Gaviota Hot Springs
- Source temp
- 99°F
- Soakable
- Yes
- Hike
- 1 mi round trip
- Elevation gain
- 400 ft
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Allowed
The source runs about 99°F; the soaking pools run 95 to 115°F at Gaviota Hot Springs, a primitive hot spring in Santa Barbara County, California, managed by California State Parks (Gaviota State Park).
Soaking
| Development | Primitive |
|---|---|
| Source temperature | 99°F |
| Soaking temperature | 95-115°F |
| Pools | 2 |
| Soakable | Yes California State Parks: natural sulfur hot springs in the park backcountry, reached by trail when the park is open. |
| Soaking allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Water type | Spring |
Access
| Hike | 1 mi round trip |
|---|---|
| Elevation gain | 400 ft |
| Road | Paved |
| Road note | Gaviota State Park is about 33 miles west of Santa Barbara on U.S. Highway 101. |
| Parking | Trailhead parking at the end of Gaviota Park Boundary Road off US-101 |
| Fee | Gaviota State Park vehicle day use $10 |
| Hours | Day use 7:00 a.m. to sunset |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Managed by | California State Parks (Gaviota State Park) |
Rules
| Dogs | Allowed |
|---|
Common questions
Common questions
Is Gaviota Hot Springs open?
Hours: Day use 7:00 a.m. to sunset.
How hot is Gaviota Hot Springs?
The spring's source runs about 99°F. The soaking pools run 95 to 115°F. There are 2 pools.
Can you soak at Gaviota Hot Springs?
Yes, swimming is allowed at Gaviota Hot Springs.
How long is the hike to Gaviota Hot Springs?
It's a 1 mi hike round trip with 400 ft of elevation gain. The road in is paved. Gaviota State Park is about 33 miles west of Santa Barbara on U.S. Highway 101. Parking: Trailhead parking at the end of Gaviota Park Boundary Road off US-101.
Do you need a reservation for Gaviota Hot Springs?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is Gaviota Hot Springs free?
The fee is Gaviota State Park vehicle day use $10.
What are the rules at Gaviota Hot Springs?
Dogs are allowed.
Nearby
Nearby
Camping nearby
Public land
Gaviota Hot Springs is inside Gaviota State Park .
Just outside: Los Padres National Forest (0.3 mi) .
Sources
3
- https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=606 (accessed September 30, 2026; backs manager, access.hours, access.fee, access.roadSurface, access.permitRequired, access.roadNote / rules.dogs, hotSpring.soakableReason)
- https://www.hotspringsguides.com/hot-springs/gaviota-state-park-hot-springs-california (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.hikeDistanceMi, access.hikeDistanceBasis, access.elevationGainFt, access.parking, hotSpring.poolCount, hotSpring.soakingTempF, hotSpring.development, hotSpring.soakable, swimmerNotes.swimmingAllowed)
- https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.981233 (accessed September 28, 2026; backs hotSpring.sourceTempF)