# San Marcos Hot Spring, California

San Marcos Hot Spring in California. 110°F (43°C). Short Walk · Public Land. Santa Barbara County.

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

## Can you soak at San Marcos Hot Spring?

The water leaves the ground at 110°F, a comfortable soaking temperature. It's a short walk from the road. 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 | 110°F (43°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 1,486 ft |
| Access | Short Walk · Public Land, 0.5 mi from the nearest road (Chumash Highway) |
| Land | Los Padres National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Santa Barbara County |
| Nearest town | Goleta |
| Coordinates | 34.53700, -119.87900 |
| Best months to soak | February, December, January (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | FREMONT CAMPGROUND, 3.4 mi |

## About San Marcos Hot Spring

San Marcos Hot Spring sits in Los Padres National Forest, in Santa Barbara County about seven miles from Goleta. The water comes out hot, right at the top of the range most people can soak in. It is on Forest Service ground and open, and the spring is half a mile from the Chumash Highway. Fremont Campground is a few miles away.

National forest foothills under fifteen hundred feet, with no snow and a winter rainy season. The walk in is half a mile from the Chumash Highway. The Forest Service lists access as open; nothing is on record about a fee. The annual average is mild, and the rain that does fall comes mostly in the cool months.

Aim for February, or December and January. Fremont Campground is close, roughly three and a half miles. It is hot enough to be uncomfortable at first, so ease in and check the temperature before committing; it sits right on the line between soaking warm and too hot. No fee is listed.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Carpinteria](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/california/carpinteria), 23 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in California](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california)
- [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
- [Las Cruces Hot Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/las-cruces-hot-springs): 99°F source, Short Walk, near Buellton, 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
- [Vickers Hot Springs, CA](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/california/vickers-hot-springs): 124°F source, Roadside, near Meiners Oaks, Ventura County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at San Marcos Hot Spring?**
San Marcos Hot Spring has a water temperature of 110°F (43°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is San Marcos Hot Spring located?**
San Marcos Hot Spring is located in Santa Barbara County, California at 1,486 feet elevation, near Goleta. Coordinates: 34.5370°N, 119.8790°W.

**How do I get to San Marcos Hot Spring?**
San Marcos Hot Spring has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Chumash Highway (0.5 mi from the road).

**Is San Marcos Hot Spring free to visit?**
San Marcos Hot Spring has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.

**Can I camp near San Marcos Hot Spring?**
Yes, Fremont Campground is located nearby (3.4 miles away).

## Sources

- USGS thermal springs records, Water Quality Portal lab analyses, OpenStreetMap, Wikipedia/Wikidata, NOAA climate normals