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Aqua Soleil Hotel and Mineral Water Spa California

Hot Springs in California

California is a state blessed with amazing soakable hot springs. There are various regions around this long state that feature these natural mineral waters. Some offer resort experiences, such as a spa, or even dining and hotel accommodations, while others are much more primitive (and free). Either way, happy soaking!

Mono Natural Hot Springs

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List of Hot Springs in California

One of the meccas for hot springs vacation is Desert Hot Springs, CA, known as California’s Spa City. It’s actually the world’s only destination with both hot and cold mineral spring aquifers. There are more than a dozen hot springs resort in this town alone. Plus downtown Palm Springs is less than a 20 minute drive from nearly all of them.

Aqua Soleil Hotel and Mineral Water Spa California

Aqua Soleil Hotel & Mineral Water Spa – Desert Hot Springs, California

Avila Hot Springs California Pool

Avila Hot Springs – San Luis Obispo, California

Image of the entrance at Beverly Hot Springs in Los Angeles, California

Beverly Hot Springs Spa – Los Angeles, California

Little Caliente Hot Springs in Santa Barbara, California

Big and Little Caliente Hot Springs – Santa Barbara, California

Caliente Springs Resort Desert Hot Springs California

Caliente Springs Resort – Desert Hot Springs, California

Image of the outdoor pool at Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa in California

Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa – Calistoga, California

Calistoga Spa Hot Springs California

Calistoga Spa Hot Springs – Calistoga, California

Deep Creek Hot Springs Pools California

Deep Creek Hot Springs – Apple Valley, California

The Kern River Canyon with Scenic Mountain Views

Delonegha Hot Springs – Caliente, California

Desert Hot Springs Inn California

Desert Hot Springs Inn – Desert Hot Springs, California

Desert Hot Springs Spa Hotel California

Desert Hot Springs Spa Hotel – Desert Hot Springs, California

Image of ocean side hot springs at Esalen Institute in California

Esalen Institute, Slates Hot Springs – Big Sur, California

Natural Hot Springs Water

Franklin Hot Springs – Paso Robles, California

Grover Hot Springs State Park Pool California

Grover Hot Springs State Park – Markleeville, California

Harbin Hot Springs California Deck Pools

Harbin Hot Springs – Middletown, California

Jordan Hot Springs California Pool

Jordan Hot Springs – Sequoia NF, California

Keough Hot Springs California Pool

Keough’s Hot Springs – Bishop, California

Mercey Hot Springs California Pool

Mercey Hot Springs – Los Banos, California

Miracle Manor Boutique Hotel and Spa California

Miracle Manor Boutique Hotel & Spa – Desert Hot Springs, California

Miracle Springs Resort and Spa California

Miracle Springs Resort & Spa – Desert Hot Springs, California

Old Pedro - Mono Hot Springs

Mono Hot Springs – Lakeshore, California

Natural Hot Springs Water

Murrieta Hot Springs in California

Remington Hot Springs

Remington Hot Springs – Kearn Canyon, California

The Roman Spa Hot Springs Resort in Calistoga, California.

Roman Spa Hot Springs Resort – Calistoga, California

Sierra Hot Springs Resort and Retreat Center California

Sierra Hot Springs Resort – Sierraville, California

Travertine Hot Springs

Travertine Hot Springs – Bridgeport, California

Tuscan Springs Hotel and Spa California

Tuscan Springs Hotel & Spa in California

Geyser at Wilbur Hot Springs

Wilbur Hot Springs – Williams, California

Wild Willy's Hot Spring Mammoth Lakes California

Wild Willy’s (Crowley) Hot Springs – Mammoth Lakes, California

Willett Hot Spring Sepse Wilderness

Willett Hot Springs – Ojai, California

Local Cali Hot Springs

From Northern to Southern Cali you can find some great locals hot springs. Whether you’re staying in Los Angeles, Calistoga, Truckee, or somewhere in-between, we’ve got you covered on the closest hot springs to town. Sometimes the best hot springs are the ones you can actually reach.

Image of photographers standing on the Travertine Hot Springs in California

6 Hot Springs near Truckee, California

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Image of the pool and palm trees and sunset at Miracle Manor Boutique Hotel and Spa in California

7 Closest Hot Springs to Los Angeles, California

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Enjoy beautiful scenic views while swimming at Calistoga Spa Hot Springs.

Trio of Hot Springs near Calistoga, California

Calistoga, a city in Napa Valley, California, is known for its abundant natural mineral water and…

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Map of Hot Springs in California

Guide to California’s Natural Hot Springs

Aqua Soleil Hotel and Mineral Water Spa California
Aqua Soleil Hotel and Mineral Water Spa in Desert Hot Springs, CA.

A state known for its diverse, multi-faceted geography and climate, California features a huge array of natural hot springs all throughout the state. These hot springs, which range from coastal pools to high mountains resorts, offer visitors the opportunity for unparalleled relaxation in natural, geothermally heated mineral water.

Home to dozens of these natural springs, California is sure to offer all types of visitors a meaningful, healing hot spring. From primitive pools in the vast California wilderness to whole towns dedicated to hot spring resorts like Desert Hot Springs, CA, or Calistoga, CA all manners of visitors can easily find a hot spring suited to their expectations in the state.

While a trip to one of California’s hot springs is sure to be great, there are a few things to keep in mind to get the most out of your visit. For all hot springs, visitors should be sure to bring a water bottle. It’s easy to forget to hydrate, and the hot mineral water can make it easy to become overheated and dehydrated if special care is not taken.

