Franklin Hot Springs Paso Robles, CA Updated Guide 2026

If you want one honest recommendation for a hot spring near Paso Robles, it’s Franklin. I’m Vanessa, founder of CATRAVELTIMES, and I’ve covered enough California soaks to know when a place earns repeat visits. 

Franklin Hot Springs at 3015 Creston Rd runs $10 for adults, zero chemicals in the water, and a fishing pond you can use with no license required. It’s the real thing just not polished. 

What is Franklin Hot Springs? Quick Detail

The Salinan people used these geothermal waters long before Paso Robles had a name. The Franklin family’s chapter started in the early 1950s Wesley Franklin was drilling for oil when the crew hit thermal water instead. By 1963, the family opened it to the public. 3 generations later, they still run it. 

The pool sits at 97.1°F, the hot tub at 100.1°F, entry is $10 adults and $8 seniors and military, and it’s rated 4.2/5 on Google. Spring and fall are the best times to visit. Finding water when you’re searching for oil that lucky accident is exactly what this place feels like. Now let me tell you exactly how to get there, because the approach is part of the experience.

How to Find Franklin Hot Springs?: Directions & Map

Franklin Hot Springs sits at 3015 Creston Rd, Paso Robles, CA 93446 GPS coordinates 35.6082° N, 120.6263° W. From downtown Paso Robles, head east on 24th Street, then south on Creston Road for roughly 6 miles. The turn-off is marked, but the sign is faded and easy to blow past if you’re moving at highway speed. 

The road transitions to a rough dirt stretch for the last half mile; I’ve done it in a regular sedan, but I wouldn’t call it comfortable. Watch for the wooden gate. The property looks more like a working ranch than a spa, which is exactly what it is. And the moment you step through that gate, you’ll understand why I had to stop and take in the view before I even thought about changing into my swimsuit.

Franklin Hot Springs Photos: Stunning & Scenic Views

I photographed the wide mineral pool in the early morning light, when the steam was still rising and nobody else was in the water yet. I also got the concrete hot tub by the fishing pond that was my favorite angle. The mud, the wildlife, the old barn in the background.

Once you’ve seen what the place looks like, you’ll want the full picture on what you’re actually walking into rules, facilities, and all the practical details that matter.

Important Information You Need to Know About Franklin Hot Springs

Is Franklin Hot Springs Free to Visit?

Franklin Hot Springs is not free, but it’s one of the most affordable mineral soaks in California. Day admission is $10 for adults and $8 for children, seniors, and military. That entry fee covers the mineral pool, the hot tub, access to the fishing pond no fishing license required and use of the grounds. I paid $10 and spent six hours there. Hard to argue with that.

What Are the Hours at Franklin Hot Springs?

The property is open 7 days a week, from 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM. I arrived just after opening on a weekday, and I had the pool nearly to myself for the first hour. If you’re coming on a weekend, plan to arrive by 8:00 AM at the latest. By 11:00 AM, the crowd changes the whole experience.

Is Camping Available at Franklin Hot Springs?

Franklin Hot Springs camping is available on-site for guests who want to stay overnight. Both tent and RV options are offered on the open grounds. Camping rates run $20–$30 per night on top of the day pass entry fee. Maximum stays are limited to 1 week. I haven’t camped here myself, but the idea of waking up 100 feet from a mineral pool before anyone else arrives sounds right to me. If you’ve explored Buckeye Hot Springs and are looking for something more accessible with on-site camping, Franklin is a solid comparison.

Are Pets Allowed at Franklin Hot Springs?

The pet policy isn’t confirmed on the official website. Call ahead at (805) 712-5372 before bringing any animals to the property. I’d verify it the morning of your visit policies at small family operations like this can shift seasonally.

What About the Franklin Hot Springs Death Incident?

In April 2019, a 26-year-old man was found dead in Franklin Pond investigated by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office as a suspected drowning. An autopsy was completed; no criminal cause was established. The property remains open. Treat the open pond with care, especially with kids or after dark. For more Hot springs California to combine into a larger road trip, my full state guide has you covered.

What’s the Water Temperature & Best Time to Visit Franklin Hot Springs?

