Sulphur Hot Spring
Sulphur Hot Spring flows at 100 degrees in Monterey County near Seaside at just 36 feet elevation, essentially at-grade with the nearest road. The spring provides water 42.2 degrees warmer than the mild ambient temperature of 57.8 degrees in one of California's most temperate coastal zones.
The spring emerges near Monterey Bay in the developed coastal lowlands, where the Pacific Ocean moderates temperatures year-round. The setting contrasts sharply with remote mountain springs—this geothermal feature exists within a developed urban-adjacent landscape. Low elevation and coastal proximity create a distinctive microenvironment at sea level.
The spring represents geothermal activity in the Salinian Block, a sliver of continental crust bounded by major fault zones. The area's geothermal features reflect heat flow and crustal deformation associated with the San Andreas fault system and related strike-slip faulting in the coast ranges.
Roadside accessibility at essentially sea-level elevation makes this spring extremely approachable. The mild climate (57.8 degrees average, 18 inches precipitation, only 0.1 inches snow) permits comfortable visiting throughout the year. The spring's location in a developed area places it within a larger network of coastal recreational opportunities.
Is Sulphur Hot Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Hot spring soaking
- Easy day trips