Little Caliente Hot Springs
- Free
- Roadside
A primitive, undeveloped hot spring on the Santa Barbara Ranger District, a short walk from Mono Campground beyond Pendola Station. The Forest Service treats it as day-use only, with no camping at the springs. The Little Caliente Picnic Area and Mono Campground are closed under a storm-damage order through September 15, 2027.
Little Caliente Picnic Area and Mono Campground closed by LPNF order 05-07-54-26-09 until Sep 15, 2027; Little Caliente Rd closed to vehicles.
- Price
- Free
- Nearest town
- Santa Barbara
- Hike (one way)
- Roadside
Plan your visit
Tickets & booking
| Price |
|
|---|---|
| Access | Free public access |
On site
| Lodging | No |
|---|---|
| Camping nearby | Yes |
| Land manager | USFS |
Not stated by the land manager: swimwear, ages, dogs.
Soak responsibly
- Pack out everything, including food scraps and toilet paper. Use WAG bags where required.
- No soap, shampoo or sunscreen in the pools; rinse away from the water.
- Check permits and closures with USFS before you go.
- Keep groups small and give others space. Respect posted dog and camping rules.
Water temperature
This venue doesn't publish pool temperatures.
What's here
- primitive undeveloped pools
- day-use only, no camping at the springs
- short walk from Mono Campground
- Upper Santa Ynez backcountry
Getting there
| Elevation | 1,631 ft |
|---|---|
| Road |
|
| Trail |
|
Things to do near Santa Barbara
First Crossing Day Use Area
Santa Ynez River picnic area off Paradise Road; $10 vehicle fee collected by the concessionaire.
Campgrounds
- P-Bar Flat Campground2 mi
- Middle Santa Ynez Campground2.6 mi
- Rock Camp Campground2.8 mi
- Cottam Camp2.8 mi
Trailheads
- Cold Spring5.9 mi
- Cold Spring Trail6 mi
- Ridge Trail6 mi
- Las Barrancas Trail6.7 mi
Straight-line distances. Campground and trailhead data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Nearby springs
Big Caliente Hot Springs
A day-use hot spring in the Upper Santa Ynez area of Los Padres National Forest, and the only spring on the forest modified with a small concrete retention structure. It sits beside the Big Caliente Picnic Area at the end of a long dirt-road drive from San Marcos Pass. The picnic area is closed under a storm-damage order through September 15, 2027.
Willett Hot Springs
Primitive hot springs in the Sespe Wilderness, about 9 miles east of Piedra Blanca Trailhead on the Sespe River Trail and then 0.6 mile past Willett Camp. The area is open only to foot and horse travel, and parking at the trailhead requires a recreation pass. The Forest Service lists it among the four hot springs on Los Padres open to visitors.
Gaviota Hot Springs
Two small warm sulfur springs in the uplands of Gaviota State Park, reached by a somewhat steep climb on the Gaviota Peak Fire Road. The trail starts from a parking lot about 2.5 miles north of the main park entrance, where Highway 1 splits from U.S. 101. The park map puts the springs 0.7 mile from the lot, and the fire road continues on to Gaviota Peak.
Big Caliente Hot Springs: 3 mi · Willett Hot Springs: 33 mi · Gaviota Hot Springs: 35 mi
Sources (7)
· checked November 2026
Prices, hours and rules are checked against the official site and land-agency pages. Spot something out of date? Let us know.