# California Hot Springs, California

California Hot Springs in California. 122°F (50°C). Roadside. Kern County.

- Page: https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/california-hot-springs
- Source: Soaking Springs, researched and maintained by Armen Suny
- Updated: 2026-09-14

## Can you soak at California Hot Springs?

Only once it cools. The water leaves the ground at 122°F, hotter than any hot tub. You can drive right up to it. We haven't confirmed whether it has a pool or charges a fee.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 122°F (50°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 3,178 ft |
| Access | Roadside, 129 ft from the nearest road (Hot Springs Drive) |
| County | Kern County |
| Nearest town | Alta Sierra |
| Coordinates | 35.88100, -118.67000 |
| Best months to soak | January, February, December (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | HOLEY MEADOW, 5.8 mi |

## About California Hot Springs

California Hot Springs gave its name to the small community around it in the southern Sierra foothills. The water comes out hot, well above anything a body can sit in without cooling. It lies a stone's throw off Hot Springs Drive. Nobody has recorded who may use it. The nearest town we list for this entry is unreliable, so go by the county and the map.

Foothill country a bit over three thousand feet up, where the Sierra begins to lift out of the valley. The spring is roadside, a few dozen paces from Hot Springs Drive. Snow falls in winter and rainfall is moderate. Land ownership is not on file. Holey Meadow campground is the closest we list, around six miles off.

The community is a census designated place in its own right and used to go by Deer Creek Hot Springs. Wikipedia puts it twenty miles east of Ducor and notes that it keeps its own post office.

Our data names the winter months as best, which is also when snow is most likely on the roads. Holey Meadow is the place to camp. The water is above 110 degrees, so test it before putting a hand in. There is no fee record and nothing on access, so confirm the spring is open before making the drive.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Porterville](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/california/porterville), 24 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in California](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california)
- [Ward Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/ward-spring): 70°F source, Roadside, near East Porterville, Tulare County
- [Hot Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/hot-spring-kern-county): 113°F source, Short Walk, near Kernville, Kern County
- [Soda Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/soda-spring-2): 72°F source, Roadside, near East Porterville, Tulare County
- [Scovern Hot Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/scovern-hot-springs): 133°F source, Roadside, near Lake Isabella, Kern County
- [Remington Hot Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/remington-hot-springs): Short Walk, near Bodfish, Kern County
- [Miracle Hot Sprs, Hobo Hot Sprs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/miracle-hot-sprs-hobo-hot-sprs): 119°F source, Roadside, near Bodfish, Kern County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at California Hot Springs?**
California Hot Springs has a water temperature of 122°F (50°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is California Hot Springs located?**
California Hot Springs is located in Kern County, California at 3,178 feet elevation, near Alta Sierra. Coordinates: 35.8810°N, 118.6700°W.

**How do I get to California Hot Springs?**
California Hot Springs has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Hot Springs Drive (129 ft from the road).

**Can I camp near California Hot Springs?**
Yes, Holey Meadow is located nearby (5.8 miles away).

**Is it safe to soak at California Hot Springs?**
With care. At 122°F California Hot Springs is hot enough to need short sessions, fifteen to twenty minutes, and plenty of water. Enter slowly and get out if you feel light-headed.

## Sources

- USGS thermal springs records, Water Quality Portal lab analyses, OpenStreetMap, Wikipedia/Wikidata, NOAA climate normals
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Hot_Springs,_California