Hot Springs In California Are Having A Moment And Here Are 12 Of Them
Hot springs have a way of making regular relaxation look underqualified.
Steam rises. Shoulders drop. The whole day starts acting like it finally found the mute button.
A good soak can make California feel like it installed secret reset buttons in the landscape.
People want places that feel restorative without needing a complicated itinerary.
Hot springs deliver that rare mix of scenery, warmth, and just enough adventure to make the outing feel special.
Some are rustic. Others feel resort-ready.
A few require planning or a scenic drive that becomes part of the experience. The draw stays the same.
Warm mineral water and the strange satisfaction of doing absolutely nothing while calling it a trip. Honestly, that sounds pretty reasonable.
1. Calistoga Spa Hot Springs, Calistoga
Few towns in California are as deeply tied to geothermal culture as Calistoga, and this spa sits right at the heart of that tradition.
Calistoga Spa Hot Springs, located at 1006 Washington St, Calistoga, CA 94515, offers four outdoor geothermal pools that range in temperature to suit different preferences.
The complex is open to both overnight guests and day visitors, making it accessible without a full resort commitment.
The pools are fed by natural mineral water drawn from underground, giving the water a distinct feel compared to standard chlorinated options.
Families tend to find the multi-pool setup appealing since there are cooler options alongside the hotter soaking pools.
The surrounding area of Calistoga also offers mud bath experiences at nearby facilities for those wanting a fuller thermal wellness day.
Accommodations on site include basic motel-style rooms that put guests within steps of the pools at any hour.
The atmosphere leans casual and unpretentious rather than luxury-spa formal, which suits visitors who just want to soak without a lot of ceremony.
2. Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs, Calistoga
There is a playful, retro-cool energy at Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort that makes it stand out among Calistoga’s many spa properties.
The resort is located at 1507 Lincoln Ave, Calistoga, CA 94515, and it blends mid-century motel charm with genuinely therapeutic mineral spring offerings.
The property recently underwent a thoughtful renovation that preserved its vintage personality while freshening up the overall experience.
Mineral pools on site are fed by Calistoga’s natural geothermal water, and the facility offers both mud baths and traditional soaking options.
The mud bath program uses a volcanic ash and peat blend, which is consistent with the Calistoga tradition that dates back well over a century.
Spa services including wraps, massages, and facials round out the menu for those wanting a longer wellness-focused visit.
The backyard area that gives the resort its name has a relaxed, garden-party feel with shaded seating and a sense that time slows down once you step inside.
Day spa packages are available, allowing visitors to experience the mineral springs without booking a room overnight.
3. Vichy Springs Resort, Ukiah
Naturally carbonated mineral baths are rare anywhere in the world, and Vichy Springs Resort near Ukiah is home to the only ones of their kind in North America.
The resort at 2605 Vichy Springs Rd, Ukiah, CA 95482 has been welcoming guests since 1854, making it one of the oldest continuously operating resorts in California.
The carbonated water emerges from the ground at a consistent 90 degrees Fahrenheit, which feels refreshing rather than intensely hot.
The bubbling, effervescent quality of the water gives soaking a distinctly different sensation compared to standard thermal pools, often described as tingly and invigorating on the skin.
The property spans 700 acres of Mendocino County countryside, with hiking trails, a waterfall, and open meadows that extend well beyond the bathing facilities.
Guests can book day use or overnight stays in the resort’s historic cottage accommodations.
Unlike many clothing-optional hot spring resorts, Vichy Springs maintains a swimsuit-required policy, which makes it a comfortable choice for a wider range of visitors.
Cell service and Wi-Fi are available on the property, which is relatively uncommon among Northern California’s rural hot spring destinations.
4. Orr Hot Springs Resort, Ukiah
In the Mendocino Hills about 30 minutes west of Ukiah, Orr Hot Springs Resort has the feeling of a place that exists slightly outside of ordinary time.
The springs sit within a forested canyon setting surrounded by redwoods, with the sound of running water and birdsong providing the ambient soundtrack to every soak.
