retreat for care of body, mind, and heart, entering silence Thursday morning through Sunday lunch, with sitting and walking meditation, Vipassana and compassion practices, and gentle movement.
verified Aug 31, 2026
full (waitlist open)
Insight Retreat Center — Scotts Valley, CA
free / by donation
refundable $100 deposit required to reserve space.
for LGBTQIA+
4-day residential insight retreat for LGBTQIA+ practitioners in their 20s and 30s.
verified Sep 7, 2026
San Francisco Zen Center — San Francisco, CA
$300–410 · + dana
Benefactor $410, Standard $330, SFZC Member $300 (fees include meals; housing separate). Registration deadline October 30, 2026.
A three-day silent sesshin at City Center's urban Zen temple, following the traditional zazen schedule.
verified Aug 24, 2026
Vajrapani Institute — Boulder Creek, CA
$720–2,520 · + dana · scholarships
Tiered pricing by accommodation (commuting through private cabins); limited scholarships and payment plans available, deadline one month before retreat. Registration closes Nov 5, 2026.
Beginner-friendly introduction to meditation in the Santa Cruz Mountains redwoods. Learn concentration and analytical meditation, calm abiding, and the four close placements of mindfulness, with guided meditations, teachings, silence, and personal practice time. No experience required.
verified Sep 7, 2026
full (may have waitlist)
Insight Retreat Center — Scotts Valley, CA
free / by donation
refundable $200 deposit required to reserve space.
1-week residential insight/vipassana retreat at Insight Retreat Center.
verified Sep 7, 2026
San Francisco Zen Center — San Francisco, CA
$661–950 · + dana
Benefactor $950, Standard $735, Member $661; current SFZC residents attend free. Registration deadline November 13, 2026.
The traditional seven-day Rohatsu sesshin at City Center commemorating the Buddha's enlightenment, held at the temple's urban Zen center.
verified Aug 24, 2026
full (may have waitlist)
Insight Retreat Center — Scotts Valley, CA
free / by donation
refundable $200 deposit required to reserve space.
1-week residential insight/vipassana retreat at Insight Retreat Center.
verified Sep 7, 2026
Mount Madonna — Mount Madonna, CA
cost: check site
In-person winter retreat with Michael Taft at Mount Madonna. Registration listed as coming soon; no further details published yet.
verified Sep 7, 2026
full (waitlist open)
Insight Retreat Center — Scotts Valley, CA
free / by donation
refundable $200 deposit required to reserve space.
1-week residential loving-kindness (metta) retreat at Insight Retreat Center.
verified Sep 7, 2026
Green Gulch Farm Zen Center — Muir Beach, CA
$717–3,125 · + dana · scholarships · sliding scale
Fee varies by room type: Shared Student Room $717–$1791, Single Student Room $992–$2481, Shared Guest House $855–$2136, Single Guest House $1875–$3125. $30 non-refundable application fee. Financial aid via General and BIPOC Support Funds.
for experienced practitioners / has prereqs
Three-week residential intensive with zazen, work practice, Dharma talks, and study of Lojong compassion teachings, concluding with a five-day sesshin. Prior Zen experience recommended.
verified Aug 24, 2026
Tassajara Zen Mountain Center — Carmel Valley, CA
$1,700–4,000 · + dana
$4,000 for full 3-month period; $1,700 for first-month-only option (limited spots); both include room, board, tuition.
for experienced practitioners / has prereqs
90-day intensive Zen monastic training on the traditional Soto Zen schedule: zazen, kinhin, work practice, study. Remote wilderness monastery with no winter road access. Full period requires a prior residential practice period; 1-month option needs sesshin experience.
verified Sep 7, 2026
Insight Retreat Center — Scotts Valley, CA
free / by donation
refundable $100 deposit required to reserve space.
for LGBTQIA+
6-day residential insight retreat for LGBTQIA+ practitioners. Registration opens 2026-09-13.
verified Sep 7, 2026
Insight Retreat Center — Scotts Valley, CA
free / by donation
refundable $200 deposit required to reserve space.
1-week residential insight/vipassana retreat. Registration opens 2026-09-24.
verified Sep 7, 2026
Insight Retreat Center — Scotts Valley, CA
free / by donation
refundable $200 deposit required to reserve space.
1-week residential insight/vipassana retreat. Registration opens 2026-10-14.
verified Sep 7, 2026
Insight Retreat Center — Scotts Valley, CA
free / by donation
refundable $200 deposit required to reserve space.
