California Hot Springs

A Zen Buddhist monastery deep in the Ventana Wilderness that opens its natural sulfur springs to day visitors in summer. The mineral-rich waters feed a stone-lined creek pool and an indoor bathhouse. The remote mountain setting and meditative atmosphere make Tassajara truly unique.

Perched on dramatic cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Esalen Hot Springs offers one of the most awe-inspiring soaking experiences on Earth. The mineral-rich waters cascade into stone tubs carved into the clifftop, where bathers soak beneath the Milky Way during late-night public access hours. A cornerstone of the human potential movement since the 1960s.

An Auberge Resort in Calistoga combining Napa Valley luxury with natural geothermal mineral pools. The sleek, modern spa features the signature Mudslide treatment, geothermal pools, and a Michelin-starred restaurant. A top-tier wine country wellness destination.

Perched on the cliffs of Big Sur overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Esalen is legendary for its clothing-optional hot springs and spiritual workshops. The cliffside baths offer one of the most dramatic soaking experiences in the world.

One of the most remote hot springs in California, reached via miles of rough dirt road into Death Valley National Park. A dedicated community of volunteers maintains palm-shaded pools in the stark desert landscape. Clothing-optional culture and stargazing are legendary here.

Lassen Volcanic National Park's largest hydrothermal area—a boardwalk-accessible moonscape of boiling mud pots, fumaroles, and superheated pools. Named for a settler who burned his leg breaking through the thin crust, Bumpass Hell is strictly a viewing destination but among the most dramatic geothermal sites in California.

A challenging backcountry destination deep in the Sequoia National Forest requiring a steep descent into the Kern River canyon. Hot water seeps into rock pools along the river, offering a secluded wilderness soak as reward for the demanding hike. The lush riparian setting and towering canyon walls create a hidden paradise.

A sanctuary of silence and mineral water hidden in the remote hills of Colusa County. Wilbur channels scalding 140°F springs through a historic Victorian-era bathhouse into progressively cooler flumes and outdoor pools. The clothing-optional, technology-free environment attracts those seeking deep relaxation and digital detox.

A remote guest ranch inside Lassen Volcanic National Park accessible only by unpaved road. The geothermally heated pool is fed by natural hot springs, and the all-inclusive ranch offers horseback riding, fishing, and hiking in a stunning volcanic landscape.

A mid-century modern boutique hotel with three naturally heated mineral pools in the Desert Hot Springs spa district. The minimalist design and adults-only policy create a tranquil, design-forward retreat in the Coachella Valley.

The oldest continuously operating thermal pool and spa in California, drawing from an active volcanic geyser. The Olympic-sized mineral pool, volcanic ash mud baths, and Buddha Pond make it a Calistoga icon since 1862.

Private redwood tubs fed by natural hot springs in the vast quiet of the Owens Valley. Each campsite has its own personal tub, offering unmatched privacy for stargazing and soaking under the Milky Way.

Deep in the Los Padres National Forest backcountry, Sespe is one of the hottest springs in California with source temperatures near boiling. The multi-day backpacking trip through Sespe Wilderness rewards hikers with scalding pools that cool as they flow into the creek. A true wilderness hot spring experience.

California's oldest continuously operating mineral spring resort, famous for its naturally carbonated waters that rival the famous springs of Vichy, France. The warm effervescent pools create a gentle fizzing sensation on the skin. Historic cottages and a tranquil 700-acre setting complete the experience.

Sitting on an exposed hillside above the Bridgeport Valley, these free primitive pools offer sweeping views of the Eastern Sierra. Mineral-rich water bubbles up through colorful travertine formations into user-built soaking pools of varying temperatures. A favorite among PCT hikers and road-trippers on US-395.

A backcountry hot spring deep in the Ventana Wilderness of Big Sur country, reached by a strenuous 9-mile hike along the coastal mountains. The reward is a superb rock-lined pool perched above a creek canyon with filtered ocean views through the forest canopy.