The first time I stepped into the main pool, I expected it to feel like a hot tub. It doesn’t. The mineral pool at 97.1°F reads closer to a warm bath calm, almost therapeutic. The concrete hot tub near the fishing pond runs hotter at 100.1°F, and that’s where I spent most of my afternoon. No chemicals added. The water pulls directly from a geothermal aquifer that originates about 800 feet underground. You’ll smell the sulfur mild here, not overpowering and the water has a faint dark tint from the minerals. It’s not spa-water clear. That’s the point.

Spring and fall are the sweet spots. Summer midday can push air temps into the high 90s°F, which makes sitting in warm water less enjoyable. Winter visits are genuinely peaceful the contrast between cold air and warm water is something most people underestimate. That said, knowing when to go is only half of it what you bring matters just as much.

Things to Do at Franklin Hot Springs

I spent most of my time in the hot tub by the pond, but I kept noticing people who came prepared to do a lot more. The fishing alone occupied a whole group of regulars for the full day no license needed, which I didn’t expect. I wish I’d brought a rod. Here’s what’s worth your time in and around the property.

Fishing at Franklin Pond

The pond on-site is stocked with trout, and no fishing license is required. Boat rentals are also available. Rated as one of the more unique features of the property by regular visitors on Google Maps. Bring your own rod I didn’t and regretted it.

Sculpterra Winery and Sculpture Garden

Located at 5015 Linne Rd, Paso Robles rated 4.8/5 on Google Maps. Free to explore the sculpture garden; wine tasting fees apply. It’s about 15 minutes from Franklin Hot Springs and the kind of place that surprises you once you’re there.

Sunken Gardens, Atascadero

Located in downtown Atascadero, roughly 20 minutes north. Free entry, open daily. Rated 4.6/5 on Google Maps. A well-maintained public garden with a reflecting pool and historic City Hall building as the backdrop. A good low-key stop before or after soaking.

Atascadero Lake Park

Rated 4.6/5 on Google Maps, free admission. The park wraps around a peaceful lake with walking trails, picnic areas, and a zoo on-site. About 20 minutes from Franklin Hot Springs  good for a morning walk before you drive out to soak.

Downtown City Park, Paso Robles

Right in the center of Paso Robles, rated 4.6/5 on Google Maps. Free to visit. The park hosts seasonal events, farmers markets, and has a great walkable block of restaurants and wine bars surrounding it. Worth an evening stroll after a long soak. If you enjoy blending natural soaks with wine country exploring, you might also like what I’ve documented about Avila Hot Springs up the coast a different vibe but equally central to its region.

After a day of soaking and exploring, you’ll need somewhere solid to sleep and eat. Here’s where I’d point you.

Where to Stay & Eat Near Franklin Hot Springs

I always try to stay within 20 minutes of a hot spring close enough to be back at the pool by 7:30 AM if I want. The Paso Robles–Atascadero corridor has solid options in every price range.

Hotels Near Franklin Hot Springs

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Paso Robles Atascadero

Spacious studio-style suites with full kitchenette, sleeping up to 4. Located in Atascadero, roughly 18 minutes from Franklin Hot Springs. Rates typically run $160–$220/night. Rated 4.4/5 on Google Maps. Strong breakfast spread and reliable comfort after a long outdoor day.

Home2 Suites by Hilton Atascadero

Extended-stay-style suites with full kitchen access, good for 1–4 guests. Located in Atascadero, about 18 minutes from Franklin. Rates around $150–$200/night. Rated 4.3/5 on Google Maps. Pet-friendly confirmed worth calling ahead to verify current policy.

Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Atascadero Paso Robles

Standard king and double rooms, clean and well-maintained. Located in Atascadero, approximately 17 minutes from Franklin Hot Springs. Rates from $130–$180/night. Rated 4.2/5 on Google Maps. Straightforward and reliable no frills, solid value.

The Carlton Hotel, Atascadero

Boutique hotel with more character than the chain options. Rated 4.3/5 on Google Maps. Roughly 20 minutes from the hot spring. Rates around $140–$200/night. The kind of place that feels like it belongs in the region rather than just beside the highway.

Courtyard by Marriott Paso Robles

Located closer to downtown Paso Robles, about 15 minutes from Franklin Hot Springs. Standard rooms, rated 4.3/5 on Google. Rates typically $170–$240/night. Good choice if you want walkable access to the Paso Robles downtown restaurant scene in the evenings.

