Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
California sits on a lot of warm water, and some of the best soaking spots have been around longer than most of us. This list covers ten hot springs, from free creekside tubs in the Eastern Sierra to historic resorts in wine country and the desert.
Some cost nothing but a drive, while others are a treat you save for a birthday or anniversary. Pack a towel, check the hours, and find the one that fits your kind of relaxing.
1. Two Bunch Palms, Desert Hot Springs, CA
Quiet is the whole point at Two Bunch Palms. The resort is adults-only, so the soaking pools stay calm and conversation stays low.
The property sits on a desert oasis dotted with natural hot springs, right in the town that took its name from all that warm water underground. Rooms are airy and simple, which keeps the focus on the pools.
Wellness treatments happen outdoors here, adding open sky to a massage or spa session. It makes the visit feel more like a desert escape than a hotel stay.
The address is 67425 Two Bunch Palms Trail. Calling ahead at 760-676-5000 is smart, since availability and pricing can change by season.
I would save this one for a couple’s getaway or a solo reset weekend when you want zero noise.
2. Indian Springs Calistoga, Calistoga, CA
Calistoga built its name on mud baths and mineral water, and Indian Springs sits right on Lincoln Avenue as one of the town’s classic soaking stops.
The historic, Spanish-style property has two mineral-water pools. The big one is fed by hot spring water and comes with floats and plenty of lounge chairs, so an afternoon can disappear quickly.
A spa handles mud treatments, and the on-site restaurant, Sam’s Social Club, keeps guests from needing to leave. The poolside cafe makes it easy to grab a bite between floats.
History fans can read up on Samuel Brannan, the town founder whose story ties into the property. That old California thread is a big part of the charm.
Nearby geysers make for a fun side trip, especially with kids along for the drive.
3. Travertine Hot Springs, Bridgeport, CA
No front desk, no wristband, just a dirt road and a view of the Eastern Sierra. Travertine Hot Springs is the kind of spot that makes a long Highway 395 drive feel well spent.
The site has several small, hot tub-sized pools spread across the hillside. Temperatures vary from pool to pool, so you can move around until one feels right.
Mountain views wrap around the whole area. Sunrise and sunset soaks are popular for good reason.
Access comes by a dirt track near Bridgeport, and some camping is available close by. Bring your own towel, water, and patience, since the tubs are small and shared.
Treat it gently, pack out what you bring in, and this rustic stop stays nice for everyone.
4. Sierra Hot Springs, Sierraville, CA
Out in the wide-open Sierra Valley, Sierra Hot Springs feels a world away from the Tahoe crowds, even though it is not far from them.
The rustic lodge offers both indoor and outdoor hot springs. That makes it a solid pick year-round, including snowy months when an indoor soak sounds better.
Rooms are a bit offbeat, and there is a restaurant and lounge on site. The address is 521 Campbell Hot Springs Road.
Plan around the schedule. It is closed Monday and Tuesday and open Wednesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Pair it with a hike up to the Sierra Buttes or a drive through the Lakes Basin, then finish the day in the water.
5. Keough’s Hot Springs, Bishop, CA
Open since 1919, Keough’s Hot Springs has been a family soaking spot for more than a century. Grandparents who swam here as kids now bring their grandkids.
The main draw is the largest natural hot springs pool in the region, kept around 86 to 92 degrees. A separate soaking pool runs hotter at about 104 degrees.
It sits about seven miles south of Bishop, just west of Highway 395. There is a snack bar, lounge chairs, and a rock garden trail.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. most weekdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends, and closed Tuesdays. Weekend afternoons get busiest, so weekday visits are calmer.
Year-round RV and tent camping, plus furnished tent cabins, make it an easy base for Eastern Sierra trips.
6. Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa, San Luis Obispo, CA
Picture a private tub on a hillside under old oak trees. That is the signature experience at Sycamore Mineral Springs.
The resort covers about 100 acres along Avila Beach Drive. Natural hot spring baths are scattered up the slope, and there is also a lagoon.
Upscale rooms and suites and on-site dining round it out. It works for a splurge night or a quick soak on a Central Coast drive.
The views from the upper tubs are a big part of the appeal. Booking ahead is a good idea on weekends.
7. Avila Hot Springs, San Luis Obispo, CA
Discovered in 1907, Avila Hot Springs has been a Central Coast family favorite for generations, and it still keeps things down to earth.
There is a hot mineral soaking pool with real sulfur spring water and a big heated freshwater pool with slides. Kids head for the slides while adults settle into the hot water.
It sits right off Highway 101, close to the beach. Day passes are reasonably priced compared with resort spas, though prices may change.
Hours run 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, and movie nights pop up too. Weekday mornings are the quietest.
It may not be fancy, but for a family day out, it hits the sweet spot.
8. Azure Palm Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa Oasis, Desert Hot Springs, CA
Roadrunners and quail sometimes wander past the tubs at Azure Palm. It is a nice reminder that you are soaking in the actual desert.
The resort has several natural mineral hot spring pools and tubs set in desert landscaping with mountain views. A cafe is on site.
Rooms lean chic, and the day spa makes it an option even if you are not staying overnight. The property is LGBTQ+ friendly.
Find it at 67589 Hacienda Avenue, a short hop from Two Bunch Palms. Call 760-251-2000 to check day-pass options.
9. River Oaks Hot Springs Spa, Paso Robles, CA
Paso Robles has been a mineral springs town since long before the vineyards took over, and River Oaks keeps that tradition going.
The spa offers private mineral spring hot tubs, some overlooking a vineyard. Soaks are often booked by the hour.
Massages, hot stone treatments, facials, and a sauna are also available. Packages pair a soak with a massage and a cheese plate.
Appointments are required, and hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Mornings tend to be quieter than evenings.
Parking is in a paid lot at 800 Clubhouse Drive.
10. Vichy Springs Resort and Inn, Ukiah, CA
Bubbles are the surprise at Vichy Springs. The mineral water here is naturally carbonated, which makes these baths unlike anything else on this list.
The historic resort in the hills outside Ukiah offers mineral baths, a jacuzzi, and an outdoor pool. Accommodations are rustic and quiet.
On-site hiking trails show off this corner of Mendocino County. A morning walk followed by a fizzy soak is a fine way to spend a day.
Hours run 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. most days, and until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
It is a peaceful finish for a North Coast road trip.
