6 Best San Diego Hot Springs

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California is not just populated with beaches; natural hot springs are scattered up and down the coast and across the state. 

But what about San Diego hot springs? Are there any?

Yes! There are hot springs near San Diego. We list six, and the distance from them to San Diego. 

Let’s dive in.

From the Author: I like to pamper myself, so I frequently visit hot springs and spas in California. Number 4 on this list is my favorite.

San Diego Hot Springs

So, there aren’t a ton of hot springs in San Diego proper, but there are some close by, so if you are willing to take a drive, there are plenty of natural hot springs in the area to visit.

Below we listed hot springs near San Diego, starting from the closest and ending with the farthest.

All the hot springs listed below are within day-trip distances from San Diego, CA, and some offer on-site accommodations.

The following list is ordered by proximity to San Diego:

1. Carlsbad Mineral Water Spa – 35 miles | 40 minutes

Carlsbad Mineral Water Spa is a popular destination in Southern California, known for its therapeutic mineral water and tranquil atmosphere.

The spa features a hot spring pool filled with mineral water believed to have healing properties, including improving blood circulation, reducing muscle pain, and soothing joint inflammation.

The water temperature is maintained between 98-102°Fahrenheit, creating a comfortable and relaxing soaking experience. The pool is surrounded by a beautifully landscaped garden, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere.

Overall, Carlsbad Mineral Water Spa is a perfect destination for those looking for a relaxing getaway and seeking to rejuvenate their body and mind. Personal therapists provide all spa treatments in themed, private rooms, ensuring a fully personalized and relaxing experience.

The spa offers various services, including mineral baths, facials, massages, wraps, and salt glow treatments.

These services are available for individuals and couples, making it the perfect destination for a romantic getaway or a solo pampering session. Or, if you are traveling with kids, Legoland is only 4 miles from the spa! Send them to Legoland for the day and enjoy a relaxing spa day.

Carlsbad Mineral Water Spa is open every day from 9 am to 6 pm, including most holidays except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Evening appointments can also be made upon request.

For those looking for accommodation options in Carlsbad, several hotels are available, like The Cassara Carlsbad by Hilton, Beach Terrace Inn, and the Carlsbad Village Inn.

Camping options are available at South Carlsbad State Beach Campground, among others.

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2. Warner Hot Springs Ranch Resort – 70 miles | 1 Hour 29 minutes

Warner Hot Springs Ranch Resort is a historic resort in northeastern San Diego County, California, in the small town of Warner Springs, located an hour and a half from San Diego. The resort is situated in a picturesque valley surrounded by rolling hills, oak trees, and natural hot springs.

One of the main attractions of Warner Hot Springs Ranch is the natural hot springs, fed by underground springs and maintained at around 98° Fahrenheit.

The hot springs are available to guests of the resort and offer a relaxing and rejuvenating experience. In addition to the hot springs, the resort also offers a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, horseback riding, and birdwatching, as well as a restaurant and bar on-site.

The resort is open to guests seven days a week, and the hours of operation may vary depending on the season and time of year. Generally, check-in time is in the afternoon, and check-out time is in the morning.

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3. Elim Hot Springs – 80 miles | 1 hour 20 minutes

Nestled at the base of a mountain range in the desert town of Aguanga, Southern California, Elim Hot Springs is a secluded retreat that boasts stunning vistas and a variety of soaking experiences.

The hot springs offer both steamy water to help melt away stress, as well as mineral-rich, comfortably warm pools for a more moderate soak.

Elim Hot Springs offers a selection of three hot tubs and two cooler pools, all filled with natural, sulfur-infused water believed to have healing properties that can help reduce inflammation, increase flexibility, and alleviate skin irritations.

Visitors can swim or soak in the hot springs indoors and outdoors, making it a year-round destination. To maintain the thermal waters’ purity, applying sunblock is prohibited before entering the pools.

Visitors and families staying at Elim Hot Springs are invited to utilize the indoor and outdoor kitchen facilities to prepare meals. The resort offers electrical outlets for cooking appliances, a stainless steel sink, propane stoves, marble countertops, a toaster, and a complete set of cooking utensils and bowls to make meal prep convenient and hassle-free.

