When it comes to hot springs near San Jose, you can't go wrong with Mercey Hot Springs. Both the outdoor and indoor baths are small, one-person tubs, so you can enjoy the thermal water while it is still fresh. Casa de Fruta It takes less than two hours to drive from downtown San Jose to Mercey Hot Springs. Casa de Fruta is located halfway between the two and is a good place to take a break. Locally grown vegetables, fruits, and nuts are displayed throughout, and even wine tastings are available. Rustic cabins Leaving I- 5, I thought I saw an oasis in the desolate desert, and it was the Mercey Hot Springs. The San Andreas Fault, which forms the boundary between the Pacific and North American plates, runs nearby. Originally known to the Native Americans, the hot springs did not appear in history until 1848. During the pioneer days of the West, it was a stronghold of outlaws known as the Five Joaquins Gang. The spa resort was built in 1912 after John N. Merci sold the land to a San Francisco real estate agent. Some buildings remain as they were and have been renovated and used. The hot springs had camping sites and cabins for overnight stays. The cabin I stayed in was modest, just barely fitting one bed, like this. In the first place, there is not even electricity in the area, and since the area is self-sufficient in solar power generation, we cannot afford to be extravagant. First, let's take a ...
