California South
WARNING: There seems to be confusion between 2 nearby but very different places with similar names. People who like one seem not to like the other. Sycamore Springs Inn and Spa is fancier. Please read reviews below.
Please help sort out the mess and separately
email directions to Sycamore Mineral Springs or
email directions to Sycamore Springs Inn and Spa.
indoor and outdoor hot tubs and pools, depending on which one you go to.
clothing required in public areas
fee $ – $$$ depending on which one you go to
notes: .
address: 1215 Avila Beach Drive, San Luis Obispo, CA
how to get there: From Northbound 101:
1. Exit Avila Beach Drive
2. Follow as road curves to the left (west)
3. Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort is located one mile down on the left hand side.
From Southbound 101:
1. Exit Avila Beach Drive (do NOT take “Avila Beach San Luis Bay Drive” exit)
2. Turn right at the stop sign onto Avila Beach Drive
3. Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort is located one mile down on the left hand side.
Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort is situated on 116 acres in the picturesque Avila Valley. Located half way between Los Angeles and San Francisco just one mile off of highway 101, and eight miles from the airport at San Luis Obispo, California.
phone: 805-595-7302 • 1-800-234-5831
email:
shelter: rooms with private outdoor spa,
food: Upscale restaurant on premises (Gardens of Avila) Breakfast & Lunch: 7:30am – 2pm, Dinner: 5pm – 9pm
payment accepted:
massage: Yes
temperature:
Links: www.sycamoresprings.com. Map to springs.
NOTES: Offers on site treatments, retreats, lodging, programs, and activities. The Gardens of Avila is considered by many to be the most romantic restaurant on the Central Coast. In fact, The Gardens was voted one of the “best places to propose” by a poll in the San Luis Obispo New Times weekly newspaper.
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My family and I were so excited about going to Sycamore mineral springs. My mom really loves hot springs and finally found the time for all of us to go. We made reservations well in advance and even called right before we left (from Los Angeles) to confirm. We made the 3 hour drive there and by then it was dark. When we checked in, the guy at the desk said that the water pump is broken and so there is no hot spring water right now. He was neither apologetic nor friendly. In fact, we asked when the water pump broke and he said it’s been broken all day. We were then pretty angry because we had called just 3 hours prior and no one mentioned that the pump was broken. We asked why they didn’t mentioned it when we called, and he just mumbled something lame. We were so disappointed, especially my mom. I was very unhappy because I knew how excited my mom was about this trip. As great as this place is, this type of service is unacceptible. I hope that this was just an exception, but I don’t want to return anytime soon. I recommend that you call before you head there and specifically ask if everything is working, including the water pump. Good luck.
10/1998– I work with a lot of burnt out nurses and Dr.s who could use a
wonderful place to relax. We are going this fri to sycamore springs just to
relax in hot tub ( they’re all private) right off your room on decks, or they
have mineral baths to share with others. I have been there one other time.
Sandi, California, USA
3/30/2000– I spent three days in one of the business suites. It had it’s own
jacuzzi in the side yard with tropical flowers, very private and
secluded with towering trees and a variety of plants to enhance the
landscaping. They give you instructions on how to activate your
private mineral spa. Before we arrived we shopped for our own spa
products in San Luis Obispo to add to the water. It’s simply exquisite
the ambiance. They have hot tubs in the woodsy area above the lodging
which you can use at night admist the stars. It requires strenuous
walking to reach the area it’s on an incline but they have golf carts
that will take you up to these locations if needed. I did not use the
massage therapy, I toured the area it’s atmospheric, I walked down to
Avila and used their massage therapist. It’s a nice stroll and you will
get in your daily exercise. Sycamore Springs has a day spa experience (
walk-in) and you can pay to use the spa area and not have accommodation.
