California Hot Springs - A Selfish Guide This is a summary of all 305 hot springs in California, from the viewpoint of my family living in W. Menlo Park, San Francisco Bay Area -- listed in order of travel time from home (but grouped by county). NOAA National Geophysical Data Center List, June 1980: http://members.peak.org/~skinncr/hotsprings/noaa_thermal_springs_list.pdf http://acme.com/jef/hotsprings/ (Interactive Map of NOAA List) http://davidwoolsey.com/mapping/hotsprings/mb/ca.html http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/hazard/geotherm.shtml (NOAA List accssible via NOAA) http://soak.net/ (Site with search engine) http://www.totalescape.com/active/leisure/hotspr/prim.html (California Hot Springs Guide) http://www.hotspringsenthusiast.com/California.asp (Another presentation of the NOAA National Geophysical Data Center list) http://studentreader.com/california-hot-springs/ (Useful guide) http://hotspringsoak.com/ 1915 notes: https://archive.org/details/springsofcalifor00wari/ or http://sfmuseum.org/animations/springs/files/basic-html/ or http://sfmuseum.org/animations/springs/ (This is book "Springs of California", by Gerald A. Waring, pub. 1915.) http://digitalrockhound.blogspot.com/2009/08/california-hot-springs.html https://books.google.com/books?id=H_9hCi1XilsC (Resorts of Lake County By Donna Hoberg, 2007) http://find.mapmuse.com/directory/hot-springs/ca http://www.volcanic-springs.com/ ftp://ftp.consrv.ca.gov/pub/oil/publications/TR15_pt2.pdf http://studentreader.com/northern-california-hot-springs/ https://books.google.com/books?id=0tF7-l903RYC (Touring California and Nevada Hot Springs by Matt C. Bischoff) https://hotspringslocator.com/california-hot-springs https://calihotsprings.com/ http://www.hotspringsdirectory.com/usa/ca/gps-usa-ca.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Hot_springs_of_California http://freehotsprings.com https://www.alltrails.com/lists/hot-springs--3312 https://deepcreekhotsprings.net/dchs/showhs.php?state=CA Book "Thermal Springs in the United States", by Norah Dowell Stearns, Harold Thornton Stearns, and Gerald Ashley Waring. Jan 1937. U.S. Government Printing Office. https://www.findinghotsprings.com/mag/california-hot-springs-map-must-visit-soak-spots https://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/0492/report.pdf Book "Thermal Springs of the United States and Other Countries of the World -- A Summary", by Geral A. Waring, revised by Reginald R. Blankenship and Ray Bentall, 1965 https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1968/0010/report.pdf USGS Report "Data for Springs in the Southern Coast, Transverse, and Peninsular Ranges of California", by C.F. Berkstresser, Jr., 1968 Book "Hot Springs and Hot Pools of the Southwest: Jayson Loam's Original Guide", by Marjorie Gersh-Young, 2011 https://www.marcofeng.com/usa/amazing-hot-springs-you-must-dip-in#California https://www.hostelworld.com/blog/hot-springs-in-california/ Book "Great Hot Springs of the West" by Bill Kaysing and Ruth Kaysing, 1990 (said to be somewhat inaccurate and outdated) ALAMEDA COUNTY Alameda Warm Springs 80°F/27°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 37.503005, -121.907230 End of Hidden Valley Terrace, Warm Springs District, southernmost Fremont, Alameda County, below Mission Peak. This is the eponymous warm springs of Warm Springs District, Fremont, in the former Rancho Agua Caliente. Dumbarton Bridge to I-880 south to Mission Blvd. east to the hills, right on Stanford Ave., right again on Hidden Valley Terrace, and it's on the right before the end. However, please be advised that Hidden Valley Terrace is a gated community, so you probably cannot even get onto the street fronting the historic warm springs. (Other possible approach are from the end of Raindance Road to the immediate south, or from Mission Peak Preserve to the immediate east, hiking westwards into the former 23-acre Hidden Valley Ranch (now a suburban housing development), but I would advise immense caution about private property, and doubt any reward merits the risk of confrontation with aggrieved owners.) The property was within Mexican land grant Rancho del Agua Caliente, granted to Fulgencio Higuera in 1839, who in 1850 sold it to entrepreneur Clemente Columbet, who established Warm Springs Hotel and Spa as a famous resort for San Franciscans, as the first hot springs resort on the West Coast, and also established a vineyard. Columbet's Warm Springs Hotel was destroyed by the 1868 Hayward earthquake, whereupon in 1869 he sold the resort and winery to Leland Stanford, Sr., who enlarged the winery and characteristically renamed it after himself. It was notable as the first winery to produce sparkling wines in California, and by 1876 was producing 100,000 gallons annually, making it the second most productive winery in the country. Stanford considered the area for his university, but his wife Jane preferred the San Francisco Peninsula. (His brother Josiah and family lived there and ran the property's businesses, retiring to Oakland in 1883.) The hotel deteriorated and was closed by damage from the 1906 earthquake. One adjoining hotel also on the resort grounds, A.A. Cohen Hotel, survived physically, but burned down in 1992. Frankel Enterprises then demolished all the ruins and built the existing 18 luxury houses on the historic ranch site. For its part, Leland Stanford Winery (1544 Stanford Avenue) was bought out by Weibel Champagne Vineyards in 1945, which closed the operation in 1996. All but one historic brick building has now been redeveloped into housing. There is a historical marker from the California State Park Commission, number 642 (on the north side of the road), in front of the sealed-up building. 1915 note: Four warm springs that issue on the hillside bordering the lowland at the southeast end of San Francisco Bay have given the small town of Warm Springs its name. They are situated about 2 miles northeast of the town, within the private grounds of Mr. Joseph W. Stanford. One of the springs rises in the lawn adjacent to Mr. Stanford’s residence. It has been enclosed to form a covered reservoir about 12 feet square, which furnishes part of the domestic supply and yields perhaps 5 gallons a minute. Two other springs rise beside a walk a few yards away, in open basins, from which there are flows of approximately 1 and 4 gallons. The larger of these two springs has a temperature of 86°F/30°C. The fourth spring is 200 yards southward, in a little swale on the southern side of a knoll. It yields perhaps 5 gallons a minute, of water 90°F/32°C in temperature, which is collected in a small covered reservoir and piped to the grounds for domestic and garden use. https://localwiki.org/fremont/Historic_Hot_Springs http://www.exerciseforthereader.org/misspeak/history/hidden.html http://www.exerciseforthereader.org/misspeak/history/cohen.html https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=100554 http://wikimapia.org/1691939/Leland-Stanford-Winery Season: year-round Cost: access is unknown Distance: 25.1 miles, 37 mins Crohare Spring Livermore, Alameda County 70°F/21°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 37.632, -121.76 South of town towards Wente Vineyards, Arroyo Road to Arroyo Del Valle Regional Trail, trail about 1/5 mile. Cost: free Distance: 38.2 miles, 52 mins SANTA CLARA COUNTY Mineral Springs 84°F/29°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 37.399457, -121.796865 Alum Rock Park, San Jose, Santa Clara County This was founded as California's first municipal park in 1872, and a hotel and European-style spa with baths and natatorium created near the springs feeding Penitencia Creek. Its hot spring (then issuing at 98°F/37°C) was discovered in 1896. A narrow-gauge railroad line from downtown San Jose was added by 1887, electrified in 1901, and operated until March 1911, when erosion made the line unsafe in the flooding of that year. It was rebuilt but then closed a second time permanently with the market crash of 1929. Only a few remnants of the historical structures remain. Access: US-101 to I-680 to Alum Rock Ave, to the park. Enter Alum Rock Park, park where Penetencia Creek Trail begins. Walk 1/10 mile along that trail. It will be to the left, where the creek is. https://sjtoday.6amcity.com/alum-rock-park-mineral-spring-history-san-jose-ca https://www.sanjoseca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/31881/636701151849370000 http://www.yelp.com/biz/alum-rock-park-san-jose?hrid=-QTXOtBLQK4rAI-cIW9EJw Season: year-round Cost: $6 park admission Distance: 32.6 miles, 44 mins Gilroy Yamato Hot Springs 13800 Gilroy Hot Springs Road, Gilroy, Santa Clara County OFF-LIMITS FOR NOW (except arranged tours) 106°F/41°C 37.10883, -121.47883 Needs long and detailed reconstruction, but it was once wonderful, and some day may be again. Just west of Henry W. Coe State Park. Gilroy Hot Springs Conservancy has been granted permission by California State Parks to restore the resort's 22 surviving structures and rebuild the historic hotel and clubhouse, and the volunteers are working towards that goal. Meanwhile, the Conservancy is offering 60-90 minute guided tours, typically on 3rd Saturdays, with reservations being required. 1915 note: Gilroy Hot Spring is situated on the side of Coyote Creek canyon, in the southeastern part of Santa Clara County. The spring, which has an observed temperature of 110°F/43°C and a flow of perhaps 15 gallons a minute, issues in a ravine on the western side of the canyon, 200 feet above Coyote Creek. The spring has been used as a resort since the seventies, and in 1908 a hotel, annex, and cottages provided rooms for about 125 guests. From a cemented and covered reservoir that has been excavated at the spring the water flows into two small plunge baths and is also piped to bathtubs. Besides its use for bathing, the water is much used for drinking and has been carbonated and bottled for a number of years by the soda works at Gilroy. http://hotwaterslaughter.com/hotspring/gilroy-yamato-hot-springs https://www.gilroyhotspringsconservancy.org/ http://gilroyyamatohotsprings.org/ https://www.californiahistoricallandmarks.com/landmarks/chl-1017 Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 63 miles, 1 hr 16 mins: S, off US-101, east into foothills Sargent Estate Warm Spring South of Gilroy, Santa Clara County 77°F/25°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 36.938, -121.565 West of the west frontage road of US-101. James P. Sargent bought Rancho Juristac in 1856 and renamed it Sargent's Ranch, which included various enterprises including a vacation spot near Pajaro River. The ranch probably was shuttered in 1956 when the last family member died. http://www.santacruztrains.com/2015/11/sargent.html Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 57.2 miles, 56 mins MARIN COUNTY Rocky Point Springs / Steep Ravine Hot Springs / Red Rock Hot Spring / Marin Tidal Hot Springs 90°F/32°C 37.886532, -122.630680 Right on the Marin County coast between Muir Beach and Stinson Beach, north of the mouth of Webb Creek, next to a big rock on the shore past the north end of Steep Ravine Beach, and accessible only for about three-hour periods at (rare -- only a few times per year) extreme low tides (must be 0.5 foot below Mean Lower Low Water). Primary access is via the west end of Steep Ravine Trail, which is slippery, steep, and a bit dangerous. Highway access to the trail is near mile marker 1120 on Shoreline Highway (CA-1). Beware of poison oak on both sides of the trail. Alternatively, and more dangerous, one can access the site by scrambling over wet rocks north from Steep Ravine Beach, just north of Steep Ravine Cabins and Campground. Tub can hold up to 24 people. 1915 note: In the Coast Ranges north of San Francisco Bay are a number of thermal springs that form a general group in the older sediments of this part of the State. A warm spring that is mildly sulphureted rises on the beach about 6 miles northwest of Point Bonita. It is locally known as Rocky Point Spring, but it is exposed only at low tide and is of little importance. https://web.archive.org/web/20070314232024/http://www.sfbg.com/nudebeaches/marin.php http://www.yelp.com/biz/rocky-point-hot-springs-muir-beach http://hotspringsdirectory.blogspot.com/2004/07/red-rock-hot-spring.html http://www.jennandromy.com/2009/12/hot-spring-fever.html https://medium.com/anne-t-kent-california-room-community-newsletter/the-kents-enjoy-the-hot-springs-at-steep-ravine-d67f9239fbbc https://www.outdoorproject.com/ca/steep-ravine-beach https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/noaatidepredictions.html?id=9414958 (tide tables) Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 53 miles, 1 hr 22 mins: G.G. Bridge to Marin County, CA-1 to coast. CONTRA COSTA COUNTY Bareges Sulphur Springs 1750 Heather Drive, Walnut Creek, Contra Costa County CAPPED 75°F/24°C: Not hot enough to be ineresting. 37.917983, -122.041889 Best guess is that this historical group of warm sulphur springs lay mainly underneath the modern-day Clarke Memorial Swim Center in Heather Farms Park, though the smell of sulpur dioxide gas also still emanates from the entrance to adjoining St. John Vianney Church, 1650 Ygnacio Valley Rd., just west of Heather Farms Park. Historically, this was Ygnacio Sibrian’s Sulphur Springs Ranch, on which Dr. A.H. Rowan built a hotel and spa called Bareges Sulphur Springs, destroyed by fire in 1875. 1915 note: A group of sulphur springs lies near the northeastern base of a low ridge, about 2 miles northeast of the town of Walnut Creek. The largest spring is on the ridge about 100 yards from its eastern base and 25 yards north of the county road [Ygnacio Valley Road]. When the place was visited, the water rose in a board-curbed pool protected by a latticed house and was piped to a cattle trough a few yards away. It yielded about 3 gallons a minute of mildly sulphureted water, 81°F/27°C in temperature.... Five other smaller springs issue in a belt extending 350 yards along the base of the ridge, in and near the barnyard of Sulphur Springs farm. Two of them have been piped to watering troughs near by. The other three are of seeping flow, and form only small marshy places. http://ww2.kqed.org/quest/2012/08/09/what-is-that-unusual-smell-in-walnut-creek/ https://www.facebook.com/cityofwalnutcreek/photos/a.381738229377.161206.93294874377/10151363544559378/ Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 58.6 miles, 1 hr 2 mins Deer Spring Lime Ridge, Walnut Creek, Contra Costa County 'warm': Not hot enough to be interesting. 37.929, -121.965 Ygnacio Valley Road over Lime Ridge to right onto Pine Hollow Road, right on Rolling Woods Way, left on Crystyl Ranch Road, right on Deer Creek Circle. The spring is alleged to be east of the east point of the street. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 64.2 miles, 1 hr 13 mins Marsh Creek Springs 70°F/21°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 37.895, -121.874 Marsh Creek Road to just past where Morgan Territory Road branches south, on the east side of Mount Diablo, Contra Costa County. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 70.5 miles, 1 hr 22 mins Byron Hot Springs 5400 Byron Hot Springs Rd, Byron, Contra Costa County PRIVATE, OFF-LIMITS 96°F/36°C 37.847, -121.635 CA-4 to J4 Byron Highway to right on Byron Hot Springs Road. Ruins of a grand old resort that owners still dream of reopening. Even though it's an academic point as the property is off-limits, urban explorers (i.e., trespassers) report seeing no current spring emissions. 1915 note: On the western border of San Joaquin Valley, near the southeastern corner of Contra Costa County, a number of mineralized springs -— Byron Hot Springs —- rise in a saline flat that is partly enclosed by low hills. A large, well-appointed hotel (this hotel was destroyed by fire in July, 1912, but the resort was not closed, and a new hotel was opened in July, 1914) and four or five cottages have here formed one of the most noted spring resorts of the State. The place is easily reached by automobile from the eastern side of San Francisco Bay. In 1908, eight springs were improved and used. A small warm sulphur spring supplies a drinking basin in the main grounds; warm sulphur mud and water baths and a sulphur plunge are about 250 yards southeast of the hotel grounds. A strongly sulphureted spring, 83°F/28°C in temperature, forms a slightly used drinking pool at one side of Sulphur Plunge, and on the opposite side is a well from which mineral water is pumped to bathtubs in the hotel. In the summer of 1908, the water in this well stood about 8 feet below the surface, and its temperature was 112°F/44°C to 115°F/46°C. About 250 yards beyond the Sulphur Baths and Sulphur Plunge is an enclosed swimming pool, known as the Gas Plunge, in which the temperature is about 88°F/31°C. Between the two bathing establishments are two cemented drinking springs, known as the Hot Salt and the Liver and Kidney springs: The Hot Salt Spring, with a temperature of 120°F/49°C and a flow of about 2 gallons a minute, rises in a small, domed, concrete house; the Liver and Kidney Spring rises in a concrete basin 25 yards southward. In 1908, its temperature was 73°F/23°C, but its flow was not appreciable. Near the base of a low hill 250 yards to the southwest is a tile-lined basin or well, marked "Surprise", which contains strongly saline water about 70°F/21°C in temperature. http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/byron-hot-springs-hotel http://www.byronhotsprings.com/ https://wheretheghostsgo.wordpress.com/2012/09/17/the-byron-hotel-byron-ca/ http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Developer-has-grand-plan-for-crumbling-resort-3186220.php http://www.messynessychic.com/2014/08/22/trespassing-hotel-california/ Season: year-round Cost: private property, for now Distance: 67.1 miles, 1 hr 18 mins SOLANO COUNTY Vallejo White Sulphur Springs / Blue Rock Springs Blue Rock Springs Park, Vallejo, Solano County 68°F/20°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 38.125223, -122.188100 "There is a pond up there where I think the springs were. It's just cold water." The site is now a popular Vallejo city park. http://www.solanoarticles.com/history/index.php/weblog4/more/the_white_sulphur_spring/ http://www.dailyrepublic.com/news/solanocounty/local-springs-better-suited-to-relaxation-than-power/ http://www.winemerchant.com/historyproject/misc/naparesort.html Season: year-round Cost: $5/car park entrance Distance: 64.6 miles, 1 hr 9 mins Unnamed Spring Vallejo, Solano County 73°F/23°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 38.101050, -122.169083 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distaance: 71.9 miles 1 hr 25 mins Tolenas Springs Vacaville, Solano County 68°F/20°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 38.311587, -122.054658 "The resort’s popularity dwindled over time. According to a Solano County General Plan history report, the last of the buildings burned sometime around 1924. Today, the springs remain on private property and cannot be reached by the general public." Season: n/a Cost: no public access Distance: 83.5 miles, 1 hr 34 mins SONOMA COUNTY Boyes Hot Springs, now enclosed by Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa 100 Boyes Boulevard, Sonoma, Sonoma County 112°F/44°C and 135°F/57°C (two sources) 38.312893, -122.482663 Main pool is seasonal. 1915 note: A number of small warm springs issue along Sonoma Creek, a few miles north of San Pablo Bay. Artesian wells that also yield warm water have been drilled at several places on the eastern side of Sonoma Valley, and at three places where such wells have been obtained resorts have been built up that are well patronized during the summer months, as they are only a two and a half hours’ ride by train from San Francisco. Boyes Hot Springs, about 2 miles northwest of Sonoma, is the southernmost of these resorts. Here a hotel and several cottages and tent houses are situated in a grove of oaks, and a quarter of a mile northwest of the hotel a large swimming plunge and tub baths are supplied by water pumped from two wells. These are said to be 200 feet deep, and the temperature of the water is reported to be 114°F/46°C and 118°F/48°C. The wells, the first of which was drilled about 1890, flowed until a short time after the earthquake of April 18, 1906, but the water usually stands a few feet below the surface. A third, unused well 300 or 400 yards to the east was flowing about 3 gallons a minute in December, 1909. The water is bottled for table use. http://www.fairmont.com/sonoma/ https://localwiki.org/sonoma-valley/Boyes_Hot_Springs/History Season: year-round Cost: If you have to ask, you can't afford it. In theory, you might be able to buy a day pass at the Fairmont's Willow Stream Spa subsidiary. Distance: 77 miles, 1 hr 41 mins: N of S.F. Bay Fetters Hot Springs / Eleda Hot Springs Agua Caliente, Sonoma County (temp. unknown) 38.318917, -122.484858 (approx.) Resort was founded in 1907 by George Fetters of Pittsburg, on the property known as Halstead Ranch. Fetters leased the property to Morris Levy, who operated it as Eleda Springs until 1911, when the Fetters reassumed management. George Fetter lived until 1964. 1915 note: During the summer of 1909 a bathing establishment which is supplied by four drilled wells was erected about 200 yards east of the Agua Caliente baths. A hotel was opened on the grounds and the place was advertised in 1910 as Eleda Hot Springs, but it has since become known as Fetters Hot Springs. https://www.sonomanews.com/article/opinion/musings-fetters-or-boyes-hot-springs/ https://springsmuseum.org/category/fetters-hot-springs/ Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 77 miles, 1 hr 47 min Agua Caliente Springs Agua Caliente, Sonoma County 97°F/36°C to 108°F/42°C 38.320862, -122.474879 (approx.) 1915 note: About 1 mile northwest of Boyes Hotel a similar resort has been built up at Agua Caliente Springs. A hotel and cottages here provide for about 300 people. A large swimming plunge and tub baths are supplied by five flowing wells one-third of a mile southward. The wells are drilled about 300 feet deep and the reported temperatures of the waters range from 97°F/36°C to 108°F/42°C. In 1909, Agua Caliente water was bottled and marketed, both carbonated and natural, for table use. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 78.6 miles, 1 hr 41 mins Warm Springs of State Home at Eldridge Eldridge, Sonoma County 72°F/22°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 38.347577, -122.519342 RM: The Sonoma State Home at Eldridge, 15000 Arnold Drive Eldridge, CA, evolved into the Sonoma Developmental Center, which finally closed on 31 December 2018. 1915 note: Warm springs that seem to be similar in origin to the artesian waters of the resorts just described issue at several points north of Sonoma Valley. At the vegetable and dairy farm of the State Home at Eldridge, water 72°F/22°C in temperature is obtained from a spring that yields about 10 gallons a minute of water that is used in the dairy and for irrigation. The water broke forth at this spring at the time of the earthquake of April 18, 1906, and a flowing well 50 yards northward ceased to flow. https://www.glenellenhistoricalsociety.org/the-state-home-at-eldridge/ https://www.sonomanews.com/article/news/sonoma-developmental-center-quietly-closes-its-doors/ Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 79.2 miles, 1 hr 47 mins Unnamed Spring at John Mesa Dairy John Mesa Dairy, Glen Ellen, Sonoma County 70°F/21°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 38.356945, -122.508954 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 79.6 miles, 1 hr 41 mins Morton's Warm Springs Resort / Los Guilicos Warm Springs 1651 Warm Springs Road, Glen Ellen, Sonoma County 88°F/31°C 38.394680, -122.551474 Site for picnics, reunions, faily recreation, etc. Two warm mineral spring pools, BBQ and picnic sites, wading pool, baseball field, volleyball court, horseshoe pit. 1915 note: On the banks of Sonoma Creek, about 1 1/2 miles southwest of Kenwood are two springs that yield, respectively, about 2 and 3 gallons a minute of water at temperatures of 78°F/26°C and 82°F/28°C. In 1909, there was a small bathing pool and an old hall or pavilion at the spring near the eastern bank of the creek; at the other spring, on the opposite bank, there was a small pool enclosed by an old bathhouse. The place was used as a camping resort, and several cottages had been erected among the trees nearby. http://mortonswarmsprings.com/ Season: May to September Cost: $15 Distance: 83.7 miles, 1 hr 48 mins Ohms Spring 8661 Bennett Valley Road, Glen Ellen, Sonoma County 73°F/23°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 38.388791, -122.566759 1915 note: About one-half mile southeast of Boyes Hot Springs is another drilled well whose water was used to some extent in 1909 for bathing. The property was open to the public under the name of Ohms Spring, and accommodations were provided for about 20 guests. Season: year-around Cost: access is unclear Distance: 87.2 miles, 1 hr 40 mins: N of S.F. Bay Mark West Springs, at Mark West Lodge Event Center and Restaurant 2520 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa, Sonoma County 88°F/31°C 38.548827, -122.720303 (approx.) Mark West Lodge is the oldest resort in California, built in the 1840s, and rebuilt several times after the original building was destroyed in a 1979 fire. In the past, the property was a spa resort, but currently is solely an event centre. Hence, apparently no current access to the hot spring. 1915 note: In the canyon of Mark West Creek, about 9 miles north of Santa Rosa, are three warm springs that issue a few yards apart along the east bank of the creek and supply a small plunge bath and a bathhouse containing a few tubs. The waters are not notably thermal, being about 65°F/18°C to 85°F/29°C in temperature, but the springs are most appropriately mentioned in connection with the other thermal springs of eastern Sonoma County. The waters of the three springs are noticeably sulphureted. On the west edge of the creek a small, cool, sulphur spring forms a drinking pool, and five other cool mineralized springs issue on the property. Of these, Magnesia Spring forms a drinking pool at the creek side near the baths, and two others, known as Arsenic and Iron springs, seep from a tuffaceous bank in a small gulch north of the main grounds. On the west bank of the creek, below the baths, are two other small iron-stained pools. The Mark West springs have been improved as a resort since 1880 or earlier. In 1909 accommodations were provided chiefly by tents and it was visited mainly as a boating and fishing resort. Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 94.7 miles, 1 hr 43 mins Warm Springs on McEwan Ranch Sonoma County (temp. unknown) 38.394600, -122.589282 (approx.) 1915 note: Large warm springs that are probably similar in origin to the Los Guilicos springs and others farther south, issue on the McEwan ranch, about 1 1/2 miles west of Los Guilicos Warm Springs. A part of their yield is used for irrigation, but the springs have not been efficiently developed and improved. The hilly country southeast of Santa Rosa is composed largely of lavas, and it is probable that tuffaceous layers associated with the more compact phases of the stone afford storage for the warm water that issues on the McEwan ranch and in other similar warm springs in the region. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 97.5 miles, 1 hr 50 mins Skaggs Springs 3495 Skaggs Springs Rd, Geyserville, Sonoma County SUBMERGED 135°F/57°C 38.687787, -123.023216 This was a large hot springs resort, Skaggs Springs Resort, complete with Skagg Springs hotel and cottage able to house 300 guests, established by Alexander Skaggs and in operation from the 1850s to 1942. The ruins and hot spring now lie beneath Lake Sonoma, since 1982. If perchance Lake Sonoma's surface level drops by 240 feet, the old Skagg's Hot Springs soaking pools next to Little Warm Springs Creek will become accessible. (Warm Springs Dam, impounding Lake Sonoma, is a US Army Corp of Engineers rolled-earth embankment dam, 319 feet high.) 1915 note: Along the southwestern bank of a tributary of Warm Spring Creek in northern Sonoma County three hot springs issue in a distance of 75 yards. At this locality is one of the oldest resorts of the State, opened to the public in 1857. In 1909 water from the lowest spring was piped to baths, that from, the central spring was piped across the creek to the laundry, and that from the upper spring rose in a cemented drinking basin. The observed temperatures were, respectively, 120°F/49°C, 122°/50°C, and 135°F/57°C, and estimated flows about 7, 5, and 3 gallons a minute. A fourth spring, which is cool and of small flow, formerly issued from the sandstone at the creek side 100 yards above the upper hot spring and formed a drinking pool, but in recent years it has ceased to be important. In 1909 a frame hotel and about a dozen cottages provided accommodations for 150 guests, and there is ample space for the erection of tents. http://www.ourhealdsburg.com/history/skaggs.htm Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 116 miles, 2 hrs 9 mins Hoods Hot Springs / Fairmount Hot Springs 10 miles W of Cloverdale, Sonoma County 100°F/38°C 38.803635, -123.159777 (approx.) In the canyon of Dry Creek, near the northern edge of Sonoma County. 1915 note: Warm water issues at Hoods Hot Springs in the canyon of Dry Creek, near the north edge of Sonoma County. The springs are of small flow and have been used only locally for bathing. They are probably the same that have been sometimes referred to as Fairmount Hot Springs. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 131 miles, 2 hrs 10 mins The Geysers Sonoma County REPURPOSED 214°F/101°C 38.774947, -122.755017 A 30-square-mile region surrounding The Geysers (centered around Geyser Canyon and Cobb Mountain, and so extensive that parts of it are in Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino Counties) has been developed, starting 1960, as the world's largest geothermal field, for power generation using superheated steam, via 18 geothermal power plants, drawing steam from more than 350 wells, operated by four private operating companies. The historical "geysers", named by 1840s settlers, were not actually geysers, but rather fumeroles. The Geysers Resort Hotel operated at the site from 1848 until a series of disasters (landslides and fires) claimed the structures, the last being dismantled in 1980. 1915 note: THE GEYSERS (SONOMA 4). The Geysers of Sonoma County have become widely known, both for their scenic features and for their scientific interest, but it is only proper to state that there are no true geysers, intermittently throwing out hot water, at this place. The locality is said to have been first brought to public notice in 1846 by a party of hunters. Its unusual character soon became of more than local interest, a resort was early opened near the springs, and a hotel and baths have been erected for nearly half a century. During recent years, several cottages and additional bathing facilities have been constructed, so that in 1909 about 75 people could be comfortably taken care of. A narrow but well-graded road extends from Cloverdale to the hotel grounds. In the spring of 1910, a better road was completed from Healdsburg into the locality, and it was thus made easily accessible to automobiles. The main group of hot springs and vapor vents that constitute the so-called geysers issue on the northern side of the canyon of Sulphur Creek, within an area that extends about 300 yards along he canyon side and about an equal distance north from the creek, nearly the entire active area being shown in Plate X, A (p. 140). In this area, 12 flowing hot springs of note, 10 hot pools, and 12 vapor vents and areas of vaporous exhalations were counted. A cool iron spring at the north edge of the creek and a cool sulphureted drinking spring near its southern bank may be added to the number of springs in this area. The approximate positions of the numerous vents are shown on the contour map, figure 1, which is reproduced from a map of the property that was kindly loaned by the owner, Mr. H. A. Powell. Most of the springs and vents are along a ravine that extends northward up the canyon side. Several cooler pools are used for bathing the feet or the eyes and have received such names as the Com Spring and the Eye Spring. A number of others have been given descriptive names such as Teakettle, Wash tub, and Gluepot. Most of the hot water is strongly acid, or sulphureted, or both. Crystals of native sulphur and of acid salts are deposited at many small vents, and efflorescent deposits of Epsom salt are formed under several overhanging banks. Although most of the springs issue in the ravine, those of perhaps largest flow issue 175 yards eastward, on the steep slope 50 feet above the stream. Water from these springs is piped across the stream and supplies the baths. Vapor from a large vent at the base of the slope below the springs is also piped across, and supplies vapor baths. The most noted vent, which is known as Steamboat Geyser, issues on the slope 150 yards north of the large springs, it being the single steam vent shown on the right side of the illustration, Plate X, A. The steam is said to have issued originally from a small orifice, but a few years ago a short piece of 1 1/2-inch pipe was firmly inserted over it in a vertical position. In 1909 the vapor issuing through this pipe had a temperature of 205°F/96°C . A steam whistle was at one time attached to the pipe, but its noise so disturbed the guests that it was removed. Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 122 miles, 2 hrs 45 mins Little Geysers Somona County REPURPOSED 210°F/99°C 38.767, -122.748 In the modern era, this site is almost certainly within the boundaries of The Geysers's geothermal field, and therefore inacessible to the public. 1915 note: About 4 miles above The Geysers, at a locality known as Little Geysers, vapor and hot water issue in notable amounts. At this place there is an area of perhaps one-quarter of a square mile on open slopes within which the rock has been bleached and altered, but the surface activity of heated water is now mainly confined to an area about 200 yards in diameter. Three small hot springs, seven hot pools, and four vapor vents were counted here. A cabin has been built near by and a small bathhouse at one of the springs has been used by miners and, in summer, by campers. About 250 yards below the cabin the largest hot spring that was noted in this locality rises at the creek edge and is used as a drinking pool. It yields about 5 gallons a minute of faintly sulphureted water, 160°F/71°C in temperature. Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 121 miles, 2 hrs 45 mins Unnamed Spring Sonoma County REPURPOSED 120°F/49°C 38.777, -122.763 This appears to be one of the many springs feeding Big Sulphur Creek in the vicinity of The Geysers, and more than likely is part of that geothermal complex, off-limits to the public. Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 122 miles, 2 hr 47 mins Sulphur Creek Sonoma County REPURPOSED 120°F/49°C 38.788234, -122.782000 I'm pretty certain this creek and its entire surrounding area are part of The Geysers geothermal complex, off-limits to the public. Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 125 miles, 3 hrs SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY Lone Tree Mineral Spring West of Vernalis, San Joaquin County 73°F/23°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 37.573281, -121.446867 At the end of a very minor road reachable in theory either by taking a fork SE from near 34492 Corral Hollow Road and going several miles into the hills and taking several turns, or taking I-580 and CA-132, to exit south onto S. Bird Road, passing under I-580, taking the immediate right to Lone Tree Ranch, then a left fork, then a right fork to the end. I have no idea if these are private roads, however. The spring appears to be on the north side of aptly named Sulphur Spring Gulch, and feeds into the Middle Fork of Lone Tree Creek. You would definitely need a map, to navigate by road (if it is even feasible and lawful). Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 79.4 miles, 1 hr 44 mins NAPA COUNTY Unnamed Spring 1021 Hagen Road, Napa, Napa County 83°F/28°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 38.320942, -122.271011 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 82.4 miles, 1 hr 40 mins St. Helena White Sulphur Spring White Sulphur Springs Inn and Spa, 3100 White Sulphur Springs Road, St. Helena, Napa Valley, CA 97°F/36°C 38.490743, -122.498362 Private retreat operated by Hoffman Institute. The spring feeds a natural sulphur soaking pool. There is also a whirlpool spa and swimming pool. http://napavalleyregister.com/star/news/local/white-sulphur-springs-now-just-a-retreat-center/article_3bc3ebdb-d365-5606-b79c-67a6bddc8125.html Season: year-round Cost: no public access Distance: 99.3 miles, 1 hr 55 mins: NE of S.F. Bay Napa Soda Springs / Napa Rock Soda Spring / Phillips Soda Spring / Priest Soda Springs Napa County 78°F/26°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 38.518783, -122.260774 Site of one of the greatest of historic resorts in California. http://www.winemerchant.com/historyproject/sodasprings/sodasprings.html http://www.laurencoodley.com/sodasprings.html Season: year-round Cost: no public access Distance: 100 miles, 1 hr 56 mins Dr. Wilkinson's Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs (formerly Dr. Wilkinson's Hot Springs Resort) 1507 Lincoln Ave, Calistoga, Napa County (temp. unknown) 38.580639, -122.577478 Motel. Outdoor pool, bath houses, mud baths, physical therapy. http://drwilkinson.com/ Season: year-round Cost: bundled into resort/spa services Distance: 105 miles, 2 hrs 1 min: NE of S.F. Bay Golden Haven Hot Springs Spa and Resort / Lincoln Avenue Spa 1713 Lake Street, Calistoga, Napa County 150°F/66°C 38.585864, -122.581134 Motel-style lodging. Mud baths, massages, facials, http://www.goldenhaven.com/ Season: year-round Cost: Day pass can be purchased including 1/2 hour massages, or stay at the resort. Distance: 105 miles, 2 hrs 6 mins Calistoga Spa Hot Springs 1006 Washington Street, Calistoga, Napa County 84°F/29°C to 104°F/40°C 38.578983, -122.577263 Luxury resort and spa. 1915 note: At Calistoga, near the head of Napa Valley, are several hot springs, at which during the seventies [1870s] there was a large resort. The hotel burned in the late seventies or early eighties, however, and since that time, the springs have not been of more than local importance. In 1910, the caretaker of the property had provided two bathhouses of two tubs each, half a dozen small cottages on the place were rented, and a few campers had pitched their tents nearby. Hand pumps supplied hot water directly to the tubs, and cool water was piped from a tank. Four main springs rise at the base of a knoll of buff-colored tuffaceous material at the northern border of the meadow land, and a few pools and seepages of hot water appear in the meadow itself. The observed temperatures of the principal springs range from 126°F/52°C to 173°F/78°C and their flows from about one-fourth gallon to 5 gallons a minute. The hottest spring, which yields about 1 gallon a minute, appears to be the most strongly mineralized, though its mineralization is only slightly perceptible to the taste. Algae probably give it the slight flavor that has caused it to be called a chicken-soup spring. At Calistoga Hotel, about 400 yards west from the springs, a dug well supplies warm water for tub baths and a swimming plunge. Warm water is also obtained in several other wells nearby, and there is one strongly flowing artesian well. http://www.calistogaspa.com/ Season: year-round Cost: $25 day pass (subj. to availability; day passes suspended as of 2023), 10am-9pm, or be a hotel guest Distance: 106 miles, 2 hrs: NE of S.F. Bay Indian Springs Resort (formerly Indian Springs Resort and Spa) 1712 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga, Napa County (temp. unknown) 38.581707, -122.575246 Lodge, cottages, bunglows, standalone houses. Mineral-water-fed pools, spa, mud baths, Sam's Social Club restaurant. https://www.indianspringscalistoga.com/ https://web.archive.org/web/20150407211824/http://www.thebolditalic.com/articles/7041-a-never-nude-s-guide-to-northern-california-hot-springs Season: year-round Cost: bundled into resort/spa services Distance: 106 miles, 2 hrs 1 min: NE of S.F. Bay Nance's Hot Spring Resort 1614 Lincoln Ave, Calistoga, Napa County DESTROYED BY FIRE, 2003 (but see note) (temp. unknown) 38.581188, -122.577225 However, online drawing/maps suggest that this small, beloved resort has been incorporated into the campus of neighbouring Indian Springs Resort (which please see), and its rebuilt buildings renamed The Lodge and Terrace Room. https://calihotsprings.com/loc/calistoga-ca/nances-hot-springs-resort/ Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 105 miles, 2 hrs: NE of S.F. Bay Aetna Springs 1708 Aetna Springs Rd, Pope Valley, Napa County 91°F/33°C 38.630990, -122.479824 The 1887 Aetna Hot Springs resort is still here but derelict at last report (2000), and has 33 buildings of which three including the historic Winship Hotel were designed by Bernard Maybeck. Reports say the 100' hot spring pool is now clogged with tule reeds. http://www.winemerchant.com/historyproject/misc/naparesort.html http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Cool-to-hot-springs-resort-3096721.php http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Historic-Resort-Measure-Losing-in-Napa-County-2785978.php Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear, condition is doubtful Distance: 119 miles, 2 hrs 26 mins Roman Spa Hot Springs Resort 1300 Washington Street, Calistoga, Napa County (temp. unknown) 38.579347, -122.580096 http://romanspahotsprings.com/ Season: year-round Cost: bundled into resort/spa services Distance: 123 miles, 2 hrs 11 min: NE of S.F. Bay MONTEREY COUNTY Sulphur Hot Spring Sand City, Monterey County DESTROYED (paved over) 100°F/38°C 36.618, -121.845 I suspect this spring is lost to development. The map says the nearest address to NOAA's GPS coordinates is 828 Playa Avenue, in a built-up commercial area, for what it's worth. http://deepcreekhotsprings.net/dchs/forum/read.php?2,17100 Season: Year-round Cost: n/a Distance: 89 miles, 1 hr 27 mins Hot Springs on North Fork of Little Sur River / Tantalus Hot Springs / Little Sur Hot Springs Big Sur, Monterey County 114°F/46°C 36.329462, -121.833136 (approx.) My guess is that this spring is on private land, so you would need the property owner's cooperation, _or_ navigate up or down the river itself. Easiest land-based access (if feasible) appears to be CA-1 to its crossing of Little Sur River, then left onto Granite Rock Road, then proceed about 2 1/2 miles to a trail northwards (that may or may not exist) to the south side of Little Sur River. 1915 note: Several thermal springs arise in the bed and along the banks of North Fork of Little Sur River, about 2 miles above the point at which the stage road crosses the stream. The springs in the stream bed form a warm pool, and on its right bank two or three flows, having a maximum temp of 114°F/46°C, issue from crevices in the rock and fill a small natural basin. The springs are in a narrow, rugged section of the canyon, in a granitic area. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 109 miles, 2 hrs 20 mins to the trailhead Paraiso Hot Springs 38060 Paraiso Springs Road, Soledad, Monterey County PRIVATE, OFF-LIMITS 98°F/37°C 105F 36.330602, -121.368010 In 2003, out-of-state real estate speculators Bill and John Thompson ("Thompson Holdings, LLC") bought the Victorian resort and bulldozed its twelve historic buildings without permit. Now, they want to build a luxury hotel, spa, vineyard, and 77 timeshare units. For now, the site is off limits. 1915 note: Paraiso Hot Springs are situated near the head of a small valley that opens eastward to Salinas Valley. Underground water lies at a shallow depth near the springs, beneath an area of several acres within which at least five mineral springs rise. The largest of these, which is known as the Soda Spring, has an observed temp of 111°F/44°C and a discharge of perhaps 8 gal/min. About 40 yards away, two small sulphur springs rise with temps of 88°F/31°C and 102°F/39°C, and 100 yards further east there are two drinking springs each of which yields perhaps 1/4 gal/min. These are known as the Iron Spring and the Arsenic Spring, and have temps respectively of 68°F/20°C and 65°F/18°C. https://landwatch.org/issues-actions/salinas-valley/greenfield/paraiso-hot-springs/ http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g33102-i6345-k767969-Paraiso_Hot_Springs-Soledad_California.html http://www.montereycountyweekly.com/news/local_news/paraiso-hot-springs-developer-apologizes-for-demolishing-historic-buildings-county/article_3123764e-261d-11e3-85e5-0019bb30f31a.html http://www.montereycountyweekly.com/news/local_news/a-decade-after-leveling-historic-buildings-developer-aims-to-rebuild/article_7df36508-f4a2-11e2-b2e0-001a4bcf6878.html Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 110 miles, 1 hr 50 mins Sykes Hot Springs Ventana Wilderness 101°F/38°C 36.251515, -121.690154 Big Sur Station, 47555 California Route 1, Big Sur, Monterey County http://hotspringsdirectory.blogspot.com/2004/07/sykes-hot-springs.html Season: year-round Cost: free, $5 day parking permit and a challenging 10-mile hilly hike from Big Sur Station, 4+ hours each way Distance: 123 miles, 2 hrs 13 mins (to the trailhead): drive to Big Sur coast Tassajara Zen Mountain Center and Hot Springs Buddhist monastery operated by SF Zen Center 47791 Tassajara Road, Carmel Valley, Monterey County 100°F/38°C to 140°F/60°C 36.233937, -121.549038 Vegetarian lunch ($15) is by reservation only. This is primarily a retreat for Zen Buddhist meditation and study, but accepts both day and overnight guests by arrangement. (Assume a reservation in advance is required for anything.) Lodging in yurts, cabins, stone rooms. Bathhouse is Japanese-style and has separate sides for men and women, but co-ed bathing is permitted in the evenings. Each side includes a tiled indoor hot plunge, an outdoor plunge, large decks appropriate for sunning and yoga, a steam room, showers and a small private bath with hot springs and cold water spigots. There are also steps leading down to the creek. The approach road is steep and recommended for manual transmission only. The last 45 minutes of road is gravel, and it's recommended to take the shuttle bus (by reservation) instead of driving it. 1915 note: A large amount of hot water issues at Tassajara Hot Springs, which are in the canyon of Arroyo Seco, in the southern part of Monterey County. About 17 thermal springs may be counted here, in the bed of the creek and along its southern bank. They range in temp from about 100°F/38°C to 140°F/60°C and from mere seepages to flows of 7 or 8 gal/min. The thermal waters issue from a gneiss that is exposed along the creek for a distance of 200 yards or more. http://www.sfzc.org/tassajara/guest-season https://web.archive.org/web/20150407211824/http://www.thebolditalic.com/articles/7041-a-never-nude-s-guide-to-northern-california-hot-springs http://hotspringsdirectory.blogspot.com/2004/07/tassajara-buddhist-meditation-center.html Season: summer (May - Sep) Cost: $30 day pass 9am-9pm, reservation required, call less than 2 weeks before Distance: 127 miles, 3 hrs 12 min: S to Salinas, CA-68 to Laureles Grade to Carmel Valley Road to Tassajara Road Slates Hot Springs, aka Esalen Institute Hot Springs 55000 California Route 1, Big Sur, Monterey County 122°F/50°C 36.1238333, -121.63718699999998 1915 note: Slates Hot Springs is on Mr. J.A. Little's ranch. The water here issues at ten principal points in a distance of 125 yards, halfway up the face of bluffs that here border the ocean. A small private bathhouse has been built near the easternmost spring. The waters range in temp from 110°F/43°C to 121°F/49°C. About 1/4 mile northwest of the main group, on the left bank of Hot Creek, is another spring, 98°F/37°C. This spring yields perhaps 5 gal/min, and is used for laundering clothes. http://www.esalen.org/ https://web.archive.org/web/20150407211824/http://www.thebolditalic.com/articles/7041-a-never-nude-s-guide-to-northern-california-hot-springs Season: year-round Cost: $20/person bet. 1-3am, reservation req'd, or stay / attend a conference Distance: 137 miles, 2 hrs 41 mins Table Mountain Spring Parkfield, Monterey County 88°F/31°C 35.907333, -120.366987 (location is a little unclear) https://jeffreycrane.blogspot.com/2011/01/undercover-san-luis-obispo-hot-springs.html Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 201 miles, 3 hrs 40 mins MERCED COUNTY Spring in O'Neill Forebay West of Los Banos, Merced County 70°F/21°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 37.083, -121.042 Straight shot out CA-152 almost to I-5, then left on Santa Nella Blvd, left again at the second left, go a bit over a mile, and it should be on your left. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 94 miles, 1 hr 35 min STANISLAUS COUNTY Salt Grass Springs West of Patterson, Stanislaus County 73°F/23°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 37.432, -121.308 Off the south side of the road near 11562 to 11616 Del Puerto Canyon Road. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 97 miles, 1 hr 52 mins SAN BENITO COUNTY Unnamed Spring Big Sur, San Benito County 114°F/46°C 36.331, -121.843 Map suggests that NOAA's GPS locations for this hot spring is on the south fork of Little Sur River, about a mile east of Old Coast Road. Season: Year-round Cost: free Distance: 122 miles, 2 hrs 25 mins (to nearest point on Old Coast Road) Dolans Hot Spring / Dolan's Hot Spring Near Lucia, Big Sur, San Benito County 98°F/37°C 36.087510, -121.586460 The hot spring is on the bank of Big Creek, about a mile and a half from the creek mouth, and under Mining Ridge (which is on the creek's north side). 1915 note: A warm and mildly sulphurated spring exists on North Fork of Big Creek, about 1.5 miles from the ocean and 7 miles by trail south of Slates Hot Springs. The water issues in a deep portion of the canyon that is heavily timbered with redwoods, and, as the place is known only locally and is not easily accessible, the spring has not been made use of and has seldom been visited. http://www.robinsonjeffersassociation.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/RJN9899.pdf Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 141 miles, 2 hrs 43 mins (to the trailhead) Sulphur Springs Bitterwater (east of King City), San Benito County 73°F/23°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 36.293147, -120.984725 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 141 miles, 2 hrs 28 mins CALAVERAS COUNTY Valley Springs Valley Springs, Calaveras County 75°F/24°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 38.192, -120.827 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 125 miles, 2 hrs 15 mins LAKE COUNTY Harbin Hot Springs NOTE: A/o 2023, almost entirely rebuilt following total devastation by the September 2015 Valley Fire. Some rebuilding is expected through 2024. 18424 Harbin Springs Rd, Middletown, Lake County 120°F/49°C 38.786402, -122.651712 1915 note: Harbin Springs (PI. VI, B) are in southern Lake County, about 3 1/2 miles north of Middletown. Three springs, known as the Arsenic, Iron, and Sulphur springs, rise close together in a ravine on the western side of a branch, of Putah Creek, and yield water at temperatures of 90°F/32°C, 116°F/47°C, and 120°F/49°C, at a rate of 1, 1/2, and 8 1/2 gallons a minute, respectively. The property has been a resort for many years and the water of the Iron and Sulphur springs is used in tub and plunge baths. Buildings have been erected from time to time, so that in 1909 accommodations for about 200 people were provided by a hotel, a three-story rooming house, 8 or 10 cottages, and a dozen tent houses. A large building containing a gymnasium and dancing floor provides means for entertainment. http://www.harbin.org/ https://web.archive.org/web/20150407211824/http://www.thebolditalic.com/articles/7041-a-never-nude-s-guide-to-northern-california-hot-springs https://lakecounty.com/blog/history-of-lake-countys-mineral-springs/ Season: year-round Cost: $10 for month trial, more for longer, res. necessary because of COVID-19. Distance: 125 miles, 2 hrs 33 mins Anderson Springs 10981 Hot Springs Road, Middletown, Lake County 108°F/42°C 38.773052, -122.705005 1915 note: Anderson Springs are situated about 5 miles northwest of Middletown, along a branch of Putah Creek. A resort has been conducted at this place for many years, and in 1910 a hotel and several cottages provided accommodations for 150 guests. Nine springs that differ in character of water emerge at rather widely separated points on the property, but are reached by paths that form pleasant walks along the wooded canyon. The Cold Sulphur Spring, which is the farthest downstream, issues from schistose material at the creek edge 300 yards east of the hotel. It has been protected by a cement basin and yields a small flow of cool, clear, rather strongly sulphureted water used for drinking. About 400 yards by trail eastward and southward from the hotel, in a little gulch on the side of a ravine, is the Sour Spring, which yields a slight flow of water that tastes of alum. The spring is perennial, but it seems to be supplied by surface water that becomes mineralized by seeping through crushed sedimentary material. Across the creek and about 100 yards northeast of the hotel, in a rock-walled pool at the creek edge, is Father Joseph Spring, which yields mildly sulphureted water that is pleasant for drinking and is considered to be a gentle laxative. Belmer Spring is 675 yards west of the hotel, and beneath a gravel bank at the north side of the creek. The water rises in a pool a few feet in diameter and also in a barrel sunk near by. It is much used for drinking, but it tastes disagreeably strong of sulphides. The other five springs form a group about 325 yards farther upstream, where they issue from banks of greatly altered sedimentary rock. The Hot Spring, which is the principal one, rises in a barrel that forms a drinking pool. The water is thence piped to a small reservoir and a bathhouse near by. This water is mildly sulphureted and when cooled somewhat it is a palatable drinking water. Near it are two short tunnels that also yield warm water of similar character, and a few yards away vapor vents are utilized in small steam-bath cabinets. The other two springs are a few yards westward, across the creek. One forms a pool about 3 feet across, which is normally covered with an iridescent film, possibly of iron, and is known as the Iron Spring. Efflorescent salts —- probably sulphates of aluminum and of iron —- crystallize on the adjacent banks. The other spring is about 60 yards away, in a branch ravine. It yields clear water that tastes strongly of alum, and the banks near by are also usually coated with alum. The waters of these last two springs have been only slightly used and are not fit for drinking, as they are too astringent. https://lakecounty.com/blog/history-of-lake-countys-mineral-springs/ Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 129 miles, 2 hr 40 mins Seigler Springs 12140 N. Seigler Springs Rd, N. of Middletown, Lake County PRIVATE, OFF-LIMITS 126°F/52°C 38.874226, -122.690831 "Situated about 2 miles northwest of Howard Springs, across a ridge and in the drainage basin of another creek. Like Howard Springs, they have been used as a resort for many years." A historic resort with hotel was founded at Seigler Springs in 1868. Some of the historic buildings still survive, and are part of Adidam's Mountain of Attention religious retreat center. (Adidam, aka Way of the Heart, is a small Advaita Vedanta Hindu religious community founded and headed by the late Adi Da Samraj, formerly Avadhoota De Love-Ananda, born Franklin Albert Jones, and previously known as Free Daist Communion, before that Johannine Daist Communion, and before that Dawn Horse Fellowship.) The springs are within the religious retreat and thus almost certainly not currently accessible to the public. 1915 note: Seigler Springs are situated about 2 miles northwest of Howard Springs, across a ridge and in the drainage basin of another creek. Like Howard Springs, they have been used as a resort for many years. The group includes 13 that in 1909 were improved to some extent. Of this number, 6 are of small flows, range in temperature for 68°F/20°C to 107°F/42°C, and are used in a minor way for drinking. Two others, known as the Magnesia and Hot Geyser springs, also used for drinking, yield perhaps one-eightth and 2 gallons of water a minute, at temperatures, respectively, of 64°F/18°C and 98°F/37°C. A frame hotel, a large stone dining room, and four or five cottages in 1909 provided accommodations for about 150 guests. In addition to the mineral water tub and plunge baths, bathing facilities were provided by a dam across the creek, which made a swimming pool. http://www.lakeconews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=38119 https://www.lakecountyca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1676/Cobb-Mountain-Area-Plan-PDF https://sscra.org/ https://www.britannica.com/event/Adidam Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 136 miles, 2 hrs 55 mins Howard Springs / Howard Hot Springs / Avalon Springs 13333 Big Canyon Road, Middletown, Lake County 113°F/45°C 38.858, -122.67 The springs on this site were first named for settler James W. Howard, who bought Cushman Farm in 1869, and then later the adjoining springs, and opened them to the public in 1877, with camping space, a lodge, cabins, and bathing pools. It then passed through numerous owners, closing finally after the 1970 season. Recently (2000s), it reopened as Avalon Springs, described as "an experiential learning environment, anchored by a healing hot springs retreat center and eco-village." However, that business, operated by Osho International Foundation, established by late Indian guru Osho, formerly Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, was in deep financial trouble in October 2014, facing imminent foreclosure for lack of ability to pay $2.2M in property taxes, and nothing's been heard from that effort since. 1915 note: About 9 miles southwest of the town of Lower Lake a group of mineral springs (PI. VI, C, p. 92), several of which are notably warm, issue in a line about 50 yards long at the base of a slope that borders the south side of a drainage course. A number of seepages have been dug out and cemented to form drinking basins, so that about 26 improved springs may be counted, although the group is said to include 42 springs. Of the 8 springs that are of chief importance 5 are used for drinking and have been named Bohemia, Neptune, Lithia, and Magnesia Twins. They have observed temperatures, respectively, of 66°F/19°C, 70°F/21°C, 73°F/23°C, 71°F/22°C, and 100°F/38°C. When the writer visited it in 1909, Bohemia Spring discharged about 1 gallon a minute, while the other three rose in basins from which there was no appreciable overflow. The largest three springs are used mainly for bathing. Of these, the Hot Soda or Hot Sulphur Spring has a temperature of 110°F/43°C and discharges approximately 125 gallons a minute into a plunge bath. Excelsior or Borax Spring, with a temperature of 95°F/35°C and a flow of perhaps 5 gallons a minute, also supplies a plunge bath. Water from Eureka Spring is piped to tub baths, its temperature being 107°F/42°C and its yield perhaps 2 gallons a minute. The springs have been improved as a resort since about 1880. In 1909, besides a main hotel building and the baths, the improvements included a large annex to the hotel and four or five small cottages. Waters from the Lithia, Bohemia, and Eureka springs were formerly bottled for table use, but their sale was discontinued several years prior to 1909. experiential learning environment, anchored by a healing hot springs retreat center and eco-village http://www.lakeconews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=38119 https://www.arkintilt.com/avalon-springs-healing-retreat-eco-village https://www.oshonews.com/2014/03/12/opportunity-retreat-center/ Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 134 miles, 2 hrs 55 mins Bad Creek Spring West of 14360 Big Canyon Road, Middletown, Lake County 81°F/27°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 38.850092, -122.666882 38.85, -122.667 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 132 miles, 2 hrs 45 mins Spiers Springs / Copsey Springs Lake County 79°F/26°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 38.838, -122.653 1915 note: Situated about 3 miles in a direct line southeast of Bonanza Springs, in the canyon of the main branch of Putah Creek. Two springs of similar character issue a few yards apart at this place and each discharges 7 or 8 gallons a minute. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 129 miles, 3 hrs 4 mins Hot Springs at Sulphur Bank / Hot Bolata Hot Springs Clear Lake, Lake County 176°F/80°C 39.008477, -122.673258 (approx.) 1915 note: Near the southeast edge of the eastern arm of Clear Lake there are abandoned sulphur and quicksilver workings. During the period of mining, water at a temperature of 176°F/80°C was encountered at the fifth level in what is known as the Hermann shaft. In January, 1910, the water stood about 15 feet below the surface in this shaft, and its observed temperature was 120°F/49°C. Many bubbles were rising and the water had the odor of sulphureted hydrogen. About 200 yards east of north from the shaft, in an area of decomposed basalt where sulphur was formerly obtained, water stands in several pools and issues from numerous vents. The highest temperature observed in these pools was 118°F/48°C in a small one over which there was a bathing hut. Two analyses of water from this locality, made a number of years ago, are reproduced, as they probably show the general character of the water that still rises. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 147 miles, 3 hrs Soda Baths / Soda Bath Springs Small island 200' off the east shore of Clear Lake, Lake County 90°F/32°C 39.064086, -122.807562 Pool encircled by a natural rock border, but also built up with a wall of bricks and concrete. Because of the newly enclosed space, this enclosure can be perilous on account of asphyxiation risk, because of CO2 outgassing into the tub. (There are reports that the extra wall has now been removed.) This spring was part of the historic Soda Bay Resort on the adjoining mainland. The resort and its walkway to the island were destroyed by fire in 1940. http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=119923 http://www.lakeconews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=38119 Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 153 miles, 2 hrs 54 mins Castle Rock Springs / Mills Hot Springs / Noble's Springs Lake County 163°F/73°C 38.768, -122.717 (approx.) I can't tell whether there is still public access to the site, but it is self-evidently somewhere along Hot Springs Road, county route 112A. Verdant Vales Camp / Verdant Vales High School is in the center of the springs area. 1915 note: This cluster of springs is situated about 1 mile by steep trail, high on a mountainside (2,342 feet elevation), west of, and above, the hot springs at Anderson Springs. Basins or small reservoirs have been excavated and cemented at two hot springs that issue, a few yards apart, in a ravine tributary to Putah Creek. They were formerly known as Mills Springs (after their discovered, W. Mills) or Noble's Springs. The property was run as a small resort, where hot water was used for bathing, and water from the cool sulphur springs for drinking, serving a hotel, bathhouse, swimming plunge, dancing pavilion, and tent cottages, all now gone. The Castle Rock Springs Geothermal Steam Area has a large geothermal resource of steam at high temperature and moderate pressure several thousand feet below the surface. It is adjacent to The Geysers (Sonoma County), which has been heavily developed for geothermal generation. An environmental impact report for a project in the area was issued in August 1975. The Camp Verdant Vales school is in the center of the area, and Anderson Springs borders the area to the east. At the time of study, tourist resorts that were once operative in the area had closed, although some were now being used by specialized private religious communities. Castle Hot Springs are situated about 1 mile by steep trail on the mountain side west of Anderson Springs (Lake 55, p. 89). Basins or small reservoirs have been excavated and cemented at two hot springs that issue a few yards apart in a ravine that is tributary to Putah Creek. The observed temperatures in these basins were 160°F/71°C and 164°F/73°C. Their combined flow—about 8 gallons a minute—could probably be increased by developing two or three near-by seepages of hot water. The position of these hot springs high on the mountain side is worthy of note, and it is also of geologic interest with respect to the hot springs at Anderson Springs, a mile eastward and 800 feet lower, and at The Geysers, a few miles northwestward across the range and 1,000 feet lower. In another ravine, about 700 yards by path from Castle Hot Springs, but perhaps half that distance in a direct line and 100 feet lower two groups of cool sulphur springs seep from the banks. The rock near the hot springs consists of hard schistose material that is not greatly decomposed, but near the cool springs it has been altered, apparently by solfataric action, and is impregnated with sulphur and sulphate salts. The property was formerly known as Mills Hot Springs and was at one time conducted as a small resort, the hot water being used for bathing and the water of the cool sulphur springs for drinking. In the summer of 1910 the property had recently changed ownership and was being reimproved as a resort. A hotel, a bathhouse containing a swimming plunge, and a dancing pavilion were being erected, and several tent cottages provided accommodations for a few guests. The buildings are about one-fourth mile from the hot springs, on a ridge that commands a good view of the valley of Putah Creek and the mountains eastward. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6743727 https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1194878/ Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 131 miles, 2 hrs 45 mins Gordon Warm Springs Cobb, Lake County 97°F/36°C 38.835, -122.731 Site appears to be near the end of Mesa Drive. If there is public access, it's probably about 200 ft. off the left side of the street. 1915 note: Gordon Hot Spring rises on the eastern side of Cobb Valley Creek, near the head of a small meadow. A number of years ago this spring was used to some extent for bathing, but in 1909 the small bathhouse had been removed and the spring was unused. It yielded about five gallons a minute of water at a temperature of 92°F/33°C. The water has a slightly oily taste, like that at Skaggs Hot Springs. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 131 miles, 2 hrs 50 mins Pine Cone Spring / Ettawa Springs 14041 Ettawa Springs Road, Ettawa Springs, Lake County 78°F/26°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 38.850097, -122.693005 Probably on the grounds of the Ettawa Springs Resort campground -- whose public materials, however, say nothing about a spring on-site or nearby. https://www.ettawasprings.org/ https://lakecounty.com/accommodation/ettawa-springs-resort/ https://www.hipcamp.com/en-US/land/california-ettawa-springs-resort-6p0h7ewj Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 134 miles, 2 hrs 55 mins England Springs / Elliot Springs Kelseyville, Lake County 76°F/24°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 38.897054, -122.881743 Looks to be about a mile from any road, in rugged, hilly territory. 1915 note: Eight miles south of Kelseyville, a number of small carbonated springs issue near a road that was formerly the main road to Cloverdale by way of The Geysers. In 1910, the property near the springs was abandoned or used only as a goat range. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 141 miles, 3 hrs 12 mins Carlsbad Spring 9600 McKinley Road, Kelseyville, Lake County 76°F/24°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 38.917920, -122.799976 Situated along Cole Creek where the creek flows in a brushy ravine. The property was conducted _as a small resort for several years prior to 1905, but it has been deserted since about that year, and in the summer of 1908 a brush fire destroyed the hotel building. 1915 note: Four and a half files south of Kelseyville near the Kelseyville-Middletown Road on Cole Creek. East of Clear Lake. There was a small resort with five sprints within 100 yards of the hotel. The principal one was known as Arsenic Spring, with 74°F/23°C carbonated water. Water was piped to a small bathhouse from a second spring yielding two gallons a minute, and two other springs were developed for drinking. In 1905, a brush fire destroyed the hotel building. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 140 miles, 2 hrs 50 mins Highland Springs (north) SW of Kelseyville, Lake County SUBMERGED 84°F/29°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 38.939323, -122.907743 (approx.) Situated on the stage road between Hopland and Kelseyville and 6 miles southwest of the latter place. Submerged under Highland Springs Reservoir in the 1960s. http://web.archive.org/web/20140201003723/http://www.highlandspringstrailsvolunteers.com:80/the-life-and-times-of-highland-springs.html Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 153 miles, 3 hrs 17 mins Hildebrande Spring Glenview, Lake County 77°F/25°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 38.925, -122.77 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 141 miles, 2 hrs 50 mins Baker Soda Spring 11020 Sky High Ridge Road, Lower Lake, Lake County 76°F/24°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 38.892, -122.533 1915 note: A small carbonated spring, about halfway between Lower Lake and Reiff post office. Its water has been used to small extent for drinking. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 143 miles, 2 hrs 50 mins Horseshoe Spring Clear Lake, Lake County 108°F/42°C 38.994, -122.742 On the shore of Clear Lake Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 159 miles, 3 hrs 20 mins Big Soda Spring Soda Bay, Clear Lake, Lake County 90°F/32°C 39.007701, -122.788212 On the shore of Clear Lake Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 156 miles, 3 hrs 20 mins Grizzly Spring Next to CA-20 east of Clearlake, Lake County 68°F/20°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 39.002, -122.498 1915 note: On the northern side of Grizzly Canyon, about 21⁄2 miles above its junction with Cache Creek. As the springs are beside a main road that leads up the canyon and across the divide into Colusa County, they have been known for many years, but they have been improved only since about 1908. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 151 miles, 3 hrs 26 mins Bartlett Springs East of Bartlett Springs Road, Lake County 144°F/62°C 39.183, -122.7 The springs were discovered by Green Bartlett in 1869, who took the waters and claimed it relieved his rheumatism. Bartlett founded a resort that could accommodate 500 guests. Situated on the north side of a branch of North Fork of Cache Creek, and mainly on the slopes some distance above the stream. https://lakecounty.com/blog/history-of-lake-countys-mineral-springs/ Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 176 miles, 4 hrs 21 mins Newman Springs / Soap Creek Springs About 1.5 miles NW of Bartlett Springs, Lake County 92°F/33°C 39.197500, -122.717460 (approx.) At one time, there was a resort at the springs. 