A boutique hot springs spa in the heart of Napa Valley wine country. Known for its couples mud baths and mineral pool, Golden Haven provides an intimate, romantic escape among the vineyards of Calistoga.

A beloved clothing-optional retreat in the hills of Mendocino County. Features a communal hot tub, private porcelain tubs, a cold plunge pool, and a steam sauna, all set among redwoods and madrones. Reservations required for this intimate, off-grid experience.

A hillside resort near San Luis Obispo featuring over 75 private mineral spring hot tubs nestled among sycamore trees on a wooded hillside. Each tub is naturally filled with mineral water from the property's own springs. A romantic Central Coast retreat.

A Calistoga institution since 1952, known for the signature "Works" treatment — a volcanic ash mud bath, mineral whirlpool, steam room, and blanket wrap. Recently renovated with mid-century modern style, the mineral pools and mud baths remain true to the original vision.

A sanctuary of silence and mineral water in the remote hills of Colusa County. Wilbur features a three-pool system graduating from hot to cool, all clothing-optional and set in a peaceful, technology-free environment.

A California State Park nestled in the eastern Sierra with a concrete hot pool cooled to a comfortable 102-104°F alongside a cold plunge pool. The alpine meadow setting surrounded by pine-covered peaks makes this one of the most scenic state-run soaking facilities in California.

A beloved clothing-optional retreat center in the hills of Lake County, rebuilt after the 2015 Valley Fire. The warm and hot pools plus a cold plunge draw a devoted community of soakers seeking wellness and connection. The peaceful wooded canyon setting fosters deep relaxation.

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians have treasured these desert hot springs for millennia. Today, several resorts and spas in Palm Springs tap into the natural geothermal aquifer beneath the Coachella Valley, offering luxurious mineral pool experiences framed by the dramatic San Jacinto Mountains.

Now part of the Sierra Hot Springs retreat center, Campbell Hot Springs features a historic hotel, a meditation pool, and a clothing-optional hot pool surrounded by Sierra pines. The spiritual retreat atmosphere and stargazing from the warm water draw seekers and soakers alike.

Southern California's premier day spa and hot springs, known locally as "Club Mud." Features 19 pools and baths including the famous red clay mud bath, a grotto sauna, and full-service spa treatments in a lush garden setting.

A legendary desert retreat once frequented by Al Capone, now a serene luxury wellness resort. The grotto-style mineral pools are surrounded by palm trees, and the adults-only resort emphasizes silence, healing, and deep relaxation in the Coachella Valley.

Free, clothing-optional pools perched on a hillside with panoramic views of the Eastern Sierra. The travertine mineral deposits create naturally terraced pools ranging from warm to quite hot. A must-stop on Highway 395.

A boardwalk through a marshy meadow leads to two concrete-ringed pools with views of the Eastern Sierra, Glass Mountains, and Crowley Lake. Popular at sunset when the Sierra Nevada lights up in alpenglow.

Tucked along the Kern River in the southern Sierra Nevada, Remington features hand-built stone tubs perched above the rushing water. The volunteer-maintained pools offer a peaceful soak with stunning canyon views and the soothing soundtrack of the river below.

A seasonal resort in the Sierra National Forest accessible only when the mountain road is clear of snow. Natural hot springs bubble up along the South Fork of the San Joaquin River, with both a developed bathhouse and wild riverside soaking spots. The granite-studded alpine setting is quintessential High Sierra.

Tucked deep in the Los Padres National Forest behind Santa Barbara, Big Caliente rewards hikers with a concrete-and-stone soaking pool fed by a natural 115°F spring. The shaded canyon setting along a seasonal creek provides a lush contrast to the surrounding chaparral. A classic Southern California backcountry soak.

A Calistoga classic offering three naturally heated mineral pools, a Jacuzzi, and mud bath treatments in Napa Valley wine country. The intimate, boutique setting and lush garden courtyard make it a romantic getaway among the vineyards.

A healing retreat at the foot of Mount Shasta known for its cold mineral water baths, Native American sweat lodge, and wood-fired sauna. The mineral water is pumped into private bathhouses for individual soaking, followed by a plunge in Parks Creek.