Spa prices were reasonable, reservations required for massages or other
body treatments. So much to do there. Food is good , there’s a garden
area for dining. Friendly staff. Fireplace, computers and phones at each
night stand. We chose the victorian pour post bed our accommodations
were on ground level as you enter the complex with private parking for
our car. More than ample space with complete living room and dining area
that’s suitable for business conferences. When I was there in 1998 some
of the area about the public spa was under restoration. I like that
area (Sycamore) because you can visit Avila Beach which is a scenic
drive from the Sycamore Mineral Springs. It was absolutely relaxing for
me I indulged myself after planning a wedding for my son, they went on
their honeymoon. My sisters and I went for R&R at the Sycamore Mineral
Springs. It’s worthwhile for a combined experience of luxury and
affordable without exorbitant cost as compared to other spa resorts. I’d
do it again!!!!!!!!!!
Willman, USA
5/07/2000– Hi! I love hot springs and I love your website because I have only been to a
couple in California. One of the places I’ve been to is Sycamore. It is
awesome, and friends that I’ve taken there agree. There are about a dozen
redwood tubs nestled into a hillside with huge sycamores overhead. You can
adjust the temperature of the water. You can buy aromatherapy bath packets
for the tubs at the check-in, but the sulfer smell overpowers, so it is not
worth the money. The tubs are very private with small redwood decks
attached. A few tubs are larger and can fit around 6 people. The small ones
are designed for two. The spa and hotel attached to the springs are very
classy and I would definitely stay there someday. The San Louis Obispo area
is gorgeous and it is an easy weekend getaway from Los Angeles, where I
reside. I give these springs a 10 for location and service. Keep up the
website!
Molly, Los Angeles, California, USA
8/27/2000–
Just up the road at the same exit [as Avila Hot Springs] is the much fancier Sycamore Springs
Inn and Spa where you can stop in and get a private room bath for $12.50
per adult for 1 hour. Looks like a good place to stay without kids.
Erik, California, USA
10/14/2000–
This is a resort type hot spring with redwood tubs available for rent by
the hour, a few larger tubs for families and larger groups, and a
community pool. The many times I have gone there either to use the
by-the-hour tubs or to stay overnight have been very enjoyable. The
rooms are very comfortable 2 room suites with a private tubs. There is a
very good resturant on grounds, and the prices are affordable. Massages
are available by appointment. The grounds are well landscapped and
peaceful, the by-the-hour tubs are each secluded and very private. Just
down the road about 3 miles is Avila Beach, which is just now being
rebuilt, about 10 miles up highway 101 is San Luis Obispo.
Linda F., San Jose, California, USA
2/10/2001– My husband and I had a wonderful 24 hours at Sycamore 2 years ago. This is a bit on the snobby side and they have lots of ways for you to spend lots of money (boo!). But each room has a tub (although only some are supplied by the springs so check). The outdoor pools on the hill were our favorites.
Jean, USA
5/10/2002– My girlfriend and I have been here a few times. Its just off 101, south of San Luis Obispo. I can’t remember the prices but it was hourly rates for the tub rentals. They have about 20 tubs scattered on an oak covered hillside with moderate privacy at each tub. Water is plenty hot and the setting is really nice. The water has a lot of sulfur.
They have a full hotel with private tubs in every room as well but I have not stayed in those.
Jeremy, USA
10/21/2002– This is the Sycamore mineral springs that is a resort, not a campground. I think they are owned by the same people. They are both on Avila beach road, right off the 101. First you go by the campground and hot swimming pool on the right and then a little further down you can turn left into the other one. I’ve never been to the campground one, the other tubs are just too great to do anything else but go there.
Great place, you can just stop in for a soak on your way up the 101. It is
right off freeway on an oak filled slope. A bunch of different, totally
private, small redwood tubs. Natural hot spring water, control the temp
yourself. $12/ hr, or you can stay in hotel for about $150 a night and have a
hot tub with your suite but they do get full and busy sometimes. They have
full set of treatments and restaurant and bar a little walk from tubs. Food
is a bit overpriced for the quality, but ambiance is nice. 5 min drive to
beach too. I think you can soak for free if you go between midnight and 7am,
but I forget if that is for hotel guests only. There are some deals like
that, worth calling and asking.
Thanks for keeping up the site, it’s nice to have resources like this to turn to.
Roxane, Los Angeles, CA, USA