Montecito Hot Springs
Checked October 2026 · Sources
Montecito Hot Springs is a wild soak in the Los Padres National Forest, California, about 14 minutes' drive from Santa Barbara: 118 F water at the source (1980 survey), a 0.5-mile walk from the nearest road.
- Wild
- Walk 0.5 mi
about 14 min
5.3 mi from Santa Barbara, no traffic
Drive times computed with GraphHopper; map data OpenStreetMap contributors.
The facts
- Water
- 118 F at the source, not the poolQuoted from the NOAA Thermal Springs List, checked Oct 11, 2026 (1980 survey), entry MONTECITO HOT SPRINGS
- Walk
- 0.5 miles one way from the nearest roadComputed on an OpenStreetMap foot route · start 34.46153, -119.64437
- Fee
- Not paying a recreation fee is prohibited, and the fine for a first offense of nonpayment may not exceed $100. Forest Service general rule
No fee posted for this spring that we found (checked Oct 13, 2026)What the Forest Service says
Exact wording: Forest Service rules page.
- Permit or reservation
- None posted by the agencyChecked on the Forest Service, checked Oct 14, 2026
- Clothing
- Being publicly nude is prohibited on a national forest only when an order says so; the regulation lists it among the things a forest order can prohibit. Forest Service general rule
What the Forest Service says
Exact wording: Forest Service rules page.
- Dogs
- At Forest Service developed recreation sites, an animal other than a service animal must be crated, caged, on a leash of 6 feet or less, or otherwise under physical restrictive control, and may not be brought into a swimming area. Forest Service general rule
What the Forest Service says
Exact wording: Forest Service rules page.
- Managed by
- USDA Forest Service, Los Padres National Forest
- Last checked
- October 2026
Trail and trailhead
Road access
- Distance
- 0.5 mile one wayComputed on an OpenStreetMap foot route
- Climb
- About 20 ft up and 420 ft down, one wayComputed from USGS 3DEP elevations at 22 points on our route, Oct 14, 2026 (rough)
- Start
- Road access34.46153, -119.64437
Water temperature
118 F at the source, from NOAA's Thermal Springs List (1980 survey). That is where the water leaves the ground; the pool you sit in is cooler.
Quoted from the NOAA Thermal Springs List, checked Oct 11, 2026 (1980 survey), entry MONTECITO HOT SPRINGS
Fees and rules
Do you have to pay to go to Montecito Hot Springs?
No fee posted for this spring that we found (checked Oct 13, 2026). Forest Service general rule
Forest Service general rule: see The facts.
Do you need a permit or reservation for Montecito Hot Springs?
None is posted. not posted
Checked on the Forest Service, checked Oct 14, 2026
Clothing and dogs
Forest Service general rule Forest Service general rule: see The facts.
Forest Service general rule Forest Service general rule: see The facts.
Seasons and winter access
Road and gate closures: check Forest Service alerts, Los Padres National Forest.
Before you go
- No permit or reservation is posted.
- Check Forest Service alerts, Los Padres National Forest before you drive.
Getting there
Drive times from each town's center, no traffic (computed).
Both open at the start, the road access point, not at the pool.
Nearby hot springs (2)
All 13 hot springs in CaliforniaSouthern California hot springs (3)
Questions
Is Montecito Hot Springs free?
How long is the hike to Montecito Hot Springs?
Is Montecito Hot Springs clothing optional?
Can I bring my dog?
Sources and last checked
Page last checked October 2026 (the oldest date below).
- ncei.noaa.gov/access/metadata/landing-page/bin/iso: water temperatureChecked Oct 11, 2026
- Walk: 0.5 mi, computed on an OpenStreetMap foot route (FOSSGIS routing, foot profile) from 34.46153, -119.64437Map data OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL
- Drive times from Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo: computed with GraphHopper 11.1, car profile, no trafficOpenStreetMap extract of Oct 12, 2026
- Climb: computed from USGS 3DEP elevations along our OpenStreetMap foot routeComputed Oct 14, 2026