Hot Springs in California

Are there hot springs in California?

Yes, hundreds. California has 304 hot springs on NOAA's list, from free tubs near Mammoth Lakes and the travertine pools at Bridgeport to Big Sur, Calistoga's mud baths and the dozens of spa hotels in Desert Hot Springs.

The free natural soaks are mostly in the Eastern Sierra, the Los Padres National Forest and the deserts. Developed springs cluster in Calistoga in Napa Valley and in Desert Hot Springs near Palm Springs, where small hotels pipe the hot water into their pools.

Hot springs in California map

The map shows all 90 hot springs we cover in California. Zoom in on the larger map for more detail.

Best hot springs in California

The California hot springs most visitors plan a trip around, from roadside tubs to resorts.

• Natural

  Travertine Hot Springs

  Bridgeport

  Free pools on travertine ridges with Sierra views.

• Natural

  Crowley (Wild Willy's) Hot Spring

  Mammoth Lakes

  Two free pools at the end of a short boardwalk.

• Natural

  Remington Hot Springs

  Kern River

  Free tubs on the riverbank east of Bakersfield.

• Natural

  Deep Creek Hot Springs

  Hesperia

  Creekside pools on a hike in the San Bernardino Mountains.

• Backcountry

  Sykes Hot Springs

  Big Sur

  Wilderness pools at the end of a long hike.

• Public pool

  Grover Hot Springs State Park

  Markleeville

  A state park mineral pool in the Sierra.

• Retreat

  Harbin Hot Springs

  Middletown

  A clothing-optional retreat with hot and warm pools.

• Resort

  Two Bunch Palms

  Desert Hot Springs

  An adults-only desert wellness resort.

Famous hot springs in California

All 90 hot springs we list in California, A to Z.

• Public park

  Agua Caliente County Park, California

  County park in the Anza-Borrego Desert with three mineral pools and camping; seasonal.

• Hotel

  Aqua Soleil Hotel and Mineral Water Spa, California

  95-room hotel with three pools and suites with private mineral pools.

• Resort

  Avila Hot Springs, California

  Year-round resort with a 104°F mineral pool, waterslides and camping.

• Hotel

  Azure Palm Hot Springs, California

  Adults-only hotel with a large mineral pool and spa suites.

• Spa

  Bashford's Hot Mineral Spa, California

  Seasonal spa, October to May, with six mineral tubs; day use about $15.

• Inn

  Benton Hot Springs, California

  Old mining town inn with 13 campsites that each have a private spring-fed tub.

• Spa

  Beverly Hot Springs Spa, California

  Korean-style spa in Los Angeles with mineral pools and separate areas for men and women.

• Natural

  Big Caliente Hot Springs, California

  Free concrete pool next to the parking area, with adjustable temperature; open 6am to 10pm.

• Backcountry

  Blaney Meadows Hot Springs, California

  109°F pool in a meadow at 7,631 feet on the John Muir Trail.

• Resort

  Brockway Springs Resort, California

  Lake Tahoe resort with a year-round geothermal pool.

• Natural

  Buckeye Hot Springs, California

  Free rock pools beside Buckeye Creek below a travertine grotto, a short scramble from the road.

• View only

  Bumpass Hell Trail, California

  Seasonal boardwalk trail past boiling pools and fumaroles in Lassen's largest hydrothermal area.

• RV resort

  Caliente Springs Resort, California

  55-plus RV and tiny-home resort with four mineral pools.

• Resort

  Calistoga Motor Lodge and Spa, California

  Retro motor lodge with three geothermal pools, a spa and a restaurant.

• Resort

  Calistoga Spa Hot Springs, California

  Four geothermal pools at 80–104°F, mud baths and kitchenette rooms.

• Natural

  Crab Cooker Hot Springs, California

  Raised BLM tub with an adjustable valve, at the end of a rough dirt road; free.

• Natural

  Crowley (Wild Willy's) Hot Spring, California

  Two free pools at 98–102°F at the end of a flat 0.3-mile boardwalk, with wide Sierra views.

• Natural

  Deep Creek Hot Springs, California

  Pools by Deep Creek in the San Bernardino Mountains, a 2.5-mile hike; clothing optional, parking fee.

• Resort

  Delight's Hot Springs Resort, California

  Four private bathhouses and an outdoor pool, with day passes and rooms.

• Inn

  Desert Hot Springs Inn, California

  Six-room historic inn with an 85°F pool; pet friendly.

• Hotel

  Desert Hot Springs Spa Hotel, California

  Hotel with eight mineral pools at 90–104°F and low-cost day passes.

• Natural

  Dirty Sock Hot Springs, California

  Free unmaintained concrete pool of about 93°F, with algae and a sulphur smell.

• Resort

  Dr. Wilkinson's Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs, California

  Calistoga resort since 1952, with three geothermal pools and mud baths.

• Guest ranch

  Drakesbad Guest Ranch, California

  Historic 1880s ranch in Lassen with a 96–103°F pool and meals included.

• Private

  Ecotopia Hot Springs, California

  Private sanctuary with five sulphur pools at 98–106°F, by reservation only.

