Avila Hot Springs
By the HotSpringsFind editorial team · How we compile records · Reviewed September 2026
Avila Hot Springs is a resort hot spring listed near Avila Beach, California. Reported soak temperature: 104°F. See the visit fact sheet.
Current status
Funky family-owned springs (since 1907) 2 miles from Avila Beach at 250 Avila Beach Dr, SLO: a 20x20-ft 104°F artesian mineral soaking pool plus heated 50x100-ft freshwater pool with weekend water slides, open daily 8am-9pm walk-in — $29 adult day, $26 kids/seniors, $18 morning or after-5pm; cabins and tent camping on site.
Checked September 2026 · verified on the operator’s site · 3 sources ↓
Staying overnight?
A coastal stay for Sycamore and Avila Hot Springs.
Avila Beach is about 2 mi from the spring (straight line).
We may earn a commission from bookings through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Before you go
- Status: Open — last verified below — confirm via Avila Hot Springs — official site.
- Cost: Reported $18 — confirm current rates before visiting.
- Getting there: Developed resort — confirm operating hours and any reservation requirement.
- Water: Reported soak temperature 104°F — always test the water before entering.
- Rules: Reported clothing required; pets reported not allowed — confirm current rules.
- Conditions: check weather, fire closures, and land-manager alerts the week you go — mountain access changes seasonally.
- Reservations/permits: none — commercial admission
- Best time to go: Weekday mornings for quiet soaking; weekends get kid-heavy once the slides open at noon.
- Clothing reality: Official: swimwear required — family venue with swim lessons and slides. Customary reality: suited. Not clothing optional.
- Kids: Allowed.
- Cell service: ok — download maps and tell someone your plan.
- Accessibility: Developed facility with pool decks; aging historic property — call (805) 595-2359 about mobility needs.
- ALL SALES FINAL — no refunds/exchanges on passes
- Water slides run weekends only 12-5pm
- Cheaper windows: Morning Pass 8am-noon $18 and Sundowner after 5pm $18 — same pools
- Spectator (non-swimming) pass $10
- Frequent-user options: 15-punch pass $295; morning monthly pass $280
- No pets per community reports (confirm by phone for campground)
- Massage therapy services include a pool day pass
- Cabin and dry tent camping include pool access — next to Bob Jones Bike Trail into Avila Beach
- Hazard: Mineral pool runs ~104°F — hydrate and limit soak time
- Hazard: Historic (1907) facility — expect rustic/funky upkeep, not resort polish
About this spring
Family-friendly artesian hot springs resort discovered by oil drillers in 1907, at the gateway to Avila Beach — a 20x20 ft mineral soaking pool at ~104°F plus a heated freshwater pool with water slides; cabins and camping on site. Fee: Day pass $18-29. Mineral pool small — fills on summer weekends.
Ontario Hot Springs is a hot-water well in southern San Luis Obispo County, California, United States. The geothermally heated water from the well is the central feature of a resort called Avila Hot Springs near Avila Beach.
Text from the Wikipedia article “Ontario Hot Springs”, available under CC BY-SA.
Directions & trailhead access
250 Avila Beach Drive, directly off US-101, 2 mi from the beach.
California geothermal context
California spans several geothermal provinces: the volcanic Cascades and Modoc Plateau in the northeast, Sierra Nevada granite seeps along the eastern front, Mojave and Colorado Desert springs in the south, and the famously mineral-rich Big Sur coast. Fire season (roughly June–November) closes access to many backcountry springs without warning — always check for current fire restrictions.
What a resort site means here
A resort spring is a commercial operation: developed pools or tubs with controlled temperatures, changing facilities, and usually day-use fees or lodging packages. Expect posted rules (swimsuits, quiet hours, age limits), staff on site, and in many cases required reservations — especially on weekends and holidays.
Best time to visit
Year-Round (Best: May – October)Pool temperatures and access can change with weather and season. Outdoor ambient temperatures fluctuate significantly across California. Late spring through autumn offers the most comfortable road access.
Fact sheet
| Reported soak temp | 104°F |
|---|---|
| Source temp (historical) | 104°F |
| Trail access | Recorded coordinates — access unverified |
| Access fee | Reported $18 — verify |
| Clothing policy | Reported clothing required |
| Pet policy | Reported no pets |
| Geothermal data reference | NOAA Thermal Springs List (1980 archive) |
| Check land status | Avila Hot Springs — official site |
Avila Hot Springs FAQ
Is Avila Hot Springs open right now?
Funky family-owned springs (since 1907) 2 miles from Avila Beach at 250 Avila Beach Dr, SLO: a 20x20-ft 104°F artesian mineral soaking pool plus heated 50x100-ft freshwater pool with weekend water slides, open daily 8am-9pm walk-in — $29 adult day, $26 kids/seniors, $18 morning or after-5pm; cabins and tent camping on site. (Status verified on the operator’s site, last checked September 2026.)
Is Avila Hot Springs free?
Avila Hot Springs is listed with reported fees near Avila Beach. Fees are reported; confirm admission, parking and permit costs with the site manager.
What temperature is Avila Hot Springs?
Avila Hot Springs has a reported soak temperature of 104°F and a historical source temperature of 104°F in survey records. Historical data may not reflect current conditions — always test water before entering.
Is Avila Hot Springs clothing optional?
Avila Hot Springs is listed as swimsuit-required in directory records. Confirm current rules before visiting, as policies change.
How do you access Avila Hot Springs?
Avila Hot Springs is a private venue with paid public admission. Confirm current hours, fees and booking requirements with the operator before visiting.
Where to stay in Avila Beach
A coastal stay for Sycamore and Avila Hot Springs. Private tubs and pool admission are separate unless the room rate explicitly includes them.
Avila Beach is about 2 mi from the spring (straight line).
We may earn a commission from bookings through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Sources & references
- Avila Hot Springs — official site — operator · 2026-09
- Yelp — Avila Hot Springs listing (updated Sept 2026) — community · 2026-09
- CATRAVELTIMES Avila guide — community · 2026-05
Details above were verified against the named sources on their listed dates — conditions change, so recheck before traveling. · How we verify our data · Report a correction
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