Welcome to Tesoro de Luz, the Treasure of Light! This unique property with it's spacious grounds and meticulously hand-crafted gathering spaces is a sanctuary for inner exploration and relaxation. We are happy to be able to share this beautiful land with you.
The retreat center is located on Vashon Island, which is just off the coast of Washington, not far from Seattle and is home to a small community of around 10,000 people. Although it is only a short trip from the city, because the island is only accessible by ferry it has retained the peaceful, slower pace and friendly atmosphere of a small, rural town.
On this page are many different details that will help you orient towards your trip to the island. The menu below has links to specific information that you might be interested in and you can also watch the video to see more of Tesoro de Luz. (abbreviated as TDL) So check it all out and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us at: robert@thebreathablebody.com or 206-567-4029.
On-site Accommodations:
We have a limited number of housing options on the property that will be given on a first come, first serve basis. These include:
The Treehouse: $125/night - $150/night ~ A one bedroom treehouse that can be reserved for one person at $125/night or shared at $150/night for two. In addition to the main bedroom there is a living room/kitchen area with a pull out bed. There are two bathrooms. Bathing is available in the main work building. Click here for photos and more info.
Private Bedroom: $100/night ~ Two private bedrooms are available with a shared bathroom. Only available during 6 day events.
Dorm: $50/night ~ Dorm style accommodations are available in the main meeting room with access to a bathroom, a sitting area, and limited kitchen use. We have room for two or three people staying in this building.
Camping: $35/night ~ Tents, comfortable air beds, bedding, and pillows will be provided upon request. Bathrooms available on the property.
Contact us at robert@thebreathablebody.com for more specific information about available options or to reserve a space.
Off-site Accommodations:
There are many Vacation Rental Homes, Airbnbs and other Bed and Breakfast options on the island. We can provide limited transportation to and from class if you are staying close by. If not, a car would be needed. There are buses that run all day and e-bikes are also available for rent. Check with us for ideas and locations. Vashon is a very popular place during the summer so it's best to reserve sooner than later. The Vashon Chamber of Commerce is also a useful resource to explore housing options.
Meal Information
We provide home cooked, organic meals that cater to all manner of dietary restrictions. The ease of having good food here greatly enhances the general nourishment of working and being on the property. The cost of the meals will be $50-$60 per day, which includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. As the main kitchen on the land is used for the preparation and delivery of the meals, it cannot accommodate individual cooking. Although each type of on-site housing has limited access to a kitchenette, there aren't facilities available to cook your own meals.
If you are staying off-site, your accommodations might have a kitchen for you to prepare your own food.
In terms of options to dine out, Vashon does not have many restaurants. Most of them are marked on the map and are close to the center of town, about 4 miles from TDL. May Kitchen Thai is a great restaurant and is open Wednesday-Sunday. The Hardware Store is another good restaurant and is open 7 days a week as is Sporty's. Most other places are closed on Monday and some on Tuesday as well. (trade-offs of being in a small town!)
Directions for Airport Arrivals
The closest airport is Seattle Tacoma International Airport. Once you arrive at the airport you will need to either take a bus or taxi to the Fauntleroy Ferry Dock in west Seattle.
From Airport to Ferry
By Taxi (My suggestion – take a taxi as it’s much easier.)
On the third floor of the airport you can get a taxi to the ferry dock. Click here for the directions from the airport to the ferry dock. You must be sure that your taxi driver knows how to go this route otherwise your trip will cost almost double.
Cost with trip: Around $40.
Approximate time: 20 minutes from airport to ferry dock
By Bus
To get to the ferry dock from the airport you have to take two buses, the 560 from the airport to west Seattle and change at the Westwood Village Shopping Center. Trip once you get on the bus is an hour and 5 minutes. Cost is $5.00 for adults and $1.75 for seniors. YOU MUST HAVE THE EXACT CHANGE.
Please send us your time of arrival at the airport and then call either Gael at 303.585.0183 or Robert at 206.567.4029 when the ferry starts moving and we will pick you up. Unless you come in during the middle of the day or after 8 pm we will meet you at the end of the ferry dock once you arrive. At other times we are allowed to drive on to the ferry dock and pick you up at the terminal building. TDL is a 5 minute drive from the ferry dock.
