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Sierra Hot Springs

3.5 star rating
based on 21 reviews

Categories: Hotels, Day Spas  [Edit]

521 Campbell Hot Springs Rd
Sierraville, CA 96126
(530) 994-3773
Hours:

Mon-Sun. 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 a.m.

Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Price Range:
$$
Parking:
Private Lot
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes
By Appointment Only:
No

21 reviews for Sierra Hot Springs

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Photo of Allie A.

 

96

108

Allie A.

Incline Village, NV

4 star rating
2/2/2010

Gettin' nekkid and enjoying hot springs - it's a time-honored tradition that everyone's got to do at least once in their lifetime. If it's not on your bucket list, put it on.

In order to allow nudity (I mean, clothing-optional activities), this places charges a membership fee.  It's not much, $5 for a month, plus the cost of an all-day entry fee ($20).  

The set-up is quite nice, set back into the woods.  If you're lucky and it's not too crowded, the silence, punctuated by birdsong, is part of the beautiful experience here.  I always meant to try one of the neat little bathtubs they have tucked away in the woods, but I haven't had the chance yet.

On the weekends, it does tend to get crowded and you'll see a lot more kids around.  There's the occasional creeper who stares, but for the most part, people are quite respectful.  Yes, you're going to see bodies of all genders, ages, sizes and shapes, hairy and shaved - but that's what real life is about.  Not every woman is 5'10", 115 pounds, with silicone implants.  Not every man has washboard abs.  But I think I'd probably feel MORE uncomfortable if everyone was like that.

I enjoyed the hot springs inside the geodesic dome - but come prepared - Don't Wear Your Jewelry!  I had a ring that was hopelessly ruined by the minerals in the water.  It wasn't an expensive ring, but I liked it and can no longer wear it.

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Photo of Ellen C.

 

13

84

Ellen C.

Reno, NV

3 star rating
1/2/2010

I've been coming to Sierra Hot Springs for three years now. The location is gorgeous, surrounded by fields and pasture. The property backs up to US Forest service wooded land. The place has an earthy and peaceful vibe. The water, which contains a lot of silica, is silky smooth and nice. The clothing-optional atmosphere is fine with me.

I once would have given Sierra Hot Springs 5 stars. Because of certain changes, crowds, and noise -- I now give them only 3 stars. On my most recent trip, over New Year's Eve/Day, it was really crowded, which took away from the experience. Although there are signs all over about observing silence, people talked and were rude.There are several aspects to Sierra Hotsprings, so I'll break it down:

TEMPLE HOT POOL
My favorite spot has always been the temple hot dome pool. This area is a silent meditation area -- no talking allowed.  The pool is hot with a sand bottom.  It is located in a geodesic dome structure with windows atop and a stained glass window. There are two cold plung pools in the temple hot dome.  There are places to hang towels and a large wood-carved Budda. Provided that the hot pool is not crowded and people shut their mouths, it is a wonderful relaxing place.

LARGE WARM POOL
Adjacent to the temple hot pool is an outdoor warm pool. It is large enough for swimming. Again, it can be quite relaxing to float and look at the stars, the sky, etc. On my most recent visit, there were many people talking loudly and families with kids there. While kids are allowed in the warm pool, they are supposed to be quiet and under control by their parents. Signage all around the pool indicates this, yet quietness was not observed by all.  

DRY SAUNA
There is a dry sauna adjacent to the warm pool. It is nice and was recently refurbished. However, it is very small -- capacity is 3 people. The dry sauna is the only place where people were quiet.

OUTDOOR MEDITATION POOL
There is an outdoor pool that is made from rocks with a sand bottom.  It is near the main lodge and you walk to it. The water temp is warm, not hot, so it is not appealing to me in the colder season. In summer, it is nice.

PHOENIX BATHS
The Phoenix baths are up a hill. They are described as tubs that can be refilled with fresh water for each user. There was a sign indicating that they were closed on my most recent visit (New Years).  

