The Best Day Trips to Hot Springs Near San Francisco

A weekend getaway to local hot springs is a religious rite of transition for every Northern California resident . Whether you want to pluck in style at a refuge or strip it all with the hippies , the neighborhood has an endless raiment of hot , mineral pools to assist your troubles float away . Go ahead , get loose and lose your trunks ( or not ) , get pamper with spa handling and clay baths , and bathe under the hotshot at these breathtaking , rejuvenating lifelike red-hot spring .

Steep Ravine Hot Springs

MarinDistance from SF:21 miles ; 45 minute driveAttire : There are no rule here , so you ’ll find most people au naturel . The rundown : Just across the Golden Gate Bridge , these are the stuffy red-hot springs you ’ll discover to the city , but not needfully the most true ( or the easiest to find ) . Also known as Marin Tidal Hot Springs or Rocky Point Hot Springs , the natural hot pocket billiards are only revealed at low-pitched lunar time period , so you ’ll have to do research before hiking to these hidden coves . During electronegative tides , a rocky pool near Stinson Beach fill with sulphur mineral water , and out follow the adventurous nature buffs … usually in the caramel . The soft way to get here is to walk through the Steep Ravine cabin , continue northward along Steep Ravine Beach , climb over the rocks , and keep for about 500 ft to the " grot . “Extras : None , you ’ll have about two hours at low tide when these springs are revealed , so act fast . Overnight choice : Camping is available on Mt. Tam and Steep Ravine , or cabins at the Steep Ravine Cabins , but this can well be made as a day excursion for SF folks . Day pass cost : Free .

Tassajara Hot Springs

Carmel ValleyDistance from SF:153 miles ; 3.5 hour driveAttire : article of clothing optional . The rundown : Although the hot springs are not the focal point of Tassajara , you ’ll find beautiful Japanese hot leap in a calm and ruminative setting . In 1967 , the blank space became the first Zen monastery outside of Japan . Already home to red-hot springs , the San Francisco Zen Center took over the distance , which is now shut most of the year for cloistral study . From May to September , however , you may follow for the Clarence Day to enjoy a delicious vegetarian lunch and a dip in the spring , or you may abide overnight in a minimalist , lantern - lit cabin . The Japanese - style bathing machine includes indoor and outdoor spicy plunge , a steam room , communal showers , and sundeck separated by sexuality until after 8:30pm . Extras : all-night Edgar Albert Guest at Tassajara can enjoy three vegetarian meals a day . Guest speakers and residents offer public talks and small group discussions on Buddhism , and guests are invited to join in daily speculation , intonation , and workshops . Overnight choice : Tassajara offers electricity - costless cabins and dorm ( this means no internet).Day pass price:$30

Orr Hot Springs

UkiahDistance from SF:128 miles ; 3 hr driveAttire : Clothing optional in the bathhouse . The rundown : Orr Hot Springs is a tranquil retreat tuck aside in the rolling hills of the Mendocino Coastal Range , perfect for the barren - spirited crowd . Founded on a former hippie commune , Orr encourages nudity in the bathhouse area and specify arriere pensee so you may enjoy a quiet , peaceful weekend ( they also have pretty nonindulgent linguistic rule about kids ) . They do n’t offer any food here , so take your own to cook in the communal kitchen ( do n’t worry – guests are ask to wear off clothes in the kitchen ) . savor your meal and a bottle of wine at pushover table around the prop . The bathhouse is equipped with two master communal hot tubs ( between 104 and 108 degrees ) , a cold plunge , individual tubs , a sweat room , and a steam room . The mineral water come to the tubs live from the earth and are satiate with atomic number 16 ( do n’t be alarmed by the smell ) , calcium , atomic number 19 , boron , and other course occurring minerals . Extras : Orr offer traditional massage and spa treatments like live stone , mud , and sea salt scrubs . The pools stay open all nighttime long ( they close for an hour at 7 am for cleaning ) , so you may enjoy a romantic dip under the adept . Overnight options : The 27 - acre place offers yurts , cottages , rooms , and camping . twenty-four hour period go on price:$30

Indian Springs

CalistogaDistance from SF:75 mile ; 1.5 hour driveAttire : washup suits required . The rundown : Indian Springs is the state ’s oldest continuously execute spa and pool facility , andwas frequented by old Hollywood renown like Lucille Ball . Enter the prospicient private road dotted with medallion and olive trees , and feel like you ’ve stepped back in time . Since 1861 , this place has offered a retro haven in wine nation , everlasting with 17 acres of hills and ponds . snaffle a public bike on the assumption to get from your room to the pool , then coin up a secret plan of cricket or shuffleboard by one of the fire pits . The Springs are settle on four thermal geyser that supply the Olympic - sized swimming kitty with its mineral water ( temperature reach 83 to 102 degrees ) and boast a poolside steam room . The resort is family - well-disposed , so be groom for some ( hopefully not exceedingly loud ) children . you could always escape to the smaller " Adult Pool " that ’s more private , with non - mineral body of water that ’s about ten degrees cool . Extras : Don’t pretermit the luxurious watering place , which offers mud bathroom ( made from volcanic ash ) , massage and bodywork , and facial treatments , provided in a historic construction . Afterward , relax by the spring - fed Buddha Pond and Gardens . There ’s also a full - service restaurant on the attribute , Sam ’s Social Club , where you may love your meals ( and wine – it is wine state , after all ) in front of a fire perdition and underneath twinkling visible radiation . you may order food for thought and drinks to delight while relaxing by the pool , which remain receptive until midnight for a relaxing even soak . Overnight alternative : The property offer a varied selection of cottages , bungalows , and Mission Revival buildings to pull for overnight trip . Day pass price : you’re able to only habituate the pool if you ’re an overnight guest or if you hold a health spa handling . On weekends and holiday , health club Edgar Guest who desire to use the syndicate must also purchase a pool pass for $ 30 .

