ANTI-TRAVEL GUIDE

The Magic of Big Sur

Our Anti-travel Guide isn’t about where you stop, but how you pause. For a Big Sur adventure that renews and restores, take the journey that stimulates the soul. Follow our itinerary—where natural wonders are your jumping off point for deep reflection and grounded presence. Where exploration is a state of being, and every moment holds the possibility of awakening.

Take the Scenic Route, Always

There is an inexplicable quality to Big Sur that inspires presence—requires it. When every turn reveals new beauty to behold, one blink and you could miss the extraordinary. White sand beaches, unruly turquoise waters, and the rugged coastline appeal for the presence of your mind, body, and spirit. Slow down and witness the grandeur of what lies right in front of you, without distraction or disruption.

Sunrise in Stillness

Take what you need. If it's rest, sleep in. If it's renewal, then wake up with the sun. Find a patch of sunlight dappling, and witness the sun as it rises through the trees. Feel the crisp air slowly warm, and tune in with your five senses. No screens—just stillness. Just you and Mother Nature.

Presence Practice: Breath Deep. Begin to notice the magic of your surroundings.

Rituals:
— What can you see? Name 5 special things that require unhurried attention to notice.
— What can you touch? Take this time to ground, finding 4 textures that don't occur in your daily life.
— What can you hear? Birdsong reduces stress and anxiety. Close your eyes and listen.
— What can you smell? Trees covered in moss. The damp forest floor. Salt on the air. Last night's fire.

Meditation in Motion

Time to go exploring. Take a hike down to the ocean and enjoy the sights along the way! Your challenge: don't check the clock. Remain here, in the present, where there are no deadlines or timeframes.

Presence Practice: As you explore, practice staying in the present moment, gently refocusing as your mind naturally wanders.

Rituals:
— What bodily sensations can you identify and acknowledge?
— Observe the rhythm of your breath.
— Notice the quirks and oddities of nature's growth.
— Steady your steps. Remember to take your time—there is no reason to rush.

Beach Breathwork

Nature knows nothing is wasted. The sea releases her waves, knowing she is still full. Taking your cues from the tides, use the ocean's pace to set a rhythm for your movement or breathwork practice.

Presence Practice: Tune into nature's rhythm. Allow your body to trust the timing.

Rituals:
— Inhale as the tide rises, exhale as it retreats.
— Imagine your movement as a current—strong, endless, and fluid.
— Stretch in tandem with the tide. Breathe in, expanding as the wave crashes. Breathe out, contracting as the wave retreats.

Forest Bathing

Retreat to the forest, and settle again into stillness. Traverse misty redwood trails and wonder at nature's endurance. Remember you are kin to the ancient tree, drawing strength deep from their roots. Attune to the elemental peace of your surroundings. The trees

Presence Practice: Visualize your roots grounding you.

Rituals:
— Journal gratitudes for your support system.
— Ask where you can root deeper to rise higher.
— Feel the ground beneath your feet and palms.
— Practice Tree Pose, rooting down in one foot. Allow yourself to sway as the branches and leaves in the wind.
— Feel the ground beneath your feet and palms.

Rest at Sunset

Find a restful posture as the sun dips below the horizon. Watch as it paints the sky a new color and pattern, unique to this moment, in this place just once.

Presence Practice: Give yourself permission to rest, with gratitude for the day—just as it was.

Rituals:
— Enjoy a wind-down ritual like a warm beverage.
— Honor the day's highs and release the day's lows.
— Turn off screens for the night to continue your practice of presence and enjoy peaceful rest.