Elim Hot Springs provides two types of accommodations to cater to its guests’ needs.

• Bungalows – These cozy, rustic bungalows come with one bunk bed and a full-size bed to comfortably accommodate up to five adults. Each cabin features a private patio, barbecue grill, and picnic table, perfect for intimate gatherings with loved ones. It’s important to note that bedding is not included.
• Campground – For those seeking a more outdoorsy experience, the resort also offers several campsites that can accommodate up to six adults each.

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4. Glen Ivy Hot Springs – 89 miles | 1 hour 30 minutes

Glen Ivy Hot Springs, located in Corona, California, is a well-known destination for those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation. The hot springs are open daily from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm.

Glen Ivy is one of my favorite hot springs in California, and we often head there from Los Angeles for the day.

Glen Ivy offers a variety of amenities, including several mineral water pools of varying temperatures, such as the saline pool, hot pool, and cool pool. The hot springs offer unique features like the Grotto, a subterranean sanctuary with mineral baths, mud treatments, and steam rooms, and Club Mud, an outdoor exfoliating mud pool.

The hot mineral baths are kept at 104° Fahrenheit. and are ideal for 15-minute soaking sessions. These sulfur-rich waters have a pH level of 9.44, which is very alkaline and provides many health benefits.

In addition to these features, Glen Ivy offers massages, facials, and body treatments in their spa.

Glen Ivy Hot Springs offers different rates depending on the day of the week and the time of the year. They offer several packages, including access to the hot springs, a robe and towel rental, and a healthy meal at their on-site restaurant, Ivy Kitchen.

Admission is charged per person, but they can be bundled with services for one or more people.

If you want to stay the night, they offer overnight accommodations at their resort, including access to the hot springs, a comfortable guest room, and various resort amenities. But there is plenty of hotels options in the town of Corona, where it’s located.

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5. Agua Caliente County Park – 113 miles | 1 hr 50 min

Agua Caliente County Park, located in about 2 hours from San Diego, allows visitors to soak in its natural hot spring. The water temperature ranges from 102-105° Fahrenheit.

The park operates from 8:00 am to sunset, and the hot spring is open from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, daily, with evening hours on Fridays and Saturdays from 6-9 pm.

The pool is filled with geothermally heated mineral water, which is replenished continuously to maintain its temperature and quality.

The park offers changing rooms, restrooms, and shower facilities for visitors to use before and after soaking in the hot spring. Additionally, the park offers various recreational activities, such as hiking, camping, and picnicking, making it a popular destination for families and nature enthusiasts.

The town of Julian, approximately 45 minutes away, offers the nearest hotel options for those visiting the pools. However, camping is a popular choice among visitors, particularly during the winter season, at Agua Caliente County Park.

The park offers several camping areas, including tent sites, RV spots with full and partial hookups, a caravan area for larger groups, and seven rustic cabins with amenities.

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6. Holtville Hot Springs – 130 miles | 2 hours

Holtville Hot Springs, also called “Old Fogey Hot Springs” and “Highline Hot Well,” is a public area on BLM land.

It features two man-made mineral water tubs supplied by an artisan well. The water temperature starts at 125° Fahrenheit and gradually cools to approximately 104-110° Fahrenheit, flowing from the larger and hotter pool to the smaller one.

In addition to the tubs, there’s a pond lagoon that collects runoff water from the showers and tubs. However, it’s not suitable for swimming. Visitors can use the nearby restroom and enclosed changing area.

The soaking hours are between 5 am and midnight, and the tubs are typically cleaned once a week. It’s prohibited to bring food or glass containers near the water.

As the hot springs are located near the highway, the nearest lodging options are in El Centro and Calexico. Camping is allowed across from the springs, but it’s worth noting that long-term stays between September 15 and April 15 are subject to fees. Camping permits can be obtained online or in person at a BLM office in Yuma or El Centro.

During the non-fee season, visitors can stay for up to 14 days within 28 days.

San Diego Hot Springs

While there are not many hot springs right in San Diego, these 6 are a short drive and worth the trip. If you are visiting the Golden State, it would be nice to grab a hot soak in one of the many hot springs scattered across Southern California.

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