1-week residential loving-kindness (metta) retreat; second teacher TBD. Registration opens 2026-10-28.
verified Sep 7, 2026
Insight Retreat Center — Scotts Valley, CA
free / by donation
refundable $200 deposit required to reserve space.
1-week residential insight/vipassana retreat. Registration opens 2026-11-14.
verified Sep 7, 2026
Insight Retreat Center — Scotts Valley, CA
free / by donation
refundable $200 deposit required to reserve space.
10-day residential awareness/wisdom insight retreat at Insight Retreat Center. Registration opens 2026-11-28.
verified Sep 7, 2026
Insight Retreat Center — Scotts Valley, CA
free / by donation
refundable $100 deposit required to reserve space.
6-day residential insight/vipassana retreat. Registration opens 2026-12-13.
verified Sep 7, 2026
Insight Retreat Center — Scotts Valley, CA
free / by donation
refundable $350 deposit required to reserve space.
for experienced practitioners / has prereqs
2-week residential insight retreat for experienced practitioners. Registration opens 2026-11-25.
verified Sep 7, 2026
Insight Retreat Center — Scotts Valley, CA
free / by donation
refundable $200 deposit required to reserve space.
1-week residential insight/vipassana retreat; second teacher TBD. Registration opens 2027-01-16.
verified Sep 7, 2026
Insight Retreat Center — Scotts Valley, CA
free / by donation
refundable $200 deposit required to reserve space.
1-week residential insight/vipassana retreat. Registration opens 2027-02-13.
verified Sep 7, 2026
Insight Retreat Center — Scotts Valley, CA
free / by donation
refundable $200 deposit required to reserve space.
1-week residential insight/vipassana retreat conducted in Spanish. Registration opens 2027-02-27.
verified Sep 7, 2026
Insight Retreat Center — Scotts Valley, CA
free / by donation
refundable $350 deposit required to reserve space.
for experienced practitioners / has prereqs
2-week residential insight retreat for experienced practitioners, focused on mindfulness of mind. Registration opens 2027-02-18.
verified Sep 7, 2026
Insight Retreat Center — Scotts Valley, CA
free / by donation
refundable $200 deposit required to reserve space.
1-week residential insight/vipassana retreat; second teacher TBD. Registration opens 2027-04-08.
verified Sep 7, 2026
Insight Retreat Center — Scotts Valley, CA
free / by donation
refundable $350 deposit required to reserve space.
for experienced practitioners / has prereqs
28-day residential insight retreat for experienced practitioners. Registration opens 2027-03-29.
verified Sep 7, 2026
Insight Retreat Center — Scotts Valley, CA
free / by donation
refundable $200 deposit required to reserve space.
1-week residential insight/vipassana retreat; second teacher TBD. Registration opens 2027-06-10.
verified Sep 7, 2026
Insight Retreat Center — Scotts Valley, CA
free / by donation
refundable $200 deposit required to reserve space.
1-week residential insight/vipassana retreat. Registration opens 2027-06-24.
verified Sep 7, 2026
Insight Retreat Center — Scotts Valley, CA
free / by donation
refundable $200 deposit required to reserve space.
1-week residential insight/vipassana retreat. Registration opens 2027-07-13.
verified Sep 7, 2026
Insight Retreat Center — Scotts Valley, CA
free / by donation
refundable $200 deposit required to reserve space.
1-week residential insight/vipassana retreat. Registration opens 2027-07-28.
verified Sep 7, 2026
Insight Retreat Center — Scotts Valley, CA
free / by donation
refundable $200 deposit required to reserve space.
1-week residential insight/vipassana retreat. Registration opens 2027-08-12.
verified Sep 7, 2026
Green Gulch Farm Zen Center — Muir Beach, CA
cost: check site
for experienced practitioners / has prereqs
Open-date residential stay living and practicing alongside residents: two daily meditation periods, services, work assignments (kitchen, cleaning, occasional farm work), and meals. Standard stay is two weeks (Wed–Wed); online application required.
verified Aug 24, 2026
San Francisco Zen Center — San Francisco, CA
cost: check site
for experienced practitioners / has prereqs
Stay 1-4 weeks at City Center joining the temple's daily meditation schedule, work practice, meals, and dharma study alongside resident practitioners. Arrival Mondays at 9:45am.
verified Aug 24, 2026
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