Fairview Hot Spring
Fairview Hot Spring represents a unique geothermal oddity in Orange County: an artesian well that tapped heated groundwater and natural gas, not traditional geothermal circulation. At 96°F and just 74 feet elevation, this spring emerges in what is now Costa Mesa, a far different landscape than the original 1887 development.
The spring flows from subsurface reservoirs tapped by drilling rather than natural fracturing bedrock. The low elevation and coastal proximity create a mild climate with virtually no annual snowfall, though salt air and urban development have fundamentally altered the historic setting. The original spring no longer flows publicly or commercially.
Fairview Hot Spring powered a brief but notable resort from 1887 to approximately 1918, famous for mudbaths and therapeutic soaking. The resort declined due to financial pressures and damage from the 1918 San Jacinto earthquake. The well exploited a hybrid heat source: pressurized aquifers carrying both warm water and natural gas from depth.
Public access is severely limited due to urban development and site modification. The spring site is now buried beneath modern Costa Mesa, accessible only through historical research and local records. Visitors interested in Orange County's geothermal heritage should consult historical societies for archival information.
Is Fairview Hot Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Warm-water soaking
- Easy day trips