Rocky Point Springs
Rocky Point Springs emerges at 90°F along the Marin County coastline near Bolinas at the unusual elevation of negative 5 feet, indicating thermal waters seeping into the intertidal zone at or below sea level.
The spring sits on rocky, exposed coastal terrain where dramatic marine geology meets geothermal activity. A 815-foot walk through coastal scrub vegetation leads visitors from the road to the rocky shoreline where mineral-rich waters emerge. The setting combines rugged Pacific geography with thermal features, offering a unique convergence of marine and geothermal environments.
Rocky Point Springs represents an unusual California thermal feature where subsurface heat emerges in the coastal zone, likely driven by deep crustal heat sources beneath the San Francisco Bay region. The location reflects both geological complexity and the Bay Area's active tectonics. The spring sits within a landscape shaped by millennia of coastal erosion and marine processes.
This short-walk spring offers moderate coastal access requiring a 815-foot approach through scrub vegetation typical of northern California's coast. Expect cool, marine-influenced weather with annual temperatures near 57°F and 24 inches of precipitation, with no snow. Best visits occur during lower-tide windows to access the intertidal spring. Coastal hazards and tidal ranges should inform visit planning.
Is Rocky Point Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Warm-water soaking
- Overnight camping trips
Overview Haypress Campground is nestled within the coastal scrub of Tennessee Valley, near Mill Valley. The hike to this campground is 1 mile from the Tennessee Valley Trail head parking lot, which means car or RV camping is not allowed. Typical Haypress campers enjoy hiking to Tennessee Cove, where they can admire the dramatic geology and colorful sand of this unique beach. Recreation Tennessee Valley and the Marin Headlands are noted for great hiking, and trails are often populated with hi...