1915 note: Newman Springs are about 1.5 miles north of west from Bartlett Springs, and issue along the channel of Soap Creek; hence they are sometimes referred to as the Soap Creek Springs. The spring farthest downstream, which is the principal one, emerges at the creek side at the base of a prominent ledge of serpentine that forms the eastern border of a belt of this rock and the contact zone between it and crumpled shales and siliceous sediments that continue eastward. The spring yields about 15 gallons a minute of mildly carbonated water 86°F/30°C in temperature, that is turbid with iron. The water is conducted across the creek in a trough to a small plunge bathhouse. A spring in the creek bed about 75 yards above (southwest of) the main spring, forms the Borax Pool, which contains warm, turbid water that is considered to be of exceptional value for bathing. The serpentine belt continues for about 100 yards upstream (westward) from it, and is then succeeded by schistose rock, from which seepages and slight flows of warm carbonated water issue in at least seven places along a distance of about 275 yards or to a point about a quarter of a mile above the main spring. Temperatures of 72°F/22°C to 92°F/33°C were noted in these small springs. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 176 miles, 4 hrs 23 mins Pseudo Complexion Spring Lake County 81°F/27°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 39.198, -122.505 This site appears quite remote, about a mile hike NE from the end of Bartlett Springs Road, County Road 303, if its accessible at all. In partial explanation of the odd name, Complexion Spring, not a hot spring, lies about 2 miles south, right next to (north of) Bartlett Springs Road. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 181 miles, 4 hrs 11 mins Crabtree Hot Springs Mendocino National Forest, Lake County PRIVATE, OFF-LIMITS 106°F/41°C 39.289875, -122.822230 Situated in a narrow part of the canyon of Rices Fork of Eel River, 14 miles by road northwest of Bartlett Springs. To reach the vicinity, drive to Upper Lake, then take Elk Mountain Road, County Road 303, a long ways into the hills, then Forest Route 17N04, then about 300 down a private road (on private property), crossing Rices Fork. 1915 note: Crabtree Springs are situated in a narrow part of the canyon of Rices Fork of Eel River, 14 miles by road northwest of Bartlett Springs (Lake 9, p. 200). The springs were filed on by Mr. Crabtree about 1875 and a road was built to the property, but high water soon washed out the greater part of this road, and for many years the springs have been accessible only by trail. In 1910 the property changed ownership, however, and the road was rebuilt. The principal spring emerges at the northeast edge of the stream in a natural rock basin at the foot of a small cliff, and yields perhaps 10 gallons a minute of water 105°F/41°C in temperature. Considerable gas, probably carbon dioxide, issues with the water. The latter is mildly carbonated and is distinctly mineralized by salts of soda and probably also of iron. The pool formed by this spring has long been used for bathing and the water is locally considered efficacious in the treatment of skin and blood diseases. About 20 yards southeastward, upstream from the main spring, a smaller flow of similar water issues from a seam in the rock at the creek edge, while 100 yards upstream from the main spring there were, in 1910, three vigorously bubbling, iron-stained pools that contained water 68°F/20°C to 75°F/24°C in temperature. An area several yards in diameter in the creek channel near by was also vigorously bubbling. It is said that there was formerly a carbonated spring of considerable flow at this spot, but that it was buried by a landslide a number of years ago and during recent years has been in evidence chiefly by the large amount of gas that escapes. The springs are probably submerged during periods of high water, but during the summer the stream carries only a few inches, and in some years may become dry for a short time. http://crabtreehotsprings.com/ Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 196 miles, 4 hrs 44 mins Davis Soda Spring Clearlake, Lake County 73°F/23°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 38.995, -122.642 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 143 miles, 3 hrs 21 mins Abbott Mine Lake County 86°F/30°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 39.02239, -122.44526 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 174 miles, 3 hrs 30 mins Quigley Soda Spring S. of Spring Valley, Lake County 82°F/28°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 39.053, -122.597 Three carbonated springs that emerge about a quarter of a mile from each other on the Quigley place, 14 miles by road north of the town of Lower Lake, have been surrounded by concrete basins so as to form drinking pools Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 149 miles, 3 hrs 24 mins Unnamed Spring S. of Spring Valley, Lake County 81°F/27°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 39.022, -122.592 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 145 miles, 3 hrs 18 mins Soda Spring in Cache Formation E. of Clear Lake, Lake County 72°F/22°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 38.95, -122.572 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 142 miles, 3 hrs 21 mins Unnamed Spring at Fraser Point 8799 Soda Bay Road, W. shore of Clear Lake, Lake County 95°F/35°C 38.985001, -122.741166 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 160 miles, 3 hrs 27 mins Unnamed Spring W. shore of Clear Lake, Lake County 'warm': Not hot enough to be interesting. 38.963, -122.724 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 146 miles, 3 hrs 20 mins Riviera Beach Spring W. side of Clear Lake, Lake County 93°F/34°C 38.957675, -122.703296 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 143 miles, 3 hrs 18 mins Unnamed Spring SW shore of Clear Lake, Lake County 'warm': Not hot enough to be interesting. 38.95, -122.654 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 142 miles, 3 hrs 19 mins FRESNO COUNTY Iridat Spring West of Los Banos, Fresno County 73°F/23°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 36.773, -120.898 About two miles NW of approximately 58399 Little Panoche Road. No doubt the same geothermal hotspot driving nearby Mercey Hot Springs. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 127 miles, 2 hrs 4 mins Unnamed spring West of Firebaugh, Fresno County 81°F/27°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 36.765, -120.901 About two miles NW of approximately 58399 Little Panoche Road. No doubt the same geothermal hotspot driving nearby Mercey Hot Springs. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 127 miles, 2 hrs 4 mins Unnamed Spring West of Firebaugh, Fresno County 75°F/24°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 36.640537, -120.683291 A few miles west of I-5 near Firebaugh. Perhaps in Escarpado Canyon. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 128 miles, 2 hrs 10 mins Mercey Hot Springs 62964 Little Panoche Rd., west of Firebaugh, Fresno County 119°F/48°C 36.704199, -120.859616 Lodging for campers, RVs; several cabins and Airstreams for rent. Wood hot tub, private tubs. Indoor bath house with private tubs. Sauna. Visitors and campers should be aware that the nearest restaurants / food stores (other than packaged snacks at the resort) are about 35 miles north up I-5 in Los Banos, or a 22-mile drive east and then south to two fast-food outlets at the W. Panoche Road I-5 exit (exit 368), and that they should expect to either bring drinking water or buy it bottled at the resort, as the springs' own water is mildly salty. 1915 note: Mercey Hot Springs rise near the extreme western edge of Fresno County, among the barren hills that border San Joaquin Valley. The main spring has been excavated to form a reservoir, is lined with concrete, and is housed. It yields warm water of a peculiar "soft" taste. The spring has been known since 1848, and was first used to supply sheep-watering troughs. Water is scarce in this region, and the Mercey spring is still valuable for stock watering, as well as for its mineral character. There was formerly a small resort here, and the bathing accommodations were in 190S still patronized by people from the surrounding towns. For several years prior to the earthquake of April 18, 1906, the water was bottled for table use, but the market was interrupted at that time, and in 1908 had not been resumed. The main spring rises in an open draw at the base of low, cherty gravel slopes. About 100 yards eastward, at the opposite side of a low ridge, another small warm spring issues that is more strongly sulphureted, and 400 yards westward, in a ravine, is a small cool spring that is not noticeably mineralized. http://www.merceyhotsprings.com/ http://hotspringsdirectory.blogspot.com/2004/07/mercey-hot-springs.html Season: year-round Cost: $50 for day use: noon to 5:00pm in winter, 9am - 8pm in the summer. (Check the Web site, as offerings occasionally change.) Hot springs / pool access is of course included for campers/RVers paying to stay on-site. Distance: 130 miles, 2 hrs 12 mins: From I-5, exit at Little Panoche Road / Shields Ave. / County Route J1 exit (exit 379), going west on Little Panoche Road (County Route J1), 13 miles into the foothills to (and down) north/south-running Little Panoche Valley. The entrance to the resort is on the right (west), shortly after a left-side (east) entrance to BLM-owned Panoche Hills Recreation Area. Note: The correct freeway exit at Little Panoche Road (exit 379) must not be confused with W. Panoche Road exit (exit 368) nine miles further south. W. Panoche Road does _not_ reach Mercey Hot Springs, except indirectly via a rugged, steep, and scary detour on a dirt road west through Tumey Hills Recreation Area. From San Benito County via backroads, take CA-25 to Paicines, then turn left (east) on Panoche Road / County Route J1, proceeding 28 miles to a T intersection where Little Panoche Road / County Route J1 branches left (north), another 8 miles to the resort. Do _not_ continue east on Panoche Road through that T intersection, as it becomes a dirt road that fords a running stream and then climbs through the aforementioned rugged, steep, and scary Tumey Hills, and then finally becomes W. Panoche Road shortly before reaching I-5 at exit 368 -- and, moreover, misses the resort. Likewise, the Mercey Springs Road / CA-165 exit (exit 391) goes nowhere near the resort, and in fact goes away from it, northwards into San Joaquin Valley. Coalinga Mineral Springs / Fresno Hot Springs Coalinga, Fresno County DRIED UP 112°F/44°C 36.144328, -120.555662 Located 18 miles west of Coalinga, off Highway 198. The site was a well known health and vacation area with a bath house and hotel supplied with hot mineral springs water. Hotel was in operation from 1860 until it was destroyed by fire in 1961. The property was acquired by the Wildlife Conservation Board in 1966 and in 1967 a lease agreement was signed with Fresno County to be operated as a regional park. A 2021 source says, however, that the hot water source has dried up. 1915 note: Fresno Hot Springs are situated on a branch of Waltham Creek, in the hills of the west side of San Joaquin Valley. Several small warm springs issue along the west side of the canyon, from beds of shale and sandstone, which are the principal rocks of this region. The springs have long been known and were early improved as a resort. A new bathhouse was built in 1904 and other improvements have been made, so that in 1908 there were accommodations for about 200 people. It is said that the water was formerly warmer, but during recent years it has become necessary to heat it for the baths. http://www.fresnobee.com/sports/outdoors/article19526439.html Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 177 miles, 3 hrs 9 mins Mono Hot Springs Resort / Mono Hot Springs / Lower Hot Springs / Lower Mineral Hot Springs 70000 Edison Lake Road, Lakeshore, Fresno County 100°F/38°C to 104°F/40°C 37.3266098, -119.0176179 Central California, south fork of the San Joaquin River. Note: This is on the west side of the Sierra Nevada, CA-168, 85 miles (2.5 hours) east of Fresno via Kaiser Road Pass. Follow signs to Shaver and Huntington Lakes. Cabins, tent cabins, camping cabins, spa. Massage by appointment. 1915 note: About 10 miles below Blaney Meadow Springs, on the south side of the stream, another group of hot springs and seepages forms a considerable area of moist land on the slopes above the river. The four larger sprigns are used as bathing pools by campers during summer months. http://www.monohotsprings.com/ http://hotspringsdirectory.blogspot.com/2004/06/mono-hot-springs.html Season: summer (May 15 - Nov. 1) Cost: $20 day pass Distance: 240 miles, 4 hrs 47 mins Blaney Meadows Hot Springs / Blayney Meadows Hot Springs Fresno County 100°F/38°C 37.234440, -118.882046 The hot spring sits above Blaney Meadow in the John Muir Wilderness. Easiest access is to drive CA-168, then Kaiser Pass Road to Florence Lake, then boat across the lake, camp, and hike about the 8 mile trail up South Fork San Joaquin River to the perimeter of Diamond O Ranch, and ford the river to reach Blaney Meadow and the natural hot spring. Season: summer, realistically (unless you're a snow bunny) Cost: free Distance: 245 miles, 5 hrs 25 mins (to Florence Lake) 1915 note: ~75 miles northward from Jordan Hot Springs, in the canyon of South Fork of San Joaquin River, about a mile above the upper end of Blaney Meadows, three or four small springs issue on each side of the river, and, like Jordan Springs, are used as a mountain camping resort. They have been dug out to form bathing pools. Water was a max. temp of ~110°F/43°C, and yield on each side of the river is perhaps 20 gal/min. http://www.gardenbetty.com/2012/09/a-little-big-birthday-adventure-at-florence-lake/ http://keithblayney.com/Blayney/Meadows.html Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 244 miles, 5 hrs 22 mins to Florence Lake MENDOCINO COUNTY Vichy Hot Springs Resort 2605 Vichy Springs Rd, Ukiah, Mendocino County 85°F/29°C: Not hot enough to be interesting (but probably artificially heated). 39.166530, -123.157216 150-year-old resort (26 rooms) + cottages, carbonated 'Vichy' mineral baths, Olympic-sized pool (May-Oct), hot pool, Chemisal Falls natural pool, 700 acres of walking trails. Not to be confused with the now-vanished Napa Vichy Springs in Napa County. http://www.vichysprings.com/ https://web.archive.org/web/20150407211824/http://www.thebolditalic.com/articles/7041-a-never-nude-s-guide-to-northern-california-hot-springs Season: year-round Cost: $30 for 2 hours, $55 for day pass, 9am-dusk, or stay at the resort Distance: 148 miles, 2 hrs 35 mins Orr Hot Springs Resort 13201 Orr Springs Rd, Ukiah, Mendocino County 104°F/40°C 39.229557, -123.366696 14 miles up a mountain road from Ukiah Communal kitchen, lodge, library, yurts, cabins, tent camping area, dry sauna, steam room, various hot and cold pools, private tubs. 1915 note: Orrs Hot Springs (PI. IV, B, p. 32) issue along the eastern edge of the main fork of Big River, which here flows in a deep, wide canyon. The locality is a resort and stage station on the road between Uldah and Mendocino. A hotel and two or three cottages furnish accommodations for about 50 guests, and tents are erected during the summer when needed. Five springs rise near the hotel. They range in temperature from about 70°F/21°C to 104°F/40°C and have individual flows of 4 or 5 gallons a minute. One of the springs rises in a small swimming plunge, and the others supply tub and plunge baths. Near one side of the plunge is also a drinking spring, 85°F/24°C in temperature and of seeping flow, and at the edge of the stream, 250 yards below the main group, another spring that is used for drinking issues with an observed temperature of 63°F/17°C and a flow of about 2 gallons a minute. A hydrocarbon gas that was formerly used for lighting issues at the main springs, but the earthquake of April 18, 1906, apparently so altered the points of escape of the gas that in 1909 it was no longer used. http://www.orrhotsprings.org/ https://web.archive.org/web/20150407211824/http://www.thebolditalic.com/articles/7041-a-never-nude-s-guide-to-northern-california-hot-springs http://hotspringsdirectory.blogspot.com/search/label/Orr%20Hot%20Springs Season: year-round Cost: $30 day pass 10am-10pm (capacity permitting), or stay there, call ahead for either of these. Distance: 158 miles, 2 hrs 56 min Point Arena Hot Springs Mendocino County 111°F/44°C 38.8767, -123.51000 It's reported that the immediate area, within the canyon of the Garcia River, on its steep and slippery banks, is now owned by Nature Conservancy. Current access now requires a difficult 4-5 hour hike directly in (and up) Garcia River from Ten Mile Cutoff Road's Vorhees Memorial Grove turnoff, including wading through two waist-deep (in autumn, when water is lowest) river pools. The historic resort at the hot springs, constructed starting in 1895 and doing business starting 1904, was then reachable only via horse and carriage (but, by now, the stagecoach road in question has long been overgrown), and offered extensive facilities, all of which burned down in the 1920s, leaving only one 2-3 person pool and two square cement pools that each fits one person. Before 1998, access was easier via Point Arena Air Force Station, about 2 miles away, but that approach is now closed down and guarded. Minor dirt roads nearby are owned by Conservation Fund's Garcia River Forest Project (no longer, as often claimed, by Hollow Tree Logging Company), which would probably grant a permit for "general trail access" upon application. (You're advised to not mention the hot springs in your application.) You would, then, still need to descend the steep river bank. Beware of poison oak and ticks. 1915 note: In the canyon of Garcia River, about 15 miles by road south of east from Point Arena. Property became of a resort in 1895. In 1910, a hotel, several cottages, and a number of tents provided accommodations for 100 guests. A steep trail leads from the buildings, on the canyon side, to the springs and the stream 200 yards away. Close to the southeast side of the stream, two hot springs rise in cemented basins about 6 feet apart and yield flows of about 1.5 and 3 gallons a minute of mildly sulphurated water 112°F/44°C and 110°F/43°C in temperature. The water supplies tub baths in two small houses that are built over the stream, and a pool in the stream itself is also much used for bathing. The springs issue in an area of basaltic lava that extends for about 8 mils northwestward along Garcia River and probably also for some distance eastwards from the springs. https://www.soakersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3226 https://goldinthesehills.tumblr.com/page/4 https://westernmininghistory.com/mine-detail/10261226/ http://www.krisweb.com/krisgarcia/krisdb/webbuilder/bw_p1.htm https://www.mendotraintony.com/the-hot-springs-near-point-arena-on-the-garcia-river/ Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 160 miles, 3 hrs 50 mins to trailhead Muir Springs E. of Willits, Mendocino County 68°F/20°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 39.429, -123.308 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 171 miles, 3 hrs 10 mins Pinches Spring Laytonville, Mendocino County 70°F/21°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 39.697, -123.478 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 191 miles, 3 hrs 30 mins Jackson Valley Mud Springs West of Laytonville, Mendocino County 80°F/27°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 39.657675, -123.588071 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 202 miles, 4 hours COLUSA COUNTY Wilbur Hot Springs Resort / Simmons Hot Springs 3375 Wilbur Springs Rd., Wilbur Springs, Colusa County 153°F/67°C 39.039749, -122.422076 22 miles east of Clear Lake, about 20 miles west of Williams. Victorian hotel rooms, cabins, lodge rooms, bunk room, camping. (No RV facilities.) Communal kitchen. Solar powered electricity, gas fireplaces. Grocery store and restaurant. Two massage rooms. One regular cold pool, and an open-sided big wooden shelter with three pools of differing temperatures. One outdoor hot pool. Sauna. Site is next to a creek/river. Surrounded by an 1800 acre nature preserve. Reservations are required for both overnight and day visits. 1915 note: In the valley of Sulphur Creek, in southwestern Colusa County —- a region where considerable mining for quicksilver has been carried on —- are several groups of springs that yield hot sulphureted water. The lowest, easternmost group is at Wilbur Hot Springs, which has been a resort for more than 40 years. It was originally known as Simmons Hot Springs, and the resort to which the name Wilbur Hot Springs was applied was 4 miles to the northwest, near the Elgin quicksilver mine; a number of years ago, however, after the hotel at the latter place burned, the Simmons property was purchased by the owners of Wilbur Hot Springs and the upper place was abandoned. In 1908 the present Wilbur Hot Springs (PI. IV, D, p. 32) again changed ownership, and most of the buildings, which were in poor condition, were removed and new cottages built. The hot springs issue along the borders of Sulphur Creek, for a distance of about one-half mile on the Wilbur property, but are mainly in a barren, saline area that borders the west side of the creek from 75 to 200 yards west of the hotel. The position and approximate extent of this area are shown at the left in Plate IV, D. The principal springs have been numbered by the owners, beginning at the western border of the property, on the assumption that eventually there will be 30 developed springs, though only 12 have been of importance. Several of the group yield cold water. Spring No. 1, a hot sulphur spring, issues mainly in a pool a few feet west of the Wilbur property, on land that belongs to the Manzanita Mining Co., but warm water also seeps out several yards east of the main pool. This pool has been used occasionally as a foot bath, but in 1910 the adjacent seepages had not been developed. The Hot Black Sulphur Spring (No. 10) is a few hundred yards east of No. 1 and about 500 yards west of the Wilbur Hotel. Its water issues at the southeast edge of the creek, and when visited formed a pool that was covered by a tent and used as a foot bath. The Main Springs (No. 22) are about 200 yards west of the hotel, at the upper edge of the barren area along the creek. Two concrete basins or small reservoirs, a few feet apart, are built around the springs, which yield a flow of hot, strongly sulphureted, and salty water at a measured rate of 30,000 gallons a day (21 gallons a minute). The water is clear and its color is distinctly yellow, like that of the water from Lower Blue Lick Springs, Ky., whose color has been assigned by Palmer 1 to alkaline sulphides in solution. The more strongly mineralized waters of the Wilbur springs probably contain alkaline sulphides in solution in medicinal amounts, but this character was not shown in the form in which the analyses were reported. The water is piped to cooling tanks and thence to tubs in an adjacent bathhouse, opposite the hotel. A thin crust of white, apparently amorphous sulphur rapidly collects on the surface of the water in the cooling tanks. On being disturbed it settles as a sludge, of which a considerable quantity has been used as a salve. A few feet north of the Main Springs is a smaller one, over which a men’s mud-bath house has been built. A continual flow of water in the mud bath is thus directly obtained. A women’s mud-bath house has been constructed in the same way, over another spring 30 or 40 yards eastward. Near the northeast corner of the men’s mudbath house there is a shallow pool, about 4 feet in diameter, called the Chromatic Spring, for material that changes color from day to day and is probably of algous (vegetable) nature usually coats its bottom. On one morning it was bright green in the central part of the bottom and reddish purple over the marginal third. On the following morning the coating had a uniform dark-olive tint. The water is said to be sometimes as black as ink and to contain a black substance (probably iron sulphide) that gradually settles. At other times the pool is clear and contains no noticeable growth. In connection with the water of this spring, a red water may be mentioned, that during hot dry weather collects in a few small depressions in the rock surface of the barren area. It is usually crusted with salts and is a saturated solution. On evaporation, it forms crystals that have been examined microscopically by It. C. Wells and are considered to be probably potassium sulphate and sodium chloride, the former predominating. The red coloring matter easily passes through filter paper and is rendered only slightly less .distinct by boiling. It may be a minute vegetable organism, but a bottled sample of the water retained its color after standing four years. The Catarrh and Complexion Spring (No. 20) issues on the south side of the creek, about 120 yards east of the Main Springs. Like the other springs its water is sulphureted and strongly salty, its chemical character being shown by the analysis on page 102. It has been used as a tonic drinking water, as a douche, and as a shampoo, being considered to be efficacious in removing dandruff. Three small springs are in basins a few feet apart in a spring house southeastward, across the creek from the hotel. The western one (No. 24), which is called the Cold Magnesia Spring, is the pleasantest for drinking and is the one most patronized. The central one (No. 26), which is also a magnesia spring, tastes more noticeably of magnesia. No. 28 is a cold sulphur spring. The Cold Black Sulphur Spring (No. 30) is on the south side of the creek, beyond the stable and about 125 yards east of the hotel. It has been protected by a board curbing and cover and yields a moderately sulphureted but palatable water. Jackson Sulphur Spring seeps from the road bank across the creek from No. 30. Its water tastes sulphureted and magnesic, and has been used slightly for drinking, but it is locally believed that its use tends to produce headache. Eastward, downstream from the Jackson Spring, there are several other cool, sulphureted seepages, but in 1910 these had not been developed. http://www.wilburhotsprings.com/ https://web.archive.org/web/20150407211824/http://www.thebolditalic.com/articles/7041-a-never-nude-s-guide-to-northern-california-hot-springs http://hotspringsdirectory.blogspot.com/2004/07/wilbur-hot-springs.html Season: year-round Cost: $57 day pass 10am-5pm, or stay there Distance: 154 miles, 2 hrs 56 mins Jones Fountain of Life Spring / Jones Hot Springs / Jones's Hot Sulphur Springs / Fountain of Life Geyser 142°F/61°C 39.033250, -122.427931 (approx.) Colusa County, 3/4 mile west of Wilbur Hot Springs As the former structures to convey hot water from the Fountain of Life Geyser (said to vent about every 45 minutes) is gone, what remains is the 12' tower through which the geyser vents. On the grounds of the Wilbur Hot Springs Nature Preserve. Reservations are required for all visits. 1915 note: Jones Hot Springs are near Sulphur Creek and about three-fourths mile west of Wilbur Hot Springs (Colusa 9, p. 99). The resort that has been built up at the place in recent years is patronized during the summer by many people who use the water. Accommodations for guests are supplied by a hotel and several cottages and by camping grounds near by. The principal yield is from a well that was bored near the creek at a place where gas formerly issued. Hot, sulphureted, salty water was obtained, which rises under considerable artesian pressure in a concrete tower to a height of about 12 feet, whence it flows to a bathhouse near the hotel. Gas intermittently rises with the water and causes it to spurt above the top of the tower. This characteristic has led to the well being named Fountain of Life. https://www.wilburhotsprings.com/activities-events/nature-preserve/ Season: year-round Cost: entry to Wilbur Hot Springs Nature Preserve Distance: 155 miles, 2 hrs 56 mins Blank Spring / Blancks Hot Springs 3375 Wilbur Springs Road, Williams, Colusa County 112°F/44°C 39.031076, -122.432282 1915 note: A number of years ago there was a small hot-spring resort, known as Blancks Hot Springs, about half a mile west of Jones Hot Springs (Colusa 11, p. 103). When the Wideawake mining shaft was sunk near by, Blancks Hot Springs ceased flowing and the resort was closed, but of late years, since the shaft has been abandoned and has become partly filled up, the springs have resumed their flow. In 1910, there were two springs in a small ravine behind a former rooming house. One of them yielded perhaps 2 gallons a minute from a vertical pipe that extended a foot above the surface, and the other, a few yards away, discharged about an equal amount through a pipe that extended to a tub in a small bathhouse near by. Season: year-round Cost: entry to Wilbur Hot Springs Nature Preserve Distance: 160 miles, 3 hrs 0 mins Manzanita Mine Springs Wilbur Springs Road, Williams, Colusa County 110°F/43°C and 142°F/61°C 39.038683, -122.425103 (approx.) 1915 note: Between Jones and Wilbur hot springs, on a strip of land that is part of the Manzanita mining property, similar hot sulphur springs issue in at least three places. The spring farthest east, which has been mentioned in connection with Wilbur spring No. 1, forms a pool a few feet in diameter that yields perhaps 1 gallon a minute of sulphureted, salty water, 110°F/43°C in temperature. It is clear and distinctly yellow in color, like that of the Main Springs at Wilbur’s, and like the latter shows a deposit of sulphur on its surface. In 1910, the spring was protected by a roof, and was occasionally used as a foot bath. Another spring farther upstream, on the northwest edge of the creek, was protected by a tent and used for bathing; the third spring is about 100 yards northeast of Jones’s Fountain of Life spring. The third spring, which is between the creek and the wagon road, issued from a wooden curbing near an old, unused bathhouse and yielded perhaps 1J gallons a minute of sulphureted salty water, 142°F/61°C in temperature. Season: year-round Cost: entry to Wilbur Hot Springs Nature Preserve Distance: 155 miles, 2 hrs 56 mins Fouts Springs Mendocino Nat'l Forest, County Road M-10 W 10 mi. from Stonyford, Colusa County 79°F/26°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 39.3532176, -122.6649908 The place is named for John F. Fouts, who discovered the springs here in 1873. The springs supported a resort capable of hosting 150 guests that operated here in the early part of the 20th century. Best known, these days, as the missionary training facility for international, theologically evangelical Christian mission organization New Tribes Mission of Sanford, FL. Individual springs in the cluster probably include Champagne Spring (39.34798255099688, -122.66627826719537) and Red Eye Spring (39.35106885929727, -122.67083802248281). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fouts_Springs,_California https://totalescape.com/outside/campsites/fouts-springs/ https://edits.nationalmap.gov/apps/gaz-domestic/public/summary/1656032 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 195 miles, 3 hrs 35 mins Sulphur Spring (#1) N. of Stonyford, Colusa County 75°F/24°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 39.433712, -122.540532 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 183 miles, 3 hrs 25 mins Salt Spring N. of Stonyford, Colusa County 75°F/24°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 39.430174, -122.536895 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 182 miles, 3 hrs 15 mins Elgin Mine / Elgin Quicksilver Mine 3 miles NW of Wilbur Hot Springs, Mendocino Nat'l Forest, Colusa County 156°F/69°C 39.0557271, -122.4724786 1915 note: The Elgin quicksilver mine is situated on the western side of Sulphur Creek, on steep slopes 400 to 500 feet above the stream. Much work has been done in these mines and occasional rich pockets of cinnabar have been found, but the tunnels have been very difficult to work in because of the high temperature, the hot water, the sulphureted and ammoniacal vapors, which affect the eyes as well as the respiration, and the acid salts, which quickly destroy clothing. In addition to the cinnabar considerable amounts of sulphur were formerly obtained from higher slopes near the quicksilver tunnels, and a few hundred dollars worth of gold is said to have been obtained incidentally from one quicksilver working. Hot springs, from which water was formerly piped down the slope to a bathhouse at the original Wilbur Hot Springs resort, still yield a flow of several gallons a minute on the steep slope, and a short distance away a flow of about 10 gallons a minute at 140°F/60°C temperature issues from the Judge Moore tunnel, which extends 200 feet into the hill. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 176 miles, 3 hrs 5 mins Sulphur Spring (#2) N. of Leesville, Colusa County 68°F/20°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 39.20627, -122.41277 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 170 miles, 3 hrs 5 mins SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY Paso Robles Mud Bath Springs Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County 118°F/48°C 35.656181, -120.694111 (approx.) 1915 note: About 2 1/2 miles north of Paso Robles there are natural warm springs which are used for bathing. These are locally known as the Mud Bath Springs. A large amount of warm water here issues about 100 yards from the edge of Salinas River. The springs rise mainly within concrete walls that were built as foundations for a bathhouse, but plans were changed and the springs are now of secondary importance to Paso Robles Hot Springs. There is a building at the Mud Bath Springs, however, below whose floor there are about half a dozen cemented plunges, with perforated bottoms that admit the water. About 30 yards west of the bathhouse is a 4-inch flowing well that in 1908 yielded about 8 gallons a minute of water 118°F/48°C in temperature. The water is said to have been struck at a depth of 140 feet. This is known as the Lithia Spring and is used for drinking, its water being faintly sulphureted and salty. Two natural springs near by are also used for drinking. One of these, the Soda Spring, is about 75 yards west of north from the bathhouse. When visited it was enclosed by a concrete curb and was equipped with a hand pump, but it discharged about 4 gallons a minute of warm water. This water has been carbonated and bottled for several years by the local soda works. A cool iron spring issues in a ravine 175 yards northwest of the bathhouse. Water from this spring was piped to a drinking faucet near the bathhouse, and the overflow, about 1 gallon a minute, supplied a cattle-watering trough in the ravine. Southeast of the bathhouse at least half a dozen warm pools and seepage springs are scattered for half a mile or more along the river flat that borders the present channel. Mud from one or two of these pools is used in the plunges at the bathhouse, and two or three of the flowing springs are used locally for bathing and for laundry. http://www.pioneertroubadours.com/North%20County%20Line/Hot%20Springs%20and%20Saloons/paso_robles_hot_springs.htm Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 176 miles, 2 hrs 45 mins Paso Robles Hot Springs / Paso Robles Artesian Spring Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County CAPPED 105°F/41°C 35.625637, -120.691863 Within the grounds of Paso Robles Inn, which replaced El Paso De Robles Hotel, which burned down in Dec., 1940. The hotel, however, capped access to the spring, saying that the sulphur smell was overbearing for guests. 1915 note: Thermal waters issue at a number of places near Paso Robles, in the upper portion of Salinas Valley. As early as 1865 a warm sulphureted spring in the southern part of the town was improved for bathing, the spring being cemented and covered by a large masonry dome, and a swimming plunge being constructed. Another spring near by was also enclosed by masonry walls and made use of for bathing. These springs have been abandoned for several years, however, apparently because they have nearly or entirely ceased to flow. Hotel El Paso de Robles was built about 1888. It is situated in the western part of town, within extensive grounds that also enclose a clubhouse and a dozen cottages. A few years ago a large and very complete bathhouse, with modern apparatus for the therapeutic use of water, was built adjoining the hotel. These baths are supplied by a flowing artesian well 10 inches in diameter at the top and 640 feet deep, that was put down behind the bathhouse and is known as the Main Sulphur Spring. Its temperature is reported to be 105° and its yield to be 2,500,000 gallons a day (1,736+ gallons a minute), but this amount seems excessive. The city of Paso Robles has also erected a bathhouse about one-fourth mile east of Hotel El Paso de Robles. Its baths are supplied by a flowing well 427 feet deep, which yields water at a temperature of 105°F/41°C. http://www.pioneertroubadours.com/North%20County%20Line/Hot%20Springs%20and%20Saloons/paso_robles_hot_springs.htm Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 178 miles, 2 hrs 55 mins Santa Ysabel Springs Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County PRIVATE, OFF-LIMITS 94°F/34°C 35.582232, -120.664876 On the site of the former Ranch Santa Ysabel. 