Welcome to CaliHotSprings.com, your ultimate guide to discovering the best hot springs in California. This website is built and maintained by hot springers for hot springers with the goal of being the most complete resource available for natural hot springs in California.
All hot springs listings on this website include access information, pool conditions, hours, directions, maps, facility information, ratings, pictures, video clips and more.
California is home to a variety of hot springs that offer not only relaxation but also healing benefits. Whether you’re looking for a remote and rugged hot spring or a luxurious spa experience, we’ve got you covered.
How to Find Your Next Favorite Hot Springs in California
TIP! Use the top menu to view hot springs by region or type from any page.
View Our Maps
Plan your next geothermal adventure by visualizing your journey with our maps. Where you can click on pins to view additional information about each hot springs.
Pick from the Top-Rated Hot Springs
What are the best hot springs in California?
With so many to choose from, it can be difficult to decide where to start. Here are the highest-rated hot springs according to visitors of this site.
Adventure into the rain-shadowed desert foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains to a cluster of undeveloped hot springs on the Deep Creek fork of the Mojave River. Surrounded by the lush vegetation of willows and other various trees, the natural hot pools transport you into a parallel universe. The cool waters of the Mojave River provide a refreshing reprieve while
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Orr Hot Springs Resort Near Ukiah If you are passing through the Ukiah or Mendocino area, there is a tranquil oasis known as Orr Hot Springs Resort that is more than worth the visit. This alluring natural attraction is privately owned and is located on twenty-seven acres of forested land, right by the headwaters of the Big River, and is
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Harbin Hot Springs resort is a commercial hot springs in northern California, two hours north of San Francisco. The resort offers healing through its eight pools and various massages, including Watsu, a water-based Shiatsu massage created at Harbin Hot Springs. Harbin Hot Springs Resort near San Francisco A New Age spiritual organization called Heart Consciousness Church operates this resort, emphasizing
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Not far off the beaten path, near the south side of Anza Borrego Desert State Park lies 910 acres of Southern California desert beauty. Only one of the few hot springs in Southern California in this region. Agua Caliente County Park offers three naturally heated pools, diverse hiking trails and ample camping options. Once a stop on the Butterfield Stage
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Franklin Hot Springs in California Open to the public since 1963 and family owned for decades, you’ll find yourself surrounded by nature at Franklin Hot Springs. Rustic and quaint, a place to find and enjoy the outdoors. Soak and swim all day, wildlife watch, fish or float around in your small boat on Franklin pond. Looking for a little more
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Tassajara Hot Springs near Carmel Valley Deep in the Los Padres National Forest in Central California is a resort filled with tranquility, peace, and beauty. Tassajara Hot Springs is the first Buddhist monastery outside Asia, and it opens its doors to guests each summer. You’ll need to drive here from San Jose or Monterey, California, for two to three hours.
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Mercey Hot Springs in California A colorful history of medicinal bottled water, Native Americans and a French man named John Merci entwine throughout 160 acres of beautiful rolling hills and pasture-land. Rich natural mineral water feeds the various hot spring pools for day or overnight visitors to relax and rejuvenate in after hiking, biking, disc golfing or just enjoying life.
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Wilbur Hot Springs Northeast of San Francisco Wilbur Hot Springs is a quiet resort with natural, geothermal hot springs pools inspired by Japanese onsen culture. These hot springs are also a historical site built in the late 1800s, sitting on a peaceful creek. To get here, you’ll need to drive a couple of hours from either Sacramento or San Fransisco,
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Tucked away in the Owens Valley, north of Bishop, California, Benton Hot Springs is a historic oasis offering rustic charm and geothermal bliss. Surrounded by the Sierra Nevada’s grandeur, it boasts multiple natural hot tubs, camping options and a charming historic inn. Its popularity draws visitors seeking relaxation in Southern California hot springs and a glimpse into California’s mining past.