A challenging desert hike through the San Bernardino National Forest leads to natural pools along Deep Creek. Popular with the clothing-optional community, these springs offer a rugged, off-grid soaking experience.

A family-friendly resort in the heart of Napa Valley wine country featuring four geothermally heated mineral pools. The volcanic mineral water is also used for Calistoga's famous mud baths. An ideal basecamp for combining wine tasting with therapeutic soaking.

The only natural hot spring in Los Angeles, drawing alkaline mineral water from deep beneath the city. The Korean-style bathhouse offers gender-segregated soaking rooms, body scrubs, and spa treatments. An urban oasis that feels worlds away from the surrounding Koreatown streets.

A dramatic volcanic hot spring where superheated water erupts into a cold mountain creek in the Long Valley Caldera. While swimming is currently prohibited due to dangerous geothermal surges, Hot Creek remains a stunning geological spectacle. Visitors can observe boiling pools and steam vents from a boardwalk along the creek.

Once a thriving 19th-century resort and later a Japanese-owned bathhouse, Gilroy Yamato Hot Springs is being slowly restored in the remote canyons of the Diablo Range. The mineral-rich waters emerge at over 112°F from deep fault lines. Now a private nature preserve, visits are available by reservation only.

A vast geothermal field within the Long Valley Caldera—one of Earth's largest volcanic systems—where dozens of hot seeps and fumaroles dot the sagebrush flats east of Mammoth Lakes. Several volunteer-dug pools offer soaking with views of the Sierra crest and Glass Mountain.

A San Diego County park in the Anza-Borrego Desert offering naturally heated mineral pools and a large outdoor pool. The desert setting provides stunning stargazing and seasonal wildflower displays, making it a unique low-desert soaking destination.

A dramatic volcanic hot spring where boiling water erupts into a cold mountain creek. Swimming is prohibited due to unpredictable geothermal activity, but the viewing area offers a stunning look at raw geothermal power in the Eastern Sierra.

A clothing-optional retreat center in the Sierra Valley featuring a historic pool and natural meditation pool. The property has been a spiritual sanctuary since the 1980s, offering quiet contemplation in a stunning mountain meadow.

A popular roadside soak near Mammoth Lakes named for its distinctive reddish-orange mineral deposits that resemble a cooked crab. The shallow rock-lined pool sits on a hillside with panoramic views of the eastern Sierra and the volcanic Long Valley Caldera. Easy access makes it a quick stop for skiers and hikers.

A desert city north of Palm Springs sitting atop a massive underground aquifer of naturally heated mineral water. Dozens of boutique hotels and spas tap into the geothermal source, offering everything from budget-friendly soaks to upscale wellness retreats. The dry desert air and mountain views create a classic Southern California spa experience.

The historic hot springs that gave Paso Robles its name—"El Paso de Robles" means "the pass of the oaks." Native Salinan people soaked here for centuries before European settlement. Today the warm sulfur waters are channeled into private tubs at a day spa in the heart of wine country, pairing naturally with vineyard visits.

A series of warm pools cascading down a fern-lined hillside in the foothills above Montecito. Once the site of a Victorian-era resort that burned down, the springs now flow freely into rock-and-concrete pools surrounded by lush vegetation. A short but steep trail from Hot Springs Road leads to this hidden urban-edge oasis.

A historic Southern California hot springs resort that has welcomed visitors since the 1880s. The geothermally heated mineral waters rise from deep within the Elsinore Fault Zone. After decades of various incarnations, the resort continues to offer mineral baths and spa treatments in the Temecula Valley wine region.

A historic swimming hole in the Owens Valley dating back to 1919. The large pool and small hot tub sit at the foot of the Sierra Nevada with views of the White Mountains. Simple, affordable, and beloved by locals.

A small desert community near Death Valley built around naturally occurring mineral springs. The county-run bathhouse offers gender-segregated indoor soaking in the alkaline-rich waters. A popular winter destination for snowbirds and RV travelers exploring the Mojave.

