7 Best Natural Hot Springs in California for a Relaxing Soak

If you're looking for a way to relax and unwind on the West Coast, a soak in one of California's stunning natural hot springs should do the trick. The Golden State is a hotbed of geothermal activity, with warm waters bubbling up from the Earth's interior and speckling the landscape with pools, from Mendocino County to Los Angeles.

"In non-volcanic areas, the temperature of rocks within the Earth also increases with depth — this temperature increase is known as the geothermal gradient," the National Park Service website says. "If water percolates deeply enough into the crust, it comes into contact with hot rocks and can circulate to the surface to form hot springs." It warns that hot springs in active volcanic zones may produce superheated water that you don't want to get in, and taking a dip in them could result in injury or even death.

That said, if you stick to the hot springs that have been designated safe, you'll be treated to one of the most luxurious and therapeutic pastimes nature can provide. The National Centers for Environmental Information has maps showing hot springs all around the state and country, but if you want to check out the best of the best, we're here to help. Here are seven of the best California hot springs to visit for a soothing soak.

Wild Willy's, Mammoth Lakes

Feeling rugged? Make your way up to Mammoth to hunt down Wild Willy's, one of the state's most beloved hot springs. You can get close to it via car, but you'll have to get out and walk a short distance to reach the water. Taking a dip here is free, which can draw a crowd sometimes. Still, it's well worth waiting for the pool to clear out so you can enjoy a quiet soak under the stars. It's especially nice after a day of skiing at nearby Mammoth Mountain. Just make sure to take out any trash to keep this place as pretty as you found it.

Vichy Springs Resort, Ukiah

Take a dip at this truly historic spa in Ukiah, two hours north of San Francisco. Established in 1854, Vichy Springs Resort is one of Mendocino County's oldest businesses. Here, guests and paying day visitors alike get a chance to soak in warm carbonated mineral baths, which the resort compares to Champagne or "natural Alka-Seltzer." In addition to the hot springs, there's also an Olympic-size swimming pool (available seasonally) and trails meandering around the resort's 700 private acres that day visitors get access to.

Wilbur Hot Springs, Williams

Another Northern California retreat, Wilbur Hot Springs originally opened its doors in 1865 and remains a rather old-school resort to this day. Clothing is optional in the hot springs at this off-grid, solar-powered oasis, making it a wonderful spot to fully immerse. You can stay overnight or just go for the day. While you're there, book a "healing arts" session, which includes acupuncture, massages, and more. The resort sits amid a 1,800-acre nature preserve that visitors are encouraged to explore on a hiking or biking adventure. There are miles of trails around the resort.

Beverly Hot Springs, Los Angeles

Get your soak on right in the middle of the city at Beverly Hot Springs. As the site explains, "the spa is fed from a strong flow of 96- to 105-degree water from the artesian well that Richard S. Grant found when he bought the land — then a wheat field — to subdivide for a housing development in 1910." While drilling for oil, Grant found another treasure: a 2,200-foot well. First, the water was bottled and sold, and, according to the site, was "especially popular among red-eyed men who found the sodium bicarbonate and other minerals it contains soothing on Monday mornings." Now, you, too, can soak away a hangover or simply go for a healing dip in its clothing-optional pool, adding on a massage or body treatment for a bonus.

Dr. Wilkinson's Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs, ​​Calistoga

Have an Instagram-worthy getaway at Dr. Wilkinson's Backyard Resort, which has been in operation since 1952 and maintains much of its mid-century charms. That includes colorful murals, vintage cars, and clean-lined furnishings that make for an excellent photo backdrop. Of course, there's plenty of relaxation to be had as well, including in its hot springs, mud baths, and plentiful spa treatments that will most certainly make your weary muscles feel new. Though you can stay at the resort for a more immersive experience, you can also just visit the spa for a soak, swim, or massage.

Orr Hot Springs Resort, Ukiah

For a more intimate experience, head to Orr Hot Springs Resort, a tiny 27-acre property on the lush banks of Big River. The resort is fully clothing-optional and has a lodge and cabins constructed in the early 1930s from local redwood. There's a communal kitchen, roaming cats, a campground, and multiple baths and pools, plus a dry sauna and steam room. The hot springs require advance reservations for day use.

Esalen, Big Sur

Make your next hot springs soak a luxurious one by booking a stay at Esalen, one of the most breathtaking properties along the California coast. Located on a cliffside in Big Sur, Esalen bills itself as an "intentional community" that's on a mission to help its guests transform into their best selves. This includes soaking away all worries in its hot springs. It also offers a clothing-optional getaway (the baths are clothing-optional as well, which can be paired with healing treatments like massages and acupuncture. Guests can participate in workshops like meditation and mindfulness, too.