🌡️ California Travel Guide
52 Hot Springs in California: Free, Paid & Luxury Picks (2026 Guide)
California is one of the few places on earth where you can soak in a free wilderness hot spring at sunrise and unwind in a luxury mineral spa by sunset. From the rugged backcountry pools of the Eastern Sierra to the sun-soaked desert springs near San Diego, the Golden State offers an extraordinary range of geothermal escapes for every type of traveler. As a San Diego native who has personally explored these waters across the state, I’ve put together this verified, boots-on-the-ground guide — so you spend less time researching and more time soaking.
# 01
Remington Hot Springs
📍 Distance~60 mi North of Bakersfield
💰 PriceFree
👥 Best ForHikers, Naturalists
🌡️ Temp~104°F
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# 02
Ojai Hot Springs
📍 Distance~85 mi SW of LA
💰 Price$20 – $40
👥 Best ForWellness, Day Trips
🌡️ Temp~102°F
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# 03
Travertine Hot Springs
📍 Distance~310 mi N of LA
💰 PriceFree
👥 Best ForFamilies, Groups
🌡️ Temp~110°F
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# 04
Glen Ivy Hot Springs
📍 Distance~70 mi SE of LA
💰 Price$45 – $75
👥 Best ForSpa Days, Groups
🌡️ Temp~100°F
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# 05
Bishop Hot Springs
📍 Distance~280 mi N of LA
💰 PriceFree
👥 Best ForStargazers, Campers
🌡️ Temp~105°F
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# 06
Sykes Hot Springs
📍 Distance~130 mi S of Monterey
💰 PriceFree (permit)
👥 Best ForBackpackers
🌡️ Temp~100°F
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# 07
Calistoga Motor Lodge
📍 Distance~75 mi N of San Francisco
💰 Price$30 – $60/night
👥 Best ForCouples, Wine Country
🌡️ Temp~100°F
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# 08
Gaviota Hot Springs
📍 Distance~110 mi NW of LA
💰 PriceFree
👥 Best ForFamilies, Hikers
🌡️ Temp~95°F
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# 09
Avila Beach Hot Springs
📍 Distance~200 mi N of LA
💰 Price$15 – $30
👥 Best ForBeach + Spa Lovers
🌡️ Temp~101°F
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# 10
Indian Springs Calistoga
📍 Distance~75 mi N of San Francisco
💰 Price$50 – $100
👥 Best ForLuxury, Wine Lovers
🌡️ Temp~102°F
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# 11
Calistoga Spa Hot Springs
📍 Distance~75 mi N of San Francisco
💰 Price$30 – $70
👥 Best ForSpa Enthusiasts
🌡️ Temp~104°F
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# 12
Saline Valley Hot Springs
📍 Distance~150 mi NE of Bakersfield
💰 PriceFree
👥 Best ForCamping Enthusiasts
🌡️ Temp~103°F
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# 13
Murrieta Hot Springs
📍 Distance~85 mi SE of LA
💰 Price$25 – $50
👥 Best ForWellness, Couples
🌡️ Temp~102°F
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# 14
Deep Creek Hot Springs
📍 Distance~110 mi E of LA
💰 PriceFree
👥 Best ForSolo, Groups
🌡️ Temp~108°F
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# 15
Vichy Springs
📍 Distance~115 mi N of San Francisco
💰 Price$30 – $60
👥 Best ForWellness, History Buffs
🌡️ Temp~90°F
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# 16
Wilbur Hot Springs
📍 Distance~140 mi N of San Francisco
💰 Price$40 – $80
👥 Best ForDigital Detox, Wellness
🌡️ Temp~110°F
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# 17
Whitmore Hot Springs
📍 Distance~290 mi N of LA
💰 PriceFree (seasonal)
👥 Best ForLocals, Swimmers
🌡️ Temp~87°F
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# 18
Hilltop Hot Springs
📍 Distance~310 mi NE of LA
💰 PriceFree
👥 Best ForOff-grid Adventurers
🌡️ Temp~105°F
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# 19
Harbin Hot Springs
📍 Distance~120 mi N of San Francisco
💰 Price$30 – $60
👥 Best ForSpiritual Retreat, Wellness
🌡️ Temp~110°F
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# 20
Grover Hot Springs
📍 Distance~210 mi E of San Francisco
💰 Price$8 – $10
👥 Best ForFamilies, Day Trips
🌡️ Temp~102°F
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# 21
Mono Hot Springs
📍 Distance~290 mi N of LA
💰 PriceFree – $20
👥 Best ForCampers, Fishermen
🌡️ Temp~105°F
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# 22
Miracle Hot Springs
📍 Distance~55 mi N of Bakersfield
💰 Price$10 – $20
👥 Best ForFamilies, Couples
🌡️ Temp~104°F
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# 23
Keough’s Hot Springs
📍 Distance~280 mi N of LA
💰 Price$8 – $12
👥 Best ForFamilies, Locals
🌡️ Temp~100°F
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# 24
Jacumba Hot Springs Hotel
📍 Distance~70 mi E of San Diego
💰 Price$100 – $200/night
👥 Best ForCouples, Luxury Stay
🌡️ Temp~104°F
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# 25
Agua Caliente County Park