Located in the Kern River Valley east of Bakersfield, Miracle Hot Springs offers private indoor and outdoor mineral tubs fed by natural geothermal water. The no-frills facility has served generations of Central Valley residents seeking relief in the healing waters. A straightforward, affordable soak in the Southern Sierra foothills.

Nestled in San Juan Creek canyon in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains, these warm springs have been used since the days of Mission San Juan Capistrano. The developed facility channels the naturally warm mineral water into private and communal pools, offering a peaceful retreat surprisingly close to urban Orange County.

A full-service resort and spa in the Desert Hot Springs mineral water district. Features eight naturally heated mineral water pools and spas at varying temperatures, a full-service day spa, and spacious rooms with mountain views.

A rustic retreat on the western edge of the San Joaquin Valley featuring outdoor mineral tubs and a warm swimming pool. The remote setting in the Panoche Hills provides clear night skies ideal for stargazing. Simple cabins and tent camping make overnight stays possible.

Hidden upstream in the rugged Matilija Canyon north of Ojai, these warm seeps emerge along a boulder-strewn creek in Los Padres National Forest. The pools are small and user-dug, offering a primitive soaking experience in a wild, cathedral-like canyon. Access requires a moderate creek crossing and scramble.

A secluded hot spring in the mountains of San Diego County near the Pacific Crest Trail. The hot water bubbles up through sandy creek bottom into shallow soaking pools surrounded by live oaks and manzanita, offering a welcome warm soak for PCT thru-hikers.

A historic resort in the southern Sierra Nevada foothills that has welcomed visitors since the 1880s. Features a large hot mineral pool and a cool swimming pool, surrounded by oak-studded hills near Sequoia National Forest.

A unique geothermal resort near the Salton Sea where natural hot mineral water feeds multiple pools and private tubs. The adjacent mud volcanoes and otherworldly landscape add to the off-the-beaten-path appeal of this snowbird destination.

A classic Central Coast soaking spot just minutes from the beach, featuring a large warm mineral pool and a freshwater swimming pool. The casual, family-oriented atmosphere and affordable prices have made it a local favorite for over a century. A great stop along the Pacific Coast Highway.

A natural warm spring in the San Fernando Valley that sustained the Tongva people and later a Mexican rancho. Now preserved in Los Encinos State Historic Park, the spring-fed pond and adobe buildings tell the story of California's layered history. The spring still flows but is not open for swimming.

A county-run natural hot springs pool in the Long Valley Caldera near Mammoth Lakes. The pool is fed by a warm spring at around 88°F, making it a refreshing rather than hot soak. A simple, affordable option for Eastern Sierra visitors.

A modest but beloved warm spring seeping into a small concrete-lined pool at a public park in the Ojai Valley. Long used by the Chumash people, these mineral waters maintain a comfortable temperature year-round. The casual, community feel makes it an easy stop while exploring the bohemian town of Ojai.

A funky, volunteer-maintained hot spring on private land near Paso Robles where warm sulfurous water fills a concrete-lined pool and smaller rock-lined tubs. The Central Coast location and mellow vibe attract a loyal following of locals and wine-country visitors.

A short trail in Gaviota State Park leads to a small sulfurous pool tucked into a shady coastal canyon. The lukewarm waters are more tepid than hot but the easy access from Highway 101 and the oak-lined canyon make it a pleasant stop. A hidden gem along the Santa Barbara County coast.

Named for its distinctive sulfurous smell, this Owens Valley hot spring on the shore of seasonal Owens Lake fills a large shallow pool in the alkaline desert flats. Despite the name, the warm mineral water and sweeping Sierra views make for a memorable—if pungent—soak.

A rare coastal hot spring emerging from volcanic rock at the base of ocean cliffs in White Point Nature Preserve. Once the site of a grand Japanese-owned bathhouse demolished during WWII internment, warm sulfurous water still seeps into tide pools along the rocky shore. A haunting reminder of history meeting geology.