Backcountry soak reached by a long Sespe Wilderness hike, with many creek crossings and a small tub. Plan to camp and filter water. Spring is easiest.

Clothing-optional soak-and-stay retreat near Williams with indoor flume and outdoor mineral pools, reservation only, limited cell service.

A historic Ukiah hot springs resort known for naturally carbonated mineral baths, quiet wooded grounds, and swimsuit-required soaking in a classic inn setting.

Adults-only desert retreat with mineral pools fed by a natural spring, day passes and stays, pricey but polished, close to Joshua Tree drives.

A free, easy-access Eastern Sierra hot spring near Bridgeport with travertine terraces, variable-temperature rock pools, and a commonly clothing-optional soaking scene.

Adults-only mineral pool day spa in Desert Hot Springs with three pools and Finnish sauna, timed admission, best booked ahead on weekends.

Downtown Palm Springs spa with private mineral baths, zero-edge mineral pool, steam and sauna circuits. Swimsuits required in public areas, 18+. ID required.

Nude-only desert hot spring tubs in Tecopa with simple stays and RV parking, open 24 hours, remote setting, and strict no-clothing soaking rules.

Backcountry soak near Big Sur on the Pine Ridge Trail, reached by a long hike with river crossings, no amenities, and changing conditions. Plan ahead.

Roadside hydrothermal stop in Lassen with steaming vents and boiling mudpots, reached by a short paved walk. Look, don't soak. Best in early morning.

A clothing-optional Sierra Valley hot springs retreat near Sierraville with dome pools, alpine quiet, and a slower, more communal soaking culture than most California resorts.

A quick walk off Whitmore Tubs Road brings you to Shepherd Hot Springs, a single tub in Long Valley where heat varies, so test first. Dirt road access.

Remote Sespe Wilderness pools reached on a multi-day hike, best in cooler seasons, with limited shade, many crossings, and no services. Carry extra water.

Adults-only clothing-optional resort in Desert Hot Springs with mineral pools, spa services, and a day-club feel, about 20 minutes from Palm Springs.

Steep 5-minute walk from Hwy 178 to hand-built stone tubs beside the Kern River, with mixed temps and little shade. Expect crowds on weekends. Go early.

Clothing-optional hot spring resort outside Ukiah with bathhouse, creekside pools, and day-use by booking, set on a quiet forest road.

Day-pass geothermal pools at Murrieta Hot Springs Resort near Temecula, 9am-10pm access, family and adult-only zones, saunas and cold plunges, lockers on site.

Seasonal Sierra road access to a rustic resort and Forest Service campground, with hot mineral baths by the river and big hiking days. Pack layers.

Desert Hot Springs resort with eight mineral pools and 24-hour soaking for hotel guests, plus limited day passes (21+). Bring sandals and hydrate often.

Adults-only Desert Hot Springs stay with mineral-water pool and tubs, clothing optional by choice, and a quiet vibe close to Palm Springs today.

Remote Saline Valley soak in Death Valley, reached by rough dirt roads, high clearance, and self-sufficient camping. Nudity is common. Bring extra water.

A classic Eastern Sierra hot springs pool near Bishop with a big mineral-fed swimming pool, campground access, and an easy, family-friendly soak with swimwear required.

Classic Calistoga mineral pools and mud baths at a long-running resort, with day passes for geothermal pools and a big warm swimming pool.

BLM’s Hot Springs LTVA near Holtville is a drive-up desert soak with permit-based long-stay camping in season, plus basic facilities on site. Bring water.

Drive to Hot Creek Geologic Site near Mammoth Lakes to see boiling pools and steam vents, with day-use hours and strict no-entry rules. No soaking.

USFS overlook area near Mammoth Lakes where boiling springs and steam vents sit beside Hot Creek. Swimming is prohibited and closures apply. Check order.

A day-use geothermal viewing site near Mammoth Lakes with fenced overlooks, restrooms, and a strict no-entering-water rule for safety. Easy access.

Clothing-optional hot springs retreat near Middletown with multiple pools, including an upper pool listed around 98°F, plus workshops and a quiet hillside setting.

A Sierra Nevada state park hot springs pool near Markleeville with a lifeguarded soaking pool around 102–104°F, swimwear required, and one of California’s most accessible hot spring swims.

A reservation-only Southern California mineral hot springs day spa near Corona, known for mud and grotto-style soaking, with swimwear required and adults-only admission.

Geothermal mineral pools at a full-service Sonoma resort, with separate spa area and family pools, easy access from Highway 12 and wine country.

Cliffside Big Sur hot springs baths at Esalen with ocean views, clothing-optional soaking, and reservation-based access that depends on Highway 1 conditions.

Drive-up Desert Hot Springs hotel with several mineral pools and spa tubs, day-pass option, and family-friendly vibes near Palm Springs in town.

Clothing-optional pools on Deep Creek with a steep hike in, no facilities, and Forest Service water-quality warnings. Bring water, sunscreen, and sandals.

Downtown Calistoga resort with four geothermal mineral pools (about 80 to 104°F) and spa services, walkable to Main Street and easy to add to a day trip.

Boutique Calistoga stay with two hot-spring mineral water pools on site, close to downtown and Silverado Trail, good for an easy soak between wine-country plans.

Seasonal trail to Lassen's biggest hydrothermal basin, about 3 miles round trip, with boardwalk views of mudpots and vents. No soaking. Late summer to fall.

Natural hillside pools above Buckeye Creek near Bridgeport, reached by rough dirt road and short walk, clothing optional vibe, strong current nearby, go early.

Urban mineral hot-springs spa in Koreatown, LA with men’s and women’s pools, sauna/steam, scrubs, and clothing-optional soaking. Showers first. Bring sandals.

Remote Benton soak-and-stay with private hot tubs at tub sites, clothing optional behind fences, no day use, plan fuel and groceries first ahead.

Adults-only Desert Hot Springs resort with mineral pools, hot tubs, and day spa access. Easy drive from Palm Springs, bring sun protection. No under-18s.

San Diego County park with campground and hot spring pools, including a family pool and a wading pool, in the desert foothills east of Julian.