1915 note: About 4 miles southeast of Paso Robles a large volume of warm sulphureted water rises in a ravine on the eastern side of Salinas Valley. In the late eighties a resort was started here, but the plans were not carried out, and in 1908 there was only a small private bathhouse at the springs. One main spring rises beneath the bathhouse and discharges about 150 gallons a minute of water 94°F/34°C in temperature. At the northeast corner of the bathhouse another warm spring of slight yield rises in a concrete basin. The water flows northward half a mile to a storage reservoir or artificial lake, and is used for irrigation. About a quarter of a mile farther up the ravine other sulphureted springs issue, but they are of small flow and are unimportant. https://jeffreycrane.blogspot.com/2011/01/undercover-san-luis-obispo-hot-springs.html https://issuu.com/kentra52/docs/history_of_rancho_santa_ysabel Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 182 miles, 2 hrs 55 mins Franklin Hot Springs 3015 Creston Road, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County 100.1°F/38°C 35.587807, -120.641750 Seems minimally developed. There's pond fishing, boating. http://franklinhotsprings.com/ Season: year-round Cost: $7 day pass 8am-10pm Distance: 182 miles, 2 hrs 52 mins Cameta Warm Spring San Luis Obispo County 73°F/23°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 35.4, -120.25 1915 note: Cameta Warm Spring is about 30 miles southeast of Paso Robles and near the road toward Bakersfield. It rises in a board-curbed pool about 5 feet square, at the lower end of a tule patch in a creek channel, and yields about 3 gallons a minute, of moderately sulphureted water 74°F/23°C in temperature. Its flow is conducted a short distance in a pipe to another pool beneath a shed, where it is used by the residents for bathing. The water rises in a region of low gravelly hills and is similar in its character and occurrence to Santa Ysabel Springs (San Luis Obispo County), which are farther west. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 214 miles, 3 hrs 35 mins Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort and Spa, formerly San Luis Hot Spring 1215 Avila Beach Drive, San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County 101°F/38°C to 104°F/40°C 35.185752, -120.712835 Resort rooms have their own outdoor mineral hot tubs. Hillside hot tubs by reservation. Oasis Waterfall Lagoon rentable by the hour for groups. RV and camping. 1915 note: Southward from San Luis Obispo and near the ocean is a resort of considerable importance that utilizes the artesian flow of an unsuccessful oil well. This well was begun in the fall of 1885 and abandoned in March, 1887, when at a depth of 937 feet. Quantities of gas and warm, sulphureted water were obtained, but no oil was yielded. A number of years ago the water is reported to have had a temperature of 103°F/39°C and discharge of 100 gallons a minute. In 1908 a temperature of 107°F/42°C was recorded. The discharge seemed to have materially decreased but was not measured. The well is located-at the south edge of the canyon of San Luis Obispo Creek, 100 yards from the stream and at the border of a sycamore grove. A resort was early established here, and the place became known as Sycamore Spring, but in recent years the name was changed to the present title. Extensive accommodations have been provided, and the creek is made use of for boating. The rocks exposed in this locality consist of shales and sandstones of Miocene or Pliocene age which dip mainly to the north or northeast. Anticlinal or low-arched structure which would be favorable to the existence of oil was not noted, though it may exist. https://www.ultimatehotspringsguide.com/sycamore-hot-springs.html https://www.sycamoresprings.com/ http://hotspringsdirectory.blogspot.com/2004/05/sycamore-mineral-springs.html Season: year-round Cost: $14.50/hr Mo-Th, $18.50/hr FrSaSu, or stay there Distance: 214 miles, 3 hrs 16 min Pecho Warm Springs San Luis Obispo County 95°F/35°C and 72°F/22°C 35.269, -120.851 Appears to be in Montana de Oro State Park, south of Los Osos. 1915 note: In the canyon of Islay Creek, west of San Luis Obispo, and about 2 miles from the coast, are two warm, disagreeably sulphureted springs which are known as Pecho Warm Springs. When visited in 1908 there was a wooden trough tub and a screen of gunny sacking at the larger spring, while the other was used only as a drinking pool. Their observed temperatures were 95°F/35°C and 72°F/22°C and their flows, respectively, about 15 gallons and 2 gallons a minute. The larger spring issues at the creek edge, at the base of a 10-foot bank of crushed shale, the other rises about 150 yards farther downstream, and at the roadside 10 yards from the creek. The place has long been resorted to on holidays by picnic parties from the neighboring sheep and cattle ranches; but it has been comparatively seldom visited by campers, as it is not a desirable spot for a vacation retreat. https://jeffreycrane.blogspot.com/2011/01/undercover-san-luis-obispo-hot-springs.html Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 216 miles, 3 hrs 35 mins Avila Hot Springs 250 Avila Beach Drive, Avila Beach, San Luis Obispo County 130°F/54°C to 135°F/57°C at source, 104°F/40°C in the pool 35.180552, -120.703243 Cabin rentals, tent camping, RV camping. 20' x 20' therapeutic hot mineral soaking pool, and heated swimming pool. http://avilahotsprings.com/ Season: year-round Cost: $10 day pass 8am-9pm SuMoTuTh, 9am-10pm WeFrSa, or stay there. Distance: 214 miles, 3 hrs 16 min Newsoms Arroyo Grande Warm Spring / Newsom Springs Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo County PRIVATE, OFF-LIMITS 35.121948, -120.544645 99°F/37°C Old note: Newsom's Hot Springs are in Newsom Canyon, a tributary of Arroyo Grande Valley. The hot sulphur springs, emanating from Miocene rocks, occur probably along mineralized zones. The springs had been developed for public use. One of the springs issued water of 100F. An 1888 chemical analysis showed that the spring water was magnesium-calcium-sodium bicarbonate in character, and had a TDS concentration of 630 mg/L. 1915 note: Newsoms Arroyo Grande Warm Spring is situated in a small open canyon 2 1/2 miles east of the town of Arroyo Grande, in San Luis Obispo County. The spring yields about 15 gallons a minute and rises in a board-curbed pool that supplies tub baths and a small swimming plunge. The temperature of the water is 98°F/37°C. The water tastes moderately sulphureted, and a small amount of sulphur is deposited along the run-off channel. A small amount of acid salt also forms on the curbing of the spring, and when these salts are placed in the water, which is clear, a black precipitate that is probably iron sulphide immediately forms. The constituents render the water unsuitable for laundry uses, but they are not objectionable for bathing. The property has been open to the public as a resort since 1864. In 1908 there were accommodations for about 30 people in a hotel building and small cottages. The baths have been much patronized on Sundays by people from Arroyo Grande, and the water has been carbonated and bottled by the local soda works. https://jeffreycrane.blogspot.com/2011/01/undercover-san-luis-obispo-hot-springs.html Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 224 miles, 3 hrs 35 mins TULARE COUNTY Doyle Springs Uphill from Wishon Camp, off CA-190, Sequoia National Forest, Tulare County PRIVATE, OFF-LIMITS 100°F 36.202178, -118.649587 Source, a hot soda spring, is for the exclusive use of 66 cabin owners on leased land in Doyle Springs Tract, and used to fill a swimming pool. https://www.soakersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2917&start=60 Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 267 miles, 4 hrs 5 mins California Hot Springs Resort (Deer Creek) 42177 Hot Springs Dr, California Hot Springs, Tulare County 122°F/50°C 35.880341, -118.673700 Just inside the Sequoia National Monument at California Hot Springs. I-5 south to Kettleman City, CA-43 east through Earlimart and to the destination in the mountains, just below the snowline. Camping, RV hookups. Swimming pool and two large hot tubs (all chlorinated) fed by the hot spring, adjoining a general store and deli. White River Campground is nearby. Separate rental lodging is also available nearby in a bunkhouse or a large cabin. Hot springs water is piped into the bunkhouse and cabin at approximately 125°F/52°C. 1915 note: 35 miles SE of Portersville. Four springs at points 5 to 20 yards apart along the southern bank of Deer Creek Canyon, 20 or 30 feet above the stream bed. This group yields about 36 gal/min of water 120°F/49°C to 126°F/52°C. 1/2 mile upstream on the northern side of the crek, another group of one main and two minor springs discharges about 1/3 as much water at 106°F/41°C. Recent extensive improvements: 1907, frame hotel and annex, small cottages and tents. Water from the upper springs is piped to a tank, thence to the baths and grounds. Pipes from the lower group go 275 yards to baths near the hotel. Springs of the lower group are also used for drinking.G http://www.hotspringsrentals.net/ http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g32140-d1478650-Reviews-California_Hot_Springs_Resort-California_Hot_Springs_California.html http://www.yelp.com/biz/california-hot-springs-california-hot-springs Season: year-round Cost: $12/person day pass, free for guests. Distance: 269 miles, 4 hrs 30 mins Miracle Hot Springs / Clear Creek Hot Springs / Hobo Springs / Compressor Hot Springs Below Bodfish, Tulare County DEMOLISHED 119°F/48°C 35.576164, -118.533992 (approx.) Five rock tubs were demolished by Forest Service and USMC with a sledgehammer on October, 20, 2022, citing a variety of absurd justifications at different times. (This has happened several times before, and each time they were eventually rebuilt.) Located at US Forest Service's Hobo Campground. 1915 note: Hot water issues at three or four places among the boulders at the southern edge of Kern River 200 yards below the mouth of Clear Creek. In 1907, the springs were seldom visited, but a few years earlier, during the construction of a power canal nearby, they were made use of by the workmen for bathing and washing and became known locally as the Hobo Springs. https://kernvalleysun.com/stories/635252701-miracle-hot-springs-demolished-closed-under-suspicious-circumstances https://www.bakersfield.com/news/tubs-pools-at-miracle-hot-springs-turned-to-rubble-by-forest-service-agents/article_e1cfff52-5c9c-11ed-80ea-f731c868869d.html https://kernrafting.com/2021/06/07/kern-river-hot-springs/#miracle-hotsprings http://www.gilbertgia.com/hist_articles/community/kern_canyon_spirits_com_AG.pdf http://www.kernvalley.com/news/hotsprng.htm https://www.facebook.com/groups/2026166577456032 Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 302 miles, 5 hrs 25 mins Hot Springs Near Kernville Kernville, Tulare County 103°F/39°C 35.793542, -118.446 (approx.) RM notes: With the filling of Lake Isabella, historic Kernville was inundated. The current Kernville is some miles away. 1915 note: About 2 miles NE of Kernville, at the base of steep slopes on the eastern side of the river valley, warm water seeps out at several places, but the main point of issuance is in a small marshy area in an open cove on the valley side. A small frame bathhouse has been erected and is used locally. Temp of the water is around 103°F/39°C and its flow is small. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 318 miles, 5 hrs 35 mins Neills Hot Spring / Agua Caliente Kernville, Tulare County PROBABLY SUBMERGED (temp. unknown) 35.665610, -118.447709 Probably in the middle of Lake Isabella, these days. 1915 note: About 7 miles west of south (RM: SSW) from Kernville, hot water rises near the centre of Hot Spring Valley, about 1 miles east of the present channel of the Kern River. There is a small seepage pool 75 yards from the main spring, but the entire flow is now from one vent. About 40 feet of well casing was sunk into this spring a few years ago, and hte yield was thereby materially increased. The water has a temp of 131°F/55°C and a flow of 115 gal/min, and is used for domestic purposes and for irrigation. Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 306 miles, 5 hrs 15 mins Hot Spring Kernville, Tulare County 113°F/45°C 35.728568, -118.408654 1/2 mile east of Kern Valley Airport, 2 miles SE of Kernville Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 317 miles, 5 hrs 30 mins Jordan Hot Springs Tulare County (temp. unknown) 36.221414, -118.350507 (approx.) Online review claims it can be reached via Casa Vieja Trail, a strenuous 10.4 mi. hike out-and back (uphill on the way back), starting from near Olancha. 1915 note: On tributary of the upper Kern River, forms prominent deposits of lime carbonate. ~14 springs issue in a little flat along the banks of Ninemile Creek. Four have been excavated to form bathing pool; several others are used as drinking springs. Principal springs used range from 95°F/35°C to 123°F/51°C, yield from 1 to 10 gal/min. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/jordan-hot-springs-via-casa-vieja-trail--2 Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 336 miles, 8 hrs 5 mins TEHAMA COUNTY Tuscan Springs / Lick Springs NE of Red Bluff, Tehama County 86°F/30°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 40.240727, -122.111652 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 230 miles, 3 hrs 50 mins Stinking Springs 35 mile west of Red Bluff, Tehama County 101°F/38°C 40.222730, -122.750927 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 250 miles, 4 hrs 50 mins Morgan Hot Springs Mineral, south of Lassen Volcanic National Park, Tehama County PRIVATE, OFF-LIMITS 40.385468, -121.512757 1915 note: In the neighborhood of Lassen Peak, in the northeastern part of the State, there are some remarkable hot springs, whose positions with respect to each other and the peak are shown on Plate XI1 (p. 140). The best-known group is at the southern base of the mountain on the Morgan ranch, where about 25 springs and pools are scattered for a distance of 600 yards in a meadow along Mill Creek. Most of them are quiet pools of small flow, less than 5 feet in diameter and relatively shallow. A number of them contain thick algous growths, and several deposit native sulphur. Others rise in areas where hard deposits of siliceous and of calcareous materials have formed. Three or four springs steam and sputter from vents on the banks of the creek. One of the northernmost of these springs seems to have a true geyser action, for it issues in a shallow basin 3 feet in diameter in which the water is said to come to a state of vigorous ebullition and then to subside about once a day. During a period of 41 hours the condition of this spring was noted five times as follows: At the beginning of the period, in active ebullition, discharge about 15 gallons a minute, temperature 200°+; two hours later quiet, no overflow, temperature 187°; at 16 hours and at 25 hours later in active ebullition, overflowing; at 41 hours, quietly overflowing, about 5 gallons a minute. The place has been a camping resort for a number of years. In 1910 there were log bathhouses at three springs, a small shed over another pool, and a vapor bathhouse over a vent at the creek edge. Three-fourths of a mile northeastward, on a branch of Mill Creek, is another hot spring over which a bathhouse containing several compartments has been built. This spring also rises in a hard conglomerate similar to that at the springs in the meadow. http://www.lassenhiking.org/Hydrothermal-Areas/Hydrothermal%20Areas.htm Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 269 miles, 4 hrs 25 mins Growler Hot Spring Mineral, south of Lassen Volcanic National Park, Tehama County PRIVATE, OFF-LIMITS 203°F/95°C 40.394250, -121.508084 http://www.lassenhiking.org/Hydrothermal-Areas/Hydrothermal%20Areas.htm Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 270 miles, 4 hrs 40 mins PLACER COUNTY Brockway Hot Springs / Carnelian Hot Sulfur Springs / Campbell Hot Springs Brockway Springs Resort aka Brockway Springs Vacation Resort 9200 Brockway Springs Drive, Kings Beach, Placer County 131°F/55°C 39.230725, -120.014978 This is a bit tricky: The source flows from private property (Brockway Springs Resort), which is limited to resort guests, only, but the property line ends at Lake Tahoe's mean high-water mark. The resort uses the spring to heat water for its swimming pool, but afterwards it drains into Lake Tahoe, where there is a formation of rock-walled pools on public property. Water temperatures, there, are generally in the 90s°F, and the pools have room for 2-4 people. They can be reached via kayak, paddleboard, etc., most conveniently from Kings Beach, 0.7 miles north, or Speedboat Beach, 0.5 miles south. 1915 note: The only noteworthy thermal springs in the basin of Lake Tahoe are at the north end of the lake, near Stateline Point, at a fishing and boating resort, known as Brockway, where in 1909 a hotel and four cottages provided accommodations for 100 people. The springs rise in the lake within a few feet of the shore, bubbling up from numerous vents, principally at two localities. One of these localities is at the boat pier, where one spring has been cemented so as to form a drinking basin near the lake edge. A temperature of 137°F/58°C was recorded in this spring, and the discharge was about 3 gallons a minute. A plan had been considered for making a warm swimming pool by constructing a concrete wall around the springs in the lake at this place. Water from another group of springs, which is situated in the lake near its edge, about 150 yards northwestward, is pumped to a tank near by and used for bathing and for laundry purposes. https://www.outdoorproject.com/united-states/california/brockway-hot-springs Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 232 miles, 4 hrs 10 mins ALPINE COUNTY Grover Hot Springs State Park 3415 Hot Springs Road, Markleeville, Alpine County 80°F/27°C and 104°F/40°C 38.696736, -119.839909 Note that Markleeville is the centre, lowest point, and county seat of aptly named Alpine County. Any approach requires traversing a high Sierra mountain pass. Alpine County is south of the Lake Tahoe basin. 1915 note: In Alpine County, about 4 miles west of Markleeville and near the southern extension of the Sierra Valley fault, considerable heated water rises at Grovers Hot Springs from a dozen springs and seepages in two marshy areas about 100 yards apart, at the edge of a meadow on the southern side of Markleeville Creek. The principal springs range in temperature from 128°F/53°C to 146°F/63°C and their combined discharge —- perhaps 100 gallons a minute —- irrigates the meadow. In 1909 a pool 3 or 4 feet deep and about 30 feet square was used for bathing, and the place has been visited as a camping resort for many years. Season: year-round Cost: free with park entrance, natural springs. Swimming pool nearby is $7. Distance: 240 miles, 4 hrs 8 mins Carson River Hot Springs / Leviathan Mine Road Hot Springs Northeast of Markleeville, Alpine County PRIVATE, OFF-LIMITS 38.729109, -119.653225 (approx.) Hot springs formerly accessable from Leviathan Mine Road, six miles northeast of Markleeville, on the edge of the Carson River. Now, gate is locked and posted no trespassing. Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 262 miles, 4 hrs 54 mins KERN COUNTY Carneros Spring / Canaris Spring / Canary Spring ~5 miles west of Missouri Triangle, in Carneros Canyon, Kern County 90°F/32°C 35.4384219, -119.8471344 This spring is one of the sources of Carnero Creek / Arroyo de Los Carneros (a tributary of Santos Creek), at the foot of Carneros Rocks and the mouth of Carneros Canyon, elevation 1401 ft. The site was historically part of Joe Santos Ranch. As of 2008, the general Carneros Creek vicinity has been a productive drilling location for Pyramid Oil Company. Near as I can tell from online information, all surface roads approaching this site from the east, north, and south, such as 7th Standard Road westwards from Missouri Triangle, become private roads 2+ miles away. To the west is the crest of Temblor Range and some wild bits of San Luis Obispo County with, again, only private roads. I haven't yet reconnoitered the area, but given the apparent dedication of this hilly country to oil exploration, and no mention whatsoever of public access even to attractions like modestly famous Carneros Rocks, I'd be very surprised if there were any lawful access by the public to the hot-springs vicinity. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carneros_Creek_(Santos_Creek_tributary) https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2008/03/26/1249573/0/en/Pyramid-Oil-Company-Provides-Update-on-New-Carneros-Creek-Well.html Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 242 miles, 4 hrs 15 mins Williams Hot Springs Kern County 97°F/36°C 35.449506, -118.930343 (rough estimate) 1915 note: At the north edge of Walker Basin, ~10 miles SE of the canyon of lower Kern River, on the Williams ranch, is a group of small thermal springs. One spring, 97°F/36°C, yields about 8 gal/min of water that supplies a private bathhouse. Another, 150 yards east, temp 75°F/24°C, furnishes a domestic supply. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 267 miles, 4 hrs 35 mins Delongeha Hot Springs (Kern River) #1, Hwy 178, Kern County See first link about why this is public property, though one must be careful. 112°F/44°C 35.557775, -118.612912 1915 note: Western edge of Kern River, ~6 miles below the Clear Creek springs, group of three hot springs named after a prospector. They issue a few feet above the river surface from crevices in fractured, massive granite. In 1908, there was a resort consisting of a small hotel and two bathhouses. The flow of two of the springs was collected in cement basins and used in the bathhouses, which were perched on the rocks above the river. The third issues too close to the river. https://www.ultimatehotspringsguide.com/delonegha-hot-springs.html https://web.archive.org/web/20120706195719/http://www.treehugger.com/natural-sciences/hot-springs-in-hot-water-preserving-public-use-of-hot-springs-in-california.html http://www.kernvalley.com/news/hotsprng.htm http://www.gilbertgia.com/hist_articles/community/kern_canyon_spirits_com_AG.pdf Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 293 miles, 5 hrs Democrat Hot Springs (Kern River) 30401 CA-178, ~30 miles NE of Bakersfield, Kern County 115°F/46°C 35.528504, -118.667514 Operated as a private resort since 1904. 1915 note: Hot water issues on the southwest side of Kern River, within 150' of its edge but 50' or 75' above its surface. In 1908, there was a substantial hotel. One spring had a temp of 115°F/46°C and furnished the supply for bathing. 400 yards downstream from this spring, and near the hotel, a reservoir has been constructed around other warm springs. At a third place, another small spring forms a drinking pool. https://kernrafting.com/2021/06/07/kern-river-hot-springs/#democrat-hotsprings https://www.facebook.com/DemocratHotSprings https://web.archive.org/web/20120706195719/http://www.treehugger.com/natural-sciences/hot-springs-in-hot-water-preserving-public-use-of-hot-springs-in-california.html http://www.gilbertgia.com/hist_articles/community/kern_canyon_spirits_com_AG.pdf http://www.democrathotsprings.com/ http://www.kernvalley.com/news/hotsprng.htm https://www.bakersfield.com/bakersfield-life/history-democrat-hot-springs-the-healing-resort-of-kern-county/article_ff900de2-594c-11ec-89d4-73c45207d09b.html Season: year-round Cost: access limited to people attending private events at the resort Distance: 290 miles, 5 hrs China Garden Hot Springs (Kern River) 82°F/28°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 35.539656, -118.646784 (approx.) China Garden Hot Springs is located on public Forest Service land. No pool or significant springs are here, and it is very difficult to find. The name China Garden comes from the Chinese workers that camped here during the construction of Edison’s water flume in the canyon. With slow water flows, and temperatures topping out at 82 degrees, these "hot" springs never became anything more than something to look at. https://kernrafting.com/2021/06/07/kern-river-hot-springs/#china-garden-hotsprings https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sequoia/recarea/?recid=79677 http://kernriversierra.com/hike/Patch_Corner_Trail.html Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 290 miles, 5 hrs Pyramid Hot Spring Along the upper Kern River, across the river from CA-178, Kern County 103.00°F/39.44°C 35.556376, -118.613343 (approx.) Access is dangerous (must cross as Class VI section of river) most of the year: At best, approachable only in late summer. In 2021, it was reported there is no longer a pool (washed away by high waters of 2019). https://kernrafting.com/2021/06/07/kern-river-hot-springs/#pyramid-hotsprings https://www.roadsidesecrets.com/listing/pyramid-hot-spring/ https://www.outdoorproject.com/united-states/california/pyramid-hot-spring http://everydayrompn.com/2015/12/28/pyramid-hot-spring-62215/ https://web.archive.org/web/20120706195719/http://www.treehugger.com/natural-sciences/hot-springs-in-hot-water-preserving-public-use-of-hot-springs-in-california.html Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 294 miles, 5 hrs 5 mins Remington Hot Springs Bodfish (below Lake Isabella), Kern County 96°F/36°C to 115°F/46°C 35.576198, -118.552437 Following the Kern River from Bakersfield into the Sierra foothills, take CA-178 to exit #42. Turn east towards the small town of Bodfish. Turn right (south) when the road forms a T onto the mainstreet in Bodfish. Then watch for Kern Canyon Road on your right within the first mile. If the road begins switching back on a steep hill, you have gone too far. Continue on Kern Canyon Road past a power station and Sandy Flat Campground. After Hobo Campground, continue 1.6 miles and park at the second pullout. (There is a small pullout at 1.5 miles, but this has a very steep trail and is much more difficult to hike from). Hike down about 200 yards to Kern River, on a heavily used trail. The first spring is on your left, about 50 yards before the 3 main pools. https://kernrafting.com/2021/06/07/kern-river-hot-springs/#remington-hotsprings http://everydayrompn.com/2013/04/01/remington-hot-springs-4113/ http://hotspringsoak.com/remington-hot-springs.html https://web.archive.org/web/20120706195719/http://www.treehugger.com/natural-sciences/hot-springs-in-hot-water-preserving-public-use-of-hot-springs-in-california.html http://www.gilbertgia.com/hist_articles/community/kern_canyon_spirits_com_AG.pdf http://www.kernvalley.com/news/hotsprng.htm Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 302 miles, 4 hrs 53 mins Scovern Hot Springs (Kern River) / Agua Caliente / Neills Hot Springs 5838 Lake Isabella Blvd, Lake Isabella, Kern County PRIVATE, OFF-LIMITS 115°F/46°C 35.620830, -118.474869 As of 2004, there was paperwork by Scovern Hot Springs and Vineyard, Inc. to develop a commercial resort. Resort burned in 1971, and only a vacant lot remains. Flow is 140 gal/min. https://ceqanet.opr.ca.gov/2002071139/5 https://kernrafting.com/2021/06/07/kern-river-hot-springs/#scovern-hotsprings https://web.archive.org/web/20120706195719/http://www.treehugger.com/natural-sciences/hot-springs-in-hot-water-preserving-public-use-of-hot-springs-in-california.html http://www.gilbertgia.com/hist_articles/community/kern_canyon_spirits_com_AG.pdf http://www.kernvalley.com/news/hotsprng.htm Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 304 miles, 5 hrs 35 mins Ashley Hot Spring Kern County (temp. unknown) 35.735246, -118.317081 A Google Maps review claims the spring is on private property. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 323 miles, 5 hrs 40 mins SIERRA COUNTY Sierra Hot Springs Resort & Retreat Center / Campbell Hot Springs 521 Campbell Hot Springs Road, Sierraville, Sierra County 111°F/44°C 39.573990, -120.348964 30 miles (30 mins) north of Truckee. Non-profit retreat and workshop center in the foothills. Lodge, hotel, and camping sites. 1915 note: At the extreme southern border of Sierra Valley, about 2 miles by road southeast of Sierraville, eight thermal springs are scattered for a distance of a mile along the low slopes that border this end of the valley and in the adjacent meadowland. The property has been improved as a resort since the early eighties, and in 1909 a three-story hotel and an annex provided accommodations for 100 guests. One of the largest hot springs rises on the hillside, 50 feet above the valley. It discharges about 15 gallons a minute of slightly sulphureted water 102° in temperature. The water has been piped to tubs and to a plunge, and has also been used for garden irrigation. Water from another spring that rises at the edge of the meadow, 800 yards to the southeast, has been used to supply a wooden swimming plunge near by. The observed temperature of this spring was 98°F/37°C and its flow was about 30 gallons a minute. Its water is more noticeably sulphureted than that of the first-mentioned spring, and it also has a corrosive effect on the boards that curb it. A cool spring beside the hotel and another at camp grounds to the southeast have been used for drinking. The other springs have been slightly used for irrigating vegetable patches. The water of one of them, called the Hobo Spring, issues with a temperature of 1110, which is the highest that was observed in this group. An old bathhouse at the westernmost spring was apparently little used. http://sierrahotsprings.org/ Season: year-round Cost: $20 day pass, $15/3 hrs Mo-Th, $20/3 hrs FrSaSu & holidays. Plus one member of the party must have a membership. 1 month membership is $5. Currently (2023), reservations are required for all visits. Distance: 244 miles, 4 hrs 6 mins PLUMAS COUNTY Feather River Hot Springs / Woody's Feather River Hot Springs 29186 Highway 70, Twain, Plumas County (temp. unknown) 40.019442, -121.033666 On CA 70, about 5 miles west of the CA 89 junction. Look for two big logs in front of an old cabin with a chimney. This is west of a small RV park that is west of a bigger RV park called Crystal Springs. http://www.randrrvparkhotsprings.com/ http://hotspringsdirectory.blogspot.com/2004/08/woodys-feather-river-hot-springs.html Season: year-round Cost: $5/person day rate for a 2 hour soak, honour-system drop box. Free to guests at R&R RV Park or cabins. Users need to call ahead. Distance: 245 miles, 4 hrs 18 mins Marble Hot Springs / Marble Hot Wells Plumas County GONE 39.754669, -120.358847 161°F/72°C The hot springs are named after Solomon Marble (1837-1904 who owned the ranch where the springs were first located. Many sources state "He heated his large, two-story home from the steaming spring water, and the house was a popular gathering place for nearby ranchers." In the 1880s, Marble hit hot water in two wells each with an artesian flow of 175 gallons/min., and directed the north well towards the Feather River's Sierra Valley Channels and into a concrete-lined bathing pit big enough for 10-15 people to soak. Misuse of the area in the 1980s lead the Plumas County Sheriff to declare the structures a nuisance, and they were bulldozed and fenced in. 1915 note: In Sierra Valley, in the southeastern part of Plumas County, several flowing artesian wells discharge water of unusually high temperature. The most remarkable of these wells are on the Marble ranch, at Kettle post office, where, in 1885 and 1888, two wells, 4 inches in diameter, were sunk about 100 yards apart to a depth of 350 feet. Each of these wells discharges about 175 gallons a minute of scalding water, the recorded temperatures being 156°F/69°C and 161°F/72°C. A third well, 150 yards west of the other two, was sunk to a depth of 450 feet, at which depth the drill encountered “quartz,” possibly bedrock. The well did not yield a large flow. In 1909 its discharge was about 1 gallon a minute, and the temperature of the water was 125°F/52°C. About 350 yards north of the northernmost well is a spring that formerly yielded hot water, but its flow and temperature were reduced by a well, since abandoned, that was sunk a short distance north of it. When this spring was visited it formed a pool from which there was a flow of perhaps 3 gallons a minute. The highest temperature recorded in it was 87°F/31°C. Water from the two principal wells is used for domestic supply and for irrigation. Baths have been provided and they are occasionally used for relieving rheumatism, but when visited in 1909 no attempt had been made to develop the property as a bathing resort. About 6 miles southeast of the Marble wells is another hot well, but its flow is smaller and the temperature of its water is lower. Several other flowing wells that yield warm water are situated along a belt that extends for several miles southeastward. https://www.themountainmessenger.org/article/corys-historical-corner-93befe20-16b6-11ed-b69f-2b5890eb1b82 Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 258 miles, 4 hrs 35 mins Indian Valley Hot Springs / Kruger Springs 225 Hot Springs Road, Greenville, Plumas County 106°F/41°C 40.141320, -120.935093 1915 note: At the upper end of Indian Valley in Plumas County, in meadowland a mile east of Greenville, there is a thermal spring that has been known as Kruger Spring since the late eighties. During the more prosperous days of mining in this region it was extensively patronized as a bathing place. Of late years, however, the bathhouse has not been kept in repair and it has not been open to the public. In 1909 about 1 gallon a minute of water 94°F/34°C in temperature flowed from a board-curbed pool in the bathhouse. Both the temperature and the yield could probably be increased by sinking a well casing into the spring. A few bubbles of gas rise in thè pool, but the water has no distinctive taste or odor. https://tipurdy.org/indian-valley-hot-springs-plumas-county/ Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 261 miles, 4 hrs 40 mins Drakesbad Guest Ranch in Mt. Lassen National Park / Drake Hot Springs 12856 Warner Valley Road, Chester, Plumas County 151°F/66°C 40.443862, -121.403676 Guest ranch operated by park concessionaire Ortega National Parks d/b/a Lassen Lodging. Upscale but rustic all-inclusive lodging. Seasonal, open only early June to early Oct. Very popular and often booked as far as 2 years in advance. Drakesbad consists of a historic lodge, dining hall, cabins, hot spring fed pool, recreational lake, and trail system nestled in a beautiful meadow in Warner Valley with views of Mt. Harkness and Flatiron Ridge. Note: The swimming pool is heated naturally by nearby Drake Hot Springs (40.438767, -121.409298), but I very much doubt there is lawful public access to the spring itself, as I doubt the concession covers that. (See also Shasta County, for other Lassen Park geothermal features.) 