MAIN LODGE
The main lodge is frumpy but comfortable. The rooms are basic -- view from the window was wonderful -- snow covered fields. Floors are creaky and it feels like you're staying in one of Grandma's upstairs bedrooms. They have about 7 private rooms with shared bathrooms upstairs, plus an attic "dorm," which has 5 single beds.  Also a massage room upstairs. Downstairs there is a main room with a cozy wood burning stove that heats the whole lodge nicely. Couches surround the wood stove. There are books, games, an old piano, and other items of interest. Mostly, the people are interesting.  Easy to chat with folks sitting around the fire. The communal kitchen is basic, but adequate. Rooms (at Main Lodge and the Globe Hotel) are $88 Sun-Thurs and $110 weekends and holidays. Price of room includes 24 hr soak in the pools.

THE GLOBE
The historic Globe Hotel, about a mile from the main lodge, is owned by Sierra Hotsprings. It has11 private rooms, two shared bathrooms, a large living room area with sofas, and a communal kitchen. The rooms at the Globe are not luxurious by any means. They are quaint and interesting.  Each is themed with a different country -- reflecting the name -- "The Globe." I've stayed in or at least seen several of the rooms at the Globe -- here's a brief run-down of them:

Rooms 1 (Ireland) and 2 (Morracan) are downstairs. Both rooms seem smaller than the upstairs rooms. There is a shared bathroom downstairs.

Rooms 5-11 are upstairs. Room 7, the one I stayed in most recently, has a French theme, with a queen bed. Room 8, which is legend to be "haunted," has a queen bed and a single bed. Room 9 has an Indian theme with a full or queen bed. Room 10 has an African theme with a queen bed.  Room 11 has a Victorian theme with a queen bed.  Room 3 has Mexican theme and Room 4 is an oriental theme -- it appears that Rooms 3 and 4 are a tad smaller than the other upstairs rooms.  

The Globe formerly had a nice large steam room downstairs, but on my most recent trip, I was informed that it was taken out. Now it's just a massage room. This is is a definite negative for me, as I enjoyed the steam room.

FOOD:
Be advised to BRING YOUR OWN FOOD to cook. The Philosophy Cafe, located in the main lodge, is only open on Saturdays. There are only two restaurants in Sierraville: breakfast & lunch @ the Roundup Cafe and dinner @ Los Dos Hermanos, which is good -- when it is open.  It was closed over the New Years holiday.

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Elite '10

57

191

Danyell K.

Tahoe City, CA

3 star rating
Updated - 12/21/2009

My, how...er...POPULAR you've gotten, Sierra...could it be a direct result of the e-mail list? I'm all for the Springs being enjoyed and everything, but I couldn't get AWAY from people AT ALL yesterday.

I understand that Sunday is a popular day. I really do. My last visit was on a Saturday afternoon, so I figured they'd be similar.

I was so wrong. This time, everyone was naked...and this time, they were out in full force.

The meditation pool was still nice...until a European couple came to it and proceeded to talk constantly. I left because of the noise. (And they weren't even enjoying the pool, itself. They were reading magazines under winter coats!)

The warm pool and hot spring were shoulder-to-shoulder and there was a water yoga class going on, so you couldn't really get into the warm pool without being assaulted by water noodles.

The dry sauna had five people packed into it - I would call capacity at three.

Top this all off with young kids splashing around in the hot spring and people failing to observe "silence" in meditation areas....I was sorely disappointed this time around.

I'm happy the springs are being enjoyed, but I think Sierra is starting to gain popularity too quickly and capacity is diminishing the nature of the springs. Might I suggest capping off the visitor count at a limit to ensure a pleasurable visit for all guests? Some of us DO use the springs to meditate.

I went home and read the printed-out newsletter. I read of a water slide being installed. This is ridiculous and I really hope Sierra Hot Springs gets a grip on things and decides NOT to add a water slide! This would completely take away from the silence and retreat and meditation aspect of everything.

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 4 star rating
    11/8/2009

    This place is absolutely wonderful! I would give it five stars easily - except the Globe Hotel is… Read more »

Photo of tahoe g.

 

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tahoe g.

