Despite its proximity to a densely populated area, this hot spring is shrouded in mystery.
It is protected by a hiking trail that no one wants to go on.
Caution
There is a risk that you may be considered to be trespassing. Please consider this based on the latest local information.
Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park
There seem to be many readers living in Orange County, California.
A 40-minute drive southeast from Anaheim, home to Disneyland Resort and Angel Stadium.
This is where State Route 74, also known as the Ortega Highway, is about to cross the Santa Ana Mountains.
The hot spring is only about 150 feet away in a straight line from the highway.
However, access to the surrounding area was strictly restricted, and it was covered by forbidding protective fences.
Hot Springs Canyon Road branches off near the Forest Service fire station, and a well-maintained picnic area could be seen along the road, but it was off-limits.
It appears to be available only to concerned parties approved by the Board of Education.
To legally approach the hot springs, you must turn off Ortega Highway and enter Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park.
Admission starts at $3.00 per vehicle.
A beautiful county park with a campground.
However, it is a 10-mile round-trip walk to the hot springs from here.
To get to the hot springs along the highway, you have to walk a very long distance.
The first half of the road had its own enjoyable scenery.
The second half of the trip was completely parallel to the busy highway, and the noise from the passing cars was exhausting.
It can be said that the county that owns the hot springs wishes to avoid the public's use of them, and the ridiculous hiking trail effectively keeps their existence a secret.
The historically important San Juan Hot Springs should not be forgotten.
It is said that there were a considerable number of Native American settlements around the hot springs even before the Spaniards settled in the area.
A rectory was built near the hot springs as part of the grounds of Mission San Juan Capistrano, which was established by the Catholic Church in 1776.
A guidebook published in 1888 listed it as an important destination for tourists, and by the 1920s it had grown into a major tourist destination representing Orange County.
It was said to be effective against rheumatism and syphilis, and hotels, bathhouses, swimming pools, and dance halls were built.
After being forced to close during the Great Depression, it became notorious in the 1960s as a hangout for rowdy hippies.
After being devastated by drug abuse, indecent acts and a murder case, the hot spring was later revived as a private hot spring resort between 1980 and 1992.
The operators at the time had enjoyed success with another hot spring resort in San Luis Obispo, the Sycamore Mineral Springs, but San Juan Hot Springs was a failure.
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ReferenceSycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa - Hot Springs in California
If you like hot springs that smell like rotten eggs, you can't miss this place! This luxury hotel is a perfect excursion from Los Angeles. Be careful when booking a stay It takes about three hours to drive northwest along ...
According to the operator, the California Department of Transportation cut down trees in the area when they expanded the Ortega Highway.
The soaking area, which had been attractive for its remote atmosphere, was now completely visible from the noisy road, and this was said to be causing problems for the business.
After the business closed down, the county that had been leasing the land was unable to find an effective way to use the hot springs, and to this day.
Legendary Hot Springs
Well, the mind-numbing hike is over.
On the slope a little way down from the trail, we found several sources.
The temperature of the most active source was 118 degrees F.
The amount of water that gushed out was quite large, and it was gushing out naturally with bubbles containing a sulfur smell.
The overflowing water went into the multiple hot pools arranged in a stair-like formation.
Apart from this, there were also a few pools of warm water that were slowly seeping out of the ground.
I was surprised that these delicate geothermal activities have been preserved in their original state.
Orange County took the mysterious approach of not developing, not destroying, but leaving things as they were.
When the legendary San Juan Hot Springs once again becomes a representative spot for the area, I will revisit here.
Summary
San Juan Hot Springs, San Juan Capistrano, California, U.S.
My rating
Type: Undeveloped
Rule: Clothing recommended
Chemical use: No
Water temp: Up to 118 degrees F
