# Little Caliente Spring, California

Little Caliente Spring in California. 90°F (32°C). Hike · Public Land. Santa Barbara County.

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

## Can you soak at Little Caliente Spring?

The water leaves the ground at 90°F, a comfortable soaking temperature. Reaching it takes a hike. It's on US Forest Service land. We haven't confirmed whether it has a pool or charges a fee.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 90°F (32°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 1,631 ft |
| Access | Hike · Public Land, 1.6 mi from the nearest road (Hildreth Peak Road) |
| Land | Los Padres National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Santa Barbara County |
| Nearest town | Montecito |
| Coordinates | 34.53700, -119.61300 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | UPPER OSO CAMPGROUND, 8.1 mi |

## About Little Caliente Spring

Little Caliente Spring sits in the Los Padres National Forest, Santa Barbara County, about seven miles from Montecito and a hike of over a mile and a half in from the road. The water is warm, at the lower edge of soaking range. Forest Service land, access Open, and no fee so far as the record tells it.

The hike runs about a mile and six tenths from Hildreth Peak Road. Elevation is around sixteen hundred feet. Mild, dry climate: fourteen inches of precipitation, essentially no snow, a low-sixties mean. Upper Oso Campground is eight miles away, the closest the record shows.

On record, the best months are the winter ones. Soaking warm, with no heat warning attached. Access is a hike on Forest Service land. It has been photographed for the record. Chemistry was never sampled, and nothing on file describes the pool itself or how many people use it.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Carpinteria](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/california/carpinteria), 11 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in California](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california)
- [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
- [Montecito Hot Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/montecito-hot-springs): 118°F source, Short Walk, near Montecito, 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
- [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
- [Vickers Hot Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/vickers-hot-springs): 124°F source, Roadside, near Meiners Oaks, Ventura County
- [Stingleys Hot Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/stingleys-hot-springs): 123°F source, Short Walk, near Meiners Oaks, Ventura County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Little Caliente Spring?**
Little Caliente Spring has a water temperature of 90°F (32°C). This is a warm thermal spring.

**Where is Little Caliente Spring located?**
Little Caliente Spring is located in Santa Barbara County, California at 1,631 feet elevation, near Montecito. Coordinates: 34.5370°N, 119.6130°W.

**How do I get to Little Caliente Spring?**
Little Caliente Spring has Hike road access, with the nearest road being Hildreth Peak Road (1.6 mi from the road).

**Is Little Caliente Spring free to visit?**
Little Caliente Spring has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.

**Can I camp near Little Caliente Spring?**
Yes, Upper Oso Campground is located nearby (8.1 miles away).

## Sources

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