1915 note: Drake Hot Springs issue along the side of Hot Springs Valley about 1 1/2 miles east of Devil's Kitchen. For many years the property has been a camping resort and within recent years accommodations for guests have been provided during the summer months. The springs are scattered for a distance of 100 yards or more, mainly along the slope on the south side of Warner Creek, but one of the principal springs, which yields about 3 gallons a minute of water 128°F/53°C in temperature, issues from a seam in rock at the south edge of the creek. In 1910 a small bathhouse and a wooden tank that was used as a plunge bath were supplied with hot water from three springs 40 or 50 yards south of the creek. These springs yield a total of perhaps 15 gallons a minute at temperatures of 123°F/51°C, 146°F/63°C, and 148°F/64°C. http://lassenlodging.com/drakesbad/ http://www.lassenhiking.org/Hydrothermal-Areas/Hydrothermal%20Areas.htm Season: summer (June - Oct) Cost: Included with stay at the resort, $147/day and up, all-inclusive Distance: 283 miles, 5 hrs 22 mins Little Hot Springs Valley Lassen Volcanic National Park, Plumas County NO SOAKING 83°F/28°C: Not hot enough to be interesting 40.44, -121.42 (See also Shasta County, for other Lassen Park geothermal features.) Hot Springs Creek, 1 mile west of Drakesbad, Plumas County http://www.lassenhiking.org/Hydrothermal-Areas/Hydrothermal%20Areas.htm Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 305 miles, 5 hrs 25 mins Devils Kitchen (north) Lassen Volcanic National Park, Plumas County NO SOAKING 207°F/97°C 40.440420, -121.432989 (See also Shasta County, for other Lassen Park geothermal features.) 1915 note: At the head of Hot Spring Valley is an area called the Devil's Kitchen, in which the lava has been extensively altered by solfataric action in a way similar to that observed at the Bumpass and the Soupan springs. The Kitchen differs somewhat in position from these other hot springs, however, as it is in the bottom of the stream canyon and is bordered by cliff-like walls. Numerous bubbling and sputtering pools form “paint pots” and mud cones over the bottom, which is about 200 yards across and is in many places floored by a treacherous crust that overlies scalding mud. Steam issues from many large vents around the border of the area, and in cool weather the clouds of vapor make an interesting and unusual sight. In 1910, the water from springs in Devils Kitchen had not been made use of, but as the place is easily accessible from Hot Springs Valley, it was visited by camping parties as a place of scenic interest. http://www.lassenhiking.org/Hydrothermal-Areas/Hydrothermal%20Areas.htm https://liveandlethike.com/2020/07/03/terminal-geyser-little-willow-lake-boiling-springs-lake-lassen-volcanic-national-park-ca/ Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 283 miles, 5 hrs 25 mins Terminal Geyser / The Geyser Lassen Volcanic National Park, Plumas County NO SOAKING "boiling" 40.421435, -121.377196 (See also Shasta County, for other Lassen Park geothermal features.) Technically, this is not a geyser, but rather a geothermal feature created by a cold stream flowing over a steam vent. 1915 note: In a ravine about 2 1/2 miles southeast of Tartarus Lake there is an actively boiling pool locally known as The Geyser (PI. Y, C, p. 50). A main pool, about 25 feet in diameter, is situated at the base of steep slopes, and in July, 1910, the water was continually thrown to a height of 1 to 3 feet from a vent in its northern part. From the main pool the water overflowed into another, somewhat smaller pool, in the center of which there was a distinct upward current and from which the overflow escaped down the ravine. In the center of a third pool or basin about 10 yards south of the main pool there was also a distinct upward current, and from this pool a stream of 2 or 3 gallons a minute overflowed. Although the main spring was in very active ebullition, it also discharged only 2 or 3 gallons a minute, and nearly all its water apparently came from two hot springs in the boulder-strewn drainage channel on the slope 10 or 15 yards northwest of it. It is said that during the 1870s the main spring cast water to a height of 10 feet or more and was more truly geyser-like in action. Residents in the region say that its energy has been gradually diminishing and has noticeably decreased within the last few years. Information is not at hand, however, regarding the influence of the seasons on its action or the extent to which its vent has been choked by rocks thrown into the pool. http://www.lassenhiking.org/Hydrothermal-Areas/Hydrothermal%20Areas.htm https://tipurdy.org/the-early-history-of-terminal-geyser/ https://liveandlethike.com/2020/07/03/terminal-geyser-little-willow-lake-boiling-springs-lake-lassen-volcanic-national-park-ca/ Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 281 miles, 5 hrs 10 mins Boiling Springs Lake / Tartarus Lake Lassen Volcanic National Park, Plumas County NO SOAKING 190°F/88°C 40.435862, -121.396532 (See also Shasta County, for other Lassen Park geothermal features.) This refers to temperature of the boiling springs entering the lake, on its west side. The lake itself is merely quite warm. Park Service now forbids bathing in the lake or pools. Also, there is danger of scalding. 1915 note: About 1 mile east of south from Drake Hot Springs (Plumas 4, p. 142) lies a shallow, oval pond, approximately 175 yards long and 100 yards wide, that is known as Tartarus Lake. An overflow channel leads northwestward from it, but in the summer of 1910 this channel carried no water. A number of mud pools or “paint pots” on its northern and northwestern border were in sluggish action, and at its southeastern end were sputtering and steaming vents with temperatures of 170°F/77°C. Although the surface of the lake was apparently quiescent, the water was turbid and slightly yellow in color, probably from sulphur in suspension. It was said that two years previous the lake was vigorously bubbling throughout nearly its whole extent. During the season of greatest run-off the lake receives the drainage from the surrounding slopes and then overflows, but it ordinarily contains only a small amount of water. The water, like that of several other hot springs in areas of solfataric action in the region, tastes astringent and probably contains an unusually large amount of aluminum and sulphate. The lake lies in a small depression surrounded by moderate slopes beside a trail that leads from Willow Lake northwestward to Drake Hot Springs. http://www.lassenhiking.org/Hydrothermal-Areas/Hydrothermal%20Areas.htm https://liveandlethike.com/2020/07/03/terminal-geyser-little-willow-lake-boiling-springs-lake-lassen-volcanic-national-park-ca/ Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 282 miles, 5 hrs 20 mins SANTA BARBARA COUNTY Gaviota Hot Springs US-101 / CA-1 split north of Gaviota, Santa Barbara County 90°F/32°C to 100°F/38°C, depending on season 34.504760, -120.225798 Exit US-101 northbound at Lompoc / Vandenberg AFB exit, turn right then immediate second right. Take dirt road all the way to the end. Pay $2 parking fee, and it's a clearly marked 1/2 mile hike to the three hot spring pools, of which the farthest is largest and deepest, and also less murky/muddy. Beware of poison oak crowding the trails, and there are ticks. At some times of year, midges may be breeding in the pools and adjoining Los Canovas Creek. Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 277 miles, 4 hrs 8 mins Las Cruces Hot Spring Gaviota State Park, Santa Barbara County 100°F/38°C, 80°F/27°C 34.476580, -120.252124 There are two ponds. A natural, murky hot spring in a pleasant canyon with substantial vegetation, less than a mile off U.S. Highway 101. A 0.75-mile trail takes you to the spring. Despite its murky appearance, this hot spring provides a great soak. Surrounding vegetation makes you feel like you’re in a jungle and keeps the location cool. The main pool is fed by a small natural hot spring, which maintains a temperature of about 100°F/38°C. The water overflows from this smaller pool as a waterfall into a larger pool, which is about 80°F/27°C. This lower pool is less appealing, due to moss and algae growth plus large amounts of leaves and other vegetation falling into it. So far the hot spring has been kept clean and free of trash, thanks no doubt in large part to hardworking park rangers. The spring is only open during daylight hours, since the parking lot closes at dusk. 1915 note: Las Cruces Hot Springs issue on a hillside about 18 miles west of San Marcos Hot Springs and 4 miles northward from Gaviota railroad station on the coast. Four warm springs here furnish about 50 gallons a minute of mildly sulphureted water and in two of the springs inflammable gas rises. A ledge of calcareous material back of the largest springs probably has been formed by deposition from the water. In 1908 there was a bathhouse at the largest spring, and the place was occasionally visited by campers. The topographic position of the springs is worthy of note, as they are in a little swale on the mountain side one-half mile from and 400 feet above the main drainage canyon of this region. Thick-bedded sandstone here dips about 30° SW. and strikes nearly in the direction of steepest slope. http://www.soakersforum.com/3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=654&start=0 Season: year-round Cost: park admission Distance: 279 miles, 4 hrs 6 mins Big Caliente aka Agua Caliente Spring Los Padres National Forest, Santa Barbara County 118°F/48°C 34.539587, -119.562875 Outdoor concrete tub, changing rooms, toilets. Reached by driving a very rough dirt road, up the canyon from Pendola Guard Station. Camping is available a few miles down the canyon in Forest Service campgrounds, and 3 miles away in state/county campgrounds. Or: Highway 154 north from Highway 101, turn right on East Camino Cielo (Forest Road 5N12/5N123/5N15) at the summit of San Marcos Pass (Hwy 154) and follow this road for a distance of about 23 miles to the Pendola Station. Just beyond the station, turn right (north) on Forest Road 5N15 and follow this road approximately 3 miles to the hot springs. Total driving time from Santa Barbara is approximately 1 hour, 45 minutes. 1915 note: San Marcos Hot Springs, which are sometimes referred to as Mountain Glen Hot Springs, are situated about 20 miles by road northwest of Santa Barbara, in a deep, brushy stream canyon. Warm sulphureted water rises at about six places in this locality, for a distance of 150 yards, in the bed of the creek and along its sides. Bathing pools have been excavated and the place is frequently visited by campers, who find good camp grounds a few hundred yards below the springs. As at the Montecito springs, the country rock is sandstone, which here dips about 30° E. A fault which has been traced through the valley of Santa Ynez River passes a few miles north of these springs. http://www.soakersforum.com/3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=654&start=0 Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 313 miles, 5 hrs 54 mins Little Caliente Los Padres National Forest, Santa Barbara County 98°F/37°C to 115°F/46°C 34.535110, -119.630201 In Los Padres National Forest, take Forest Road 5N15 past Pendola Station to Mono Campground (approximately 5 miles). From here it’s a short walk to the springs. Three soaking pools nestled on the side of a mountain ravine. http://www.soakersforum.com/3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=654&start=0 Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 305 miles, 5 hrs 19 mins Montecito Hot Springs N. of Montecito in Los Padres Nat'l Forest, Santa Barbara County 111°F/44°C to 118°F/48°C 34.463080, -119.639342 There were handbuilt soaking pools that were entirely wrecked by the winter storms of January 2023, and will need to be rebuilt. Site is about a mile of hiking into Hot Spring Canyon from the trailhead at 1217 E. Mountain Dr., Montecito. At the first fork in the trail stay to your left. At the second fork, stay left again. At the third fork, stay to your right. After you pass the hotel ruins (you’ll see a sign about water conservation and begin to smell sulphur), take the left at the 4th fork in the trail. You’ll cross a small riverbed, and then, just a bit after this, the hot springs will be off to your left. 1915 note: Montecito Hot Springs are situated about 5 miles northeast of Santa Barbara, in a canyon on the steep mountain side. At this place 11 separate springs may be counted, which issue from seams in thick-bedded sandstone at the upper boundary of an area of shale that geologically overlies the sandstone.1 These springs range in observed temperature from 111°F/44°C to 118°F/48°C, and in discharge from about 2 to 10 gallons a minute. The total yield is probably not far from 50 gallons a minute. All of the springs are mildly sulphureted and seem to be otherwise of similar mineral character. https://www.findinghotsprings.com/mag/best-montecito-canyon-hot-spring-santa-barbara Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 305 miles, 5 hrs 20 mins Boron Spring 2000 Cravens Lane, Carpinteria/Toro Canyon, Santa Barbara County 72°F/22°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 34.423, -119.538 eason: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 310 miles, 5 hrs 15 mins MADERA COUNTY Iva Bell Hot Springs / Fish Creek Hot Spring Near Iva Bell Campground. 12-mile hike south of Red's Meadow Campground. 110°F/43°C 37.531512, -119.025546 1915 note: At the head of the Fish Valley and 3 or 4 miles eastward from a carbonated spring in this valley are two warm springs and a subsidiary seepages on the mountain side. The springs yield only small flow, are not near a main trail, and have not often been visited. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 279 miles, 5 hrs 45 mins to trailhead Red's Meadow Hot Spring Just past Devil's Postpile National Monument, Madera County OFF-LIMITS 120°F/49°C 37.618061, -119.073190 Near Devil's Postpile, off CA-203 near Red's Meadow Campground. Developed hot spring, rumoured to have been closed by the Forest Service for health reason. 1915 note: On the eastern side of the meadow, several small thermal springs issue. A bathing pool has been made at the largest spring, 120°F/49°C. The pool is excavated in a small deposit of lime carbonate formed at the spring. http://hotspringsdirectory.blogspot.com/2004/06/reds-meadow-hot-spring.html Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 279 miles, 5 hrs 45 mins to campground MONO COUNTY Fales Hot Springs Northwest of Bridgeport, Mono County PRIVATE, OFF-LIMITS, but see note "Extremely hot" at source. 38.348000, -119.400002 Closed, though there's a pool ("Fales Outflow") where the hot ditch crosses US-395 that apparently can still be used -- with the proviso that water may have cooled too much by that point, and algae and ticks have been reported. Pool reported 90°F/32°C in July. Fales Hot Springs itself is a hot ditch running just west of US-395, north of Bridgeport, on private property, and lately signposted as no trespassing. 1915 note: Fales Hot Springs are about 13 miles northwest of Bridgeport, on the main road to Minden, Nev. In 1908 there was a stage station and road house at the place, and plunge and tub baths were provided for use of the water. The place was too inaccessible to have become much of a resort, but during the summer months it was visited by campers. The hot water rises along the bed of a small creek that has been dammed to form a bathing pool and to keep the water at a comfortable temperature, for in the main group the temperature ranges from 129°F/54°C to 141°F/61°C. Measurements indicated that the total discharge was about 300 gallons a minute. Much gas, probably carbon dioxide, rises with the water, which is too hard for use in laundry work. https://hotspringslocator.com/fales-hot-springs http://hottubbers.org/usa/california/fales-hot-springs/ https://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=HGS271-057 http://hotwaterslaughter.com/hotspring/fales-hot-ditch http://www.mobileranger.com/blog/soaking-in-the-past-at-four-of-californias-hot-springs/ Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 293 miles, 5 hrs 9 mins Wild Willie's Spring / Wild Willy's Spring / Crowley Hot Springs / Crowly Off Whitmore Tubs Road nr. Benton Crossing Road, Mammoth Lakes, Mono County 37.661054, -118.767800 95°F/35°C, 105°F/41°C Located in Long Valley by Mammoth Lakes; near the also-popular Hilltop Hot Springs. Turn east from Route 395 onto Benton Crossing Road (there is a little green church on the corner). Travel east ~2.5 miles to reach two cattle guards. To reach the hot springs, turn right just past the second cattle guard (you would keep going to reach Hilltop Hot Springs), then keep left whenever there are forks. After about a mile is a parking area with a sign and a wooden boardwalk leading to the concrete tubs. http://studentreader.com/long-valley-caldera/ http://www.totalescape.com/outside/campsites/ Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 368 miles, 6 hrs 28 mins Hilltop / Hill Top / Pulkey's Pool Hot Spring / Hot Tub Hot Springs / The Tub Nr. Benton Crossing Road, Mammoth Lakes, Mono County 130°F/54°C 37.663952, -118.789691 A beautiful stone and concrete pool with extremely hot water that is piped with an adjustable valve in the Hot Creek Geothermal Area. Take US-395 south to Benton Crossing Road (Green Church),. Turn left, and go about 2.5 miles, past two cattle guard crossings. Just past the second cattle guard, you will go down a moderate hill. At the bottom of the hill, turn left onto a dirt road and follow it, staying to the right, for about 300 yards to a well-marked dirt parking area. The tub is just about 100 feet on top of the small hill in front of you. Alternate directions: Located in Long Valley by Mammoth Lakes; near the also-popular Hilltop Hot Springs. Turn east from Route 395 onto Benton Crossing Road (there is a little green church on the corner). Travel east ~2.5 miles to reach two cattle guards. Cross both, and keep going straight down the hill past the cattle guards marking the road to Wild Willy's Hot Spring. Turn left onto the dirt road. The road gets quite near the spring at times, but the ground you must cross can be muddy so look for any good spot to reach the white, flat mineral deposit marking the location of the spring. Camping is permitted. https://hotspringslocator.com/hilltop-hot-springs http://hotspringsdirectory.blogspot.com/2004/06/hilltop-hot-spring.html http://studentreader.com/long-valley-caldera/ https://totalescape.com/outside/hotsprings/primitive/hill-top-hot-springs/ http://www.totalescape.com/outside/campsites/mammoth-hot-springs/ Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 362 miles, 6 hrs 12 mins Hot Creek Geological Site / Hot Creek Springs / Hot Creek Gorge Hot Creek Hatchery Road NO SOAKING "boiling" 37.660353, -118.828091 Mammoth Lakes, Mono County U.S. Forest Service-managed site with hot springs and geysers, and pools of bright blue, deadly boiling water. Dangerous and fenced off since 2006, and yet still kills people who ignore the warning signs. http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/long_valley/long_valley_geo_hist_66.html Season: year-round Cost: your life Distance: 362 miles, 6 hrs 12 mins Crab Cooker Hot Springs / Ken's Tub Off Whitmore Tubs Road, Mammoth Lakes, Mono County 120°F/49°C 37.662383, -118.800711 Starting at the I-395 east turn onto Benton Crossing Road at the Green Church, pass Animal Control on the left, a swimming pool (Whitmore Pool) on the right, then take the next left on a dirt road. Drive 1.7 miles. As the road curves left, take a right on the dirt road heading south. Drive just under 1/2 mile, take a left onto another dirt road, which will wind north through a small canyon, then veer east at parking. An extremely hot bathtub cement sized pool in a boggy meadow in the Hot Creek Geothermal Area. Caution: Source water at the valve is 120°F/49°C, thus potentially dangerous. Fill tub, then let it cool. Beautiful view of the Hot Creek area. http://www.hotwaterslaughter.com/hotspring/crab-cooker http://www.owensvalleyhistory.com/casa_diablo/page75.html http://soakersbible.tribe.net/photos/8ee9b0d9-8a95-4872-8cd4-9df8b2335f35 Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 362 miles, 6 hrs 12 mins Fleur-de-Lys Hot Springs Off Whitmore Tubs Road, Mammoth Lakes, Mono County DESTROYED (temp. unknown) 37.664073, -118.798297 (approx.) Until about 1999, this was a concrete and rock pool just east (down valley) of Crab Cooker Hot Springs Pool, the same source as the Crab Cooker, and had a small cold source to cool the pool. LA Department of Water and Power, which owns the land, ordered it destroyed. Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 362 miles, 6 hrs 12 mins Shepard's Hot Springs / Shepherd Hot Spring Off Whitmore Tubs Road, Mammoth Lakes, Mono County 106°F/41°C to 110°F/43°C 37.666561, -118.802943 Starting at the I-395 east turn onto Benton Crossing Road at the Green Church, pass Animal Control on the left, a swimming pool (Whitmore Pool) on the right, then take the next left on a dirt road. Drive 2 miles, then take a turn to the right. At about 1/2 mile, road will end at the hot spring. Masonry pool fed by a spring 50' uphill, delivered by a pipe. http://www.hotwaterslaughter.com/hotspring/shepherd-hot-spring http://www.totalescape.com/outside/campsites/mammoth-hot-springs/ Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 367 miles, 6 hrs 45 mins Whitmore Tub / Whitmore Hot Spring / Whitmore Springs 904 Benton Crossing Road, Mammoth Lakes, Mono County 167°F/75°C 37.629048, -118.810325 Starting at the I-395 east turn onto Benton Crossing Road at the Green Church, pass Animal Control on the left, a swimming pool (Whitmore Pool) on the right. Right behind Whitmore Pool (accessible for a small fee on private land) is Whitmore Tub. 1915 note: In Long Yalley, 3 miles west of Owens River and about 7 miles south of east of Casa Diablo Springs, there are two oblong pools a few feet apart and 40 feet long in which warm water rises and from which it flows to a shallow pond called Whitmore Tub. A maximum temperature of 100°F/38°C was recorded in the pools, and the discharge measured was about 450 gallons a minute. Much dark-green algous growth lines the pools and the discharge channels, and small snails live in the water. The springs rise in a flat, salt-grass area about 100 yards south of the base of lava hills and 15 or 20 yards west of a 6-foot terrace-like bank that drops eastward toward the river. At two places along the edge of this bank springs that have about equal flows of 8 gallons a minute issue with temperatures of 74°F/23°C and 100°/38°C. Other similar springs rise about 3 miles farther north in the valley and form a small meadow. http://www.totalescape.com/outside/campsites/ Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 364 miles, 6 hrs 13 min Little Hot Creek Springs / Little Hot Creek / Siphon Antelope Spring Rd, Inyo National Forest, near Mammoth Lakes, Mono County 37.685479, -118.813407 180°F/82°C Little Hot Creek Springs are well-reviewed. It is less visited than the other springs, but has tubs and allows camping. http://web.archive.org/web/20141031161702/http://studentreader.com/long-valley-caldera/ Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 363 miles, 6 hrs 45 mins Casa Diablo Hot Springs and Geyser Substation Rd, Mammoth Lakes, Mono County REPURPOSED 199°F/93°C 37.645772, -118.916487 Casa Diablo Geothermal Field is now used to power a geothermal plant, but once included a geyser that was a tourist stop. The plant area is now fenced and off-limits to the public. 1915 note: In the southwestern part of Mono County, near the base of the Sierra, hot water rises at several localities. The principal group, known as Casa Diablo Hot Springs (PI. X, B, p. 140), is situated on lava slopes bordering Hot Creek, about 200 feet above open meadow land and at the base of steeper slopes of lava. One main spring here forms a pool about 15 feet in diameter, in which the water is in violent ebullition and is thrown to a height of 12 to 18 inches. The discharge is only about 15 gallons a minute, however, so the vigorous action is probably due largely to steam or other gas. Near the edge of the pool a temperature of 194°F/90°C was recorded, which is only about 4°F below the boiling point at this elevation (about 7,350 feet), and the water is probably at the boiling point in the center of the pool. The water is rendered very turbid by pink clay. Small amounts of vapor rise in half a dozen small pits that have been dug a few yards south of this pool. At a distance of 60 to 100 yards north of the main pool there are a dozen or more pools 2 or 3 feet in diameter in which observed temperatures range from 115°F/46°C to 187°F/86°C. They discharge from one-half gallon to 5 gallons a minute each, and the water forms a small marshy area, at the edge of which a small bathhouse has been erected. A log cabin has stood near by for a number of years, for the springs have long been visited by white people as well as by the Indians for relief in rheumatic and kindred troubles. Other small hot vents about 50 to-75 yards northeast of the bathhouse supply a shallow pool that discharges perhaps 5 gallons a minute. A quarter of a mile northeast of these springs there is still another group which supplies a pool measuring about 20 by 60 yards that discharges 15 gallons of scalding water a minute. In this pool the water rises mainly from a conical basin. A small pit in the bank near its margin forms a “paint pot” in which pink mud is kept in motion by bubbles of steam or other gas. In this material a temperature of 198° (probably the boiling point) was recorded. http://studentreader.com/long-valley-caldera/ Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 358 miles, 6 hrs 35 mins Casa Diablo Hot Pool 1785 Hot Creek Hatchery Road, Mammoth Lakes, Mono County 165°F/74°C 37.646995, -118.843600 1785 Hot Creek Hatchery Rd, Mammoth Lakes CA 1915 note: About 3§ miles east of Casa Diablo Hot Springs there is a shallow pool, measuring about 30 by 35 yards, which may be called Casa Diablo Hot Pool. In November, 1908, this pool was not overflowing, though there was a small, well-defined outlet channel from it toward Hot Creek. Over nearly its entire bottom were numerous vents in which water bubbled and in several of which, near the margin, temperatures of 120°F/49°C to 180°F/82°C were recorded. Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 362 miles, 6 hrs 35 mins Hot Spring Northeast of Casa Diablo Hot Springs Mono County "scalding" 37.707344, -118.868353 (approx.) 1915 note: About 5 miles northeast of Casa Diablo Hot Springs, there is a pool, apparently of considerable depth, in which the water has a scalding temperature and is mildly sulphureted. It is not so active as the more southern springs, though it is similar to them in character. Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 363 miles, 6 hrs 32 mins Chance Spring 73°F/23°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 37.639467, -118.897194 (approx.) Three Flags Hwy. (US-395), Mammoth Lakes, Mono County Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 359 miles, 6 hrs 35 mins Dehy Hot Spring Owens River Road, near Mammoth Lakes, Mono County DESTROYED 134°F/57°C 37.677, -118.79 "These hot springs, located near the county landfill are on LA Dept. of Water and Power land. The LADPW do not want a new, permanent soaking location on their land for legal reasons. As such, locals have periodically built tubs at this location over the last several decades, and the LADWP have always torn them down. On my last visit at in July of 2006, these springs were not soakable." http://web.archive.org/web/20141031161702/http://studentreader.com/long-valley-caldera/ http://web.archive.org/web/20130501142439/http://www.communitywalk.com/location/dehy_hot_springs/info/13304 Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 368 miles, 6 hrs 45 mins Benton Hot Springs 55137 CA-120, Benton, Mono County 37.802157, -118.529788 134°F/57°C Near the intersection of CA-120 and CA-6, on CA-120 Old House and Inn at Benton Hot Springs has seven rooms in the 1940s hotel, two private historic houses with private hot tubs, and 10 private tub sites for day and overnight use. There are also tent camping and RV sites. 1915 note: About 300 yards northwest of the store and post office at Benton, at the base of slopes that border an area of meadowland, is a spring that forms a shallow pool approximately 10 feet in diameter in which the water has an observed temperature of 135°F/57°C. (A temperature of 138°F/59°C was recorded in this spring in 1876 by the Wheeler Survey (U. S. Geog. Surveys W. 100th Mer., 1876, p. 196), where it is stated that the temperature is considered to vary 5°F. In the Eighth Report of the California State Mining Bureau, 1888, pp. 356 and 357, temperatures of 135.5°F/57.5°C in 1870 and 134.6°F/57°C in 1888 are recorded.) It has furnished a supply of water for the town for domestic and irrigation uses since the sixties, and in the early days it also furnished power for a small stamp mill. Its discharge is approximately 400 gallons a minute. The water as it rises effervesces with a gas that is probably carbon dioxide. A small amount of an efflorescent salt—probably Epsom salt—forms near the margin of the pool. https://www.bentonhotsprings.us/ (was: http://historicbentonhotsprings.com/) Season: year-round Cost: $10/hr from 11am-4pm, reservations req'd Distance: 397 miles, 6 hrs 58 mins Bertrand Ranch Springs Benton, Mono County 70°F/21°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 37.888, -118.487 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 388 miles, 7 hrs 5 mins Big Hot Spring Bridgeport, Mono County PRIVATE, OFF-LIMITS. Reported closed 2002-06-05 95°-110°F 38.233640, -119.223225 Big Hot is on private land about a mile south of Travertine, and now closed to the public. Access was via a gate 1.1 miles south of Bridgeport on the east side of the road. There were several large pools. Further development around 2000 dried up the source, and a house has been built over the original well. Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 309 miles, 5 hrs 27 min The Hot Spring 70°F/21°C to 105°/41°C 38.223633, -119.214113 Bridgeport, Mono County 1915 note: About 1 1/2 miles south of Bridgeport are other hot springs that have formed noteworthy deposits of lime carbonate. At this locality, there are about 20 pools, ranging in diameter from about 10 inches to 10 yards, that are scattered for a distance of 350 yards along a terrace that borders a small creek. Much gas, which is probably carbon dioxide, rises; but the total visible flow of the springs is only about 25 gallons a minute. Temperatures of 70°F/21°C to 105°/41°C were observed in the various pools. In addition to the present pools there are a number of low mounds that are evidently extinct springs. In 1908, the springs at this place were unused, and apparently had not at any time been improved for bathing or other purposes. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 309 miles, 5 hrs 25 mins Buckeye Hot Springs Bridgeport, Mono County 140°F/60°C 38.240002, -119.331906 Three pools flow alongside Buckeye creek from a source on the steep grassy hillside. Just north of downtown Brigdeport, turn south on Twin Lakes Road, at the Shell fuel station. This road leads into fields, and turns towards the mountains. Follow Twin Lakes Road over 7 miles, and turn in at Doc and Al's Camp and Cabin resort. There is a campground and store to the right. Stay left and the dirt road crosses a creek continuing north along the hillside. After 3 miles, the road will cross another creek, revealing a large open parking lot. Take the right fork just up the hill, and park immediately at a small but well used parking area. Several small trails run down the hillside to the springs. The springs are on the side of a steep cliff where the water cascades into pools. 1915 note: Buckeye Hot Spring is about 5J miles south of west from Bridgeport and on the north bank of Buckeye Creek, a mile above the mouth of its canyon and 40 feet above the stream. The water issues with a temperature of 140°F/60°C, and perhaps 25 gallons a minute flows down to the creek over a large dome-like overhanging deposit of lime carbonate. In 1908 a part of the water was conducted across the creek in a small trough to a cabin in which there were two wooden bathtubs; but apparently the place was not often visited. http://hotspringsoak.com/buckeye-hot-springs.html Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 308 miles, 5 hrs 37 mins Warm Springs between Bridgeport and Bodee Mono County (temp. unknown) 38.235544, -119.114327 (approx.) 1915 note: In the mountainous region between Bridgeport and Bodie, thermal water rises in Warm Spring Flat, but no information is at hand concerning either its temperature or its discharge. The springs are thought to be relatively small and unimportant, however, and they are probably used only as watering places for range stock. Another warm spring issues near Mormon Creek, 1J miles southeast of Warm Spring Flat. It is worthy of note that Fales Hot Springs (Mono 1), the hot springs near Bridgeport (Mono 3), and the springs in Warm Spring Flat and on Mormon Creek lie in a direct line that, if extended southeastward, would pass 8 miles north of the Mono Basin Warm Springs (Mono 8, p. 145). Season: free Cost: access is unclear Distance: 316 miles, 6 hrs Navy Beach Hot Spring Mono Lake, near Lee Vining, Mono County OFF-LIMITS 95°F/35°C 37.940724, -119.015158 South shore of Mono Lake, part of Tufa Reserve, just off CA-120. The spring is 1/4 mile west of the parking lot. Around 2000, state health authorities decided to enact a ban on further visits because of high E. Coli count and possibility of Naegleria fowleri amoebae in the water, and rangers now enforce the ban. Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 339 miles, 6 hrs 20 mins Paoha Island Hot Spring Mono Lake, near Lee Vining, Mono County 170°F/77°C 37.993047, -119.035281 island 38.027510, -119.096861 Black Point Island (in low water, a peninsula) in Mono Lake. Spring is extremely hot, and you'll need to go considerably downstream of the source. Hot springs are reportedly somewhere on the south side. 1915 note: Along the eastern front of the Sierra there are other groups of hot springs whose existence seems to be closely related to lavas of recent geologic age. One of the northernmost of these groups is on the east side of Hot Spring Cove, on Paoha Island in Mono Lake. ( Because of the hot springs an Indian term (pa-oh-ha) meaning “spirits of the mist” was applied to the island by Prof. I. C. Russell in The Quaternary history of Mono Valley, California: U. S. Geol. Survey Eighth Ann. Rept.,pt. 1, p. 279, 1889.) The western part of the island is covered with lake sediments, but the eastern part is formed of black lava, and on its most southeastern point vapor and small amounts of hot water issue from numerous crevices. One spring, which has a temperature of 170°F/77°C and discharges about 15 gallons a minute, was observed, close to the water’s edge. Season: Paoha and Negit Islands are off-limits April 1 to August 1 while gulls are nesting there. Nearest mainland location is Black Point, Mono Lake Park turnoff east from US-395, 1 miles south of Mono City. Kayak to Paoha Island from there. https://dirtyteeth.wordpress.com/2015/02/22/fat-bike-paddle-pedal-exploring-paoha-island-in-mono-lake-ca/ Cost: free Distance: 310 miles, 6 hrs 21 mins to Black Point Mono Basin Warm Springs Mono County (temp. unknown) 38.018940, -118.904245 (approx.) 1915 note: In 1881 Russell visited Mono Basin Warm Springs, which then rose in Mono Lake a short distance from its eastern edge and were occasionally used for bathing. Springs also rise from tufa domes in the lake. Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 344 miles, 6 hrs 30 mins SHASTA COUNTY Bumpass Hot Springs / Bumpass Hell Lassen Volcanic National Park, Shasta County NO SOAKING 198°F/92°C 40.457772, -121.501945 (See also Plumas County, for other Lassen Park geothermal features.) 