It didn’t surprise me at all that the venerable Sunset Magazine recently featured an article on the newly restored Murrieta Hot Springs Spa (including a cover story and inclusion in its travel destination list and travel directory), a thermal spa that recently opened just an hour’s drive up the freeway from our home in San Diego.
My love affair with natural hot springs goes back decades. During my 15-year residency in Southern Germany, I had the pleasure of soaking in thermal mineral waters in the nearby spas of Baden-Baden and Bad Tölz, as well as in many other geothermal spas throughout Europe. Whenever we took a family vacation, I insisted it had to be to a destination that offered steamy, and relaxing, mineral waters.
Europeans learned decades ago about the health benefits of mineral baths, fueled by the research done in the 19th century by the Catholic priest Sebastian Kneipp. Plagued with tuberculosis at an early age, Kneipp eventually cured himself by a diet of plant-based and locally-sourced food, as well as a regimen of hot and cold-water immersions. His spirit still lives on across Europe today and his natural health products continue to be sold around the world.
View over the sparkling thermal pools and lush landscaping at Murrieta Hot Springs Photo credit: Joanne DiBona, sandiegoscenicphotos.com
Ironically, it turns out that there was another German connection in the development of the hot springs. In 1902, the German immigrant Fritz Guenther purchased much of the land around the springs with the vision of developing the property into a health spa resort, the likes of which he knew from his home in Bavaria. He achieved his goal, and in the early 20th Century the resort became a vacation and spa therapy spot for many Hollywood stars and socialites who traveled from Los Angeles to Murrieta to “take the waters.”
Southern California residents will no longer have to travel to Europe to find this “fountain of youth and health”. It is now available to be experienced right here in Southern California, in the quaint and historic city of Murrieta, located within easy driving distance from Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego.
We both enjoyed the opportunities to plunge into the mineral waters during our travels to hot springs destinations around the world over the years, which compelled us to drive the hour from our home in downtown San Diego to Murrieta (located near the city of Temecula) to check out this local experience.
A variety of natural mineral pools awaits the visitors to Murrieta Hot Springs Spa. Photo credit: Joanne DiBona, sandiegoscenicphotos.com
It took us around an hour to drive from our home in downtown San Diego to reach this health and vitality mecca via the highway 15 freeway, a drive made more efficient by using the Fast Track lanes which are free to autos carrying two or more passengers. Along the way, my husband, a San Diego native, recalled how his Sicilian parents often traveled the rural back roads by car to Murrieta from their home in San Diego’s Little Italy with him in tow— to “take the waters” for a family close-to-home vacation experience. Even today, the resort carries on the tradition of welcoming families with children to the spa.
Upon arrival at the resort, we enjoyed complimentary parking in the large parking lot that surrounds the property (available for both day and overnight guests). We then made our way to accommodations at the Stone Lodge, part of our two-day sojourn, to report on the transformation of this property into the first-class venue it is today.
The resort went through several owners over the decades, and finally was sold for $50 million in 2022 and underwent an amazing renovation of its historic buildings and thermal pools. This also included a state-of-the-art sauna and fitness center, as well as upgrades to just about every part of this original property.
Our hotel room was beautifully outfitted to modern standards. From a lightening fast internet connection, to an in-room fridge, luxurious bath, etc., guests can enjoy modern conveniences in this restored vintage hotel. As an added bonus, they can snuggle in a plush bed (complete with herbal pillow sprays to promote “heavenly” sleep). Each room at the resort is equipped with a “sleep tray” featuring educational materials on hot spring soaking for recovery and restorative sleep, healthy bedside snacks, earplugs, and other amenities carefully curated by Dr. Marcus Coplin, ND, the medical director of the resort.
We learned later that it was quite an effort to renovate all the historic buildings, since many of them were in dire need of repair, but one would never know this while exploring the grounds and buildings today. Walking along the flower and plant-studded paths along the peaceful lagoon, and admiring the classic buildings along the way, is worth the price of entry alone—not to speak of the opportunity to soak for an entire day in a wide variety of natural thermal pools.
Our two-day immersion into the healing waters also included quite a few interesting experiences. We enjoyed exceptional vegan cuisine (though a variety of other culinary options is available at the resort) created by Mathew Steffen, an acclaimed local chef. We were very much impressed by the vegan dishes he magically created. As parents of a vegan daughter, we know it’s not easy to create such a meal, but Chef Steffen is a master of this challenging art.
Historic buildings and delicious local cuisine aside, “taking the waters” remains the highlight of a visit to Murrieta Hot Springs. Public soaking pools are positioned in all areas of the resort, and one need only to follow the map provided at check in to select a favorite pool option. There’s even a “Vitality Plunge” (aka Polar Plunge), that promises to create many health benefits for those who are willing to soak for a while in the warm water and subsequently plunge into the adjacent cold pool. As previously mentioned, this method was endorsed by Kneipp to cure many ailments.
It was also interesting to note that one of the most state-of-the-art fitness centers we’ve ever visited (and we’ve experienced many on our travels around the world) is the resort’s Dynamis Fitness Center. The center is filled with accomplished staff that takes fitness to the highest level, for visitors of all ages. Overnight resort guests receive access to the center during their stay and day guests can purchase fitness classes at a discounted rate.
Getting Fit in the state-of-the-art Murrieta Fitness Center Photo credit: Tony DiBona
The Bath Hall, one of the resort’s newest restored buildings, is a remarkable achievement. It offers a variety of hot pools under its roof, including pool lifts for the physically challenged. On the top level, a state-of-the art sauna awaits the visitor, with an amazing view out on the valley’s verdant mountains.
In addition to all the therapeutic hot waters and other therapies offered at this resort, and for those who want to enjoy the beauty of nature, this is the place.
We savored our leisurely walks around the lagoon, breathing in the fresh air, disconnecting with the world, admiring the swans as they glided by —and most importantly, connecting with each other.
While we may not have the opportunity to experience the Bavarian and Austrian spas again anytime soon, it is so refreshing to know that we now have this opportunity--right here in our own back yard!
Visit our PHOTO GALLERY for a personal, in- depth look at photos of all the activities we experienced during our visit.