Alpine Meadows, CA

3 star rating
1/18/2010

I have to agree with a lot of what has already been said. It was an experience, I'll give it that.
I came here to relax and get a massage at the lodge. The pools and "meditation area" weren't very relaxing nor was it possible to meditate with kids running around and yelling and many of the people there talking loudly and eating and dropping crumbs. A group of kids were splashing all over the the adults in the pool, including me, as their mom heedlessly looked on. There were indeed some creepy guys there, one who had a semi-erection and another who wore very dark sunglasses and stayed in the corner of the pool. One guy had Brazilian wax job--that's right, no hair anywhere. In contrast, some the women were quite hirsute, armpits and all. This experience was enough to make me certain that although this might be liberating or great for some people, it wasn't for me. For whatever reason, people like to take kids here. One of the dads was doing a lot of staring every time his wife turned around. Hardly surprising--let's face it, guys like to look, and look they did. Why go to this small and quite ordinary pool and hot roofed bath far from anywhere except for the nudity aspect?

The massage I had was quite good, although the masseuse smelled like she had been smoking. I'd like to go back anyway for a massage--it was a good deal and better than the massages I have paid big $$$ for at fancy spas. I loved the organic coconut oil that is used.

The people who work at the Main Lodge and hotel are  friendly and nice. The dinner menu looked quite good and healthy, but I couldn't stay that late. The Main Lodge seemd very calm and cozy, compared to the pool party a short walk away.

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Photo of Jaz W.

 

88

70

Jaz W.

Oakland, CA

3 star rating
7/14/2009

A recent visit here with two very good friends brought us through the entire spectrum of human emotion. The experience was liberating, relaxing, uncomfortable, magical, and most certainly unique.

The grounds themselves were simultaneously more and less than I had anticipated. The setting of the hot springs was insanely gorgeous, and I will never forget my moonlit walk to the large swimming pool. However, the facilities were vintage 70's era all the way. Admittedly, this is part of this place's charm.  

So, my visit to Sierra Hot Springs marked my first experience with public/group nudity. In and of itself, really not a big deal, after the novelty wears off. And feeling the air on my skin, and the warm water on my body was quite nice. Liberating, indeed.

However, one of my friends was made to feel very uncomfortable by the presence of another patron, who would not stop staring at her. She felt as though she was being followed around, and we wound up leaving the area, going to the remote meditation pool just to escape him. Not cool.

But escaping to the Meditation Pool was an experience unto itself. Sitting in the pool, I  looked up at a sky full of stars, like rhinestones scattered on velvet. The full moon hung behind the branches of a quaking Aspen tree... for me, that defined the word magical. Getting dive-bombed in the face by a bat (yes, a flying rodent) shortly afterwards was totally unexpected and a bit freaky, but I guess these things happen when you hang out in the forest. That's just Mother Nature, reminding us who's boss. :-)

Above all else, Sierra Hot Springs is a totally unique adventure, and while I probably won't go back, I'm glad I experienced it.

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Elite '10

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323

Jef B.

Homewood, IL

3 star rating
9/19/2009

This review is for the Globe only - not the hot springs.

We made the mistake of deciding to come here after Burning Man. The place was packed with hippie-type Burners, apparently this is the thing to do after the Burn. But we got here so late, and had so much driving to do the next day, that we ended up just crashing in the Globe.

The Globe, without the hot springs, is really not that great. There is an odor to the hallways and rooms. The room was clean but there was a paucity of electrical outlets. Rooms are not well lit. For $88 I  think I would have liked a private bathroom. The dirt road to the main office of the Hot Springs was also a bit more rugged than I was expecting; I had a huge amount of gear bunji'ed to our car and after Burning Man I guess I had had about as much of savage wild dirt roads as I could handle.

But it's our own fault. We should have just gotten a hotel room in Reno. We look forward to experiencing the Sierra Hot Springs themselves sometime soon - maybe then the Globe will look better.

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70

38

DJ P.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
7/25/2009

This was a first time experience for me on many levels.  I had never visited a hot spring / resort before, nor had I ever ventured out into co-ed public nudity.  The grounds were quite gorgeous, but the changing room areas were a bit old school / swanky 70's feeling.  The sauna was also tiny... like only 5 people at a time.

