Spring
This 81-degree thermal spring emerges in Merced County's oak-dotted foothills where the San Joaquin Valley rises toward the inland mountains, providing water approximately 18 degrees warmer than the region's 63-degree ambient temperature. The modest thermal anomaly sits at 1,257 feet in one of California's drier regions.
Reaching this spring requires a short walk of roughly 210 feet through grassland terrain characteristic of the valley's transition zone. The landscape features golden annual grasses, scattered oak trees, and exposed rock outcrops visible across rolling terrain. The area's arid climate—only 11 inches of annual precipitation and virtually no snow—means vegetation patterns shift seasonally as dry-season brown gives way to brief spring green.
Access requires a moderately short walk from parking areas. The spring's modest temperature differential means it's most pleasant during cooler months when ambient temperatures dip below the water's warmth. Late fall through early spring offers the best visiting window. Expect minimal shade and exposed terrain—bring sun protection and water.
The spring emerges at the boundary between the San Joaquin Valley's alluvial plain and the foothills' fractured bedrock, tapping into warm groundwater from circulation through deep crustal faults. This zone experienced significant settlement during California's agricultural boom and continues as ranching and farming country.
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Spring is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear.
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