Deep Creek Hot Springs Pools California
Deep Creek Hot Springs pools. Photo: Photo: Q Brickell

Types of Hot Springs in California

Before planning a visit to one of California’s many hot springs, it’s important to understand the different types of offerings throughout the state. Primarily, the state’s hot springs are divided into two categories: primitive hot spring and hot spring resorts.

Primitive Hot Springs

For those seeking a minimalist experience with a focus on solitude, one of California’s primitive, wilderness hot springs would be best. Generally characterized by their isolation and proximity to nature, these primitive hot springs are decidedly simple.

Willett Hot Spring Sepse Wilderness
Willett Hot Spring in the Sepse Wilderness of Venture County, California. Photo by: nudeturtle

They’re often just composed of a basic concrete tub or natural riverside rock pool, and hot mineral water is normally pumped in from a nearby source. There are usually no amenities, and these springs can sometimes become overused and dirty during crowded seasons.

California’s primitive hot springs are not right for those looking for luxurious pools and accommodations, but these budget-friendly options are perfect for the adventurous soaker who values isolation over amenities. They may not be the fanciest option around, but soaking in a wilderness hot spring pool overlooking the Sierra Nevada Mountains is a clear path to relaxation and introspection for many.

For primitive hot springs, the most important thing to keep in mind is accessibility. Many of these pools require traversing dirt roads to access, so high-clearance vehicles are often recommended. Similarly, access can be limited during the winter months and during rain, so soakers should make sure to take precaution when preparing and planning for their visit.

Camping nearby – To best enjoy most of California’s primitive springs, soakers should consider camping nearby. Besides the benefits of camping in the beautiful wilderness, this provides visitors with the unique opportunity to soak at night and during the early morning hours, thus helping to ensure a private soaking experience. However, potential campers should keep in mind the lack of amenities at most of the sites, and they must be prepared to be self-sufficient.

Hot Spring Resorts

On the other hand, California is also home to a variety of posh hot spring resorts. Unlike their primitive counterparts, these resorts are often characterized by beautiful, luxurious pools and tubs, and they generally feature well-appointed accommodations that extend the relaxation of the springs into the guestrooms.

Miracle Springs Resort and Spa California
Miracle Springs Resort & Spa in Desert Hot Springs, Cali.

The hot springs resorts are often more crowded than primitive pools, but they’re perfect for those guests searching for a more traditional vacation in a developed area. These resorts usually offer a wide variety of soaking options, like large pools, individual tubs, and even communal bathhouses, and they’re often home to a variety of relaxing amenities like massage facilities and yoga classes.

At the various hot spring resorts that are throughout California, visitors should be sure to take advantage of the other amenities present on the property. These resorts usually feature world-class massage facilities, which is a perfect complement to the relaxing mineral waters found in the pools.

Similarly, guests who live near one of California’s hot spring resorts should consider purchasing day passes. Instead of booking a hotel room to gain access to the pools, most resorts offer some sort of day pass which grants access to the resort’s pools and facilities for a much lower cost. This provides guests with most of the benefits of the resort without the high prices that often accompany hotel rooms.

California’s Favorite Hot Springs

California is rich in public and private hot springs, attracting many travelers around the year. Some of these natural geothermal springs are accessible via simple or challenging hiking trails, whereas others are managed by hotel and spa services, also offering numerous accommodation options for overnight stays.

Calistoga Spa Hot Springs California
Calistoga Spa Hot Springs in Calistoga, Cali. Photo: Doug Letterman

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular hot springs in California:

Calistoga Spa Hot Springs – Situated in Calistoga in the Napa Valley, this resort comprises several smaller springs that have a varying temperature range. Since the 1900s, a spa has also operated in the area offering facilities such as general spa services, a wellness center, and mud baths. Calistoga Spa Hot Springs comprises of four small mineral pools, and a large one referred to as the Roman Pool.

Each of the four smaller pools features a variety of pools. These include a whirlpool, a lap pool with multiple lanes, a soaking pool, and a wading pool for kids. Of the three adult pools, the lap pool has the lowest temperature at 80oF or 26oC, the soaking pool has a temperature of 100oF or 37oC, and the whirlpool has the greatest temperature, regulated at 104oF or 40oC.

Patios with day beds, sun loungers, and barbecue pits have been set up around the pool area.

Crowley Hot Springs – The Crowley Hot Springs in California, often referred to as the Wild Willy’s, are situated in the Mammoth Lakes area, close to the Hot Creek Geothermal area. The springs can be accessed after hiking up a 2-mile path.

The site boasts two pools set in lush green plains and surrounded by breathtaking views of the mountains. The first pool is around 10 feet wide and has a depth of around 3 feet, offering a warm and relaxing temperature. The second pool has is slightly bigger in size, and is hotter as well. The waters are an intense blue, and rich in minerals, perfect for a dip to refresh your body and mind.

Deep Creek Hot Springs – The Deep Creek Hot Springs flow out from the Mojave River in the northern part of the Mojave Desert at the foot of the San Bernardino Mountain Range. They can be accessed via the Pacific Crest Trail or the Freedom Trail.

Under the management of the San Bernardino National Forest, the area features a number of pools, filled with both hot and cold waters. The soaking area is surrounded by exotic views of the woodlands and the conifer forests.

These visitors simply want to enjoy the therapeutic and healing powers of the mineral rich waters. So which of these hot springs in California are you planning to visit next? We’re sure your Golden State road trip will be an enjoyable one!

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