California Central West
P.O. Box 782, Middletown, California 95461
Phone: (707) 987-2477, toll free 800-622-2477
Email
Website: http://www.harbin.org
PRICES:
Mon-Thu / Fri-Sun,Hol / Weekly
24-hour Visit – Adult $25 $30 $170
24-Hour Visit – Child $15 $20 $115
6-Hour Visit – Adult $20 $25
6-Hour Visit – Child $10 $15
Accommodations: $35 – $230, depending on whether you share a common room or reserve a private room. There’s also a large group lodges and buildings for groups of up to 150.
Directions: About 2 hours NE from San Francisco. Once you arrive in Middletown…
Turn west onto Hwy 175. Drive three short blocks to BARNES ST. (Big Canyon Rd.) and turn RIGHT. Drive 1.2 miles to HARBIN SPRINGS ROAD (fork at the top of the hill), and turn LEFT. Follow road for 2 miles to the gate house.
Map: http://www.harbin.org/map.htm
RIDE SHARE BOARD: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/harbinrideboard
NOTES:
Harbin Hot Springs is a non-profit retreat and workshop center located in the wine region north of San Francisco. Natural spring pools, clothing-optional sun decks, massages with our certified therapists, workshops, 1160 acres of hiking. Food
The Harbin Market sells prepared food, fresh produce, bulk ingredients, snacks, phone cards, toiletries, etc. The vegetarian guest kitchen features basic pans, dishes, utensils, and limited storage (label your bags) and refrigerator space. In addition to the café’s and restaurant on Harbin property, nearby Middletown features a supermarket and numerous restaurants of varying quality. Internet access and lap top plug-in station is located near between the library and the Blue Room Café. A coin-operated Laundromat is located in nearby Middletown.
At least one person in your party must carry a membership to use the facilities.
One Month Trial Membership: $10, Full Year Membership: $30
Reservations for rooms are necessary, but are not needed for camping or day visits. Campers have full use of Harbin facilities, including the trails, pools, showers, guest kitchen, guest refrigerators, etc. Because of fire danger, no campstoves or fires are allowed.
Im 36 yr old now but lived @ harbin when i was 9-12yrs old. In my time there and i have viseted two times sense then as an adalt all times was shocked to see young people 12yrs or younger around naked men on men and kissing groping inbracing sitting on lapes of naked others while the whole time in plan sight of children tis place is not and should not alow kids please lisen yes its very prety and graet but so is the zoo or oean
I really had an unpleasant experience at Harbin . I wanted to meditate in the large, quiet pool, but the lack of consideration on the part of several other bathers, all heterosexual couples, was a drag. They have signs which say "No sexual activity" which go pretty much ignored. Apparently these folks don't consider making out, embracing in the nude & grinding/writhing to be sexual behavior. In general, they were behaving like 8th graders at a school dance in the 70s, and it was distracting. Not too much meditation going on there.
Even when asked to refrain, they stopped awhile and went right back to it, as soon as security was gone. It made me feel uncomfortable since these people take over the quiet tubs, so all that's left for "meditation" is the scalding hot small pool or the big warm pool with kids. Not a very meditative experience at all. Someone even took my towel from the dressing room. And finally, to top it all off, our food went missing, along with my late mom’s cookbook. We never did find it, but about a month later, the Harbin staff did mail the cookbook back with apologies, but I’ll never go back. It was creepy in 1989, and their reputation continues. I’d rather go to Wilbur or Sierra, where people take their healing seriously–not just a place to hook up, or be naked with their hippy &/or yuppy boyfriend…
First hot spring i’ve ever visit was Harbin in January of 2007. We stayed in one of the separate dome looking units which were really nice. The pools were very nice too. I liked the variety of temps of the pools. I felt like everything was clean. And the showers by the larger pool was convenient. Since it was my first time to a hot spring and the fact that I am not used to being around others in the nude left me feeling uncomfortable while in the pools at times. I especially felt uncomfortable when there were more males than females (myself a female) and being younger than most other visitors (I was 22). Other than that it was a very pleasant visit. The only reason I would not go back is because of how I feel uncomfortable about being in the nude in public and around others in the nude in public (maybe its because of my age). If nudity does not bother you, then I say it is a really good place to go and relax. And maybe I happened to go on nudist day or something? just kidding. 😉
I used to frequent Harbin when I lived in SF. It has a distinct Northern California new age vibe. Here is a quote I overheard while sunning on the deck: “Hey kind rainbow sister, would it harsh your mellow if I put my crystals next to your sarong?”
That pretty much sums it up.
7/08/2003- Motorcycle Routes. Harbin Hot Springs in Middletown is a great motorcycling/camping spot.
Quick Review
1. It has great food (vegan and carnivore)at a reasonable cost, so you don’t have to carry food and cooking supplies. Note that campside cooking or fires are not permitted. You may, however, use a communal kitchen. You cannot cook meat in the kitchen, however.
2. You can’t beat the hot springs and pools for relaxation after a long ride. For extra relaxation, get a massage from one of the many massage therapists.
3. You don’t have to bring a lot of extra clothes since the place is clothing optional. There’s something pretty liberating about throwing off your heavy motorcycle clothes and jumping into a tub butt naked. 😉 You also don’t have to worry about changing clothes in a small tent. The Earth is your dressing room!
4. If you are into the zen of motorcycling, it is a great place to bring the spirits of nature, people and motorcycle together. Although the pools can get a bit crowded on weekends, it stays quite and there are plenty of places to hike, read or just veg.
5. Camping/using the hot springs is a bargain at $25-30. You must also buy a membership at $10 (1 mo.) or $30 (1 yr.).
6. Beautiful rides to and fro via Napa, Sonoma, Clear Lake, Lake Berryessa, etc. See this site for some great info: http://www.pashnit.com/motoroads.htm
7. Although the crowded pools can be a turn off for those wanting to escape people, the condition can make it easier for some to bathe in the buff. I know this was true for my wife who found it easier to do this when so many people were doing the same (she always swore she would never bathe nude). The Harbin setting and nude soaking really enhance the natural experience.
Ken, Brisbane, CA, USA
11/29/2002- One of the most wonderful spots on earth. Magnificent hiking trails, great water. A cold pool, a large pool at around 95, and a smaller but sizeable pool at 110-112–right at the limits of what you can take. Children’s wading pool at about 95. Also a sauna and an Olympic-sized pool that they just let adjust to whatever temperature. Pools are silent/whispering only, open 24/7. At the head of a valley. Funky, laid-back, magical. Great restaurant, coffee bar, massages, etc. Huge variety of accommodations, but all unique and well-used. A magical place.
Pam and Dave, Huntington Beach, California, USA
2/23/2002- Gets very busy on weekends, all the new age people show up. Best time during late fall, winter, early spring.
anonymous, USA
6/6/2002- Very nice springs/baths
Isaac, USA
2/23/2002- Gets very busy on weekends, all the new age people show up. Best time during late fall, winter, early spring.
anonymous, USA
4/09/2002- Have visited a number of times. They have 3 pools,one is 110,one 95, and dont know the other, probably mid 80’s I would guess. Also have a cold plunge pool. Last time I visited in Dec day use was $18 but one needed to purchase either a short term or annual membership. Hope this helps a bit.
Jack, USA
4/15/2001- Great place, hard to explain the feeling of it. The food is great, the lodging is a variety of camping, bunks, and hotel units. Weekends can be a bit overdone, because the beautiful people come up from San Francisco and there’s some sort of scene. Several pools, some small pleasant hikes, clothing optional throughout the outdoor areas.
Ed, USA