Natural hot springs near Los Angeles: the one in the city, and six worth the drive
Los Angeles has exactly one natural hot spring inside the city: Beverly Zen Hot Springs (formerly Beverly Hot Springs) in Koreatown, about four miles from downtown, where artesian water rises from 2,200 feet below the street. Every other natural soak is at least an hour away, either at a developed resort in Riverside County or the desert, or at the end of a hiking trail.
| Hot spring | Distance from LA | What it is | Getting in | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beverly Zen Hot Springs, Koreatown | ~4 mi | Indoor bathhouse, separate men’s and women’s pools | Walk in, free parking | $50 weekdays, $55 weekends |
| Glen Ivy Hot Springs, Corona | ~60 mi | Resort day spa, 19 pools and a mud bath | Reservation | From $65 weekdays, $85–95 weekends (Nov–Dec) |
| Murrieta Hot Springs Resort, Murrieta | ~80 mi | Resort with 25+ geothermal pools and lodging | Day pass | from $109 |
| Deep Creek Hot Springs, San Bernardino NF | ~80 mi | Wild creekside pools, clothing-optional | 2.5–3 mi hike each way | Trailhead parking fee |
| Montecito Hot Springs, above Santa Barbara | 1.5–2 hr drive | Wild rock pools | Short, moderate hike | Free |
| Desert Hot Springs, Coachella Valley | ~110 mi | A town of mineral-water hotels | Day passes at many hotels | Varies |
| Sespe Hot Springs, Los Padres NF | ~80 mi to the area | Remote backcountry springs | Backpacking trip, 7.5–17 mi each way | Free |
Beverly Zen Hot Springs: the only one inside LA
The well was struck in 1910 by a driller looking for oil. Today the water fills tiled pools at 96–105 °F in separate women’s and men’s sections, each with a cold plunge, eucalyptus steam room and dry sauna. It is the only option on this list you can visit after work, without a hike or a long drive. Pair a soak with a Korean body scrub or massage, and admission is included. Open daily 10 AM–8 PM at 308 N Oxford Ave.
Glen Ivy Hot Springs: the classic resort day
In Corona’s Temescal Valley, Glen Ivy is Southern California’s best-known hot springs day spa, with 19 pools, the red-clay “Club Mud” and a grotto. Plan a full day and book ahead.
Murrieta Hot Springs Resort: pools plus a place to stay
In the Temecula Valley, this resort has more than 25 geothermal soaking pools, a spa, restaurants and rooms, which makes it an easy overnight.
Deep Creek Hot Springs: the wild canyon soak
Tiered pools between 90 and 108 °F sit beside a cold creek in the San Bernardino National Forest. The common route from Bowen Ranch drops about three miles to the water, and the climb back out is the hard part. Go early, carry plenty of water and skip it in summer heat. It is clothing-optional.
Montecito Hot Springs: the coastal hike
A short, moderate trail in the Santa Ynez Mountains leads to a series of rock-walled pools that cool as the water descends. It’s free, and it pairs well with a Santa Barbara lunch.
Desert Hot Springs: a weekend of mineral pools
About two hours east on I-10, the town sits on a geothermal aquifer, and dozens of small hotels fill their pools from it. Many sell day passes, so a weekend can include several.
Sespe Hot Springs: for backpackers only
Deep in the Sespe Wilderness, the source runs far too hot to touch and cools in small pools downstream. Reaching it means a long backpacking trip: routes run 7.5 to nearly 17 miles each way. Check trail and fire conditions with Los Padres National Forest before you go.
Which one should you pick?
- An evening or a lunch break: Beverly Zen Hot Springs.
- A full resort day: Glen Ivy or Murrieta.
- A hike that ends in a hot pool: Montecito or Deep Creek.
- A weekend away: Desert Hot Springs.
Real hot spring or heated pool?
Ask where the water comes from. A natural hot spring is fed by water that is already warm and mineral-rich when it leaves the ground. A hot tub, however nice, is city water run through a heater. Beverly Zen’s pools are filled from the artesian well, and the spa publishes its lab analysis. In any untreated natural pool in the wild, keep your head above the water.
Questions people ask
Is there a natural hot spring in Los Angeles?
Yes, one: Beverly Zen Hot Springs in Koreatown, formerly Beverly Hot Springs.
What is the closest hot spring to LA?
The same one, about four miles from downtown. The closest outdoor resort is Glen Ivy, about 60 miles away.
Are there free hot springs near LA?
Yes, but they are all in the backcountry and need a hike, such as Montecito, Deep Creek and Sespe.
Which hot springs near LA need no hike?
Beverly Zen, Glen Ivy, Murrieta and the Desert Hot Springs hotels.
Sources: Hot Springs Near Los Angeles (HotSpringsGuides, updated Nov 3, 2026) · Glen Ivy admission (rates checked Nov 5, 2026) · Murrieta Hot Springs day passes (checked Nov 5, 2026) · Hot springs near Los Angeles (Time Out, Oct 2024).