Swimming Holes & Hot Springs

California's natural water runs from 35-degree snowmelt to 110-degree volcanic soak, and this guide covers both ends. The Eastern Sierra holds the state's great hot springs: Travertine's terraces above Bridgeport, Wild Willy's boardwalk tubs on the Long Valley caldera, Buckeye's creekside cave, Keough's historic pool, and Saline Valley, deep in Death Valley wilderness at the end of a punishing dirt road. The coast ranges add the resort springs — Harbin, Wilbur, Orr, Vichy, Sierra Hot Springs and Esalen's cliff-edge tubs above the Pacific. On the cold end, the South Yuba's Emerald Pools, the Big Sur River Gorge, God's Bath on the Clavey, Carlon Falls, the Auburn confluence, Arroyo Seco and Malibu's Rock Pool are granite and sandstone swimming holes carved by snowmelt. Filter by type, cost, clothing-optional status and free access.