Over all, being outside under the stars  in a natural hot spring was quite invigorating.  There were a lot more people in each pool / hot spring than I expected, but over all everyone kept to themselves.  I think there is a no talking rule, especially in the mediation area, but people were still being inconsiderate while massaging each other and talking some jabber about pressure points while I was in there.  The water temperature in that pool was REALLY warm btw... and I loved it.

None the less, I did not feel awkward shedding my clothes here and jumping in with everyone else.  My friends and I went on the 4th of July, watched the sun set, and had a very relaxing visit here.   There was quite the variety of all walks of life, but to sum it up in one word - Earthy.

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Elite '10

419

260

donna h.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
5/13/2008

It's always nice to get away from it all, or in our case, bring it all with you. My relatives would head over to a nearby town to stay with a family friend during long weekends and we'd spend a good couple of hours each day at the Sierra Hot Springs. The pools are clothing optional aka boobies/peeners galore, so yes, we were that Asian family decked out in bathing suits. Be prepared and stop giggling at the naked people!

Most people will respect your space and it's a relatively big pool. If I came here alone, it'd be fine to be nekkid.. probably wouldn't run into anyone I knew. But with any people I remotely know, that's just hellas wrong! (unless it's kimmy, my fav korean, of course! see my review for kabuki spring & spa)

So, once you pay, you can walk up a trail to the Warm Pool/Temple Dome, or the other side where the Meditation pool is. The facilities are very clean, and there is a rule about keeping noise to a minimum. Children who are "well-behaved" are allowed at the pools (excluding the Meditation one) during certain hours.

It's uber relaxing especially at night when you're in the outdoors Warm Pool or the outdoors Meditation (Hot) Pool, where you can see the stars you would miss when in the big city. When you're sick of the outdoors, you can head over to the two Cold Plunge Pools and the other Hot Pool in the Temple Dome. It's been a long time since I've been back, but now there's a sauna! FYI, the Meditation Pool is probably more relaxing.. rock steps, no children allowed...

The changing area has cubbyholes for belongings and about 4 showers, so it gets crazy when there are lots of people. They should have an area where people can shower in the open along with the 4 private showers.. That way the people who were already running around nekkid in the first place, can use the open space, while leaving the private space for the people who want privacy..

Prices aren't too bad, but we've always gone with a local resident who has a membership.

Don't forget to take off your silver jewelry! The high sulfur content will tarnish it.. I always forget to take off mine, but I just wear it again and it'll eventually go back to normal)

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Photo of Audra K.

 

62

106

Audra K.

VA

2 star rating
7/2/2008

Room 8 is haunted. (Just ask at the lodge) It used to be a brothel a long time ago. The place is pretty spooky! We traded our key in for 2 beds in the dorm room up at the lodge. Closer to the tubs and a few more "live people" to keep us company.

On the other hand, the Globe is a great spot for large groups of people or couples to rent it out for a weekend. My friends did that a few years ago and had a great experience. But this past weekend there were only 2 of us, and it was too eerie!

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Photo of kathryn f.

 

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kathryn f.

El Sobrante, CA

2 star rating
9/2/2008

This review is for the hot springs part of the resort only.

As of Sept. 2008 they have 3 pools open: an extremely hot tiled cement pool with cold plunge beside it that is housed in a geodesic dome, a warm swimming pool and a less developed warm pool (meditation pool).

Although the pools seemed clean and well maintained, and the surroundings are very pleasant I am only giving it 2 stars because of the atmosphere created here. It was quite busy when I was there and everyone was stark naked, which usually isn't a problem for me except that when everything is well lit and a bunch of the patrons are doing naked yoga right in my face (because the pool is set down into the floor you really do end up with genitals right beside your face when people decide they want to do some yoga). Most of the patrons are total hippies too, so be warned. The worst thing though is that there is a no talking rule for all of the pools which gets really stuffy. Oh and there's no alcohol allowed either. I wont be going there again.

By the way, we drove straight through the resort and camped in the national forest for free and it was pretty nice, heaps of flat places to camp and the forest is dense enough for some privacy. You can camp for free within easy walking distance of the resort.

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Photo of Ubersheist G.