Day passes are available for approximately $50, giving non-overnight visitors access to the pools and grounds.
The bathing facilities include a variety of pools ranging in temperature, along with private tubs that can be reserved for a more personal experience.
The resort operates as a clothing-optional space, which is consistent with the clothing-optional tradition found at several of California’s more rustic hot spring destinations.
Accommodations include cabins, a cottage, and communal sleeping options for those wanting to extend the visit into a full retreat.
The property’s off-the-beaten-path location means that getting there requires navigating narrow rural roads, so arriving with daylight is a practical consideration.
5. Indian Springs Calistoga, Calistoga
Opened in 1861, Indian Springs Calistoga holds the title of California’s oldest continuously operating resort and spa, and the property still carries that sense of long-established calm.
Indian Springs Calistoga is located at 1712 Lincoln Ave, Calistoga, CA 94515, where a massive Olympic-sized mineral pool anchors the grounds.
The pool is fed by on-site geothermal geysers and kept at a consistently warm temperature year-round.
Tall palm trees line the pool area, casting dappled shade across the deck during afternoon hours and giving the setting a timeless, slightly cinematic quality.
Mud baths here use a volcanic ash blend sourced directly from the property, which sets them apart from mud bath experiences that use imported materials.
Day spa access is available for non-guests, though booking ahead is strongly recommended.
The resort’s bungalow-style accommodations are spread across a quiet, tree-shaded property that feels removed from the busier parts of Calistoga’s main street.
Evenings at the pool tend to be especially peaceful, with the warm water and cooler air creating a pleasant contrast.
6. Wilbur Hot Springs, Williams
Going to Wilbur Hot Springs feels less like checking into a resort and more like stepping off the grid entirely, which is exactly the point.
The property near Williams sits on 1,800 acres of private nature preserve, roughly 2.5 hours north of San Francisco, and it runs entirely on solar power.
There is no Wi-Fi and no cell service on site, a deliberate design choice that strips away digital distraction and invites genuine stillness.
The bathing area features a series of silent soaking flumes that channel hot mineral water at varying temperatures, and the clothing-optional policy is standard here.
Guests move through the space quietly, which creates an atmosphere that feels more meditative retreat than resort getaway.
The natural landscape surrounding the springs includes rolling hills, oak savannas, and wildlife habitat that can be explored on foot during daylight hours.
Accommodations range from private rooms in the historic hotel building to shared sleeping options, and all stays include access to the springs around the clock.
7. Sierra Hot Springs, Sierraville
Sitting in the high Sierra meadows at 521 Campbell Hot Springs Rd, Sierraville, CA 96126, Sierra Hot Springs offers a soaking experience with genuinely striking natural surroundings.
The resort features multiple pools including hot pools held between 110 and 112 degrees, an outdoor saltwater pool kept at 98 to 100 degrees, and a Meditation Pool in the same temperature range.
A unique structure called the Temple Dome adds an architectural curiosity to the property that tends to catch first-time visitors off guard.
Private Phoenix Baths are also available, maintained at a slightly cooler 95 to 96 degrees for those preferring a gentler soak.
The clothing-optional policy applies throughout the bathing areas, and the overall atmosphere leans contemplative and community-oriented rather than luxury-resort polished.
Spa treatments and bodywork sessions can be booked on site, and the surrounding trails offer hiking through open meadow and forested terrain.
The property draws visitors who appreciate a combination of thermal bathing and outdoor access in a setting that feels genuinely remote without being difficult to reach.
8. Benton Hot Springs, Benton
Out in the high desert near the Nevada border, Benton Hot Springs offers one of the more unusual soaking setups found anywhere in California.
Rather than shared communal pools, the property provides private in-ground tubs that guests fill directly from the geothermal source, giving each visitor complete control over temperature and timing.
The landscape around Benton is stark and wide-open, with the kind of big sky views that make a nighttime soak under the stars feel genuinely spectacular.
The site includes camping options and a small historic inn for those wanting to stay overnight, which makes it a natural stop on road trips through the Eastern Sierra or Great Basin.
The springs themselves are open for day use as well, with fees typically charged per tub rather than per person.