1915 note: Bumpass Hot Springs (Pl. X, C) are situated on the side of Lassen Peak, about .9 miles by trail northward from Morgan Hot Springs (Tehama2,p. 138). They consist of numerous pools of hot water, some of them in vigorous ebullition and rendered turbid by mud, and others less active but turbid with sulphur in suspension. Some pools contain acid or astringent water which is usually turbid with clay. The analysis given on page 142, with analyses of water from Devils Kitchen and Morgan Hot Springs, shows the composition of water from one of the principal springs, which is noticeably acid and sulphureted. The position of the vents and the activity of the discharge change from time to time and seem to be influenced to a large extent by the surface supply of water, for the springs themselves yield a relatively small amount. In November, 1909, the stream running from them, which is a branch of Mill Creek, carried perhaps 200 gallons a minute at a time when the adjacent slopes were covered with snow. In the following July it carried perhaps half as much, though melting patches of snow still covered parts of the near-by slopes. On the earlier date there was a pond 20 yards across, at whose edge was a large vent, from which muddy water was being thrown to a height of 10 feet, but in the summer this pond was nearly drained and the active spring had subsided to a sputtering pool. The area covered by the springs and vents of Bumpass Hot Springs — or Bumpass Hell, as it is locally called — is only about 200 yards long and 100 yards wide, but the rock for some distance surrounding the active area has been altered to a white, siliceous material by acid water and solfataric vapors. About 300 yards downstream from the main area there is an area perhaps 50 yards in diameter where also the rock has been greatly altered. When visited vapor still escaped from numerous small vents, and needles of sulphur crystallized at their orifices, but no water was flowing from them. In 1910 the springs were occasionally visited as a natural curiosity, but the mineralized waters were not used for bathing or for other purposes. The Lassen Peak region is rapidly becoming a summer vacation ground, however, both because of the excellent fishing in its numerous streams and small lakes and because of its scenic features, and Bumpass Hot Springs will probably become a favorite objective point for outing parties from camps on the lower slopes. (See PL XI.) As these springs are only 3 miles from the craters formed in June, 1914, their character probably has also been changed. http://www.lassenhiking.org/Hydrothermal-Areas/Hydrothermal%20Areas.htm Season: year-round Cost: n/a Distance: 275 miles, 4 hrs 35 mins Boiling Springs Lake (and several other features) Lassen Volcanic National Park, Shasta County NO SOAKING 125°F/52°C 40.435321, -121.397829 (See also Plumas County, for other Lassen Park geothermal features.) Accessed from the Warner Valley trailhead, this short hike leads to a bubbling lake with a temperature of the lake around 125 degrees. Mudpots and steam vents line part of the shore and drainage creeks. Be careful to stay on clearly marked trails in this area as the ground around the lake is unstable; travel in these areas may result in severe injury. Other geothermal areas in Lassen Volcanic National Park (none safe or legal to soak in) within Shasta County are: Pilot Pinnacle, Sulphur Works (formerly named Soupan Hot Springs or Tophet Hot Springs), Terminal Geyser, and Cold Boiling Lake. Drake Hot Springs (Plumas County) is also in Lassen Volcanic National Park, and can be indirectly experienced (in a spring-fed swimming pool) via Drakesbad Guest Ranch (which see). Other hot geothermal areas (none safe or legal to soak in) within Lassen Volcanic National Park inside Plumas County boundaries are Little Hot Springs Valley, Devils Kitchen. There is also a cold geothermal lake, Cold Boiling Lake (so-called because of cold geothermal outgassing apparent within it). The park's two southernmost hot geothermal features, Morgan Hot Springs and Growler Hot Springs (both off-limits on private land) are described under Sierra County. 1915 note: Soupan Hot Springs [RM: later renamed Sulphur Works] are about 2 1/2 miles directly west of Bumpass Hot Springs, on the western side of the main canyon of Mill Creek, which is separated from the Bumpass Springs by a divide only about 100 feet high. The springs yield a small amount of hot water similar in character to that of the Bumpass springs but are of interest chiefly because of the neighboring deposits of sulphur. These deposits were at one time prospected and the pits are still locally known as the “sulphur works,” but they were never worked on a commercial scale and have long been abandoned. http://www.lassenhiking.org/Hydrothermal-Areas/Hydrothermal%20Areas.htm Season: year-round Cost: n/a Distance: 282 miles, 4 hors 20 mins (to nearby Warner Valley Campground) Big Bend Hot Springs / Lahlahpismah Hot Springs 196 Hot Springs Road, Big Bend, Shasta County 180°F/82°C, 170°F/77°C 41.022503, -121.919804 Developed but primitive facility, hot tubs, natural pools beside the Pit River. Camping/ RV hookups/ cabins. As of 2023, the Web site showed this facility as still closed for ongoing renovation work required by Shasta County since 2007, but its status is a little uncertain and could reopen any time. 1915 note: In the northeastern part of California hot springs, seemingly related to lava flows and possibly also to local faulting that has not yet been recognized, issue at a number of places. Such springs rise along the course of Pit River, the lowermost noteworthy locality being at Big Bend near Henderson post office, where hot water issues at numerous places for a distance of about 350 yards along the southern bank of the river. Near the eastern end of this zone, on a gravel bluff about 15 yards from the river’s edge, a bathhouse containing several tubs and vapor chambers has been built over one of the largest springs. The temperature of the water of this spring is 180°F/82°C and the discharge is perhaps 25 gallons a minute. Another spring that yields perhaps 8 gallons a minute, of water 170°F/77°C in temperature emerges at the south side of the bathhouse. These springs were formerly on the northern bank of a creek that entered the river near this point, but, about 1897, to protect the springs, the discharge of the creek was diverted by a ditch that was cut several yards to the east. The stream has deepened this ditch to a steep-sided gully, in the bed of which, hot water forms pools at two places, and near its mouth a stream of hot water that discharges perhaps 8 gallons a minute issues from the gravel bluff halfway down its side. At places about 85 and 150 to 175 yards west of the bathhouse, small amounts of warm water issue near or below high-water mark, and along the lower 65 yards of the zone of hot springs, water with observed temperatures of 100°F/38°C to 165°F/74°C and flows of 4 to 10 gallons a minute issues in at least six places. The water is not noticeably sulphureted and, as it is hard, it probably contains a rather large amount of calcium. The upper and lower groups of springs issue from the gravel that borders the river, but the warm seepages between them issue from a porphyritic quartz diorite that appears to be intruded into the old sediments of the locality. http://www.bigbendhotsprings.org/ Season: year-round Cost: TBD Distance: 300 miles, 5 hrs 20 mins Hunt Hot Springs Big Bend, Cascade Range, Shasta County 136°F/58°C 41.033829, -121.931730 50 miles NE of Redding. CA-299 about 35 miles to Big Bend Road (exit is for the town of Big Bend). Turn north (left) on Big Bend Road and follow it about 17 miles to Big Bend. After you reach the general store in Big Bend, drive across the Pitt River Bridge. After 0.8 miles, FS 3702 turns to the right and merges with FS 11. Follow FS 11 for 100 yards, then park (due to road erosion, it is iffy as to how far you can drive up this forest service road). Walk on FS 11 until you see the first dirt road on your left. Walk down the dirt road. When it forks, go right. Continue walking one mile to the river, past the Wright Historical Cemetery. "The springs are located along Kosk Creek, near its confluence with the Pit River. Several hot springs emerge from the side of the hill, some of which feed a large concrete tub at the water's edge. Although the hot springs are located at the end of a relatively rough road in an isolated part of the state, they are well known. Your best bet for solitude is during the week. Nevertheless, the location is nice, and it's worth a visit. The large concrete pool is generally 102°F/39°C, though it does vary. Several other smaller concrete tubs are nearby. Hunt Hot Springs is in a spectacular valley near Mount Shasta. There are several 105°F/41°C rock and cement pools fed by the hot spring, including one that holds four people. There is also a soaking tub. Because Eric and I read up on Hunt Hot Springs, we knew to bring along a bucket to carry water from the nearby creek so we could cool down the pool a bit. Made all the difference in the world." http://weekendsoutdoors.blogspot.com/2008/08/hunt-hot-springs.html http://www.hotwaterslaughter.com/hotspring/hunts-hot-spring Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 302 miles, 5 hrs 20 mins Kosk Creek Hot Springs / Kosk Hot Springs Big Bend, Cascade Range, Shasta County 104°F/42°C at the source. Pool temp is generally 100°F/38°C. 41.032226, -121.9319567 (approx.) Immediately (0.25 mi.) downstream of Hunt Hot Springs. A large concrete and rock pool is immediately adjacent to the creek. Up and over the hill from Hunt Hot Springs is a really special place: a tiny, two-person rock pool called Kosk Hot Springs. This one was built by volunteers. Because it is tucked away, this spring is a hidden jewel. The pool is warmed by 104°F/42°C water. Don't try the road when it is wet. About 55 miles east of Redding. 1915 note: About 2 miles north of Big Bend Hot Springs, two or three other thermal springs rise along the bed of Kosk Creek. One of these flows into a small rock basin, and is occasionally used for bathing. In general character, the springs seem to be similar to the largo group on Pit River, but their waters are not so hot and their discharges not nearly so large. https://hotspringslocator.com/kosk-hot-springs Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 302 miles, 5 hrs 20 mins INYO COUNTY Travertine Hot Spring and Molly's Pool Four pools on a hilltop, a mile south of Bridgeport, Inyo County 120°F/49°C at source, tubs are about 98°F/37°C 38.245885, -119.205342 Note that Molly’s Pool is a fourth tub, a two-person tub a ways dawn from the other two. From the lower pools, face downhill towards the valley. On your left, several hundred feet away, is a ridge comprised of travertine rock. Head towards that ridge, and find a decent place to climb up on top of it. On the other side, you'll see a small valley with a dirt road, and one telephone pole. Head towards the telephone pole, and you might run into it, after walking a several hundred feet to maybe 1000 feet (depending on where you crossed the ridge). If you get to the pole, look back up hill, and you should see it. 1915 note: A much more noteworthy group of hot springs, similar in character to those just described, is found about 1 1/2 miles southeast from Bridgeport, on hilly slopes of andesitic lava, 200 to 300 feet above the valley. The locality of special interest is an area of gently sloping ground, approximately 350 yards in diameter, that lies at the base of steeper slopes and includes a number of prominent ridges of banded onyx marble or travertine,1 5 to 15 feet high and of somewhat greater thicknesses, that tend to radiate from a central point, as shown in figure 3 (p. 134). Each of the better-developed ridges is cut longitudinally by a vertical crevice, and the banding of the travertine, which is stained various shades of red and yellow, is seen at several places to be also vertical. On the outside of several of the ridges dull-brown lime carbonate has formed but in nearly horizontal layers. It has apparently been deposited where the water has flowed out over the ridges. At two points near these ridges small springs, with temperatures of 121° and 148°F/64°C, rise in pools about 3 and 10 feet in diameter. Water from the larger pool has been used to some extent for bathing in a small house near by. A third spring issues from a longitudinal crevice in the top of one of the ridges, which is shown in Plate IX, A. Its temperature is also 148°F/64°C and its flow is perhaps one gallon a minute. https://www.ultimatehotspringsguide.com/travertine-hot-springs.html http://www.yelp.com/biz/travertine-hot-spring-bridgeport http://www.hotspringsoak.com/travertine-hot-springs.html http://hotspringsdirectory.blogspot.com/2004/06/travertine-hot-springs.html Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 306 miles, 5 hrs 16 mins Dechambeau Ranch Hot Spring Mono City, Inyo County 151°F/66°C 38.047447, -119.081466 Reported as of 2003 to be unattractive / dirty. North side of Mono Lake, northeast of Black Point. Go along Cemetery Road until you cross Mill Creek, then turn left at the fork and travel 4.5 miles until you reach a three-way fork. Take the centre fork and park near a small cabin on the right. The fenced concrete tub is extremely hot and should not be touched. Instead, follow the piped water to a smaller bathing pond. Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 331 miles, 5 hrs 52 mins Bainter Spring 1.5 mile west of Trona Wildrose Road, Valley Wells, Inyo County 92°F/33°C 35.842614, -117.383588 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 398 miles, 6 hr 45 mins Keough's Hot Springs / Keough Radium Hot Spring 898 Keough Hot Springs Road, Bishop, Owens Valley, Inyo County 130°F/54°C at source, 90°F/32°C in pools 37.253673, -118.373228 "Modular retreat" (mobile home), tent cabins, tents, RV parking. 100' x 40' large pool, 15' x 40' hot pool, both using fresh mineral water. 1915 note: At the base of the Sierra about 8 miles south of Bishop a spring of considerable flow that is utilized for domestic supply and also for dipping sheep has a temperature of about 130°F/54°C. Like the springs farther north, in Long Valley, its water has no distinctive taste nor odor and is probably mineralized in only small amount. http://keoughshotsprings.com/ https://www.tophotsprings.com/keoughs-hot-springs-california/ Season: year-round Cost: $10 day pass Distance: 397 miles, 6 hrs 45 mins Keough Hot Ditch Bishop, Owens Valley, Inyo County 92°F/33°C 37.324550, -118.384113 About half a mile down the road from Keough's Hot Springs, alongside a 1/4 mile stretch of US-395. There are several pools. Better in the evenings when there is more flow from Keough's Hot Springs, upstream. Be very careful not to let hot spring water from Keough's Hot Springs up your nose (or mouth), on account of Naegleria fowleri amoebae that can cause potentially fatal infection. https://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~fricke/hotspring/ http://hotspringsdirectory.blogspot.com/2004/06/keough-hot-springs-ditch.html https://www.sfchronicle.com/california/article/This-popular-California-hot-spring-reportedly-17492420.php Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 397 miles, 6 hrs 45 mins Shoshone Hot Spring Next to Shoshone RV Park, 22 CA-178, Shoshone, Inyo County 100°F/38°C to 105°F/41°C, and 95°F/35°C (two pools) 35.980137, -116.273524 Death Valley RV part / camp site with a hot spring feeding a swimming style pool. Shoshone Inn is nearby. https://calihotsprings.com/loc/death-valley-ca/shoshone-hot-spring/ Season: year-round Cost: no day use of the pool, but free if you stay at the inn or RV park Distance: 511 miles, 7 hrs 51 mins Chappo Spring 5 mi. E. of Shoshone, Inyo County 80°F/27°C: Not hot enough to be interesting 35.947756, -116.189984 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 518 miles, 8 hrs 40 mins Delight's Hot Springs Resort 368 Tecopa Hot Springs Road branching onto Elias Way, Tecopa, Inyo County (Mohave Desert / Death Valley) 108°F/42°C, 109°F/43°C 35.875539, -116.227043 Cabins and motel rooms, RV park. 4 individual private hot spring pools with showers. 1915 note: About 2 miles north of Tecopa railroad station two hot springs issue on alkaline slopes that border the eastern side of an alkaline marsh along Amargosa River. The springs rise in pits that have been dug about 10 yards apart, and their combined flow is about 225 gallons a minute. The observed temperatures were 108°F/42°C and 109°F/43°C. Near the springs are heavy alkaline deposits of soda and common salt, and the water tastes noticeably, though not disagreeably, of the alkalies. In 1908 the water was piped to a railroad watering tank half a mile westward. It has also been used to some extent for bathing at a pool near the springs. The water issues at the southwest base of a steep hill of quartzite that dips about 15° NE. http://www.delightshotspringsresort.com/ Season: year-round Cost: $10-$15 day pass Distance: 509 miles, 7 hrs 51 mins Tecopa Hot Springs Resort 105 Tecopa Hot Springs Road, Tecopa, Inyo County (Mohave Desert / Death Valley) (temp. unknown) 35.889885, -116.245315 Cabins, motel rooms, tent camping, RVs. Soaking tubs in the motel, two private tubs in the bath house, motel has three other tubs. http://www.tecopahotsprings.org/ Season: year-round Cost: $8 day pass (when available) Distance: 509 miles, 7 hrs 51 mins Tecopa Hot Springs / Tecopa County Hot Springs / Tecopa Hot Springs Campground and Pools 860 Tecopa Hot Springs Road, Tecopa, Inyo County (Mohave Desert / Death Valley) (temp. unknown) 35.872732, -116.231804 Public facility administered for Inyo County by a private corporation. Separate bath houses for men and women. Showering before and nudity are required to avoid contaminating the waters. The hot pool is cement, and of ample size. Several campgrounds are located across the highway. Deelight's Hot Spa, less than a mile away, offers cabins, RV Parking and a few tent spaces. There are five separate bathhouses, first come basis. One is open to the sky. The tubs are large and clean. China Ranch Date Farm is located nearby, and worth the visit. http://www.tecopahotspringscampground.com http://everydayrompn.com/2015/12/28/tecopa-hot-springs-ca-222-22415/ http://hotspringsdirectory.blogspot.com/2004/06/tecopa-county-hot-springs.html Season: year-round Cost: $7 Distance: 509 miles, 7 hrs 51 mins Saline Valley Hot Springs Death Valley National Park, Inyo County 98°F/37°C to 112°F/44°C 36.813023, -117.765978 Palm Spring (36.812198, -117.765592) and Lower Warm Springs (36.805773, -117.773102) are about 300 ft. apart, both just off the south side of S. Warm Springs Road. There is also an Upper Warm Springs near, but I don't have its coordinates. The only facilities at the nearby campground are a vault toilet, a shower, and a dishwashing sink. Road is said to be very sketchy (40 mi. of dirt washboard), and has destroyed many tires. 4WD and high clearance are recommended. 1915 note: There are a few thermal springs of minor importance in the desert region of eastern California. One of these springs is at the northeast side of Saline Valley, about 25 miles in a direct line east of Independence. It yields a small flow, and its water is not of high temperature. There are several cool springs a short distance westward from it and also to the southeast that form watering places in this part of the desert. https://calihotsprings.com/loc/death-valley-ca/saline-valley-hot-springs/ http://www.mobileranger.com/blog/soaking-in-the-past-at-four-of-californias-hot-springs/ http://www.communitywalk.com/location/saline_valley_hot_springs/death_valley_national_park/california/hot_springssoakable/13843 Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 493 miles, 10 hrs 2 mins Grapevine Springs / Staininger Ranch Springs Death Valley National Park, Inyo County 100°F/38°C 37.026088, -117.383976 http://www.americansouthwest.net/california/death_valley/north.html Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 508 miles, 8 hrs 50 mins Keane Wonder Spring Death Valley National Park, Inyo County OFF-LIMITS TEMPORARILY? 93°F/34°C 36.673907, -116.928192 Closed for safety reasons, but scheduled to reopen Feb. 9, 2023. Sep. 14, 2023 update: Park is currently closed because of damage from a tropical storm. The spring may be thus now otherwise able to be safely and lawfully visited. However, a 2021 visit report (below) said the source has a serious algae problem. http://www.nps.gov/deva/learn/historyculture/keane-wonder-mine.htm https://www.deathvalley.com/index.php/exploring-death-valley/adventures-on-foot/301-keane-wonder-springs https://www.walkingwildandfree.com/keane-wonder-spring/ https://www.annestravels.net/keane-spring-john-cyty-cabin/ Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 486 miles, 8 hrs 25 mins Dirty Socks Hot Spring Owens Valley east of Olancha, Inyo County 93°F/34°C 36.329727, -117.949495 Unmaintained. Years ago, this was an Inyo County-maintained park. The county eventually let it go after repeated acts of vandalism. The temp. is cold for soaking, and there is algae in the pool. Take Death Valley Road / CA-190, just south of Olancha, off US-395. Proceed 4.7 miles and turn left/north on the paved road to the springs. https://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~fricke/hotspring/ Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 413 miles, 6 hrs 20 mins Coso Hot Springs / Warm Spring near Little Lake Gill Station Coso Road, Coso Junction, Inyo County PRIVATE, OFF-LIMITS 207°F/97°C 36.046393, -117.770264 Now within China Lake Naval Weapons Center. 1915 note: A small amount of lukewarm, odorless water issues in a spring about 300 yards from Little Lake and near the base of a lava bluff 25 or 30 feet high. Near the southwest corner of Inyo County there is a group of hot springs that are especially remarkable because of the acid character of their water. They have long been known as Coso Hot Springs, as they are on the eastern slope of the Coso range of mountains. The main group is about 12 miles east of Haiwee railroad station, and is beside a road that leads eastward to Coso and other mining camps. The rocks of the region are largely granitic, but this material is covered in some places by lava and by lava craters of a recent geologic period of eruption. At the principal spring, which is in granitic material, in a pit about 50 by 100 feet in diameter and 10 feet deep, vapor and hot, sour water rise through a white mud that is apparently formed by the decomposition from the rock. In summer the water in this pit is low, but in winter, as a result of increased condensation and decreased evaporation due to cooler weather, it is nearly half full. The place has become a camping; resort for people afflicted with rheumatism, which is said to be relieved by baths in the hot mud. Bathing pits are dug in the cooler mud near the spring and the material is worked up to the desired consistency. Close to the main spring is an area of steam vents, about 25 by 50 yards across, which contains several pools that furnish clear water for washing and cooking. This area also furnishes sufficient heat for cooking, kettles containing food being placed in shallow pits, covered with sacks, and allowed to remain until the food is done. Another area of hot vapors and mud in a ravine northwest of the main spring has been filed on as a placer claim for mining medicinal mud. The material at this place is somewhat finer in texture than is is at the main spring. http://web.archive.org/web/20040405134958/http://www.nawcwpns.navy.mil/techtransfer/whitpaps/geotherm.htm https://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~fricke/hotspring/ Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 403 miles, 6 hrs 40 mins Devil's Kitchen (south) Inyo County NO SOAKING 207°F/97°C 36.036, -117.802 Fumerole. Part of the Coso Hot Springs complex resulting from the Coso stratovolcano, about a mile west of the hot springs. http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/coso.html Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 402 miles, 6 hrs 26 mins Fumarole Coso Volcanic Field, Inyo County NO SOAKING 203°F/95°C 36.031, -117.833 Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 395 miles, 6 hrs 27 mins Warm Spring in Panamint Valley Inyo County 'tepid": Not hot enough to be interesting. 36.136942, -117.222545 (approx.) About 4 miles north of Ballarat, on the eastern edge of Panamint Valley, is a spring similar to the one in Saline Valley. Its water is tepid and is noticeably sulphureted, and its yield is only about 40 barrels a day (1 gallon a minute). It forms a small watering place on a road leading northward from Ballarat. Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 427 miles, 7 hrs 30 mins LASSEN COUNTY High Rock Spring / Highrock Spring High Rock Road, Stacy, Lassen County 86°F/30°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 40.245, -120.007 Developed in the 1920s, manually drilling a 100 yd. water tunnel to increase flow. 1915 note: A large thermal spring rises on the Highrock ranch, about 10 miles south of east from Amedee. Its water is used for domestic supply and for irrigation, and the spring forms a convenient watering place on the road between Honey Lake Valley and Reno, Nev. Measurements in 1909 showed its flow to be about 525 gallons a minute and its temperature 86°F/30°C. In 1882 Russell reported its temperature to be 100°F/38°C (U. S. Geol. Survey Mon. 11, p. 52), but it is doubtful whether such a marked reduction in temperature has really taken place. The water does not have a distinctive alkaline taste, but it is said to rust tinned-iron vessels quickly. The spring rises at the edge of Honey Lake Valley, from basaltic lava that forms the hills to the east. http://www.tipurdy.org/high-rock-springs/ Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 316 miles, 6 hrs Bassett Hot Spring 2.5 miles NE of Bieber, Lassen County 174°F/79°C 41.145165, -121.113283 1915 note: About 2 1/2 miles north of east from Bieber, in Big Valley, is a hot spring that has been improved and for a number of years has been used for bathing, and as the place was formerly owned by a Mr. Bassett, it is locally known as Bassett Hot Spring. The water rises with a temperature of 173°F/78°C from a fissure in tuffaceous sandstone that is exposed in a small depression 6 or 8 feet below the normal valley level. A pool about 20 by 40 yards across is formed here, and from it the water flows into another somewhat smaller pool. It is further cooled before reaching bathtubs in a building a few yards beyond, by flowing in open wooden troughs. The total flow is approximately 175 gallons a minute. The water is used for irrigating a vegetable garden near by, and boxes of earth that contain tomato and other tender plants are kept on the low tuffaceous ridge at the spring and are thus prevented from freezing. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 339 miles, 5 hrs 40 mins Stonebreaker Hot Springs 3 mi. SE of Bieber, Lassen County 165°F/74°C 41.097665, -121.034777 (approx.) 1915 note: About 3 1/2 miles southeast of Bassett Hot Spring, a number of hot pools and springs rise near the southeast edge of Big Valley, in meadow land that formerly belonged to a Mr. Stonebreaker. Six pools and springs were counted in a belt extending for 275 yards in a southerly direction, and between 235 and 350 yards east of the southernmost of these are four other hot pools. The highest temperature recorded was 165°F/74°C, and the total flow, which comes mainly from the hottest spring, is about 125 gallons a minute. In 1909, there was a small bathhouse at one spring; a large warm pool was also occasionally used for bathing, and a hot one was employed for scalding hogs. The water has been used to some extent, half a mile or more away, for garden irrigation. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 345 miles, 6 hrs Hot Spring Just south of Wendel Road, Wendel, Lassen County 204°F/96°C 40.364, -120.243 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 324 miles, 5 hrs 45 mins Wendel Hot Springs / Shaffer Hot Springs / Branbecks Hot Springs Just south of Antola Road, Wendel, Lassen County REPURPOSED 205°F/96°C 40.355311, -120.256583 Seems to have been turned into geothermal power plant Wineagle Power Project, designed by Barber-Nichols Engineering Co. and operated by Wineagle Developers. 1915 note: In Honey Lake valley there are two large groups of hot springs — one, the more interesting, near Hot Springs railroad station and the other near Amedee. At the former locality, near the northeastern side of Honey Lake, a belt of calcareous tufa extends from the base of steep slopes that border the valley near the railroad station southwestward for nearly half a mile. The continuity of the surface exposure of the material is then broken, but the course of the deposit is marked for two-thirds of a mile farther by prominent crags and knolls of the material that rise in meadow and salt-grass land that extends to the lake. One of these crags is shown in Plate VIII, A. Seepage springs rise at several points along the middle part of this tufa belt, but the springs of chief interest issue beyond its most lakeward outcrop. They are not known locally by a definite name, but as they were referred to in 1882 by Russell as Shaffer Hot Springs, this name is here used. The principal spring rises with vigorous ebullition in a pool about 10 yards in diameter and 1 or 2 feet deep. The water was formerly thrown up to a height of 3 or 4 feet, but this action has been partially stopped by stones that have been cast into the pool. A temperature several degrees above boiling has been claimed for this spring, but 204°F/96°C, near the center of the pool, was the highest temperature recorded. This is the same temperature at which water boiled in a bucket over a fire near the spring, and is practically the calculated boiling point for this elevation (3,975 feet). A bathhouse that extended over a part of the pool was in 1909 used as a vapor bath. In 1882 Russell estimated the flow of this spring to be 100 cubic feet a minute (748 gallons a minute), but, in September, 1909, the average of three float measurements indicated a discharge of only about 175 gallons a minute. It does not seem probable that this great difference is due to error in measurement, and it is believed to show that the flow has actually decreased, possibly because of the partial choking of the vent with stones. Two other hot springs that discharge about 65 and 10 gallons a minute, respectively, and 6 or more hot pools that have no surface outflow, are formed in the nearly level salt-grass area in a distance of about 125 yards southwest of the main spring. https://tipurdy.org/hot-springs-vs-honey-lake/ Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 338 miles, 5 hrs 38 mins Amedee Hot Springs Lassen County 203°F/95°C 40.300772, -120.196073 The second group of hot springs in Honey Lake Yalley is about 5 miles southeast of Shaffer Hot Springs, near Amedee depot (150 yards SW). The land here is alluvial and slopes very gently westward toward Honey Lake. Scalding water forms several groups of shallow pools, mainly at six places in a belt about 600 yards long that trends nearly southward, but one-third of a mile. 30° W. (magnetic) from the southernmost of these main groups another hot spring forms a pool in salt-grass land, and hot water probably rises at other places still farther toward the lake. Temperatures of 172°F/78°C to 204°F/96°C (practically the boiling point at this elevation, 4,000 feet) were noted in the several springs, and the total discharge of hot water as measured by the flow of six run-off streams is about 700 gallons a minute. In 1909 the springs had not been improved to great extent, but there was a small bathhouse beside the railroad, near one of the largest groups of springs. At the southernmost of the main groups there was also an old bathhouse, and water from one of the northernmost springs was used in preparing sheep dip. At the Amedee Hotel a shallow well 80 yards east of the nearest springs supplied water at a temperature of 134°F/57°C for kitchen use. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 332 miles, 6 hrs Kellog Hot Springs Susanville Road, Leonard, Lassen County 172°F/78°C 41.126000, -121.025135 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 344 miles, 5 hrs 50 mins VENTURA COUNTY Sespe Hot Springs Sespe Wilderness Area, Los Padres National Forest, Ventura County 130°F/54°C at source, 105°F/41°C in pool 34.594631, -118.998655 springs 34.630172, -119.045933 trailhead Access via a 5 mile arduous downhill hike from Mutau Flat, off Lockwood Valley Road and Grade Valley Road in Los Padres National Forest (but this may require crossing Sespe River on foot, raising the risk of flash floods). There is also a motorcycle trail from the north. Be alert for the danger of forest fires, and of flash floods along Sespe River. Very remote area, and you will need a Forest Service permit. https://www.ultimatehotspringsguide.com/sespe-hot-springs.html https://calihotsprings.com/loc/santa-barbara/sespe-hot-springs/ https://www.norcalhiker.com/backpacking-sespe-hot-springs/ https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsm9_034033.pdf https://hiddenca.com/willet-sespe-hot-springs-ojai/ http://askirtinthedirt.com/blog/page/4 Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 320 miles, 5 hrs 12 min to trailhead Willett Hot Springs Sespe Wilderness Area, Los Padres National Forest, Ventura County 99°F/37°C to 102°F/39°C 34.575637, -119.05146 springs 34.549196, -119.166445 trailhead Take CA-33 to Rose Valley Road east to Middle Lion Campground. Hike the Sespe River Trail 9 miles to Willet Camp, then 6/10 of a mile west and slightly north to the hot springs. https://www.ultimatehotspringsguide.com/willett-hot-springs.html http://askirtinthedirt.com/blog/page/4 https://hiddenca.com/willet-sespe-hot-springs-ojai/ Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 325 miles, 5 hrs 19 minutes to trailhead Wheeler Hot Springs / Ojai Hot Springs / Matilija Hot Spring / Vickers Hot Springs / Stingleys Hot Springs North of Ojai, Ventura County 103°F/39°C, 95°F/35°C 34.484181, -119.306583 As shown below, this is a cluster of multiple (named) spring sources on both sides of Matilija Canyon. Vicker's Hot Springs is possibly inside the property owned and controlled by Gunnar Lovelace and Sean Goddard's non-profit organization CFC Land, Inc. d/b/a Ecotopia. Stingley's Hot Springs is reported to also be on posted private property, surrounded by cabins. Probably, others are in US Forest Service (Los Padres National Forest) lands (public property), but, without surveying, all this will be difficult to sort out, and access to any springs that are on public lands is somewhat unclear. Site of a former historic resort that closed in 1997. Three pools, the smallest hotter than the other two. North CA-33 from Ojai to Matihija Road on left, winds west for 2 miles through Matihija Canyon, park where the road becomes single-lane at a stop sign. Descend left side of road on a steep trail, smell for 1915 note: Wheeler Hot Springs are situated in the canyon of North Fork of Matilija Creek and are about 2 1/2 miles north from the Matilija Springs. Three warm sulphureted springs rise at Wheelers and the place has been a resort since 1895. The Main Hot Spring, 102°F/39°C, discharges about 35 gal/min into a swimming plunge. The other two springs, which are known as Bucket Spring and Genoveva Spring, have observed temps, respectively, of 62°F/17°C and 75°F/24°C. Each yields about 1/2 gal/min of mildly sulphureted water, and forms a drinking pool. A fourth spring, also sulphureted but cool, issues at the side of a small storage reservoir and yields perhaps 5 gal/min. In 1908, the improvements at these springs included a hotel and annex, about 35 tent cottages, a dancing floor, and bathing facilities. Electric light was supplied by a small water-power plant. Matilija Hot Springs are situated about 2 1/2 miles below Vickers Hot Springs and 6 miles NW of the railroad terminus at Nordhoff. There has been a resort at the springs since about 1890 and improvements have been added until in 1908 there were accommodations for 200 people. At the northern edge of the creek, sulphurated water rises, which is said to have a maximum temp of 116°F/47°C. It is pumped to baths and to a large swimming plunge about 200 yards downstream. Two warm sulphur springs, at which there are cemented drinking basins, also issue on opposite sides of the creek near the baths. Each yields about 1 gal/min of moderately sulphureted water. Vickers Hot Springs: In Matilija Canyon, in western Ventura County, the westernmost point of note at which hot waters rise is at Vickers Hot Springs. The water here issues at the northeast edge of the creek from a low bank of stream gravel and crushed shale. A hotel and baths were constructed here in 1873, but the buildings were washed away by high water in the spring of 1884, and when visited in 1908 the place had evidently been abandoned for a number of years. These are said to be the original Matilija Springs. Stingleys Hot Springs: About 1/2 mile below Vickers Hot springs, at the southwest edge of the creek on the property of Mr. S.G. Stingley, thermal water also issues. A small pool in which a temperature of 100°F/38°C was recorded has here been used for bathing. In connection with the thermal springs of this locality, three small sulphur springs may be mentioned that have temps of 66°F/19°C, 76°F/24°C, and 65°F/18°C. They issue respectively 1/4 mile west of Stingleys Hot springs, 1/8 mile northeast of them, and 3/4 mile eastward. The first mentioned is a strongly sulphureted pool at the base of the canyon slope and was formerly used as a drinking spring. The second spring issues from a short tunnel in the hillside and yields about 2 gal/min of water that furnishes a domestic supply to Mr. Stingley's home. This water rises clear but becomes milky from suspended sulphur after flowing a few yards. The third spring rises in a canyon on the property of Mrs. Gertrude A. Lyons and is piped to a small resort (see Lyons Spring). https://www.ojaiecotopia.com/ (was: http://ojaihotsprings.com/) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rR71QTISLVd2um1H5jsY-9SfMVeeyZiJ/view http://www.vcreporter.com/cms/story/detail/traffic_at_ojai_hot_springs_to_cool_off/10895/ http://ojaihistory.com/wheeler-hot-springs-new-owners-confront-old-issues/ http://www.hotwaterslaughter.com/hotspring/ojai-hot-springs Season: year-round Cost: $25 for a two-hour window, with reservation (via Ecotopia) Distance: 334 miles, 5 hrs 25 mins Lyons Hot Springs / Nogales Hot Springs North of Ojai, Ventura County SUBMERGED 65°F/18°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 34.484517, -119.309394 (approx.) Lyons Hot Springs is just upstream, submerged in the reservoir impounded by Matilija Dam, just upstream from the dam, on the south side of the canyon. Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 334 miles, 5 hrs 25 mins Sulphur Mountain Hot Springs Just S. of N. Ojai Rd. / CA-150, Eastern end of Ojai Valley, Ventura County 65°F/19°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 34.426278, -119.095972 (approx.) In the canyon of Sisar Creek, 1/4 mi. above (W. of) its junction with Santa Paula Creek, and 6 mi. N. of Santa Paula, a summer resort was founded in the late 1890s. The main spring was on the hillside a few hundred yards south of the resort grounds and 150 ft. above them, fed through a tunnel in a small ravine and yielding about 15 gallons/minute of mildly sulphurated water. After storage in a tank, the water supplied a swimming plunge, and also was heated for tub baths. https://www.soakersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2917&start=80 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 349 miles, 5 hrs 40 mins SISKIYOU COUNTY Hot Springs and Fumeroles on SW slope of Mount Shasta Siskiyou County 183°F/84°C 41.409285, -122.196335 1915 note: Vapor and small amounts of hot water rise at two localities near the summit of Mount Shasta. These localities are of relatively little importance as hot springs, but their presence at such an elevation and position is of geologic interest with respect to the mountain, which is a volcano that has become extinct within comparatively recent geologic time. The heat of the water, as at the springs near Lassen Peak, is probably derived from heated lava within the mountain. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 322 miles, 5 hrs 25 mins to South Gate Meadows Trailhead, County Highway A10. Stewart Mineral Hot Springs Retreat / Stewart Mineral Springs 4617 Stewart Springs Road, Weed, Siskiyou County cold spring, but heated for resort NO LONGER OFFERED 41.419720, -122.504178 The former, much beloved Stewart Mineral Springs had: 5 tepees, 4 motel rooms (closes in winter), 6 apartment style units, 4 cabins with. kitchenettes, “Wellness” Room” and a large A-frame house (for up to 10 people). Camping and RV spots are also available. Bathhouse with 13 private baths, adjacent sauna. Cold mineral springs are piped from the source and heated, for soaking tubs. Bathhouse has 15 individual bathing rooms with old-fashioned tubs and music. Large wood-heated sauna. The bathhouse is surrounded by wide wooden decks overlooking Parks Creek, nice for sunbathing and relaxing. However: Some time in the late 2010s, the site reopened as Pneuma Retreat Center, with multiple facilities and overnight accommodations to host private groups, and no more hot springs to soak in. The former Stewart Mineral Hot Springs’ bathhouse, sauna, and massage rooms are closed. Unfortunately, there are no mineral baths in any of the rooms. Guests are welcome to sit in ponds down by the creek, which has some level of minerals (albeit lower than before used in the baths). https://www.pneumaretreatcenter.com/ (no longer at stewartmineralsprings.com) https://www.tophotsprings.com/stewart-mineral-springs-california/ http://hotspringsdirectory.blogspot.com/2008/03/stewart-mineral-springs.html Season: year-round (except certain holidays) Cost: n/a Distance: 326 miles, 5 hrs 9 mins Bogus Soda Springs S. of Ager Beswick Road, Siskiyou County 76°F/24°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 41.918465, -122.372895 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 359 miles, 5 hrs 55 mins Klamath Hot Springs / Shovel Creek Mud Springs N. of Ager Beswick Road, just W. of Beswick, Siskyou County 156°F/69°C 41.972281, -122.205229 Springs are south bank of the Klamath River, where Shovel Creek enters the river, upriver from what is now Copco Lake. Around 1887, Josiah and Lile Edson built a large hotel, here, a bath house, fish cleaning house, concrete warm water swimming pool, ice house, smoke house, 6 guest cottages, barns, blacksmith shop, and electrical plant. The hotel burned in 1915, but other buildings still stood including the guest cabins and ample camping grounds. A dance pavilion (still standing) was built with stones from the burned hotel and the party went on. Well known people such as Zane Grey and Herbert Hoover, both of whom were avid fisherman who frequented other sections of the Klamath and the Rogue River, signed the guest book. Site is on private property. 1915 note: Klamath Hot Springs form an isolated group near the north-central edge of the State. The springs rise in meadow land that borders Klamath River near the mouth of Shovel Creek and were formerly known as Shovel Creek Mud Springs. The property has been improved as a resort for more than 20 years and is much visited for the fishing that is afforded by the river, as well as for the benefit derived from the baths. In 1909 the improvements included a two-story stone hotel and four cottages, besides bathing facilities. Five springs and tule-grown pools are formed by the rise of thermal water in a meadow on the south side of the river, and two other small springs issue near the northern bank of the stream. Three springs on the southern side are those chiefly used. The hottest of these, 152° in temperature, forms a small drinking spring near the river and about 175 yards from the hotel. There is a small bathhouse at another hot spring near by, and the main bathhouse is 100 yards to the southwest, at the border of a tule area. Hot-mud baths and also clear-water baths are here furnished by water that rises in the marshy area. https://www.ijpr.org/show/as-it-was/2020-04-29/as-it-was-edson-brothers-expand-the-klamath-hot-springs https://naturalatlas.com/hot-springs/klamath-1033751 https://www.livinggoldpress.com/TakingtheWaters.htm https://klamathcountyhistoricalsociety.org/images/Trumpeters/2018SummerTrumpeter_113.pdf Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 370 miles, 6 hrs 15 mins Sulphur Springs Warm Springs 12-15 mi. south of Happy Camp, Siskiyou County 84°F/29°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 41.659305, -123.318960 Near where Lick Creek empties into Elk Creek, a side canyon of the Klamath River. Sulphur Springs Campground adjoins the site. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 439 miles, 8 hrs 35 mins LOS ANGELES COUNTY Warm Springs in Elizabeth Lake Canyon Los Angeles County (temp. unknown) 34.662211, -118.394100 (approx.) 1915 note: In Elizabeth Lake Canyon, about 25 miles east of the Sespe springs, there is a small group of thermal springs. They are not of high temperature nor notable flow, however, and are seldom visited. The San Andreas fault line is mapped as passing about 8 miles north of these springs, and its proximity suggests that the existence of the warm water may be due to subsidiary fracturing of the rocks where it issues. Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 327 miles, 5 hrs 30 mins El Encino Springs Los Encinos State Historic Park, 16756 Moorpark St, Encino, Los Angeles County 79°F/26°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 34.159862, -118.499170 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 349 miles, 5 hrs 50 mins Bimini Hot Spring Koreatown, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County CAPPED 34.070344, -118.290204 105°F/41°C Bimini Baths (also, Bimini Hot Springs and Sanitarium; currently Bimini Slough Ecology Park) was a geothermal mineral water public bathhouse and plunge in what is now Koreatown, Los Angeles, California, US -- the hot water source having been created accidentally when drillers looks for oil instead struck water at 1,750 ft. It was situated just west of downtown, near Third Street and Vermont Avenue. Bimini Baths contained a natatorium, swimming pools, swimming plunge, Turkish baths, a medical treatment department, and bottling works. The business went bankrupt in 1956, and is now Bimini Slough Ecology Park, Mi Joo Peace Church, an auto repair shop, and Bresee Community Center. 1915 note: In connection with San Luis Hot Spring, two hot-spring resorts on the outskirts of Los Angeles may properly be mentioned here, as they are also unsuccessful oil wells in which flows of warm water were obtained. Bimini Hot Spring has been improved as a bathing resort, and also as a sanitarium, since about 1903. Tub baths and three large swimming plunges are here provided, and the place is extensively patronized by bathers. A sanitarium hotel near by is also conducted under the same management. The well is reported to yield 100 gallons a minute of water 104°F/40°C in temperature. An analysis of the water is tabulated beyond for comparison with that of another warm artesian well of the locality. The primary alkalinity of the water gives it a peculiar soft feeling that has led to the appellation “the velvet baths.” The well is said to have been drilled 1,750 feet deep in the sediments of Tertiary age that make up the oil formation of this locality. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bimini_Baths https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-jan-25-me-then25-story.html https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-12-28/a-brief-history-of-southern-californias-hot-springs Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 357 miles, 6 hrs Beverly Hot Springs Spa 308 N Oxford Avenue, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County 105°F/41°C 34.076606, -118.307723 Full service day spa, open 9am-9pm. Luxury. Separate men's and women's facilities. Outdoor pools/tubs and indoor hot and cold, sauna pools/tubs. Shitsu massage, health and beauty treatments. http://beverlyhotsprings.com/ Season: year-round Cost: $30 day pass M-Th, $40 FrSaSu & holidays, no in/out, covers sauna and steam rooms in addition to the hot and cold pools. Luxury. Separate men's and women's facilities. Distance: 357 miles, 5 hrs 51 mins Radium Sulphur Spring / Hollywood Mineral Springs Melrose Hill, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County CAPPED (temp. unknown) 34.083368, -118.307853 (approx.) 1915 note: About 2 miles northwest of Bimini Hot Spring a sanitarium was started in 1905 at another unsuccessful oil well. In 1908 the property changed ownership, and improvements were made, consisting of a pumping and heating plant for the water, a number of bathtubs, and offices and rest rooms. The water is claimed to be notably radioactive. In the fall of 1908 it was placed on the local market as a table and medicinal water. The well at the Radium Sulphur Spring was drilled to a depth of 1,000 feet or more in the oil formation. A strong flow of water was encountered, which was with difficulty shut off, but several years prior to 1908 the well ceased to flow. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-12-28/a-brief-history-of-southern-californias-hot-springs Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 356 miles, 6 hrs Seminole Hot Springs In the Santa Monica Mountains near Cornell, Los Angeles County DESTROYED (temp. unknown) 34.108164, -118.790929 Seminole Springs Spa was in operation from approximately 1917 to 1945, and was redeveloped in 1959. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-12-28/a-brief-history-of-southern-californias-hot-springs http://www.seminolesprings.org/read-me/ Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 364 miles, 6 hrs Santa Fe Springs / Fulton Wells Sulphur Hot Springs Santa Fe Springs, Los Angeles County DESTROYED (temp. unknown) 33.943667, -118.081928 (approx) In the 1860s, Dr. James E. Fulton bought acreage in what was then Los Nietos township, formerly Manuel Nieto's land grant ranch, and in the process of drilling for water discovered a sulphur hot spring, which he developed as Fulton Wells, with a hotel and bathing facilities. Upon his 1891 death, the Santa Fe Railroad bought the parcel and renamed it, then struck oil starting in 1919. The site was destroyed by well fires in 1928. https://homesteadmuseum.blog/2017/11/19/drilling-for-black-gold-oil-well-fires-at-santa-fe-springs-november-1928/amp/ Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 374 miles, 6 hrs 20 mins White Point Hot Springs San Pedro, Los Angeles County SUBMERGED (temp. unknown) 33.714461, -118.317094 A pair of brothers, in 1917, opened a facility with a salt-water pool heated by sulphur springs. It's gone, but the hot and sulphurous waters remained in rocky pools along the shoreline. However, as of the 1933 Long Beach Earthquake, the source moved offshore and is occasionally re-found by scuba divers. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-12-28/a-brief-history-of-southern-californias-hot-springs Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 385 miles, 6 hrs 30 mins Alvarado Hot Springs 2286 Lerona Ave., Rowland Heights, Los Angeles County DESTROYED (temp. unknown) 33.975730, -117.886945 Site is now covered by a residence. Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 385 miles, 6 hrs 5 mins MODOC COUNTY Hot Springs in Little Hot Spring Valley Modoc County 127°F/53°C 41.230667, -121.406909 1915 note: About 16 miles in a direct line, or 27 miles by road, northwest of Bieber, hot water rises on the eastern side of Little Hot Spring Valley at two points, about 60 yards apart, at the base of low basaltic slopes. Much seepage water is added from a strip of marshland, and the resulting stream discharges about 225 gallons a minute. In the northern of the two springs a temperature of 127°F/53°C was recorded. Its water is used for laundry purposes. At the lower spring, where a temperature of 170°F/77°C was noted, a hotbed for vegetables has been constructed. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 336 miles, 5 hrs 50 mins Boyd Spring / Boyd Hot Spring Modoc County 67°F/19°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 40.972972, -121.047800 1915 note: Boyd Spring is marked on some maps as Boyd Hot Spring, but its recorded temperature in 1909 was only 67°F/19°C. The water has no noticeable taste, and in several respects it seems to be a spring of alluvial artesian origin rather than one whose existence is due to the rock structure. It is mentioned with the hot springs of Surprise Valley, however, because it is to some extent thermal and may have a structural origin. It is situated near the eastern side of Upper Lake, on a gentle greasewood-covered slope. A tule-grown pool has formed here, about 15 by 25 yards in dimensions, in which there are many small fish. The discharge flows westward in a sluggish stream of perhaps 1,000 gallons a minute, though at the point where the stream was measured the current was so slight that its volume could be only roughly approximated. In 1909, it was used for irrigating meadow half a mile or more to the northwest. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 353 miles, 6 hrs 20 mins Kelly's Hot Spring Near Canby, Modoc County 199.5°F/93°C 41.460522, -120.917648 (approx.) Former resort, now closed for many decades. 1915 note: Along the upper course of Pit River, hot water rises at several places, most notably at Kelly's Hot Spring (PI. V, A, p. 50) 4 miles northwest of Canby or 21 miles west of Alturas. A pool about 12 yards in diameter is here formed in a semicircular depression in the alluvium of the northern side of the river valley. In the center of this pool, water rises with such force as to dome up about a foot high. It is said that the water was formerly thrown to a height of 2 or 3 feet, but its action has been subdued by throwing stones into the center of the pool. The water has been locally considered to be several degrees above the boiling point, but a temperature of 199.5°F/93°C in the pool 6 feet from its edge, at a place where the water was 1 foot deep, was the highest measured. Water boils at 204°F/96°C at the elevation of the pool (4,400 feet), and it is probable that it rises with this temperature in the spring. The measured discharge was 325 gallons a minute. The water is used several hundred yards away as a domestic supply and for irrigation. A small area near the spring and between two outflow streams is used for growing tomatoes. https://calisphere.org/item/ark:/13030/tf138n99w3/ Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 373 miles, 6 hrs 5 mins Essex Springs Just north of CA-299, between Canby and Alturas, Modoc County 91°F/33°C 41.491920, -120.699989 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 381 miles, 6 hrs 10 mins Hot Springs on Hot Creek Modoc County 92°F/33°C 41.566076, -120.807517 (approx.) 1915 note: About 8 miles north of east from Kelly's Hot Spring, a stream known as Hot Creek is formed by numerous thermal springs that rise on the north side of the valley that borders Pit River. A maximum temperature of 92°F was recorded here, at the side of a small house used as a laundry and for bathing. The stream, which carries approximately 700 gallons a minute, irrigates meadow land along its course of a mile to the river. Half a mile northeast of the main group, another spring, with a temperature of 85°F/29°C and a yield of about 8 gallons a minute, has been used to irrigate a potato field. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 385 miles, 6 hrs 55 mins Warm Spring in Warm Spring Valley Modoc County 81°F/27°C 41.540845, -120.812960 (approx.) 1915 note: About halfway between Kelly's Hot Spring and the springs on Hot Creek, a spring issues in Warm Spring Valley on gentle slopes that border a northern extension of the valley along Pit River. The temperature measured in this spring was 81°F/27°C, and its flow was approximately 275 gallons a minute. The water is employed for domestic uses, as well as for irrigation. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 387 miles, 7 hrs Warm Springs near Rattlesnake Creek Modoc County (temp. unknown) 41.572476, -120.607168 (approx.) 1915 note: Warm springs that are similar to those of Hot Creek and Warm Spring Valley issue along the slopes that border Rattlesnake Creek, about 7 miles above its junction with Pit River, and 8 or 9 miles (by road) northwest of Alturas. They form a small area of natural meadow land, but have not been developed so as to water it efficiently. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 395 miles, 7 hrs Lunsford Spring Modoc County (temp. unknown) 41.281388, -120.745563 (approx.) 1915 Note: Near the head of Canyon Creek, south of the valley of Pit River, warm springs that are similar in character to those already mentioned in this region are used to irrigate a small amount of land on a ranch. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 368 miles, 6 hrs 24 mins West Valley Warm Springs / West Valley Reservoir Hot Springs About 15 mi. SE of Likely, Modoc County PRIVATE, OFF-LIMITS 90°F/32°C at the source, lukewarm in the small ponds 41.200640, -120.358190 West Valley Reservoir Hot Springs are located on private land and the owner closed access to the hot springs. According to officials, a primary reason for the closure was gazing cows that dirty springs. Primitive except for two small rock ponds. ~25 miles from Alturas. West Valley Reservoir and Blue Lake are nearby. The small community of Likely is nearby. Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 396 miles, 7 hrs 10 mins Fort Bidwell Hot Spring Fort Bidwell Indian Reservation, northern Surprise Valley, Modoc County 113°F/45°C 41.861550, -120.158697 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 438 miles, 7 hrs 30 mins Hot Springs (upper Surprise Valley) Modoc County 208°F/98°C 41.685488, -120.199091 Hot Springs near Southwest Side of Upper Alkali Lake 1915 note: At points about 2 miles and 3 miles, respectively, north of Lake City, hot water rises in meadowland that borders Upper Alkali Lake. The quantity of flow and the temperature of the water are rather indefinitely known, as the water rises in tule-grown areas. It has been used mainly for irrigating the meadowland, but the supply could be developed, and more efficiently used by proper ditching. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 424 miles, 7 hrs 15 mins Hot Springs on East Side of Surprise Valley Modoc County (temp. unkwown) 41.618185, -120.030274 (approx). 1915 note: Between Upper and Middle lakes, on the east side of Surprise Valley, three small hot springs rise in a small depression on a gentle greasewood-covered slope. The discharge from the springs is increased by seepage from a marshy strip along the overflow, 75 or 100 yards beyond. In 1909, the water was used for irrigating meadowland and a small vegetable garden. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 429 miles, 7 hrs 30 mins Hot Springs at East Border of Surprise Valley Modoc County (temp. unknown) 41.619023, -120.050278 (approx.) 1915 note: One mile west of the hot springs between Upper and Middle lakes near the base of slopes that encroach on the valley, scalding water issues from small vents within a space of 20 yards. Corrals and vats have been constructed here, and the water has been used in preparing sheep dip. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 424 miles, 7 hrs 20 mins Surprise Valley Hot Springs / Hot Springs on Bidwell Creek 67254 CA-299, Cedarville, Modoc County 208°F/98°C 41.532623, -120.078475 Hotel with spring-fed hot-springs tubs for each room. 1915 note: In the western part of the United States there is a large area from which no streams flow to the ocean, and which is therefore called the Great Basin. Many of the mountain ranges and intervening valleys in this area have been formed by extensive faulting, a mode of formation here so common that its result is known as “Basin Range” structure. One of the minor divisions of the Great Basin along the northeast border of California is Surprise Valley, whose formation s ascribed by Kussell to faulting along both sides of the valley, subsidiary faulting having produced its minor features. The hot springs that rise in the valley are considered to furnish confirmatory evidence of its fault origin. The northernmost of the hot springs that are noteworthy are found at the base of lava slopes on the west side of the canyon of Bidwell Creek, about 1 mile north of Fort Bidwell. From five vents within 6 or 8 yards of each other, about 75 gallons of water a minute is discharged, the highest recorded temperature being 108°F/42°C. In 1909, the water was conducted to a plunge in a small bathhouse, and was also used for irrigation and domestic supply. http://www.surprisevalleyhotsprings.com/ Season: year-round Cost: Included in the cost of accommodations, $127/day and up Distance: 417 miles, 6 hrs 50 mins Leonard's Hot Spring Cedarville, Surprise Valley, Modoc County PRIVATE, OFF-LIMITS 120°F/49°C - 144°F/62°C 41.598166, -120.092951 An old deteriorated resort that is on private property and a couple pools that are too hot to soak. Dug-out ditch. Northeastern California in the Surprise Valley. Directly off of a dirt road that may be too muddy when wet. "East Leonard Spring lies at the base of the Hays Canyon Range, and West Leonard Spring is the site of the former resort. Earlier description: A series of ponds created by the damming of a creek of hot spring water in an isolated area. The remains of a hot springs resort, complete with empty swimming pool and collapsed buildings, can be seen adjacent to some of the ponds. The largest pond near the hot spring source is your best bet for a bath, at about 110°F/43°C. The pond is about 3 by 5 feet, and 3 feet deep. Be careful before getting in, since the water temperature has a tendency to change." "This is a nice spot in a scenic valley in an under-populated portion of northern California. On a weekday you can generally expect to have this spot to yourself. It gets a few visitors on weekends, however. Do keep in mind that you are not totally out in the middle of nowhere, and only a few miles from a town. Primitive, except for the damming of the creek and the remains of the resort." Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 421 miles, 7 hrs 20 mins Glenn's Hot Spring / Seyferth Hot Spring Cedarville, Surprise Valley, Modoc County 41.601097, -120.085899 185°F/85°C at the source, avg. pond temp 120°F/49°C A second series of ponds created by damming up of a creek of hot spring water near Leonard's Hot Spring. Primitive except for the damming up of the creek. Access: From Cedarville, take Surprise Valley Road (County Route 1) north 5 miles, turning right (east) onto Fortynine Road (County Route 18), going about 4 miles. Fortynine Road veers slightly right at a intersection with Fortynine Lane, stopping at the remains of Leonard's Hot Spring resort on the right (south). The Glenn's cluster is on the left (north). Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 422 miles, 7 hrs 10 mins Chicken Hot Springs Cedarville, Surprise Valley, Modoc County 41.614768, -120.104555 (approx.) (temp. unknown) Access: From Cedarville, take Surprise Valley Road (County Route 1) north 5 miles, turning right (east) onto Fortynine Road (County Route 18), going about 3.5 miles, turning left onto Fortynine Lane. Proceed 0.8 miles to turn right (east) on a dirt lane, which goes 0.2 mile to several sources comprising Chicken Hot Springs. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 422 miles, 7 hrs 10 mins Applegate Hot Springs Cedarville, Surprise Valley, Modoc County 106°F/41°C - 110°F/43°C 41.614319, -120.105798 "An extremely hot spring on a hill creating a little hot creek that is surrounded by cow patties. Applegate Hot Springs does not offer a soaking opportunity but has a lot of potential. The hot spring emerges at the top of a little hill on the northeastern side of Surprise Valley with a BLM parking area. There is a little sign at the source marking the site as a stop on the Applegate Trail, part of the California Trail. The source water temperature is about 185°F/85°C and forms a small hot creek that flows down the hill. Some pools have been dug out where the water temperature is cooled off, but still too hot to soak at about 120°F/49°C. The entire area seems to be dominated by cattle, with cow patties all around the hot creek making it too disgusting to soak in, even for us. Applegate could be a wonderful place if the source was protected from cattle and piped to some pools down the hill that is also protected from cattle, but, without these improvements, it's just a cool geothermal site to see." Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 422 miles, 7 hrs 15 mins Eagleville Hot Spring / Squaw Bath Hot Springs Cedarville, Surprive Valley, Modoc County 130°F/54°C at the source, ~110°F/43°C in the pond, ~105°F/41°C in the hot tub 41.210150, -120.057316 Hot water emerging from the side of the hill is channelised into a small pond and a large redwood tub. Primitive, except for the piping of the Starting in Cedarville, go south on Surprise Valley Road 15 miles to Eagleville, then 7.5 miles south to a large turnout on the left. This turnout is immediately south of the 5.5 mile marker. Park here and walk the short but steep trail (less than 50 yards) to the spring. Property owner has posted signs saying access as at owner's discretion; heed all signs. https://www.soakersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1187 https://www.ultimatehotspringsguide.com/squaw-bath-hot-springs.html Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 419 miles, 7 hrs 30 mins Wild Mint Hot Springs Cedarville, Surprise Valley, Modoc County PRIVATE, OFF-LIMITS 41.203951, -120.050755 (approx.) "A short distance south of Eagleville Hot Spring, but not open to the public at this time, last we heard. A concrete box that is not very well maintained next to a hunting cabin on private property." http://www.hotwaterslaughter.com/hotspring/wild-mint-hot-spring Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 419 miles, 7 hrs 30 mins Hot Spring near East Side of Middle Lake Surprise Valley, Modoc County (temp. unknown) 41.474104, -120.008049 (approx.) 1915 note: Near the eastern side of Middle Lake is a hot spring that is said to form a pool 25 feet in diameter and 6 feet deep. Its flow has been estimated at more than 300 gallons a minute, and, like the other springs of the valley, it forms a meadow area bordering the lake. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 425 miles, 7 hrs 20 mins Hot Springs at Menlo Baths 4 mi. SSE of Eagleville, Surprise Valley, Modoc County 135°F/57°C 41.266, -120.08 1915 note: About 5 miles south of Eagleville, hot water issues at half a dozen or more places in the gravel of the valley side, in a depression similar to the depressions in which other hot springs in Surprise Valley issue. The water has no appreciable taste or odor. There was formerly a small bathhouse at these springs, and later a dam was constructed that made a swimming pool, but, in 1909, the water was used only to irrigate 30 or 40 acres of meadow and alfalfa. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 431 miles, 7 hrs 20 mins Hot Springs near Southwest Side of Lower Lake Surprise Valley, Modoc County (temp. unknown) 41.228692, -120.068569 (approx.) 1915 note: Three miles south of the springs just described is another group of hot springs, that are said to irrigate about 160 acres of meadow. The water at this place forms a pool and is considered to be somewhat warmer than that of the springs a few miles northward. There are also several small warm springs near the road between these two groups of springs. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 421 miles, 7 hrs 30 mins Bare Ranch Spring Surprise Valley Road, 10 mi. S. of Eagleville, Surprise Valley, Modoc County 90°F/32°C 41.157443, -120.037198 (approx.) Seems to be on the east fork of Bare Creek, near Surprise Valley Road. 1915 note: A small amount of warm water rises in meadowland at the south end of Surprise Valley. This water may rise along a fault zone, as the principal springs of the valley are considered to rise, but it may also be of alluvial artesian character. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 416 miles, 7 hrs 11 mins ORANGE COUNTY La Vida Hot Springs Carbon Canyon Road @ La Vida Road (dirt; aka "Lavida"), Brea, Orange County CAPPED FOR NOW 110°F/43°C 33.939696, -117.790065 Originating as a stagecoach stop in the 1880s, La Vida Hot Springs was transformed into an active resort in 1902, adding a 12-room hotel in 1924, a restaurant cafe, an indoor stage and outdoor amphitheater, indoor bath houses and massage rooms, and two outdoor swimming pools. The site was destroyed by a 1988 cooking fire, the restaurant cafe lasting until January 2001 when longtime owner Donald L. Hines died, but all structures have now been demolished. After crossing Carbon Creek, via the somewhat tilting historic bridge, look for the two sources in a ravine running behind the resort's still-extant cement water tank. At this writing, the 35.96 acre raw site is offered for sale. http://carboncanyonchronicle.blogspot.com/2008/11/la-vida-mineral-springs-history-from.html http://carboncanyonchronicle.blogspot.com/2009/01/la-vida-mineral-springs-resort-1997.html http://carboncanyonchronicle.blogspot.com/2012/05/la-vida-mineral-springs-history-james.html http://carboncanyonchronicle.blogspot.com/2008/07/carbon-canyon-historical-artifact-3.html http://carboncanyonchronicle.blogspot.com/2013/09/carbon-canyon-historical-artifact-38-la.html https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-jul-22-mn-15013-story.html https://www.lavidaland.com/ https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-jan-26-me-17413-story.html Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 398 miles, 6 hrs 45 mins Fairview Hot Springs Costa Mesa, Orange County LOST TO SUBURBIA 96°F/36°C 33.668675, -117.918879 1887's Fairview Hotel at the present-day intersection of Merrimac Way and Harbor Boulevard, was a three-story luxury hotel with a 60' x 100' swimming pool at the hot springs. All trace of the establishment and the hot springs vanished by the 1950s. A 2020 posting to soakersforum.com says water flow ceased "long ago" following a 1918 earthquake. 1915 note: In coastal plain south of Santa Ana. This was originally a natural flow. Casing was sunk to 700' to make an artesian well. In 1908, hotel and cottage lodged 50 people. 96°F/36°C, supplies a swimming plunge and tub baths. Discharge is somewhat seasonal, measured at 15 gal/min in December. http://www.ocregister.com/articles/hotel-640968-springs-fairview.html Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 401 miles, 6 hrs 40 mins San Juan Capistrano Hot Springs / San Juan Hotsprings 17 Hot Spring Canyon Road near CA-74, Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park, San Juan Capistrano, Orange County 122°F/50°C 33.592629, -117.514091 nearest point on road 33.548491, -117.560501 trailhead Primitive set of seven hot springs with rock-lined tubs at one of the springs, on the site of what was once a major Victorian resort. The other six are reported to be overgrown with brush, too small, infested with bees, or all of the above. The largest and best tub is big enough for three at most. It is claimed that the bacteria count in these no-longer-maintained tubs is high, and the Casper Wilderness Park administration has closed off easy access. Basically, there is unlawful nearby access if you jump a fence to Spring Canyon Road, and lawful access if you hike many miles from the park main entrance. 1915 note: Hot springs arise in San Juan Canyon, about 13 miles NE of San Juan Capistrano. Two main springs, four minor ones, and several marshy patches are here situated on the western side of the canyon on slopes near the creek. Highest temp recorded was 124°F/51°C, total yield 35 gallons a minute. Other warm springs issue in a canyon half a mile westward. In 1908, improvements consisted of a small hotel, bathhouse, and three cottages. Ample campgrounds; place had been used primarily as a camping resort. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-12-28/a-brief-history-of-southern-californias-hot-springs http://everydayrompn.com/2014/01/11/orange-county-hot-springs-1814/ https://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~fricke/hotspring/sanjuan/ http://web.archive.org/web/20161014060322/http://studentreader.com/southland-california-hot-springs/ Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 424 miles, 6 hrs 52 mins RIVERSIDE COUNTY Clark's Hot Springs Norco, Riverside County GONE 127°F 33.926729, -117.574649 In 1924, Rex B. Clark, founder of the city of Norco, discovered a hot mineral spring while drilling for water, and developed The Norconian Resort, the largest-scale recreational resort as yet seen on the West Coast. Unfortunately for Clark, The Norconian opened just months before Black Tuesday, and the Depression closed it in 1933. Rex Clark reopened it as Clark's Hot Springs, then shuttered again in 1940. In 1941, the US Federal Government rented the main hotel and other buildings to serve as "United States Naval Hospital in Corona" (being in that city's limits before Norco's incorporation in 1964), closing in 1957, and remains in a derelict state today, uncompliant with earthquake safety standards. The north end of the site in 1962 became California Rehabilitation Center aka Norco Prison. Next to it is Naval Sea Systems Command, Corona Division. Nothing remains of the hot springs. https://www.soakersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2917&start=80 Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 408 miles, 6 hrs 55 mins Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa / Temescal Hot Springs 25000 Glen Ivy Road, Corona, Riverside County 102°F/39°C 33.756763, -117.493720 Mud baths, hot mineral springs, spa w/treatments. 