Orr Hot Springs (2004)

CA Central West California Central West

Developed, Small rustic Resort
Description: Rustic retreat nestled in a steep tree lined canyon. A little stream runs through it.
$$
Clothing optional? Yes
Accommodation: Small private cabins and a common sleeping room. Camping.
Address: 13201 Orr Springs Rd, Ukiah, CA 95482
phone: (707) 462-6277
Email:
Website:

DIRECTIONS: About 2 hrs north of San Francisco. Going N on HWY 101, Take the North State St exit – go 0.3 mi, Turn right at N State St – go 0.3 mi, Turn left at Orr Springs Rd – go 6.8 mi.

MAP: http://tinyurl.com/7f7r8

Details: Small, peaceful, no hype, rustic retreat visited mostly by locals and people from San Francisco who like to cook. Facilities include: 3 or 4 funky but clean private cast iron bathtubs with warm water, a small shallow warm outdoor moon view pool, one very hot gazebo hot tub seats about 4-6 (heater goes off around 10pm), new moderately large tile and wood steam or sauna cabins with a little natural light. Wonderful large community omnivore kitchen with great stove, basic cooking gear, utensils, and spices. Large refrigerator and individual food storage bins available. Casual dining room to eat your own cooked meals. Tiny library. Pot bellied stoves often used to heat rooms. Unsecured parking in area across the road from the property. Easy access.

Nearby hiking: Wonderful looped hike through the shady redwoods about 5-10 minute drive down the country road.

NOTES: Orr has gone through extensive renovation over the last several years, though it maintains its quaint charm. Best to check if construction will be going during your planned stay. They don’t seem to volunteer this information over the phone, or give discounts for the disturbance or reduced facilities. Last I heard they were planning to divert warm water to the cold outdoor pool.

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Paraiso Hot Springs (CLOSED)

CA Central West California Central West

(CLOSED)

1 small indoor, 2 large outdoor
Bathing suits required
$35 day use

notes: nice view, best for day visit (reader consensus)
address: Unknown
how to get there: located in Monterey County west of Soledad, CA off US 101phone: 831-678-2882 (updated 1/4/2004)
shelter: camping $35/person, mobile home or shack rentals.
food: picnic area/snack bar
payment accepted: unknown
massage: unknown
temperature: 106F, 96F, and cold

Red Rock Hot Spring

California North


Primative
Description: Coastal hot spring.
$: Free
Clothing optional? Yes
Accommodation: Steep Ravine Campground within hiking distance
Address: Mile marker 1120 on Hwy. 1 just north of Steep Ravine Campground, in Marin County.
Details: BELOW Sea level, only comes out during a -.5′ tide. Tub can hold up to 24 people.

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Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa

CA Central West California Central West

Upscale Spa
Indoor 2 story spa, steam, whirl pool
Clothing optional? No. Coed.
fee: $$$, Payment accepted: unknown

Shelter: upscale suites. Mid Nov – March rooms start at $209 – $529, usually $399-699. Mission Suites have a fireplace, tub for two, and a canopy bed.
Food: yes. B and Breakfast pkgs, restaurant,
massage: yes. Also treatments, salon, and health club.
Nearby activities and services: Babysitting, Golf, Horseback Riding, Business services

Address: 1000 Boyes Blvd, Sonoma, CA 95476
phone: 707 938-9000 fax: 707 938-4250
Email (reservations): smi.reservations@fairmont.com
website (extensive online reservations): www.fairmont.com/sonoma

Directions:

Details: Recent $62 million extensive renovation to the historic building and surrounding. Suites reputed to be highly romantic and upscale. Post massage, the shaded terrace has chaise-side menu service. Located amid urban sprawl.

Hours:
Fitness Center, 6 am – 9 pm
Spa & Salon Appointments, 8 am – 7 pm
Bath House, 7:30 am – 9 pm
Spa Mineral Pool, 7:30 am – 9 pm
Spa Cafe, Mon – Sun, 11 am – 6 pm

Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa

CA Central West California Central West

Upscale Spa
Indoor 2 story spa, steam, whirl pool
Clothing optional? No. Coed.
fee: $$$, Payment accepted: unknown

Shelter: upscale suites. Mid Nov – March rooms start at $209 – $529, usually $399-699. Mission Suites have a fireplace, tub for two, and a canopy bed.
Food: yes. B and Breakfast pkgs, restaurant,
massage: yes. Also treatments, salon, and health club.
Nearby activities and services: Babysitting, Golf, Horseback Riding, Business services

Address: 1000 Boyes Blvd, Sonoma, CA 95476
phone: 707 938-9000 fax: 707 938-4250
Email (reservations): smi.reservations@fairmont.com
website (extensive online reservations): www.fairmont.com/sonoma

Directions:

Details: Recent $62 million extensive renovation to the historic building and surrounding. Suites reputed to be highly romantic and upscale. Post massage, the shaded terrace has chaise-side menu service. Located amid urban sprawl.

Hours:
Fitness Center, 6 am – 9 pm
Spa & Salon Appointments, 8 am – 7 pm
Bath House, 7:30 am – 9 pm
Spa Mineral Pool, 7:30 am – 9 pm
Spa Cafe, Mon – Sun, 11 am – 6 pm

Tassajara Buddhist Meditation Center

CA Central West California Central West

Developed
Description:
This is primarily a retreat for Buddhist meditation and study, located in a secluded valley in the Ventana Wilderness. 5 hrs south of San Francisco, 8 hrs north of Los Angeles. The japanese style baths and facilities are only open to the general public and overnight guests in the summer. There are lots of rules and visitors should research thoroughly before making a reservation… and a reservation seems to be required for everything, including meals. You can’t just show up. It’s hard to get to and a $35 non refundable coach to take one over the treacherous cliffs is recommended.

$$-$$$ Day use 9am – 9pm $25 adults and $12 children. Lunch in the dining room (reservation only) $12 adults and $7.50 children. Bring your own towel. Baths free to overnight guests.
Payment accepted: only checks, cash or travelers’ checks.
Clothing optional? only during the day and in certain places. Coed at night only.
Clothing required in swimming pool.
Accommodation: yurts, cabins, stone rooms start at $127 per person. Work/study guests with shared accommodations and a strict early morning meditation, study, and work, schedule, pay $55 per day for shared guest accommodations (minimum stay of three days). See website for details.
Food: 3 vegetarian meals a day provided to overnight guests.
Address: Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, 39171 Tassajara Rd, Carmel Valley , CA 93924
phone: Reservations (415) 865-1899, For day guest reservations call 831-659-2229 no more than two weeks in advance. Information (415) 865-1895, Work Programs: (831) 659-2229
Email: tassrez@sfzc.org
Website: www.sfzc.org/tassajara (very informative)

Details:
Guest season April 29 – Sept 11, open to the general public for bathing and overnight accommodations. Retreats and workshops available. Morning and evening meditation sessions, and 4pm meditation sessions, open to all wearing dark pants and long sleeves. Bathhouse is Japanese-style and has separate sides for men and women. Co-ed bathing is permitted in the evenings. Each side includes a tiled indoor hot plunge, an outdoor plunge, large decks appropriate for sunning and yoga, a steam room, showers and a small private bath with hot springs and cold water spigots. There are also steps leading down to the creek.

For directions (that includes a coach): see their website

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