Because the tubs are private and self-filling, the experience has a DIY quality that appeals to visitors who prefer flexibility over a structured spa schedule.
The mineral content of the water is high, and the desert setting adds a sensory dimension that coastal or forested hot springs simply cannot replicate.
9. Travertine Hot Springs, Bridgeport
Just outside of Bridgeport in the Eastern Sierra, Travertine Hot Springs is one of the most visually distinctive free soaking spots in the entire state.
The pools are formed on terraced travertine rock formations, which gives the landscape a textured, almost otherworldly appearance that sets it apart from typical hot spring sites.
Views of the surrounding mountains and high desert valley stretch out in every direction from the soaking pools.
Access is easy compared to many natural hot springs, with a short walk from a dirt parking area leading directly to the pools.
Multiple pools at different temperatures allow visitors to choose their preferred level of heat, and the flow of water through the terraces keeps things naturally refreshing.
There is no fee to visit, and no reservations are required, which makes it a genuinely spontaneous stop for travelers passing through the Bridgeport area.
Sunrise and sunset visits are particularly popular because the light hitting the travertine formations and surrounding peaks creates a visual experience that goes well beyond a standard soak.
10. Keough’s Hot Springs, Bishop
Operating since 1919, Keough’s Hot Springs near Bishop has been a consistent fixture of Eastern Sierra recreation for over a century, which is a track record that speaks for itself.
The facility features two geothermal pools, with the water temperature maintained at a consistently warm and comfortable level year-round.
Camping is available on the property, making it a practical overnight stop for travelers moving through the Owens Valley corridor.
A snack bar on site adds a layer of convenience that purely natural hot springs cannot offer, particularly for families or groups spending several hours at the facility.
Day entry is available for a fee, and the pools are large enough to accommodate a reasonable number of visitors without feeling cramped on most days.
The surrounding landscape at 800 Keough Hot Springs Rd, Bishop, CA 93514, with the White Mountains to the east and the Sierra Nevada to the west, gives the setting a dramatic natural frame.
Fall visits are especially pleasant when the cottonwood trees along the valley floor turn gold against the bare mountain ridgelines.
11. Avila Hot Springs, Avila Beach
Right on California’s Central Coast, Avila Hot Springs offers a geothermally heated soaking experience with the added bonus of being just minutes from the beach.
The facility at 250 Avila Beach Dr, Avila Beach, CA 93424 features a large outdoor mineral pool along with a smaller hot soaking pool, giving visitors options based on how much heat they are in the mood for.
The setting is relaxed and family-friendly, with the warm pool temperature making it comfortable for a wide age range.
Day use is available, and the facility also offers RV camping and tent camping on the property for those wanting to extend the visit.
The proximity to Avila Beach village means that a morning soak can easily be followed by a walk along the waterfront or a meal at one of the nearby restaurants.
The combination of coastal access and thermal bathing in one location is relatively rare in California, which makes Avila Hot Springs a practical and appealing stop.
The mineral water at the facility comes from a natural geothermal source and is kept at temperatures that feel genuinely therapeutic without being overwhelming.
12. Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa, San Luis Obispo
Nestled into the oak-covered hills just outside San Luis Obispo, Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa offers a mineral soaking experience that feels both private and polished.
The resort at 1215 Avila Beach Dr, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 features private outdoor mineral spring hot tubs positioned on hillside decks among the trees, which gives each soaking session a secluded, treetop quality.
Tubs can be reserved by the hour for non-guests, making it one of the more accessible resort-style soaking options on the Central Coast.
The mineral water is naturally geothermally heated and piped directly into each private tub, maintaining a consistently warm temperature without chemical additives beyond what is necessary for sanitation.
Spa services including massage and bodywork are available on site, and the resort’s restaurant provides dining options for guests who want to make an evening of the visit.
The hillside setting means that some tubs have views through the tree canopy, particularly appealing during golden hour in late afternoon.
The combination of a well-maintained spa infrastructure and a genuinely natural mineral water source is a balance that not every resort manages to strike well.