Ferry information - The cost for a walk on is $5.20 per adult and $2.60 for seniors. (65+) You can book your tickets online, buy them in the ferry building during the day, or at the ticket booth at odd hours. To see more information about the ferry schedule, click here.
Driving Directions: Driving to the Fauntleroy Ferry Dock
Driving from Seattle Airport to Fauntleroy Ferry - Take the Airport Expressway, WA-518 to the turn off for Seattle (State Highway 509 North). Exit at Cloverdale and take a left at the T. Stay to the right on to Olson Road and then Roxbury St. Stay on Roxbury until 35th Ave, take a right. Next light SW Barton Street take a left. Follow that road (it changes names to California Dr and Brace Pt Way but is essential Barton Street) all the way to Wildwood and take a right. Go through the stop sign and keep bearing right to the ferry dock.
Driving from south of Tacoma to Ferry - Take I-5 N to Blantz Blvd in Tacoma. Take exit 3 from WA-16. Take Pearl Street to Pt Defiance Ferry Dock. Take the ferry to Tahlequah Ferry Dock on Vashon.
Driving from Seattle or north of Seattle to Ferry - Take I-5 South to exit 163 west Seattle Bridge. Follow signs to Vashon Ferry and stay on Fauntleroy Rd as it curves left to the ferry dock.
Auto Travel Price: $17-$22 depending on time of year and size of car. There is no fee for the driver. Each additional passenger pays the walk on price below.
Walk on Price: $5.20 per adult, $2.60 for seniors (65+)
Driving from the Fauntleroy Ferry Dock on Vashon to TDL:
These are directions from the dock on the northern part of the island. Exit the ferry and follow the main highway approximately 2 miles to the John L. Scott Real Estate office. Veer to the right onto S.W. Cedarhurst and continue approximately 1/2 mile to the 2nd left, 107th Ave S.W. Follow 107th Ave S.W. up the hill and onto the gravel road. At the third speed bump take a right, this is 148th ST. Stay to the right and when you get to the two horse sculptures on your left you are at the driveway to the property. Drive up the driveway to the circular drive. Click here to see directions via google maps.
Driving from the Tahlequah Ferry Dock on Vashon to TDL:
These directions are from the dock on the southern part of the island. Exit the ferry and stay on Vashon Highway all the way through town (approximately 15 minutes). Stay on Vashon Highway until you come to two S Curves. At the second S curve, 140th Street take a left turn and stay on that road until you reach Cedarhurst Rd. Take a left on Cedarhurst and then take your next left turn at 107th Ave. Continue on 107th Ave/Way as it turns into an unpaved road. Once on the unpaved road, continue to the third speed bump (sign on the left says 148th Street) Take a right turn at the speed bump and stay to the right passed the Horse Statues and come up to the circle driveway at the end. Click here to see directions via google maps.
Departure Information
Returning to the Seattle Airport without a Car
Let Robert and Gael know when you will be leaving and they will give you a ride from TDL to the Fauntleroy Ferry Dock on the north part of the island. From there you will take the ferry to the West Seattle Ferry Dock and then you can call an affordable car service (206-495-3434, www.affordablecarservices.com) to take you to the airport.
Driving Directions from Fauntleroy Ferry Dock to Seattle Airport
Take a right turn at the end of the ferry dock and the first left on to Wildwood. Stay left through stop signs on to Barton. Take a right on to 35th Ave and then the first left on to Roxbury. Stay on Roxbury as it curves to the left and becomes Olson. You will see the turnoffs to the 509. One to Seattle the other to Des Moines or south on the right. This is the second entrance to the freeway. DO NOT GO TO SEATTLE.
Stay on the 509 until you see the signs for Seatac Airport. Exit there and take the first left straight into the airport and follow signs for rental return
Weather on the Island
It's best to bring layers of clothing to prepare for all kinds of weather while you are visiting and to check the forecast before you travel. You can click here for the local forecast. Remember that it is a rainforest and can be very rainy except for in July, August and September when the temperatures can rise into the 90’s. Generally the weather is pretty temperate.
More About Vashon Island
Most of the stores on Vashon are located about 4 miles from TDL. There is a limited variety of almost everything else on the island and also an abundance of galleries - it's a very creative place. There is also one movie theater, a community theater and lots of live music and performance. Click here to visit the Vashon Chamber of Commerce website and find out more about what the island has to offer.