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Montecito Hot Springs is a delightful set of hot spring pools tucked into a leafy canyon. The hot springs are a historical site and now sit on protected National Forest land. They are increasingly popular on social media and are likely crowded even on weekdays. However, these hot pools are deserving of popularity: you can reach them after a one-hour
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Gaviota Hot Springs Near Santa Barbara Imagine you’re visiting the urban sprawl of Los Angeles on a foggy spring morning, and you decide to go for a day trip to the coastal mountains where you’ll hike for a couple of hours and soak in a natural hot spring pool. This day trip is possible at Gaviota Hot Springs, located in
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With clear skies and views of the Eastern Sierra Mountains, Travertine Hot Springs is a special treat. Unsurprisingly, they are one of the most-visited mineral hot springs in California. Despite its remote location in Northern California, this natural wonder is much-loved. Travertine Hot Springs Near Bridgeport Outside the small, rural town of Bridgeport, California, you’ll find Travertine Hot Springs at the
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Mono Hot Springs in the High Sierras For the more adventurous type, take a beautiful trip into the high country of the Sierras, inside the Ansel Adams Wilderness for a visit to Mono Hot Spring Resort. On the South fork of the San Joaquin River, partake in endless hiking, swimming, fishing and soaking surrounded by scenery that brings complete inner
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Sierra Hot Springs Near Sierraville Seven hundred acres bordering National Forest land, located in the midst of an alpine valley, a mere 20-30 minutes from Sierraville, California one can experience Sierra Hot Springs year round. Also known as Campbell Hot Springs, Sierra is a nonprofit establishment run by residents with a mission of stewardship for the beautiful land. When you’re
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Two famous, accessible Californian hot springs are located in the remote central region near Mammoth Lakes, against a backdrop of the Eastern Sierra mountains. These natural hot springs are called “Wild Willy’s Hot Spring” or “Crowley Hot Spring.” The hot springs are easy to drive to, require only a short walk, and are free to access. The area is undeveloped
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Saline Valley Hot Springs in Death Valley If you are brave enough to drive for three hours over a dusty, rock-covered 55-mile road in the hottest place on earth, you’ll be rewarded with one of the most unique Southern California hot springs experiences: Saline Valley Hot Springs AKA the “warm springs”. You can soak in multiple natural hot pools at
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Amidst the arid beauty of the Coachella Valley, the Sea Mountain Inn offers a unique geothermal escape in Desert Hot Springs, CA. Just minutes from Palm Springs and other hot springs near Joshua Tree National Park, this clothing-optional resort boasts stunning mountain views and two mineral-rich hot springs pools. Enjoy luxurious overnight accommodations, spa treatments and a relaxed atmosphere, making
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Vichy Springs Resort in Ukiah Vichy Hot Springs Resort and Spa in Mendocino County offer its visitors a variety of soaking options in northern California. With a rich and fascinating history dating back to the 1800s, Vichy is California state landmark #980. Vichy hot springs high mineral bubbly baths have the same water as Vichy, France, hence the name given
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Delight’s Hot Springs Resort in California For over a century, in the Great Basin Mojave Desert, an oasis known as Delight’s Hot Springs Resort awaits. Forty acres of desert beauty, peace, tranquility and rejuvenation come together in a mix of natural mineral hot springs, massage and a comfortable place to rest one’s spirit. Delight’s is an adult only facility, so
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Surprise Valley Hot Springs in California A journey of five miles east of Cedarville will land you in the high desert of northeastern California. The Warner Mountains and Nevada’s Hays Range border this remote getaway. Fed by an artisan mineral waterfall, Surprise Valley Hot Springs is a fourth-generation, family-owned resort. Region: Northern California / Cedarville Surprise Valley Hot Springs Overnight
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Why are hot springs in California hot?
California is the third-largest state in the US with over 163,000 square miles of vast and sweeping terrain. Its geographic diversity ranges from mountains, coastal ranges, valleys, rivers, lakes and deserts to an abundance of natural hot springs.
The Golden State is located within the Pacific Ring of Fire, which is comprised of a chain of volcanoes. This volcanic activity is where California’s hot springs were born.
Water heated from deep within the earth due to volcanic activity pushes its way through fractures and cracks in rocks while gathering minerals along the way. Groundwater from rain aids in replacing the water heated by magma and subsequently renewing the cycle.
California Hot Springs Safety Precautions
Many hot springs are far from civilization; away from gas, water, cell phone service and roadside assistance. It is incredibly important to be prepared when traveling to new places. First and foremost, know where you are going. Will you be able to refuel along the way or do you need to carry extra gas? Will your vehicle handle the roads you’ll be traveling on? What shape is your spare tire in?
Red Spider Mite Warning
Only a handful of hot springs in California have been reported to have red spider mites.
No Soap or Shampoo! EVER!
Public hot springs in California are not bathing facilities and do not have ‘plumbing’ like that of commercial, improved hot springs.
Soap and shampoo, including bio soap and shampoo, do not break down naturally and pollute our fragile ecosystems.
FYI, this is also illegal in most wilderness and public land areas. Please report suspicious activity to public lands officials (take pics).
Leave No Trace
It is important to remember when visiting non-commercial hot springs in California or any state to leave them in better shape than when you arrived.
Please leave no trace, bring no glass and embrace the experience. We recommend cleaning up the area and hot springs before soaking as it makes for a more natural experience and reward for your stewardship efforts.
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