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San Juan Hot Springs Ortega Highway

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San Juan Hot Springs Ortega Highway

San Juan Hot Springs adjacent to Highway 74 has seen better days. There is not much left except for a couple of pools of hot steamy water. In the 60s and early 70s, San Juan Hot Springs was a hippie hangout. Before that, there were San Juan Capistrano Hot Springs.

Ortega Highway Hot Springs

In the late 1800s, a commercial resort was built around San Juan Hot Springs that lasted until abandoned in the 1940s. The resort featured an Olympic-size swimming pool, rental cabins, hot tubs, and a dance hall. All that is left of the resort is three residences and ruins of a couple of the other buildings.

Ortega Hot Springs Hotel

Early buildings, including the rental cabins at San Juan Hot Springs Resort.

san-juan-hot-springs-resort

1880 Hotel at Ortega Hot Spring

From 1980 to 1992, the Ortega Hot Springs were leased to an entrepreneur who reopened the site as a public spa. The Hot Springs were back in business with redwood hot tubs and a swimming pool in the same space as the demolished old pools. For about ten years, the spa was active, then the owner Russ Kiessig called it quits and returned to managing Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort near Avila Beach.

San Juan Hot Springs Ortega Highway

As you can see from these images, there is not too much left of the hot springs. There used to be three small pools in this area, each hotter than the next; the center is filled with rocks, and the two outer pools are nearly filled in. One small pool has been cleared up and is suitable for a one-person soak.

Natural Hot Springs Ortega Highway California

Today the hot Springs are accessible with five-mile and a wilderness permit. Reaching the springs via a shorter route from Hot Springs Canyon Drive is possible. However, this area is posted as a wilderness area with no trespassing signs. Wilderness permits can be purchased at Ronald A. Caspers Wilderness Park.

Ortega Highway Road Trip

List of California Hot Springs

Mission San Juan Capistrano

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Comments

  1. marcos nunez says

    I went in 1992, I would guess they closed very soon there after. They were in pretty good shape, redwood tubs in the ground with dimly lit paths to private tubs. I really enjoyed it.

  2. Mike says

    I went there in about 1973 with my mother. We had a very enjoyable soak in a redwood hot tub, Here is a photo of their brochure at that time.

    • Michele says

      I 1983. Not positive but the Red Wood Tubs the natural Hot waters were my most enjoyed . We Also used the mountains to practice shooting skeet shooting also riding the Harley-Davidson up and down the mountain it was an awesome time .

  3. Octavia says

    Oh my! Bartenders and cocktail servers from south county would head to to those hot tubs every night after our shifts to chill out! Shout out to the Delaneys crew! The Whistle Stop! The Rib Rack! La Chinoise!

  4. A. says

    I truly wish the SJC ortega hot springs would be renovated and open to the public again. Just a thought…it could be handled responsibly with a small daily charge (for use) or a reasonable monthly charge for frequent users. Proceeds can go toward the upkeep expenses. We have a natural historic treasure that shouldn’t go to waste.

  5. John Fields says

    I’m 58 now, but “back in the day,” 40 years ago or so, a group of us would visit San Juan Hot Springs. We were from Glendora and were very respectful of the site. My friend even got in a tussle with some jack ass who was trashing the place. Anyway, if it’s ever restored for use by respectful folks, I’d love to take my wife there some time. Please let me know how I can help and what the status of the restoration is.

    Thanks,

    John

    • DayTrippen says

      Thanks for the comment John

      Chances of the San Juan Hots Spring being restored and open to the public are slim, but you never know.

      You might be interested in this list of California Natural Hot Springs.

  6. Patrick Crowley says

    I would like to help you preserve the springs.

    I am a SJC resident downtown homeowner for 28 years and would love to help.
    Please let me know how . . .

    Patrick Crowley
    949 542 9205

  7. Jake Smandi says

    I’m not going to explain how, but there is still a way in (without the overly-long hike). Also, a small number of individuals have taken up the task of re-digging the springs as well as thoroughly cleaning them. It is- will be- a great spot for those of us respectful enough to responsibly use the pools again.

    • Austin Orville says

      Hey jake. is there anyway I am able to reach you maybe email or phone? It’s important and no i don’t want to find out how to get to the H.S. I think it would be beneficial if we talked about the hot springs.-

    • Lia Tarantino says

      Hello, I would love to ask how to get to see this. I did the Montecito hot springs trail in Santa Barbara and it was amazing.

  8. Steve Wiegand says

    There were numerous pools after the original site was abandoned and yes folks of the hippie type would venture there including myself. It was commercialized again and failed.
    Great memories from 67 to the very early 70’s when too many people ruined it by leaving bottles and condoms and other trash in general.

    • DayTrippen says

      Even during the late 60s, the hot springs were run down. There were three small pools and one larger pool.

      On the other side of Ortega Highway, there was a huge beaver dam.

      Also off Ortega Highway Taneja Falls (another hippie hangout) and Ortega Falls.

      Trailhead parking for Taneja & Ortega Falls are free, no adventure pass needed.

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