• Hotel

  El Morocco Inn and Spa, California

  Moroccan-style 13-room hotel with a mineral pool and day use.

• Retreat

  Esalen Hot Springs, California

  Cliffside tubs above the Pacific, for overnight guests and workshop participants only.

• Resort

  Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, California

  Resort with five adults-only geothermal pools and a Roman-style bathhouse.

• Closed

  Fales Hot Springs, California

  Former roadside resort on private land, posted no trespassing and not open.

• Backcountry

  Fish Creek Hot Springs (Iva Bell), California

  Pools at 96–104°F in the John Muir Wilderness, a 13-mile hike each way.

• RV resort

  Fountain of Youth Spa RV Resort, California

  55-plus RV resort with artesian mineral pools near the Salton Sea.

• Public pool

  Franklin Hot Springs, California

  Mineral pool of about 97°F and a 100°F hot tub near Paso Robles; open daily.

• Natural

  Gaviota State Park Hot Springs, California

  Free sulphur pools at 95–115°F, a steep half-mile walk in Gaviota State Park.

• RV resort

  Glamis North Hot Springs Resort, California

  Seasonal resort, October to May, with two mineral pools and 14 hot tubs.

• Day spa

  Glen Ivy Hot Springs, California

  Adults-only day spa with 19 mineral pools; reservations required.

• Resort

  Golden Haven Hot Springs Spa and Resort, California

  Family-owned resort with a mineral pool and couples' mud bath packages.

• Public pool

  Grover Hot Springs State Park, California

  State park mineral pool at 102–104°F with camping; about $10 entry.

• Retreat

  Harbin Hot Springs, California

  Retreat with pools at 98–115°F; clothing optional, with membership and reservations.

• Natural

  Hilltop Hot Springs, California

  Free tub at 100–110°F on a rise with 360-degree views of the Sierra.

• Natural

  Holtville Hot Springs, California

  Free BLM artesian pools at 104–110°F; day use, swimsuit required.

• Hotel

  Hope Springs Resort, California

  Adults-only ten-room hotel with pools from 85°F to 104°F.

• View only

  Hot Creek Geologic Site, California

  Free overlook of boiling springs in a creek gorge; swimming has been banned for safety.

• BLM area

  Hot Springs Long Term Visitor Area, California

  BLM area with a hot spring pool; free day use and paid winter camping.

• Resort

  Indian Springs Calistoga, California

  Historic resort with a large geyser-fed pool, for hotel or spa guests.

• Resort

  Jacumba Hot Springs Resort, California

  Desert resort with three natural pools; adults 21 and over at the main property.

• Backcountry

  Jordan Hot Springs, California

  104°F pools at an old resort site, a six-mile hike with a 3,000-foot descent.

• Public pool

  Keough's Hot Springs, California

  Two geothermal pools south of Bishop, open to day visitors since 1919.

• Hotel

  Lido Palms Resort and Spa, California

  Ten-room adults-only hotel with indoor and outdoor pools.

• Natural

  Little Caliente Hot Springs, California

  Free hillside pool of about 105°F, reached on a dirt forest road.

• Natural

  Lower Warm Springs (Saline Valley), California

  Primitive pools in Saline Valley; 4WD and a Death Valley entrance fee needed.

• Resort

  Mercey Hot Springs, California

  Remote desert resort with 19 outdoor tubs at 102–106°F, cabins and camping.

• Hotel

  Mi Kasa Hot Springs, California

  Adults-only clothing-optional hotel with day passes and rooms.

• Hotel

  Miracle Manor Boutique Hotel and Spa, California

  Nine-room hotel with a 90°F pool and a 104°F tub.

• Resort

  Miracle Springs Resort & Spa, California

  110-room resort with eight outdoor pools open 24 hours; day passes available.

• Historic resort

  Mono Hot Springs, California

  Historic 1935 resort with a stone bathhouse, reached by a seasonal mountain road.

• Natural

  Montecito Hot Springs, California

  Free cascading pools from 60°F to 112°F, on a moderate hike above Montecito.

• Seasonal pool

  Morton's Warm Springs, California

  Seasonal pool at 90–94°F, open May to September with day reservations.

• Resort

  Murrieta Hot Springs Resort, California

  Family-friendly resort with dozens of mineral pools and day passes.

• Resort

  Orr Hot Springs, California

  Rustic resort in the redwoods with cabins; clothing optional, day use by reservation.

• Natural

  Palm Spring (Saline Valley), California

  Two remote pools at about 98–112°F among palms in Saline Valley.

• Hotel

  RELAX Hotel and Spa, California

  Mineral water hotel with a large pool; day use from about $30.

• Natural

  Remington Hot Springs, California

  Free volunteer-built tubs at 80–115°F on the Kern River, down a steep quarter-mile trail; swimwear required.

• Resort

  Roman Spa Hot Springs Resort, California

  60-room resort with three mineral pools and a full spa.

• Hotel

  Sagewater Springs, California

  Seven-room spa hotel with a 104°F spa and a 90°F mineral pool.