📍 Distance~90 mi E of San Diego
💰 Price$10 – $15
👥 Best ForFamilies, Campers
🌡️ Temp~96°F
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# 26
Avila Hot Springs
📍 Distance~200 mi N of LA
💰 Price$10 – $20
👥 Best ForFamilies, Water Park
🌡️ Temp~100°F
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# 27
Buckeye Hot Springs
📍 Distance~330 mi N of LA
💰 PriceFree
👥 Best ForFamilies, Campers
🌡️ Temp~135°F (mixed)
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# 28
Wild Willy’s Hot Springs
📍 Distance~290 mi N of LA
💰 PriceFree
👥 Best ForAdventure Seekers
🌡️ Temp~110°F
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# 29
Big Caliente Hot Springs
📍 Distance~40 mi N of Santa Barbara
💰 PriceFree
👥 Best ForDay Hikers, Naturalists
🌡️ Temp~107°F
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# 30
Crab Cooker Hot Springs
📍 Distance~300 mi N of LA
💰 PriceFree
👥 Best ForOff-grid Explorers
🌡️ Temp~109°F
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# 31
Franklin Hot Springs
📍 Distance~255 mi N of LA
💰 PriceFree
👥 Best ForLocals, Budget Travelers
🌡️ Temp~101°F
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# 32
Azure Palm Hot Springs
📍 Distance~130 mi E of LA
💰 Price$65 – $120
👥 Best ForAdults, Luxury Spa
🌡️ Temp~105°F
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# 33
Tecopa Hot Springs
📍 Distance~200 mi NE of LA
💰 PriceFree – $15
👥 Best ForDesert Campers, Seniors
🌡️ Temp~108°F
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# 34
Aqua Soleil Hotel & Mineral Water Spa
📍 Distance~140 mi E of LA
💰 Price$80 – $150/night
👥 Best ForCouples, Weekend Getaway
🌡️ Temp~103°F
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# 35
Montecito Hot Springs
📍 Distance~95 mi NW of LA
💰 PriceFree (hike in)
👥 Best ForHikers, Nature Lovers
🌡️ Temp~108°F
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# 36
Caliente Springs Resort
📍 Distance~125 mi E of LA
💰 Price$50 – $100/night
👥 Best ForRV Campers, Families
🌡️ Temp~100°F
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# 37
Glamis North Hot Springs Resort
📍 Distance~170 mi E of San Diego
💰 Price$20 – $40
👥 Best ForOff-roaders, Campers
🌡️ Temp~101°F
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# 38
El Dorado Hot Springs
📍 Distance~180 mi E of LA
💰 Price$10 – $25
👥 Best ForCouples, Relaxation
🌡️ Temp~100°F
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# 39
Beverly Hot Springs Spa
📍 DistanceIn Los Angeles
💰 Price$30 – $60
👥 Best ForCity Dwellers, Spa Days
🌡️ Temp~100°F
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# 40
Feather River Hot Springs
📍 Distance~200 mi N of Sacramento
💰 PriceFree
👥 Best ForHikers, Campers
🌡️ Temp~102°F
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# 41
Sespe Hot Springs
📍 Distance~100 mi SW of Bakersfield
💰 PriceFree (permit)
👥 Best ForBackpackers
🌡️ Temp~105°F
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# 42
Fales Hot Springs
📍 Distance~320 mi N of LA
💰 PriceFree
👥 Best ForRoad Trippers
🌡️ Temp~107°F
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# 43
Drakesbad Guest Ranch
📍 Distance~270 mi N of Sacramento
💰 Price$150 – $300/night
👥 Best ForLuxury, Nature Lovers
🌡️ Temp~99°F
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# 44
Surprise Valley Hot Springs
📍 Distance~100 mi NE of Redding
💰 PriceFree
👥 Best ForRemote Explorers
🌡️ Temp~106°F
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# 45
Little Hot Creek
📍 Distance~285 mi N of LA
💰 PriceFree
👥 Best ForAdventurers, Locals
🌡️ Temp~110°F
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# 46
Hunt Hot Springs
📍 Distance~200 mi N of Sacramento
💰 PriceFree
👥 Best ForOff-grid Campers
🌡️ Temp~104°F
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# 47
Sycamore Hot Springs
📍 Distance~200 mi N of LA
💰 Price$20 – $45/hr
👥 Best ForCouples, Private Tubs
🌡️ Temp~104°F
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# 48
Orr Hot Springs
📍 Distance~160 mi N of San Francisco
💰 Price$30 – $50
👥 Best ForWellness, Meditation
🌡️ Temp~105°F
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# 49
Esalen Hot Springs
📍 Distance~150 mi S of San Francisco
💰 Price$30 – $50 (overnight)
👥 Best ForSpiritual Seekers
🌡️ Temp~108°F
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# 50
Tassajara Hot Springs
📍 Distance~60 mi SE of Monterey
💰 Price$50 – $100
👥 Best ForZen Retreat, Meditation
🌡️ Temp~110°F
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# 51
Sierra Hot Springs
📍 Distance~185 mi N of Sacramento
💰 Price$20 – $40
👥 Best ForSpiritual Community
🌡️ Temp~112°F
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# 52
Benton Hot Springs
📍 Distance~300 mi N of LA
💰 Price$20 – $35
👥 Best ForStargazers, Campers
🌡️ Temp~100°F–130°F
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