maria_so

Besides the Esalen Institure where the public can only reserve betwen 1am to 3am and the Sykes hot springs where you have to hike 10 miles the the sykes hot springs, are there any other hot springs in Big Sur (or Moneterrey/Carmel area)with ocean views that one can go to? I really liked how Esalen has it right off the cliff. Somewhere like that?

Many thanks for the info.

glimmer2

Maria,
No there is nothing else like Esalen for hotsprings. There are some that you can hike to like you mentioned, but I've heard that it's not too great.
There is a place in Avila Beach called Sycamore Hotsprings. I don't know if they have ocean views though.
You did say you were going to Napa also, right?
Calistoga just north of Napa has great hotsprings. Not near the ocean but they are really nice.

maria_so

Hi glimmer. Yes, we're planning on doing a mudbath in Calistoga. Where would you recommend? I found mixed reviews of the sycamore and i was really hoping for ocean views. We still may catch the 1-3am but we want to see how the drive is like first then maybe we can catch dinner and a soak and very slowly make it down the coast back to treebones.
How long would you say the drive is from esalen to treebones?

J_Correa

Esalen to Treebones - I'd say 30 miles, so around an hour's drive? Unless you've got a big moon and no fog, you wont have any ocean views at 1 am though. I would have to REALLY REALLY want hotsprings to be wandering around Big Sur in the wee hours.

maria_so

yeah, it's a full moon while we're there adn we really like hot springs. we will have to decide then. if it's foggy, as you say, then it won't be worth it.

janisj

" . . . very slowly make it down the coast back to treebones." You would have no choice but do it VERY slowly. I agree w/ J_Correa -- that is not a road to be wandering around at 3:30 a.m.

Big Sur is not a Hot Springs sort of place - except for the ones you know about. Just enjoy Big Sur for what it is and don't try to mold it into a different sort of destination.

Do your hot Springs in the wine country . . .

maria_so

Ok. I know you guys are right. I just have this vison of hot springs with ocean views.

Ok, letting it go now....

glimmer2

Indian Springs is very nice in Calistoga. It's a nicer than the other place that people go to, Dr. Something, I forget.

TrvlMaven

Doc Wilkinson's has just undergone a big renovation. I stay there with a group of women friends and it's quite comfortable.

mowmow

If you make a massage appointment at Esalen you can use the hot tubs 1 hour prior and after your massage.