• Public pool

  Sam's Family Spa, California

  Family RV park with chlorine-free mineral pools up to 104°F.

• Nude resort

  Sea Mountain Inn, California

  Adults-only clothing-optional inn with two pools at 98–104°F.

• Nude resort

  Sea Mountain Nude Resort & Spa, California

  Adults-only clothing-optional resort for couples and women.

• Backcountry

  Sespe Hot Springs, California

  Remote springs in the Sespe Wilderness, reached only on foot or horseback.

• Natural

  Shepherd Hot Springs, California

  Free concrete tub on BLM land with no facilities; clothing optional.

• Inn

  Shoshone Hot Springs, California

  Natural mineral pool at an inn and campground in Shoshone, near Death Valley.

• Retreat

  Sierra Hot Springs, California

  Non-profit retreat with pools and a lodge; clothing optional, reservations required.

• Resort

  Solage Calistoga, California

  Luxury resort with five mineral pools and mud treatments.

• Natural

  Squaw Baths Hot Springs, California

  Free roadside spring of about 106°F in remote Surprise Valley.

• View only

  Sulphur Works, California

  Roadside mud pots and steam vents in Lassen Volcanic National Park; wheelchair accessible.

• Resort

  Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa, California

  Resort with 24 private outdoor mineral tubs on a wooded hillside and a full spa.

• Backcountry

  Sykes Hot Springs, California

  Riverside pools in the Ventana Wilderness, a strenuous 9–10 mile hike each way.

• Zen retreat

  Tassajara Hot Springs, California

  Zen monastery in the mountains that opens to guests in summer, by reservation.

• Resort

  Tecopa Palms Therapeutic Hot Springs Resort, California

  Family resort with private chemical-free tub rooms, cabins and camping.

• Hotel

  The O Spa Resort, California

  Clothing-optional boutique hotel with three mineral pools.

• Day spa

  The Spa at Sec-he, California

  Agua Caliente tribal day spa in Palm Springs with private mineral baths.

• Resort

  The Spring Resort & Spa, California

  Adults-only resort with three geothermal pools and a Finnish sauna.

• Natural

  Travertine Hot Springs, California

  Free pools on travertine ridges with Sierra views, a short walk from a dirt road; temperatures vary a lot.

• Hotel

  Tuscan Springs Hotel and Spa, California

  Boutique hotel for adults 21 and over with three mineral pools.

• Resort

  Two Bunch Palms, California

  Adults-only wellness resort on 77 acres with five pools.

• Natural

  Upper Warm Spring (Saline Valley), California

  Clear blue pool of about 102°F in remote Saline Valley, part of Death Valley National Park.

• Resort

  Vichy Springs Resort, California

  Historic resort with naturally carbonated, chlorine-free tubs; day use and stays.

• Closed

  Warner Hot Springs, California

  Historic resort whose pools are closed for redevelopment; confirm before visiting.

• Natural

  Whitmore Hot Springs, California

  Free rock-lined tub at 100–104°F a few steps from BLM parking.

• Retreat

  Wilbur Hot Springs, California

  Off-grid retreat with mineral baths; reservations required, minimum age 13.

• Backcountry

  Willett Hot Springs, California

  Concrete tub of about 100°F with free camping nearby, 9.5 miles into the Sespe Wilderness.

California hot springs: questions and answers

Plan your California hot springs trip

Seasons

Autumn to spring suits the desert and coast. Eastern Sierra roadside tubs are open most of the year, but wilderness springs like Fish Creek and Blaney Meadows are summer trips, and Mono Hot Springs' road is seasonal.

Entry fees

Most natural springs on public land are free, though Deep Creek has a private parking fee and Saline Valley needs a Death Valley entrance fee. Resorts and spa hotels charge admission, and many in Calistoga and Desert Hot Springs sell day passes.

Access and travel

The Mammoth Lakes tubs are about five to six hours from Los Angeles on US-395. Desert Hot Springs is about two hours east of Los Angeles, Calistoga about 90 minutes north of San Francisco, and Remington about 42 miles east of Bakersfield.

Rules and etiquette for hot springs in California

Rules vary widely across California.

• Respect closuresHot Creek is closed to swimming, and Fales and Warner are closed to visitors.
• Keep your head above waterThe CDC advises keeping your head above water in natural hot springs.
• Book aheadMany resorts and retreats, including Wilbur, Sierra and Orr, need reservations.
• Check the clothing ruleSome retreats like Harbin are clothing optional, but Sequoia National Forest, home to Remington, bans public nudity.
• Pack it outFree tubs have no bins; carry out everything, including glass.

Pictures of hot springs in California

Photos of Travertine Hot Springs, Deep Creek Hot Springs, Sykes Hot Springs and Grover Hot Springs State Park, all hot springs in this guide. We only use photos whose license allows reuse and credit the photographer under each one. The full credits are on our photo credits page.

Other states with hot springs

Other states where we list hot springs.

• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• North Carolina
• Oregon
• South Dakota
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• Washington
• Wyoming

See all hot springs in the United States