Sycamore Mineral Hot Springs

## Overview Sycamore Mineral Hot Springs is a beloved natural hot springs destination nestled in a lush canyon along Avila Beach Drive, just minutes from the coast in San Luis Obispo County, California. Situated at the base of the San Luis Range, the springs have been drawing visitors for well over a century. The thermal mineral waters here are naturally heated by geothermal activity deep beneath the earth's surface, rising through ancient fault lines in the region's volcanic and sedimentary geology. The springs have a long history of use. The Chumash people, who inhabited California's Central Coast for thousands of years, are believed to have valued the area's geothermal waters. In the late 1800s, the site was developed as a resort destination, and it has operated in various forms ever since. Today, Sycamore Mineral Hot Springs is a full-service resort and spa, offering private hillside hot tubs fed by the natural mineral water, overnight accommodations, a restaurant (the Gardens of Avila), and spa services. The mineral water has historically been prized for its warmth and mineral content. Visitors have long reported that soaking in the naturally heated water — which emerges at elevated temperatures — provides a deeply relaxing experience. The water is rich in dissolved minerals, which has contributed to the springs' reputation as a therapeutic destination. ## Directions 1. From **US-101** in San Luis Obispo, take the **Avila Beach Drive exit** (Exit 196). 2. Head west on **Avila Beach Drive** toward the coast. 3. Continue approximately **1.5 miles** along Avila Beach Drive. 4. **Sycamore Mineral Hot Springs** will be on your **right** at **1215 Avila Beach Drive**, set back from the road in a wooded canyon. 5. Look for the resort entrance and signage. Parking is available on-site. The resort is located between the town of San Luis Obispo and Avila Beach, making it an easy stop whether you're coming from the north or south along the Central Coast. ## What to Expect Sycamore Mineral Hot Springs is a developed, commercially operated hot springs resort rather than a wild or backcountry spring. Visitors can rent private open-air hot tubs scattered along a wooded hillside, each filled with the site's natural mineral water. The tubs are available 24 hours a day, and nighttime soaks under the stars are especially popular. The setting is scenic and tranquil — the resort sits in a narrow, oak- and sycamore-shaded canyon with abundant greenery. The hillside tubs offer varying degrees of privacy and views of the surrounding landscape. Because this is a commercial facility, reservations are recommended, especially on weekends and holidays. Day-use soaking, spa treatments, and overnight stays in on-site rooms and suites (many with private balcony tubs) are all available. The on-site restaurant, Gardens of Avila, offers dining in a garden setting. The springs are accessible year-round and are located at a low elevation near the coast, so the climate is mild. The drive from San Luis Obispo takes roughly 10 minutes, and Avila Beach is just a few minutes farther down the road — making it easy to combine a soak with a beach visit.