12 acres of gardens. 8 miles south of Corona, on Glen Ivy Road off Temescal Canyon Road. Two snack bars serving sandwiches, drinks including wine and beer. Massage, mud baths, therapeutic body treatments, and full service salon. 1915 note: Principal spring is 102°F/39°C and flows bout 15 gal/min, issues at the mouth of a ravine. Several other warm springs issue at points for half a mile northward, but on http://www.glenivy.com/ https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-12-28/a-brief-history-of-southern-californias-hot-springs Season: year-round Cost: $39 day pass M-Th, $52 FrSaSu Distance: 416 miles, 6 hrs 35 mins Aqua Soleil Hotel and Mineral Water Spa 14500 Palm Drive, Desert Hot Springs, Riverside County (temp. unknown) 33.942602, -116.500624 Natural mineral hot springs feed the outdoor swimming pool, along with the both jetted pools. Spa. http://www.aquasoleilhotel.com/ https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-12-28/a-brief-history-of-southern-californias-hot-springs Season: year-round Cost: $15 day pass weekdays, no day use on weekends Distance: 468 miles, 7 hrs 14 mins Miracle Springs Resort and Spa 10625 Palm Drive, Desert Hot Springs, Riverside County (temp. unknown) 33.971692, -116.501865 Hotel has 110 rooms. Eight mineral pools. http://miraclesprings.com/ Season: year-round Cost: Can't tell. Might require appointment at the 'Spa in Palm Springs'. Distance: 469 miles, 7 hrs 17 mins Desert Hot Springs Spa and Hotel 10805 Palm Drive, Desert Hot Springs, Riverside County 140°F/60°C 33.969877, -116.502038 Hotel w/50 rooms. Mineral spring whirlpools and soaking pools for guests. Spa services available. Seven soaking and Champagne pools, 3 outdoor swimming pools, one Olympic size pool. 5 spa tubs, natural hot springs. http://www.dhsspa.com/ Season: year-round Cost: day pass available, cost unclear Distance: 469 miles, 7 hrs 17 mins El Morocco Inn and Spa Hot Springs 66810 4th Street, Desert Hot Springs, Riverside County (temp. unknown) 33.965472, -116.495922 Hotel rooms, natural mineral hot spring and spa. http://www.elmoroccoinn.com/ Season: year-round Cost: $50 day pass Distance: 469 miles, 7 hrs 17 mins Two Bunch Palms Resort and Spa 67425 2 Bunch Palms Trail, Desert Hot Springs, Riverside County (temp. unknown) 33.947885, -116.487327 Hotel has 70 rooms. Two mineral pool areas at different temperatures, and a swimming pool. http://www.twobunchpalms.com/ http://hotspringsdirectory.blogspot.com/2004/05/two-bunch-palms.html Season: year-round Cost: $25 day pass weekdays, $40 weekends Distance: 469 miles, 7 hrs 17 mins Living Waters Spa 13340 Mountain View Road, Desert Hot Springs, Riverside County (temp. unknown) 33.951690, -116.475033 Hotels rooms. Spa. http://www.livingwatersspa.com/ Season: year-round Cost: $45.00 day pass for 1 or 2 people, 10am - 5pm Distance: 470 miles, 7 hrs 18 mins The Spring Resort and Day Spa 12699 Reposo Way, Desert Hot Springs, Riverside County (temp. unknown) 33.955726, -116.482610 12 guest rooms, three mineral pools. http://the-spring.com/ Season: year-round Cost: looks like hot spring access is tied to spa appointments Distance: 470 miles, 7 hrs 20 mins Sam's Family Spa Hot Water Resort 70875 Dillon Road, Desert Hot Springs, Riverside County (temp. unknown) 33.923020, -116.425470 Motel, RV, tents, mobile home rentals. Four therapeutic hot spring pools, a large swimming pool and a wading/sitting pool. Dry sauna. http://samsfamilyspa.com/ http://hotspringsdirectory.blogspot.com/2004/05/sams-family-spa.html Season: year-round Cost: $14 day pass Mo-Fr, $20 SaSu & holidays Distance: 471 miles, 7 hrs 20 mins Murrieta Hot Springs, Calvary Chapel Conference Center Murrieta 39405 Murrieta Hot Springs Road, Murrieta, Riverside County PRIVATE, OFF-LIMITS (pending reopening) 102°F/39°C in the central Hot Springs Bath 33.557832, -117.156094 This facility is now part of a religious retreat, and no longer open to the public. However, stay tuned! In August 2022, Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa d/b/a Calvary Chapel Bible College sold the property to Olympus Real Estate Group for $50 million. The new owner reportedly intends to renovate the facility over 18 months, and reopen "as a retreat with expanded use of the natural hot springs, overnight guest lodging, a full suite of wellness classes and activities, a geothermal-focused spa and access for day guests". 1915 note: 12.5 miles direct SE of Elsinore, eastern side of Murrieta Valley. Heated waters arise at the base of a gravel bluff on the border of an open drainage course. Three springs arise within 10 yards of each other, maxiumum temp 136°F/58°C, ample flow. https://www.murrieta-hotsprings.com/ http://www.mhsretreats.com/ https://patch.com/california/murrieta/historic-46-acre-bible-college-murrieta-hot-springs-sells-50m https://calihotsprings.com/loc/murrieta-ca/murrieta-hot-springs/ https://www.ultimatehotspringsguide.com/murrieta-hot-springs.html https://www.gallowaykitetrail.com/murrieta-hot-springs/ https://www.jmaw.org/murrieta_hot_springs/ https://www.tophotsprings.com/murrieta-hot-springs-california/ Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 440 miles, 6 hrs 36 mins Dos Palmas Spring North Shore, Salton Sea, Riverside County 84°F/29°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 33.509012, -115.827279 http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/prog/wildlife/watchable/areas/dospalmas.html http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/salton/DosPalmasHistory.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dos_Palmas_Spring Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 518 miles, 8 hrs 40 mins Sahara Hotsprings / Sahara Motel 66700 5th Street, Desert Hot Springs, Riverside County (temp. unknown) 33.966197, -116.497845 Developed resort, has 8 hot springs pools and spas including 4 pools, salt-bath (hot mineral springs w/Epsom salt and desert salt), BBQ grill picnic area, fantasy land, basketball court. Day use welcome. Caters particularly to Korean families (and is owned by a Korean family). http://www.yelp.com/biz/sahara-motel-of-desert-hot-springs-desert-hot-springs Season: year-round Cost: day pass available Distance: 469 miles, 7 hrs 50 mins Nurturing Nest Mineral Hot Springs Retreat and Spa 11149 Sunset Avenue, Desert Hot Springs, Riverside County 106°F/41°C 33.967955, -116.498272 Seven guest rooms furnished in minimalist Zen style, spa, chiropractic, counseling, massage. http://www.nurturingnest.com/home.html Season: year-round Cost: $25/2 hours, $5 per additional hour, subject to availability. Distance: 469 miles, 7 hrs 50 mins Highland Springs (south) 10600 Highland Springs Ave, Cherry Valley, Riverside County GONE 112°F/44°C 33.969, -116.942 Probably on the grounds of Highland Springs Ranch and Inn (formerly Highland Springs Resort) -- which, weirdly, doesn't mention the (former?) hot spring in the history section of its extensive and health-focussed Web site. None of the reviews of that hotel-turned-health-resort business, bought in 1990 by a South Korean corporation and now run as an upscale "event venue", mentions anything about a hot spring. So, absent further findings, I'm inferring that it's somehow been lost. http://hsresort.com/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highland_Springs_Resort/Ranch_%26_Inn http://web.archive.org/web/20161014060322/http://studentreader.com/southland-california-hot-springs/ Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 439 miles, 7 hrs 25 mins Eden Hot Springs / Canadian Hot Springs Dirt road branching off Gilman Springs Rd., nr. San Jacinto, Riverside County 109°F/43°C 33.895163, -117.055380 The first resort here was built in 1890. A new owner expanded the resort in 1904 by adding a small hotel, bathhouses, and guest cottages. In 1930, most of these were replaced by Spanish style buildings. A lounge, swimming pool, and dining room. A schoolhouse was located here from 1900 until 1943. All the buildings were burned down in a fire, leaving behind only foundations and the swimming pool. This is in the hilly "Badlands" of unincorporated Riverside County, 2.5 mi. up a dirt road. There was reported to be in 2009 a proposal before the county Board of Supervisors to re-establish a resort on the site. Meanwhile, it is probably private property, and lawful access is doubtful. 1915 note: Western base of San Jacinto Mtns. has several hot springs. Eden is the northernmost of these: ~7 small springs within 100 yards at the base of a steep granitic slope. Hottest is about 100°F/38°C. Small resort, cottages, tents, bathhouse, small swimming pool. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUiBRDpWuTI http://web.archive.org/web/20161014060322/http://studentreader.com/southland-california-hot-springs/ https://www.sanjacintoca.gov/explore_san_jacinto/san_jacinto_history https://www.soakersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2917&start=60 https://www.rivcocob.org/agenda/2009/07_21_09/03.62.pdf Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 433 miles, 7 hrs 15 mins Gilman Hot Springs / Gilman's Relief Hot Springs, San Jacinto Hot Springs 19748 Gilman Springs Road, San Jacinto, Riverside County PRIVATE, OFF-LIMITS 117°F/47°C 33.835, -116.988 This small former resort area, operated by the Gilman family for 65 years, was bought by the Church of Scientology in 1978 and adapted for its highly secretive 'Gold Base' / 'International Base'. 1915 note: At the valley edge, 6 miles SE of Eden Springs. ~6 springs issue from a bank of granitic alluvium and form a marshy area of several acres. Hotel, cottages, tents. Tub baths, mud baths. http://www.freezone.org/gilman_hot_springs.htm https://whyweprotest.net/threads/gilman-hot-springs-before-it-became-scientology-gold-base.108654/ https://www.sanjacintoca.gov/explore_san_jacinto/san_jacinto_history http://web.archive.org/web/20161014060322/http://studentreader.com/southland-california-hot-springs/ https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-12-28/a-brief-history-of-southern-californias-hot-springs Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 438 miles, 7 hrs 20 mins Soboba Hot Springs / Ritchey Hot Springs / White Sulphur Spring At the end of Las Palmas Ct., San Jacinto, Riverside County GONE 70°F/21°C to 101°F/38°C 33.7994, -116.92500 Soboba Mineral Hot Springs Resort was opened in 1919 by Robert G. Althouse of Los Angeles, who owned candy stores and the United States Hotel in Los Angeles. Located 95 miles from Los Angeles, it was nestled at the base of the San Jacinto mountains at an altitude of 2,200 feet. Soboba was a popular resort, with several Indian-style cottages scattered along the hillside. The resort was across from the Soboba Springs Golf Course clubhouse. "The waters of Soboba were long famed among the Indians and are praised in Helen Hunt Jackson’s historical novel, Ramona," the brochure says. In 1941, Althouse sued the Metropolitan Water District after construction of the Colorado River aqueduct tunnel through Mount San Jacinto rendered his land "valueless" by diverting underground water away from his property. He ultimately sold the resort in 1947 to a Los Angeles syndicate. 1915 note: 5 miles SE of San Jacinto Springs, near base of the mountains, along the side of a ravine. Six springs, 70°F/21°C to 101°F/38°C used for domestic use and irrigation. https://www.sanjacintoca.gov/explore_san_jacinto/san_jacinto_history http://www.adc-exhibits.museum.ucsb.edu/items/show/396 https://www.reddit.com/r/NativeAmerican/comments/uj8ubx/the_soboba_hot_springs_san_jacinto_ca/ Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 442 miles, 7 hrs 4 mins Pilares Hot Spring / Ramona Hot Springs / Wolfskill Hot Spring / Bernasconi Hot Springs / Lakeview Hot Spring / Ginsberg Hot Spring / Stewart Hot Spring Riverside County DRIED UP (temp. unknown) 33.8383518, -117.1455887 Located on the west bank of the San Jacinto River near what is now Lakeview. Source dried up in the 1930s following Metropolitan Water District's building of the Colorado River Aqueduct, nearby. 1915 note: In the channel of the San Jacinto River, ~6 miles from the base of the San Jacinto Range, warm water rises and forms a tule area. https://www.soakersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2917&start=60 https://www.soakersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4563 Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 432 miles, 7 hrs 20 mins Elim Hot Springs / Palm Springs (not the town) / Aguas Calientes 48480 Foolish Pleasure Rd, Aguanga, Riverside County 100°F/38°C 33.491778, -116.818401 Elim Hot Springs Resort is a year-round spa, resort, with inside pool, two smaller pools, bungalows, a camping area, hot tubs, and a hot sauna. (My identifying the modern "Elim Hot Springs" with the "Palm Springs aka Agua Calientes" cited in the 1915 book is just my surmise -- but, at minimum, this modern resort is in the vicinity mentioned.) 1915 note: At the southern base of San Jacinto Peak, rise of water at 100°F/38°C, used for bathing and a small health resort on the edge of the desert. http://elimhotsprings.com/english/ Season: year-round Cost: Distance: 467 miles, 7 hrs 35 mins Elsinore Hot Springs / Lakeview Inn Hot Springs Used exclusively by Elsinore Hot Springs & Lodge motel for a 9-seat hot tub. 316 N Main St #3916, Lake Elsinore, Riverside County (temp. unknown) 33.672877, -117.325378 The low-rise motel includes two Jacuzzis, wet and dry sauna, and a pool. 1915 note: NE side of Elsinore Lake. Most hot springs ceased to flow when Elsinore Lake was filled, but shallow wells here still produce. Large bathhouse built 1888 near railroad depot. Large swimming plunge, tub, mud baths, Lakeview Hotel. https://publications.mygeoenergynow.org/grc/1001214.pdf Season: year-round Cost: Distance: 427 miles, 7 hrs 5 mins Bundy's Elsinore Hot Springs / Wrenden Hot Springs Lake Elsinore, Riverside County (temp. unknown) 33.679759, -117.328666 (approx.) My assignment of GPS coordinates is a guess based in part on mapping services saying that "Warm Springs Valley" is there. Some other sources claim it's at 33.6719, -117.32560, in downtown Lake Elsinore. As I find no record of the railroad facilities, the 1915 note about "250 yds north of Elsinore depot" didn't help. 1915 note: Another resort about 250 yds north of Elsinore depot. Used for drinking, bathing, hotel, cottages. https://publications.mygeoenergynow.org/grc/1001214.pdf Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 427 miles, 6 hrs 44 mins Cahuilla Warm Spring Cahuilla Indian Reservation, Temecula, Riverside County PRIVATE, OFF-LIMITS 98°F/37°C 33.541027, -116.741260 (approx.) 2011 report says that the tribe has ended public access. A beautiful pond formed from a warm spring on the Cahuilla Indian Reservation, in eastern Riverside County. Cahuilla Warm Spring consists of a small pond surrounded by green vegetation immediately adjacent to Cahuilla Creek Casino casino and a reservation graveyard, right off CA-371. The ruins of a small swimming pool still exist, indicating that these springs at one time provided bathing opportunities. http://www.soakersforum.com/3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=1965 (dead link) http://web.archive.org/web/20161014060322/http://studentreader.com/southland-california-hot-springs/ Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 473 miles, 8 hrs 5 mins Corn Springs Adj. Corn Springs Road, S. of I-10, 6 mi. S. of Desert Center, Riverside County 72°F/22°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 33.626135, -115.325515 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 552 miles, 9 hrs 20 mins SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY Tyler's Bath / Lytle Creek Warm Springs / Warm Spring in Lytle Canyon San Bernardino County DRIED UP 92°F/33°C 34.233050, -117.493947 (approx.) This hot spring once served a health resort named Tyler Bath Springs, destroyed by flood in March 1938. Discussion at soakersforum.com suggests spring(s) may have once fed the ponds at the Hidden Acres event venue, whose GPS coordinates I thus cite above. A 1983 Cal Geothermal Information Report said that when checked in 1961, the source was dry. 1915 note: 13 miles NW from Waterman Hot Springs. Unimproved spring, low flow, water only about 90°F/32°C. Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 410 miles, 6 hrs 55 mins Paradise Springs North of Barstow, western San Bernardino County 102°F/39°C 35.143815, -116.813926 1915 note: In the desert of western San Bernardino County, there is an isolated group of thermal springs 25 miles north of Daggett, on the eastern slope of a granitic mountain. Two warm springs and a few seepages issue in a belt 250 yards long, on the side of a wide drainage slope that opens southeastward to the desert. The highest temp observed was 102°F/39°C, total flow is perhaps 25 gal/min. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 414 miles, 6 hrs 55 mins Urbita Hot Springs / Midway Springs San Bernardino, San Bernardino County DESTROYED 34.085816, -117.298400 This former hot spring was developed in 1901 as Urbita Springs Park with a large enclosed swimming pool, picnic facilities, and other amenities. Since 1966, Inland Center mall occupies the site. Source dried up in the '40s and '50s, but returned in the 1980s. 1915 note: Recreation park 1 mile south of S.B. Artesian wells supply a plunge, tub baths, and a small lake. Warmest well yields 200 gallons a minute of mildly sulphurated water at 106°F/41°C. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-05-20-mn-16537-story.html https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~mysurnameresearches/genealogy/urbitahotsprings.htm Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 414 miles, 6 hrs 55 mins Waterman Hot Springs / Waterman Canyon Hot Springs San Bernardino, San Bernardino County PRIVATE, OFF-LIMITS 34.186660, -117.273566 (approx.) 195°F Site is part of the 2014 purchase of 1,900 acre private land acreage of Arrowhead Hot Springs by San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. 1915 note: 3/4 mile west of Arrowhead Hot Springs, from fissures in the granite on the eastern side of Waterman Canyon. Flow of water was slight in 1908. http://www.eti-geochemistry.com/flux/images/figure60.html https://www.sbcity.org/about/history/arrowhead_springs_hotels http://losangelesswimmin.com/2014/12/etiquette/ https://www.sbsun.com/2022/03/07/how-waterman-canyon-near-san-bernardino-got-its-name-other-details-about-the-miner-turned-governor/ Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 415 miles, 6 hrs 55 mins Arrowhead Hot Springs / Penyugal Hot Spring San Bernardino, San Bernardino County PRIVATE, OFF-LIMITS 110°F/43°C to 145°F/63°C, 202°F/94°C 34.186704, -117.263728 The first historic health resort and hotel at this site went bankrupt and then conveniently burned down in 1885. A new hotel also burned in 1895, being replaced by a third hotel in 1905 that also burned in 1938. It was famously at the eastern end of one of the Pacific Electric "Red Car" streetcar lines that then ran all the way from Santa Monica to the foothills of San Bernardino. The fourth opened in 1939, going into decline after WWII, then was used as Campus Crusade For Christ headquarters until 1999, which in 2014 sold the site to San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. At this writing (2023), the hotel & site's future is undecided. 1915 note: Western base of the San Bernardino Mountains: Granitic slopes about 7 miles east of north from San Bernardino and about 500 feet above the valley land. Find it by seeing an area of scanty vegetation in the shape of an arrowhead several acres in extent, on the mountain side above the springs. Springs are in two groups about 400 yards apart. The upper group comprises about six springs, temp. about 110°F/43°C to 145°F/63°C. Water is confined in two concrete storage basins. This is on a mesa north of where the hotel was. Lower group, also six springs, has the hotter water, measured at 202°F/94°C in the basin. This group is in a ravine to the west. Hotel and baths burned around 1910. https://www.pressenterprise.com/2016/05/20/san-bernardino-san-manuel-tribe-buys-arrowhead-springs-hotel/ https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-12-28/a-brief-history-of-southern-californias-hot-springs http://www.eti-geochemistry.com/flux/images/figure60.html https://www.sbcity.org/about/history/arrowhead_springs_hotels http://losangelesswimmin.com/2014/12/etiquette/ Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 416 miles, 6 hrs 55 mins Harlem Hot Springs E. Base Line St. and Victoria Ave., San Bernardino, San Bernardino County GONE (temp. unknown) 34.121291, -117.226198 This was a 1800s hot springs resort that gained narrow-gauge railroad connections in 1886. Railroad service ceased in 1893. 1915 note: Diverted hot spring (well casing diverted the water for bathing and irrigation) on the alluvial slope 2 miles below the base of the San Bernardino Mountains. Collected spring water feeds swimming plunge and tub and mud baths at a recreation and picnic ground. https://californiagenealogy.org/sanbernardino/railroads.htm http://www.sbdepotmuseum.com/1880-1899/2014/7/25/june-19-1888-s-b-arrowhead-waterman-rr.html Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 416 miles, 6 hrs 55 mins Deep Creek Hot Springs 6100 Bowen Ranch Road, Apple Valley (near Hesperia), San Bernardino County 105°F/41°C 34.340578, -117.169469 Be very careful not to let hot spring water from Deep Creek Hot Springs up your nose (or mouth), on account of Naegleria fowleri amoebae that can cause potentially fatal infection. An undeveloped cluster of outdoor hot springs on private ranchland. 4 mile hike to the creek and hot springs pools. Exit off I-15 in Apple Valley onto Bear Valley Road and head east for 10 miles. Turn right onto Central Avenue heading south for 3-miles. Turn left onto Ocotillo Way heading east once again for 2.8-miles to Bowen Ranch Road. Turn right and follow Bowen Ranch about another 7 miles or so to where it ends. You’ll see what appears to be an old historic rustic structure and tollgate displaying a stop sign. 1973 book: Deep Creek Hot Spring is situated on a prominent northeast-southwest fault. The hot spring, with its bubbling water, high-diving rocks, warm sunbathing, and green grass, is a surprisingly popular and crowded spot at almost any time of the year. Note that the approach from Bowen Ranch is the shorter (1 hr) walk but requires crossing the creek, which can be dangerous in winter and spring (possiblity of flash floods), in which case the 2 hr walk from Pacific Crest Trail is advised. https://www.outdoorproject.com/united-states/california/deep-creek-hot-springs http://everydayrompn.com/2012/07/12/deep-creek-hot-springswarm-springs/ http://everydayrompn.com/2012/06/21/deep-creek-hot-springs-52112/ http://askirtinthedirt.com/blog/page/4 http://deepcreekhotsprings.net/ http://web.archive.org/web/20161014060322/http://studentreader.com/southland-california-hot-springs/ http://web.archive.org/web/20160524225220/http://levi.life/deep-creek-hot-springs/ Season: year-round Cost: free, but easiest access from Bowen Ranch charges $5 for access and overnight parking campings, and $4/person for day parking Distance: 439 miles if approached from the south via San Bernardino and Lake Arrowhead (Pacific Crest Trail), 7 hrs 58 mins. 418 miles if approached from the north via Hesperia / Apple Valley to Bowen Ranch, 7 hrs 34 mins Santa Ana River Warm Springs N. of Yucaipa in San Bernardino Nat'l Forest, San Bernardino County 90°F/32°C 34.120682, -117.078158 Source has a flow rate of 3 gallons per minute, and is located where Warm Springs Canyon meets Santa Ana Canyon, at the base of the east side cliff, away from the Santa Ana River flow. Seven Oaks Dam is now claimed to block access to the area. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 428 miles, 7 hrs 15 mins Warm Spring at Baldwin Lake Near Big Bear City, San Bernardino County 88°F/31°C 34.270398, -116.823852 (approx.) 1915 note: Baldwin Lake is a small intermittent water body at the upper end of Bear Valley in the San Bernardino Mountains. In a marsh at the western end of the lake, warm water rises in a pool 20' in diameter. Flow is slight, temp only 88°F/31°C. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 443 miles, 7 hrs 35 mins Pan Hot Springs Big Bear City, San Bernardino County PRIVATE, OFF-LIMITS (temp. unknown) 34.272517, -116.839981 (approx) In 1924, Emile C. Jesserun built a large resort at the site of hot springs within what was then Shay Ranch, a few miles east of Big Bear Lake, just east of what is today the intersection of Paradise and North Shore Drives. Unfortunately, the hotel burned down just nine years later in 1933 and was never rebuilt, but the swimming pools remained until they had to be demolished in the early 1990s because of earthquake damage. http://www.bigbearhistorysite.com/big-bear-city-resorts/ http://www.socalmountains.com/print.php?plugin:forum.85737 Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 444 miles, 7 hrs 35 mins Saratoga Springs S. end of Death Valley National Park, San Bernardino County 82°F/28°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 35.681701, -116.423671 1915 note: Saratoga Springs, situated at the eastern border of south Death Valley, at the base of the Black Mountains, have long been known to desert travelers, but they are hidden from view at a distance by a narrow rocky spur on the south and by sand dunes on the north and west. As there is plenty of water at the place and a considerable area overgrown with marsh grass, prospectors usually stop here for a few days to allow their animals to rest after excursions into the surrounding mountains, and in 1908 a stone cabin and other buildings were being erected by parties who had mining claims in the mountains near by. The principal spring forms a pool about 25 by 35 feet in diameter and 3 feet deep, in whose sandy bottom the water can be seen rising at a dozen or more places. The temperature of the water is about 82°F/28°C, and the pool is inhabited by many small fish, which have been identified by Prof. J. O. Snyder as Cyprinodonmacularius, the species that live in other desert springs of similar character. At three other points along the base of the hills, 100 to 250 yards northeastward from the main spring, water has been obtained by excavating into the slopes. An area of marsh grass, tules, and open water extends 600 yards northward from the springs, but on account of the great evaporation the area of open water varies much with the season. The water tastes distinctly of alkali, but it has formed no noticeable alkaline deposits. http://digital-desert.com/saratoga-springs/ Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 495 miles, 8 hrs 35 mins IMPERIAL COUNTY Fish Springs Desert Shores, W. side of Salton Sea, Imperial County 90°F/32°C 33.407535, -116.036396 Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 513 miles, 8 hrs 25 mins Oh-My-God Hot Springs End of Holly Road, W. of Salton City, Imperial County GONE 102°F-104°F 33.253470, -116.012520 (approx.) This springs was product of a test well, but Imperial County bulldozed the site in the early 1990s in reaction to too much popularity, nudism, and problems with campers. It was featured in the movie "Into the Wild". Season: n/a Cost: n/a Distance: 525 miles, 8 hrs 14 mins Canyon Spring Just north of Summit Road, midway between CA-111 on the east side of Salton Sea and I-10, Imperial County 97°F/36°C 33.545018, -115.653632 https://adventuretaco.com/the-salt-creek-route-bradshaw-trail-1/ Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 529 miles, 9 hrs 20 mins Glamis North Hot Springs Resort 10595 Hot Mineral Spa Rd., Niland, Imperial County (temp. unknown) 33.426039, -115.685707 Cabins, lodge, tents, RV parking. Mineral water fed to two therapeutic pools, 14 hot tubs, and a large pool. http://www.glamisnorth.com/ Season: year-round Cost: $20 day pass Distance: 534 miles, 7 hrs 50 mins Bashford's Hot Mineral Spa 10590 Hot Mineral Spa Rd, Niland, Imperial County 145°F/63°C 33.424396, -115.681163 RV hookups and parking http://bashfords.com/ Season: year-round Cost: apparently no day use, but free if you stay at the RV park Distance: 534 miles, 8 hrs 15 mins Fountain of Youth Spa RV Resort 1500 Spa Road, Niland, Imperial County (temp. unknown) 33.400241, -115.663007 RV hookups, 6 mineral baths http://foyspa.com/ Season: year-round Cost: apparently no day use, but free if you stay at the RV park Distance: 533 miles, 8 hrs 16 mins Niland Hot Mineral Spa West end of Hot Mineral Spa Road, Niland, Imperial County (temp. unknown) 33.425668, -115.685873 Appears on Google Maps to be a natural hot springs, across the street from Glamis North Hot Springs Resort. Season: year-round Cost: access not clear Distance: 533 miles, 8 hrs 16 mins Slab City Hot Springs 626 Beal Road, Niland, Imperial County (temp. unknown) 33.245442, -115.476664 Concrete cistern fed by a hot spring. The anarchic, alternative community Slab City, on the site of long-closed USMC base Camp Dunlap, is about 300' northeast. http://web.archive.org/web/20150823132827/http://everydayrompn.com/2012/04/02/imperial-valley-hot-springs-4212/ http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/slab-city-california http://losangelesswimmin.com/2011/10/imperial-valley-hot-springs/ http://maebird.blogspot.com/2009/11/no-mans-land.html Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 547 miles, 8 hrs 37 mins Five Palms Hot Springs / Five Palms Warm Well Oasis / Cinquo Palmas Oasis Near Curlew, Imperial County 92°F/34°C 32.951481, -115.284378 Located on BLM land. Clear water surrounded by palms trees. Starting at Brawley, take SR78 east 15 miles, crossing Highline Canal. Take the second dirt right turn 0.5 miles east of the canal. Go 1.6 miles south to Five Palms Warm Well Oasis. http://web.archive.org/web/20150823132827/http://everydayrompn.com/2012/04/02/imperial-valley-hot-springs-4212/ http://hottubbers.org/usa/california/five-palms-warm-well/ http://losangelesswimmin.com/2011/10/imperial-valley-hot-springs/ Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 575 miles, 9 hrs 26 mins Holtville Hot Springs / Old Fogey Hot Springs / Holtville Highline Hot Springs 3700 Evan Hewes Hwy, Holtville, Imperial County (temp. unknown) 32.766029, -115.269934 Two pools next to a highway. http://web.archive.org/web/20150823132827/http://everydayrompn.com/2012/04/02/imperial-valley-hot-springs-4212/ http://losangelesswimmin.com/2011/10/imperial-valley-hot-springs/ Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 592 miles, 9 hrs 16 mins SAN DIEGO COUNTY Agua Caliente Springs / Agua Caliente County Park Hot Springs 39555 Great Southern Overland Stage Route of 1849, Julian, San Diego County 101°F/38°C 32.949853, -116.302523 A charming little county park with a campground, an indoor adults' soaking pool, and an outdoor kids' pool and an outdoor swimming pool, all chlorinated and fed with water from the spring, toilets, coin-operated hot showers, free mineral-water showers, RV hookups with A/C, tent sites, a caravan area for large groups, and tent cabins. General store and general-aviation airport nearby, otherwise quite remote location. Park is nestled in Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Day use 9:30am – 5:00pm. 1915 note: In the valley of Vallecitos Creek, 35 miles SE of Warner Hot Springs are small, unimproved warm springs known as Agua Caliente Springs.... https://www.sdparks.org/content/sdparks/en/park-pages/AguaCaliente.html http://web.archive.org/web/20161014060322/http://studentreader.com/southland-california-hot-springs/ Season: Labor Day to Memorial Day, closed in summer Cost: $3 parking, $3 pool-entry fee for each non-camper. Distance: 524 miles, 8 hrs 37 mins Jacumba Hot Springs Spa 44500 Old Hwy 80, Jacumba Hot Springs, San Diego County (temp. unknown) 32.617887, -116.188621 100 yards north of the Mexican border between San Diego and Yuma just off I-8. Use the Boulevard or Jacumba exits from the interstate. 20 room motel. Large outdoor pool fed by mineral springs. Indoor hot pool and dry sauna. Massage services on weekends and others by appointment. Great restaurant & bar favorite of locals & visitors. 1915 note: Water issues at two main points near the channel of a small creek. Flow is about 15 gal/min, temp 96°F/36°C. Ranch, supply store, camping spot. http://web.archive.org/web/20161014060322/http://studentreader.com/southland-california-hot-springs/ Season: year-round Cost: $10 day pass, includes both pools Distance: 544 miles, 9 hrs 2 mins Warner Hot Springs 31652 Highway 79, Warner Springs, San Diego County CLOSED TEMPORARILY (temp. unknown) 33.284240, -116.631215 Currently a developed resort: Steam room and sauna, outdoor hot spring pools, full-service salon with manicure and pedicure stations. A/o 2023, the resort's Web site says the place is temporarily closed for the duration of the pandemic. 1915 note: Eastern edge of Warner Valley, near base of the Palomares Mtns. in north S.D. County. Half a dozen or more vents in a ravine, 150 gal/min, 139°F/59°C. Water piped to wooden tank, then bathhouse. 1973 book: Warner Springs, at the end of this section, is the last supply point. This little resort community is clustered around a rejuvenating hot spring on the Aguanga Fault. Now a private spa, Warner Springs Ranch boasts a fine restaurant, restful bungalows, invigorating massages, and hot-spring soaks. Golf, tennis, horseback riding, and glider rides round out the experience. http://www.warnersprings.com/ https://www.wildernesspress.com/assets/eBooks/PCT-SoCal-eBook.pdf https://www.warnerspringsranchresort.com/ Season: year-round Cost: TBD Distance: 482 miles, 8 hrs 15 mins Agua Tibia Spring Near Temecula, San Diego County 92°F/33°C 33.363, -117.017 I find no recent information about the state of this place, but, if it still exists, it's on BLM land. "Tibia" translates as tepid/lukewarm. 1915 note: Southern base of Agua Tibia Mountain, 25 miles in a direct line north of west from Warner Hot Springs, warm water (agua tibia ) issues along a fault zone parallel to the one in Warner Valley. The water arise with a temp of 92°F/33°C, in a marshy area that covers perhaps an acre. It is conducted from a board-curbed pool to tubs in a nearby house for bathing and laundry. https://sandiegohistory.org/journal/1959/april/childhood/ https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-01-02-vw-34254-story.html https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2006/mar/16/explore-flowering-slopes-agua-tibia-wilderness-eas/ Season: year-round Cost: free Distance: 458 miles, 7 hrs 45 mins Deluz Warm Springs / De Luz Warm Springs San Diego County 85°F/29°C: No hot enough to be interesting. 33.360111, -117.325536 (approx.) 1915 note: In the bed of Deluz Creek, near the NW boundary of San Diego County, warm water rises. Three springs, 84°F/29°C to 88°F/31°C, 5 gal/min, Camping and rest resort and small hotel opened in 1888-9. Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 457 miles, 7 hrs 50 mins Vallecitos Spring 1/2 mile south of 33562 Great Southern Overland Stage Route of 1849, Julian, San Diego County 79°F/26°C: Not hot enough to be interesting. 32.97, -116.423 (approx.) http://web.archive.org/web/20161014060322/http://studentreader.com/southland-california-hot-springs/ Season: year-round Cost: access is unclear Distance: 517 miles, 8 hrs 27 mins None found so far in: AMADOR COUNTY BUTTE COUNTY DEL NORTE COUNTY EL DORADO COUNTY GLENN COUNTY HUMBOLDT COUNTY KINGS COUNTY MARIPOSA COUNTY NEVADA COUNTY SACRAMENTO COUNTY SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY SAN MATEO COUNTY SANTA CRUZ COUNTY SUTTER COUNTY TRINITY COUNTY TUOLUMNE COUNTY YUBA COUNTY