 

22

88

Ubersheist G.

Sacramento, CA

5 star rating
6/11/2007

Rustic, new-age-y, pachouli-smelling, run-down, and filled with naked hippies and ailing septuagenarians... and I wouldn't have it any other way.

This place is not the Hilton.  Pretty far from it.  The historic lodge is ancient, musty and terribly creaky.  The help is usually disheveled.  You have to walk about a 1/4 mile to the hot springs.

With all of that said, I love the place.  It's supremely comfortable and always leaves me feeling relaxed and rejuvinated.   Gazing skywards in the "dome" pool, contemplating the strange architecture as snow falls outside and sand flows between your toes is truely heaven on Earth.

The hot springs and it's adjacent hotel/dormatory are pretty remote.  My tip is to come there prepared with your own food, a good book, and shoes that can stand a bit of mud from the walk over to the pools.

I've also had two professional massages from CMTs who are on staff at Sierra, and had two of the best massages ever.

If you're open-minded, free-spirited, and love a good soak, then don't pass this place by.

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4

Judith G.

Berkeley, CA

5 star rating
10/22/2009

this is my favorite of the clothing optional hot springs retreats, especailly for families. easy-going slightly rundown 70s ambience is fine with me; in fact, I'm nostalgic for the glory days of that world, when Orr's Hot Springs was a collective and no one expected kid gloves.

This is not luxury accommodation, and those who expect it, or feel put off by nudity (at a clothing optional retreat?  sort of ike me going to a steak house and expecting the menu to be vegetarian-firendly) will be disappointed.

but this is a good environment, and one in which n one lays the "we're a New Age church" business on you.

since Thanksgiving and CHristmas are coming up, I want to recommend, with only mild reservations, the holiday banquets served here Thanksgiving evening and CHristmas night (not CHristmas eve.)  it;s friendly and fun, and the jamming with guitars in the Green Room after supper is far better,in my opinion, than the electronificated mantra-chanting in the living room...but that;s just a matter of taste.  the food is all you can eat and quite good, although as a vegetarian I do feel that we are subsiqizing those who want the succulent and not-inexpensive organic goose or beef or whatever dishes the omnivores crave.  It costs about $35 per adult, though maybe it's gone up.
I like the easy-going atmostphere, and the hostel-style "bring your own food and cook it here" thing works well on my limited travel budget.

The Globe is kind of boring, and I wish there wre more housing available on the actual hot srings site; during the sumemr, when you can camp, this is no problem.  The place would benefit tremendously from a cold swimming pool for summer use, but we usi=ally go there in the cooler seasons anyway.
beautiful, ruiggged area.

there's a reason for no alcohol around hot tubs, especailly mineral hot springs, BTW. sorry to be a fuddy duddy again, but learn to get high off the springs themselves.

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113

184

Amanda B.

Sacramento, CA

4 star rating
4/26/2007

My first passion is food, my second hot springs.  I don't know why, but something about soaking naked in a hot slippery pool that sometimes stinks like eggs is amazing. I swear I come out feeling like a new person.  Sierra Hot Springs was my first developed hot spring experience.  In New Mexico there are several spots in USFS land that attract cult followings and are absolutely free.  

At Sierra,  I pony-ed up my money, stripped, washed down with most amazing homemade lavender soap and jumped in the warm pool (I can't take the cold plunge), moved on to the hippy-dippy geodesic dome hot pool (with sand at the bottom which is so amazing for the feet) and was immediately in love with Sierra Springs.  I lounged in the Sauna, purged of all bacteria and viruses in my body, and left a new person.  

Read Dan K.'s review for more details, but I would skip Harbin and go straight to  Sierra.  I wasn't afraid of hippies or old scuzzy dudes.  I relaxed and enjoyed my soak.

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26

Mike W.

El Sobrante, CA

4 star rating
7/27/2008

A good place to stay is the Globe Hotel- their hotel property in Sierra Valley crossroads. You can use the kitchen there to make your food. I think the Globe Hotel has a sauna. The bathrooms are big and spacious.
It's not too far from the Springs. I think we paid $99 for the room. We've also stayed at the old Lodge and eaten in the kitchen downstairs. Nice to be there around the fireplace with a book. We always go in the dead of Winter and walk through the snow to the Springs and it's never crowded.

