Our Location

Our Location

Vajrapani Institute for Wisdom Culture is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains near Boulder Creek, CA at the end of a five-mile dirt road on the border of Castle Rock State Park. While secluded, we are relatively close to the San Jose and San Francisco airports.

 

If you are using a navigation system in your car or on your phone we recommend inputting the address of one of our local businesses, The Mountain Store at 125 Pool Drive in Boulder Creek CA 95006. Once your navigation system takes you there, you will drive less than a quarter of a mile on Pool Drive, turn left on Kings Creek Road, and follow Kings Creek Road for 5 miles. You should see occasional signs that let you know the distance left to travel and some prayer flags hanging over the road to let you know you are on the right path!

 

Please note this is our physical address and is not a mailing address. To reach us by mail, please contact us at PO Box 2130, Boulder Creek, CA 95006.

You can also download this PDF that provides detailed directions to our center.

Transportation Options

There are many public transit systems in the Bay Area. However, no public service is offered on the last five miles of the dirt road leading to Vajrapani Institute. You will need to arrange a car or taxi, or be prepared to walk the final length of the journey. See either of the options below for taxi information.

Taxi Services

The following taxi services offer transportation options from both San Jose and San Francisco. Uber can also be used.

 

Dave’s Cab: 831-818-4099

 

Ruben’s Airport Shuttle: 831-325-5836

 

 

Public Transportation

San Francisco

 

  1. From the airport take the Sam Trans #292 and get off at the Hillsdale Shopping Center. The Caltrain Station is across the street from the Shopping Center. http://www.samtrans.com/schedules.html
  2. Take the Southbound San Jose/Gilroy train from Hillsdale to San Jose Caltrain (also known as the ‘Diridon’ station). http://www.caltrain.com/timetable.html
  3. Take the Highway 17 Express bus (from ‘Diridon’ station) to the Scotts Valley (Caravallo) Transit Center.
    831 425-8600 (TTY 800-894-9908 FREE)
  4. Take the local bus (#35A) to Boulder Creek. Ask the driver if it goes to the Mountain Store. If not, ask if the driver can drop you off at Johnnie’s Super Market in Boulder Creek.
  5. No public service is offered on the last five miles of dirt road to get to us. You will need to pre-arrange a car or taxi, or be prepared to walk the final length of the journey.
    You may use a local taxi company such as Gary at SLV Taxis: 831-419-8636

 

San Jose

 

  1. From the airport catch #10 VTA bus to Santa Clara Train Station. http://www.vta.org/
  2. Take the Southbound San Jose/Gilroy train just 1 or 2 stops to San Jose Caltrain Station (also known as the ‘Diridon’ station.)
    http://www.caltrain.com/timetable.html
  3. Take the Highway 17 Express bus (from ‘Diridon’ station) to the Scotts Valley (Caravallo) Transit Center.
    831 425-8600 (TTY 800-894-9908 FREE)
  4. Take the local bus (#35A) to Boulder Creek. Ask the driver if it goes to the Mountain Store (ideal). If not, ask if the driver can drop you off at Johnnie’s Super Market in Boulder Creek.
  5. No public service is offered on the last five miles of dirt road to get to us. You will need to pre-arrange a car or taxi, or be prepared to walk the final length of the journey.
    You may use a local taxi company such as Gary at SLV Taxis: 831-419-8636

Upcoming Retreats

Exploring Buddhism

Geshe Tenzin Legtsok

June 16 - December 14, 2025
Exploring Buddhism is the newest foundational-level course co-developed by FPMT Education Services and senior FPMT teachers, including Geshe Tenzin Namdak, Geshe Tenzin Legtsok, and Venerable Joan Nicell. Geshe Tenzin Namdak and Geshe Tenzin Legtsok serve as the main contributors. The program has been revised from the original pilot offered at various FPMT centers.   It was conceived as a bridge between the FPMT Discovering Buddhism and the FPMT Basic Program. The EB program presents selected topics that provide a strong basis for more advanced study. The program is intended for students with a good understanding of basic Buddhism.    What…

July Vajrayogini Self Initiation

Venerable Angie Muir and Elaine Jackson

July 20, 2025
Vajrayogini Self-Initiation   When: Sunday, July 20, 2025 In Person and Online 10:00am - 3:00pm (PT) with a half-hour lunch break. Where: Venerable Angie Muir and Elaine Jackson will lead the Vajrayogini Self Initiation in person in the gompa or online via Zoom, feel free to make offerings on your personal altar.   Prerequisites: This practice is restricted to those who have completed a Vajrayogini approximation retreat with fire puja.     Who is Vajrayogini?  She is the ultimate flowering of the female energy that lies within all of us, a fully enlightened Buddha, the essence of totality- beyond duality,…

Our Blog

  • Spring has officially arrived and with it a sense of renewal, a spark of hope. Trees are leafing and blossoming. So many wildflowers dot the hillsides. Bees are buzzing and early morning birds chatter like townsfolk exclaiming the beauty of this valley.  Living a quiet......

Vajrapani Institute is affiliated with the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition www.FPMT.org