# Las Cruces Hot Springs, California

Las Cruces Hot Springs in California. 99°F (37°C). Short Walk · Public Land. Santa Barbara County.

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

## Can you soak at Las Cruces Hot Springs?

The water leaves the ground at 99°F, a comfortable soaking temperature. It's a short walk from the road. We haven't confirmed whether it has a pool or charges a fee.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 99°F (37°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Access | Short Walk · Public Land, 0.2 mi from the nearest road (Gaviota Peak Trail) |
| Land | Gaviota State Park, SPR |
| County | Santa Barbara County |
| Nearest town | Buellton |
| Coordinates | 34.50300, -120.21900 |
| Best months to soak | January, February, December (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | MT. FIGUEROA CAMPGROUND, 20.8 mi |

## About Las Cruces Hot Springs

Las Cruces Hot Springs is the name on file for what Wikipedia calls Gaviota Hot Springs, a pair of pools inside Gaviota State Park in Santa Barbara County, roughly eight miles from Buellton. The water is warm, right about body temperature. State park land, public access Open. A third name, Sulphur Springs, also turns up.

The pools are a short walk off the Gaviota Peak Trail, a quarter mile or less. No elevation is on record. The climate is mild and dry: no snow, thirteen or so inches of rain, averages in the low sixties. The land is California state park ground. The campground on record is Mt. Figueroa, twenty-one miles away.

Wikipedia treats this as Gaviota Hot Springs, with two pools reached from the Gaviota Peak trail, and notes that Las Cruces Hot Springs and Sulphur Springs are alternate names.

Best time of year per the record: December through February. The water is comfortable, no heat warning needed. State park rules and hours apply. No fee is listed. The record has neither chemistry nor a photograph.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Santa Maria](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/california/santa-maria), 32 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in California](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california)
- [San Marcos Hot Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/san-marcos-hot-spring): 110°F source, Short Walk, near Goleta, Santa Barbara County
- [Montecito Hot Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/montecito-hot-springs): 118°F source, Short Walk, near Montecito, Santa Barbara County
- [Little Caliente Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/little-caliente-spring): 90°F source, Hike, near Montecito, Santa Barbara County
- [Agua Caliente Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/agua-caliente-spring-2): 133°F source, Short Walk, near Toro Canyon, Santa Barbara County
- [Boron Spring, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/boron-spring): 72°F source, pH 8.5, Short Walk, near Toro Canyon, Santa Barbara County
- [Newsom Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/newsom-springs): 99°F source, Short Walk, near Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Las Cruces Hot Springs?**
Las Cruces Hot Springs has a water temperature of 99°F (37°C). This is a warm thermal spring.

**Where is Las Cruces Hot Springs located?**
Las Cruces Hot Springs is located in Santa Barbara County, California, near Buellton. Coordinates: 34.5030°N, 120.2190°W.

**How do I get to Las Cruces Hot Springs?**
Las Cruces Hot Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Gaviota Peak Trail (0.2 mi from the road).

**Is Las Cruces Hot Springs free to visit?**
Las Cruces Hot Springs has Open access. It is managed by SPR.

**Can I camp near Las Cruces Hot Springs?**
Yes, Mt. Figueroa Campground is located nearby (20.8 miles away).

## Sources

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