Top 10 Hot Springs in California
This post outlines the best hot springs in California. Those who know me know I love bodies of water – especially hot ones! Fortunately, California is filled with some awesome natural and man-made hot springs. Here are a few of my favorites as well as my bucket list spots:
1. Travertine Hot Springs
I have written about this one before in this post about Mt. Whitney, and that’s because Travertine is an awesome stop on a number of adventures. It’s right outside of the Eastern entrance to Yosemite National Park (which I have written about different adventures here and here). It’s near Mono Lake, an attraction in and of itself, and is on the road if you are headed to Mammoth to ski or Mt. Whitney to hike. The last 2 miles to the hot springs are unpaved so prepare yourself for the bumps. There is a port-a-potty at the site but otherwise this is a completely natural hot spring. It is clothing optional, with amazing views of the Sierras rising starkly out of the landscape to the west (pictured on the cover of this post).
Where to stay nearby: Travertine is on the remote eastern side of the Sierras, but you can look for accommodation near Mono Lake or Lee Vining, or in Bridgeport. The Bodie Hotel in Bridgeport is a well reviewed option!
2. Harbin Hot Springs
Harbin offers hot pools of a variety of degrees, nestled against the mountainside, as well as cold dip pools, sauna, steam room, and regular swimming pool. In their lodge, they had a library, cafe, and reading room. They also had a beautiful yoga space as well as cabins for massages. Rates start at about $40 for 6 hours, or you can stay for 24 hours. Entry also requires membership, which starts at $15. Clothing optional and coed.
Where to stay nearby: Harbin is in Middletown, California which is a very small semi-rural town. Here are a few guesthouses on Booking.com, or check out the cutely named Fainting Couch Boutique Hotel. You can also stay at Harbin directly, camping or staying in one of their cottages.
3. Sierra Hot Springs
Sierra Hot Springs is a sister resort to Harbin nestled in the foothills of the Sierras, close to North Lake Tahoe and Truckee. I have visited Sierra more than once but on my most recent visit, stayed in their dorms, which were lovely. They have a variety of accommodation options as well as camping available. What’s nice about this place is that even though it is man-made pools (fed by natural hot springs), the fact that you have to walk a bit in the woods to access the pools adds a more natural feel to it. Like Harbin, there are lounge areas, a cafe, and massage options available. Clothing optional.
Where to stay nearby: You can stay at Sierra Hot Springs directly, or stay in nearby Sierraville or Truckee in a guest house or hotel. The advantage of staying in Truckee is you can make a weekend out of it and spend a day up at the resort and also visit Lake Tahoe.
4. Onsen SF
Onsen is a nice refuge in San Francisco proper, though it is small. There is a small onsen tub, sauna, and steam room, as well as cold shower. The decor is perfect and they have a fancy Japanese restaurant on the front side of the spa. I found when I went the onsen was quite social and loud, so if you are looking for a more zen experience, consider going at an off hour. Pay attention to the male/female reservation system. Coed days are clothing required, gender specific days are clothing optional.
Where to stay nearby: Onsen SF is in San Francisco, so any hotel in the city will do, though being near Japantown would help and there’s a very cute Hotel Kabuki around the corner.
5. Sykes Hot Springs in Big Sur
To get to Sykes hot springs, you have to hike 10 miles each way on the Pine Ridge Trail. Because of this, many people camp at the hot springs itself. Unfortunately, because this is a purely natural hot spring, the amount of water in the spring and the temperature is quite variable given the season. It is currently inaccessible due to the recent mudslides in Big Sur, but will hopefully be available again soon! Clothing optional.
Where to stay nearby: Esalen directly, or Big Sur Lodge or Big Sur Campground and Cabins.
6. Esalen Resort Hot Springs
Esalen is a wellness institute in Big Sur, and if you stay the weekend at the resort, you have complete access to the springs. The hot springs at Esalen are impressive as they sit on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. However, for those of us on a budget, you might be better off trying to go to the public access hours. You can try and reserve a spot for the 1am-3am (yeah, you read that right) bathing hours for the public. Reservations become available daily at 9am for that evening. Even though this is a pretty tricky hot spring to get to, I’m grateful they have started an online reservation system. Clothing optional.
Where to stay nearby: Esalen directly, or Big Sur Lodge or Big Sur Campground and Cabins.
7. Vichy Springs Resort
Well known as a place of rest and relaxation by the likes of Jack London and Mark Twain, Vichy Hot Springs in Ukiah has a swimming pool, in ground hot pool, and carbonated baths. This would be fun on a trip back from Mendocino county. Clothing required.
Where to stay nearby: Ukiah hotels, like 30 Acre Witter Springs.
8. Wild Willy’s Hot Springs
Wild Willy‘s, like Travertine, is a completely natural hot spring in the Eastern Sierras, though further south and closer to Mt. Whitney. It boasts excellent views of the mountains. Clothing optional.
Where to stay nearby: Mammoth Springs hotels, like Juniper Springs Resort.
9. Kabuki Hot Springs
Kabuki Hot Springs can be found in San Francisco’s Japantown. Pay attention to the male/female/all gender days on the calendar before booking a soak. At this facility, they have hot and cold pools as well as a sauna and steam room. They also offer with admission complimentary bath products, sea salts, chilled face cloths, and teas. Clothing optional on gender specific days, clothing required on mix gender days.
Where to stay nearby: Hotel Kabuki in Japantown or Kimpton Hotel Enso.
10. Archimedes Banya
Archimedes Banya is a San Francisco based hot spring center, that emulates Russian, Greek, and Turkish bath styles. There is a roof deck, food, and alcohol available. This spa has more of a social scene component to it than others, and can be mixed gender, clothing optional.
Where to stay nearby: Luma Hotel in Mission Bay is a brand new, beautiful hotel nearby.
A map of the above mentioned hot springs can be found here.
I’m also sharing some more information about other great hikes and parks within a few hours of many of these hot springs, in case you are looking for some more adventure:
- How to Hike Half Dome
- How to book Yosemite campsites
- How to enjoy wintertime in Yosemite
- Hiking Yosemite’s Panoramic Trail
- Other great hikes and areas of California to explore on this bucket list
- Lassen Volcanic National Park, a few hours north