Vichy Springs Resort

UkiahDistance from SF:117 miles ; 2.5 hour driveAttire : Bathing suits are required . The summing up : Vichy Hot Springs is part nation inn , part hot springs resort , with the only by nature carbonated strong mineral bathroom in North America . instal in 1854 , Vichy offer up those 90 - arcdegree " champagne " mineral baths , a 104 - degree in - priming spicy soaking puddle , an Olympian - sizing swim pool , and 700 private acres for walking and hike up ( with an additional natural kitty at the end of a 30 - minute of arc hike ) . The refuge really stress the " healing " benefit of these bathing tub , which they advise as treatments for psoriasis , eczema , poisonous substance oak tree , arthritis , atrophic arthritis , and neural conditions . In the essence of Mendocino Wine Country , the historic turning point has hosted presidents , famous writer , and actors . Extras : handle yourself to a Swedish massage , hot stone massage , herbal facial , and reflexology at the spa . nightlong Edgar Albert Guest get a free breakfast spreading , too . Overnight options : Vichy features 26 way and bungalow ( three of which were built in 1852 ) for accommodation . mean solar day liberty chit price:$60 all day ; $ 33 for two hour .

Sykes Hot Springs

Big SurDistance from SF:149 miles ; 3 hour drive ( plus a 10 - mile hike)Attire : This is a public hot fountain with ( essentially ) no normal , so you ’ll likely meet some nakedness . The rundown : If you ’re not the high - remnant health spa character , skitter the manicure live fountain and get back to nature at Sykes in Big Sur . Be prepared for a very straining 10 - 11 Admiralty mile hike to reach the beautiful stone - lined raw bath . These raging springs may take a bit more effort and planning , but it ’ll be worth it once you reach out the lush , forested area , set up camp , and plunge into the 102 - point pools . Extras : You’ll get utterly zero spear carrier at these live springs – do n’t forget to bring water , bivouacking cogwheel , food , and all the essentials , and see trail term before manoeuver out . Overnight option : You’ll be going au naturel at these springs , which means contribute your camping geartrain and be prepared to sleep under the stars . There are three major campsites along the trail – Terrace Creek , Barlow Flat , and eventually Sykes cantonment , the location of the hot springs . satiate out a freecampsite permitbefore point out . Day pass price : gratuitous ; $ 5 parking permit .

Esalen Hot Springs

Big SurDistance from SF:168 miles ; 3 hr driveAttire : Clothing optional ( nakedness is encouraged).The summation : Esalen ’s cliff - side , ocean - facing red-hot give are some of the most visually spectacular and wow - inducement . The tri - level complex body part is home to someone and group tubs that are perfect for unstrain under the sensation as you listen to the crashing waves below . The public can gain admission to the tub every Nox from 1 to 3 am , so this is for the late - night crowd that does n’t mind a whole lot of natal day suits and new aginess . Extras : Esalen is so much more than spicy springs : the space offer over 300 workshop and class in speculation , massage , composition , yoga , dance , heedfulness , and more . You ’ll book a room ( for a weekend , five days , or longer ) and then gain access to meal , shop , and use of goods and services of the readiness . all-night options : adjustment rove from sleeping bags in communal living spaces to private suite to complete house with kitchens . Day crack price : Free bathing is open to the public only from 1 am to 3 am nightly , by reservation only . Otherwise , you ’ll have to be a part of the workshop and rip a room to utilise the facilities .

Dr. Wilkinson’s Hot Springs Resort

CalistogaDistance from SF:75 land mile ; 1.5 hour driveAttire : washup case are need at the outside pools but optional in the spas . The rundown : Calistoga has a surprising number of mineral springiness repair , from dirt cheap to four star hotels , and we ca n’t let in them all . you could spend hundred of dollars at fancy spas , but we opt the off - the - radar , quirky spots , like Dr. Wilkinson ’s . A wine country mainstay since 1946 , this retro motel may be unassuming , but it ’s have everything you involve in hot outpouring . It ’s been run by the same family since 1952 , and still gasconade its original ' fifty neon sign out front . It ’s the grandaddy of clay bathing tub resorts , where you may also soak in public indoor or outdoor pond , or in private whirlpool baths . extra : Doc Wilkinson ’s original compounding " The Works , " a combination of a clay bathroom , followed by a mineral tub , steam way , mantle wrap , and massage , is a delicacy you may still get to this daytime . all-night selection : Dr. Wilkinson ’s is essentially an upscale motel , so you ’ll get the common lodging options you ’d get hold at a hotel . Clarence Shepard Day Jr. bye damage : solar day pass use is not available . You must book a room or be a guest of someone with a elbow room , which will jell you back $ 25 .

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