Country
United States
Reviews
No reviews yet
Family friendly
Yes
Terrain
Rock
Season
October to May (avoid just after heavy rain)
About Montecito Hot Springs
Montecito Hot Springs is a cluster of small, informal soaking pools in Hot Springs Canyon in the Santa Ynez foothills directly above Montecito, east of Santa Barbara. The Chumash used the springs long before a hotel was built beside them in the 1870s; that hotel later became a private club and burned in the 1964 Coyote fire, and only ruins and old pipes remain. The land was added to Los Padres National Forest in 2013. The pools are not an official facility: hikers have stacked rocks to dam the spring water into a series of basins that step down the canyon, hottest at the top and cooler below, with a sulphur smell and a bluish tint. Most are shallow, around two feet deep, with temperatures from warm to about body heat, and their number and quality shift after storms. A hand-lettered clothing-optional sign marks the area, and nude or partly nude soaking is common, especially in the upper pools, though plenty of people wear suits. It is a popular spot, and a dozen or more people can share the upper pools at busy times. There are no toilets or bins at the springs, and the steep canyon gets hot in summer.
Legal context & local rules
The springs are on Los Padres National Forest land; the clothing-optional sign is hand-made, not an official designation, and the Forest Service says the pools were built by hikers without approval. County parking restrictions at the trailhead are enforced.
Public nudity is largely prohibited in the US under indecent exposure laws which vary significantly by state. Vermont has no state-level law against public nudity, making it unique. Florida designates specific beaches as clothing-optional (Haulover Beach, Blind Creek State Park). Federal jurisprudence under the First Amendment has occasionally recognised nude expression in protests, though states regulate for public decency standards. Most states prohibit exposure of "sexual organs" in public under statutes similar to Florida Statute § 800.03.
What’s here
Getting there and visiting
Start at the Hot Springs Canyon trailhead at East Mountain Drive and Riven Rock Road in Montecito. The small lot holds only about eight to ten cars, parking is banned before 8 am and after sunset, and county restrictions limit street parking, so come early on a weekday or use a rideshare. The rugged trail climbs about 800 feet in roughly 1.2 to 1.4 miles to the pools (about 2.5 miles round trip), crossing the creek at a point that is easy to miss; watch for poison oak. It is free, with no toilets or bins: pack out all trash. Not suitable for wheelchairs.
What visitors say
Hikers describe a short but steep, poorly marked trail that rewards them with a string of warm, rustic pools and views down to the ocean. Experiences are mixed: some find the pools murky, small and crowded, especially on weekends, while others enjoy the relaxed, social clothing-optional scene at the top. Parking is the most common complaint, with neighbours and new restrictions making it hard to find a spot. Visitors advise going early on a weekday, bringing water and sturdy shoes, and carrying out all rubbish.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Before you go
- 1 Check the current local rules and access conditions before travelling.
- 2 Bring a towel and sit on it when using shared seating.
- 3 Never take photographs of other people without clear consent.
- 4 Respect the venue’s clothing, privacy, and behaviour rules.
Location
⌖View this place on the map
34.4632, -119.6386
Frequently asked questions
Is nudity allowed at Montecito Hot Springs?
A hand-lettered sign marks the pools as clothing optional and nude soaking is common, but it is not an official designation, so many people also wear suits.
How long is the hike?
About 1.2 to 1.4 miles each way with roughly 800 feet of climbing, on a rugged trail with a creek crossing.
Where do I park?
At the small trailhead lot on East Mountain Drive at Riven Rock Road, which fits only about ten cars; no parking before 8 am or after sunset.
Does it cost anything?
No, the hike and the pools are free.
Are there toilets?
No. There are no toilets or bins on the trail or at the springs.
Sources
- Behind this wealthy SoCal neighborhood, you can soak in a rustic hot spring oasis - LA Times via Stars and Stripes (2026)
- Hot Springs Canyon Trail - Modern Hiker (search result)
- Montecito Hot Springs - Secret Los Angeles (search result)
- Hot Springs Trail - Hiking Project (search result)
Researched 25 October 2026 .
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