I think the road to the place is called Lemon Springs.

Don't forget to drive over to Loyalton to the Blue Moon Bakery. Loyalton is a real wild west spot.

Birding in the Spring and Summer is great. Drive to Marble Hot Springs road and look for Bittern and Cranes and Ibis and Marsh Wren etc etc. Swainson's hawks are very handsome.

Explore the backcountry above Sierra Brooks and look for Lewis Woodpecker.

I don't think it's dog friendly. That's the only reason we don't go anymore. We have too many doggies!

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Elite '10

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Shayna C.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
4/28/2008

naked old hippies, water yoga, nature, fields ... aahhh.

The hot spring tub is in a dome at the end of a lane.  In the same area you can find two ice-cold chill tubs.  You can jump from one to the other til your whole body tingles and you can't tell what's hot or cold any more.  There's an out door pool and deck to lay in the sun with a sauna behind it (it wasn't working)

We came with a group over 10 and got a discount packet of $11 / 3 hour pass.  There's also a lodge and places to stay and camp.  

I'm still relaxed.  Yeah, it's a probably little tooo hippy for me but once I jump from hot tub to cold spring and back several times i'm way too chill to complain about anything.

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209

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maruschka k.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
Updated - 11/27/2008

Very simple accommodations near the Sierra Hot Springs which is a short drive away. Bathrooms are shared. The only time I've been there and it's been really crowded was during New Year's one year.

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 4 star rating
    11/12/2006

    I don't wear patchouly, have never had dreads, and don't like drum circles. But I like hot springs.… Read more »

Photo of Sharon M.

 

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Sharon M.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
8/4/2008

if you are a nudity loving burning man share all type (like, for example, my husband) there would be nothing to say bad about sierra hot springs.  i, however, am a cynical gal who doesn't love a naked nutsac all that much.

what i do love, though, is a late night pitch black soak with a best friend in a natural hot spring pool with sandy bottom and so many stars it looked like an optical illusion.  bats flying overhead so close they create a wind against your skin.

i also love a pool sized natural hot spring with a gorgeous sunny deck and a view of cows grazing away.  

don't love a shared kitchen.  don't love being excited for a great restaurant to arrive and find it's only open on weekends.  don't love the child's pose from a dude one foot away from my head, sac a swingin' in my face.

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Charlie K.

Mountain View, CA

3 star rating
2/21/2007

I am writing this review with experience here and at Harbin hot springs and Wilbur hot springs, both of which I have also reviewed.

Sierra hot springs is totally run-down and sketchy remote, but the seclusion and remoteness of the location made it a lot less crowded. We went on a holiday weekend in the summer, and were lucky to get one of the "best" rooms in the main house. The room was basically assembled out of furniture and sheets/curtains out of a thrift store. The price was pretty high for what we got, and I might camp next time. The kitchen was tiny, and the common areas were pretty sparse as well. The restaurant was OK, but not open very often.

The main tubs, which are a 5-10 minute hike from the house, were alright, but crowded (not as crowded as Harbin though). There is one big warm pool, which was great at night because we could see the stars and whatnot. The smaller hot plunge was cool, as it was enclosed in a little hut. It was supposed to be a quiet meditation place or something, but there were still noisy people in there sometimes. There were some other springs scattered around the property, but we couldn't find any that were suitable for soaking. There is one other tub that's developed that's out in the woods by the campground. This tub is the best ever! It's surrounded by garden with lawn and a little sun deck, and the tub itself is lined with large stones, and the ground is sand. It's far enough away from everything that it's pitch black at night, so you could get in and not even know someone else was in there! The only downfall of this is that the shower is ice cold and outdoors. All other showers are indoors, which is nice.

The property is attached to the Tahoe National Forest, so there is plenty of hiking and off-road driving nearby, and the seclusion is really a good benefit.

In general, I recommend this hot springs, but not so much the lodging and the crowds. Come at night, and confine yourself to the remote, outdoor pool, and you might have a relaxing time.