Restaurants Near Franklin Hot Springs

Firestone Walker Taproom Restaurant

805 Riverside Ave, Paso Robles. Rated 4.5/5 on Google Maps. Open daily 11:00 AM–9:00 PM. Moderate pricing ($15–$25 per person). American pub food burgers, pizza, salads with a full craft beer selection brewed on-site. One of the most consistent spots in town.

Grace & Rose Downtown Paso Robles Farmhouse Restaurant

835 12th St, Paso Robles. Rated 4.7/5 on Google Maps. Dinner service, check hours seasonally. Farm-to-table California cuisine with a relaxed farmhouse atmosphere. Slightly higher price point ($25–$45 per person)  worth it for a proper dinner after a day at the springs.

Six Test Kitchen

1029 Pine St, Paso Robles. Rated 4.6/5 on Google Maps. Small-plates format, chef-driven menu that rotates seasonally. Check hours before visiting limited seatings. Upscale pricing around $40–$60 per person. The kind of dinner that makes a road trip feel like a real trip.

Cielo – Italian Restaurant & Rooftop Bar

835 13th St, Paso Robles. Rated 4.4/5 on Google Maps. Open for dinner Wednesday–Sunday. Italian menu with wood-fired dishes and a rooftop terrace. Moderate to upscale pricing ($20–$40 per person). The rooftop at sunset is the move after an afternoon soak.

Pig Iron

824 Pine St, Paso Robles. Rated 4.5/5 on Google Maps. Open Tuesday–Saturday from 11:00 AM. BBQ-focused with smoked meats, sandwiches, and sides. Casual, affordable ($12–$22 per person). Go for lunch after your morning soak the brisket is consistent.

What Are People Saying About Franklin Hot Springs?

Franklin Hot Springs holds a solid 4.2/5 on Google consistent with what I experienced. Reviewers praise the affordability, the mineral water quality, and the laid-back family atmosphere. Regulars come multiple times a week, some for decades, citing real physical relief from chronic pain and post-surgery recovery. 

Couples, seniors, and families with young kids all show up here. The complaints, when they exist, point to the no-frills facilities and the occasional weekend crowd. That’s fair. It’s not a resort. It was never trying to be.

My Honest Take After Visiting Franklin Hot Springs

Franklin Hot Springs is one of those places that doesn’t photograph the way it feels. The pool looks murky in pictures. The property looks rough. But when I was actually in that concrete tub at 100°F, watching a blue heron land about 20 feet away on the pond bank, I wasn’t thinking about any of that.

 I was just sitting in water that had traveled 800 feet underground to get to me, in a spot a family stumbled on when they were looking for something else entirely. If you want polished, go somewhere else. If you want the real kind of real that California’s Hot springs used to be before they all got branded Franklin is worth every mile of that dirt road. I’d go back in October. Fewer people. The air gets that cold edge, and the contrast against the warm water is something you don’t forget.

FAQs About Franklin Hot Springs

How much do Franklin Hot Springs tickets cost?

Adult day passes are $10. Children, seniors, and military pay $8. Camping adds $20–$30 per night on top of the day pass fee. There’s no membership or advance booking required pay at the gate on arrival.

What happened at Franklin Hot Springs? (The death)

In April 2019, a 26-year-old man was found floating in Franklin Pond and was pronounced dead at the scene. The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office investigated the incident as a suspected drowning. An autopsy was completed; no criminal cause was established publicly. The property remains open and operating.

Is the water at Franklin Hot Springs treated with chemicals?

No. Franklin Hot Springs does not add chlorine or any other chemicals to the water. The mineral pool and hot tub are fed directly from a natural geothermal aquifer. The water contains magnesium, potassium, calcium, lithium, and trace minerals. The sulfur smell is mild but present.

How far is Franklin Hot Springs from Paso Robles?

Franklin Hot Springs is approximately 6 miles from downtown Paso Robles via Creston Road. The drive takes about 10–15 minutes, with the final half mile on an unpaved road. A standard passenger car can manage it; just take the dirt section slowly.

Is fishing at Franklin Hot Springs free?

Fishing at the on-site pond is included in your day pass admission. No fishing license is required. Boat rentals are available separately check with the property on current rental rates and availability when you call at (805) 712-5372.