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71

443

Matt V.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
7/7/2008

Very relaxing place.  I like the vibe here.

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2

5

Lewis G.

San Francisco, CA

1 star rating
10/4/2008

We wanted to try out the hot springs there as some of ours friends came eariler that year and described it as very cool and worth it.
So we took the car and went for the ride. The fact that it is so far from everything is annoying but at least it is quiet (and that is good).
However we have been very disapppointed when we have been asked tp pay $28 per person for the camping ground!! At this price I expected at least some of the comodities but there is nothing there. Just an field where you can lay down your tent.
After installing our tent, we decided to head for the pools. We went to the meditation one. It seemed pretty nice at first. Cool surroundings (grass, vegetation...), very quiet and beautiful pool. The surprise was when we saw all the dead insects floating at the surface with hair (as well as body hair, yuk!). So I understand it is supposed to be a "hippy" place, but I don''t think it is supposed to be dirty!
Disgusted, we went back to our tent, just to discover a sign telling us the pools and the water were not satisfying the requirements of the Health Department...
Do I need to tell more?

Expensive, dirty, dangerous.
It should be closed...

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Dan K.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
5/31/2006

Allright I admit it - I like getting naked. And I like to take baths.  And during my teenage rebelious stage I had a couple of dreadlocks. So all and all NorCal hotsprings like Sierra give me a warm fuzzy feeling. or maybe that's just that hot water.

Sierra Hot Springs is the sister "resort" to the (in)famous Harbin Hot Springs in Lake County. Located in Sierraville, about a half hour north of Truckee, this place is in a spectacular alpine valley. I went over memorial day weekend, and this time of year the wildflowers are out and the valley is a vivid green. It also snowed one night! but it was warm and sunny the next day. You can sit in the warm pool (98-100 degrees) and look out over the pristine valley and listen to the wind in the trees and generally turn into a glob of fully relaxed human flesh. The hot pool is inside a geodesic dome and is pretty hot (105-7) but not as punnishingly hot as the one at Harbin. Theres also a bunch of old tubs scattered around throughout the 700 acres that are fed by smaller springs -- although these small tubs are not maintaned and are "use at your own risk" whatever that means. Can a bathtub kill you?

So half the fun of a hotsprings is getting naked in public. The other half is doing nothing but commuting from the hot pool to the warm pool to the sauna to the cold plunge to the hot pool to just hanging around naked looking out on a beautiful valley. And don't forget to get a massage -- at $65 for an hour massage you can't not get one. Between my friends and I we sampled three different massueses and all got great reviews.

Sierra felt a little less militantly hippie than Harbin, had less of a "bay area" feel, and was much less crowded (even on a holiday weekend it didn't feel crowded). There were a few more screaming little kids than I would have liked, but then again I believe in forced abortions for all breeders.

We stayed at the Globe Hotel. This place was really creepy, but in a charming way. Built in the 1870s, it used to be a brothel. It's in the "town" of Sierraville, about a 5 min drive to the hotsprings. We arrived around 9pm on a friday and there was no sign,  all the lights were off, no one was in the building, and we were throughly spooked. Turns out you check in at the Main Lodge at the Hot Springs, about a mile away. The rooms are tiny, simple, and rustic. More of a monk's cell with a few whore house touches than a fancy resort. Bathrooms are shared. By keeping everything so simple I really felt like I was back in another time, and it was the perfect budget get away - $100 gets you a room for two, entrance to the hot springs, and use of the communal kitchen. There's also a camping and a dorm style room at the main lodge. I'd be careful with the cmaping though - like I said, we got snow when we were up here at the end of May.

You'll probably want to bring some food as the eating options in town are limited: The Roundup Cafe (the local greasy spoon, open for breakfast and lunch, where you can sit with the locals who drink beer with breakfast) and Los Dos Hermanos, a mexican place where every meal comes with a pound of cheese. There's also an organic restaurant at the main lodge, but it's hours are very limited.

And don't forget to check out the "funny farm" behind the general store! Petunia is the cutest pig you'll ever meet.

And for you jetsetters -- yes, they have a private airstrip on the property.

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