Gaviota Hot Springs Explained

Gaviota Hot Springs
Other Name:Las Cruces Hot Springs
Sulphur Springs
Location:Near Las Cruces, Santa Barbara County, California, U.S.
Coordinates:34.5027°N -120.2184°W
Hot Spring Type:geothermal

Gaviota Hot Springs is a geothermal feature in Santa Barbara County, California, United States. The two pools are accessible from the Gaviota Peak trail in Gaviota State Park.[1] Gaviota Hot Springs is sometimes called Las Cruces Hot Springs or Sulphur Springs.[2] The hot springs lie within the Hot Springs Creek watershed, near the junction of U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1.[3]

History

The springs were known to the indigenous peoples of the area, and are located on land that was Rancho Las Cruces during the Mexican era of California. As early as 1880 there was a hotel at the village of Las Cruces advertising the medicinal benefits of the nearby hot sulfur springs.[4] The hotel was an adobe tavern on the side of the road that also served as the local brothel.[5]

A 1893 account of camping at the springs describes hanging hammocks from the sycamores around the pool, and needing to clear accumulated mud out of the roughly by bathing hole before it could be enjoyed by the group.[6] In 1896 the third edition of California of the South claimed that the Las Cruces Springs "had quite a local reputation for curing skin diseases and rheumatism."[7] In 1907 a promotional booklet published by California boosters described Las Cruces as one of three known hot springs in Santa Barbara County:[8]

The village of Las Cruces, located four miles north of Gaviota Pass, claimed circa 1913 that "The Hot Springs here are famous."[9] According to a 1917 report of the California state minerals bureau, the springs were located on the Las Cruces ranch and owned by the Hollister Estate Co. of Santa Barbara, and at that time "a group of 4 warm sulphuretted springs flowing about 50 gallons per minute issues from a clay bank on a hillside. The water is piped to the ranch houses for local use. Not utilized commercially."[10] One of the two pools is a man-made rock-and-concrete basin that was built by the Works Progress Administration during the New Deal era of the 1930s.[11] During the same era, the Civilian Conservation Corps paved East Camino Cielo between the springs area and the San Marcos Pass.[12] The other pool has a natural bottom, and is fed by a separate spring vent, which is said to be the source of the lower pool's lukewarm temperature and the milky appearance of its water. Circa 1968, the springs were still associated with the Hollister Estate Company.[13] The springs were known as a litter-strewn party spot during the counterculture and underground days of the 1960s and 1970s.[14]

The trail and springs are now regularly maintained by state park employees and volunteers; the springs and the park are open to the public during daylight hours.[15] Mountain lions are among the wildlife that frequent the area.[16] [17] The springs are surrounded by native riparian-habitat plants including elderberry, willows, sycamores, and poison oak, and a naturalized palm tree that contributes an oasis vibe to the landscape. A guide to hot springs in California and Nevada states, “Despite its murky appearance, this hot spring provides a great soak. The surrounding vegetation makes you feel like you’re in a jungle, and it keeps the location cool."[18]

Water profile

The springs lie along the southern branch of the Santa Ynez Fault.[19] The water emerges from the source at about [20] but cools before it reaches the pools. The temperature also varies with the season. The upper pool is typically both warmer and clearer than the lower pool, which it feeds.[21] The water contains sodium bicarbonate. According to a U.S. government survey done around 1962, "spring issues in a dense thicket on hillside and is piped to concrete bathing tub." The springs smell noticeably sulfurous,[22] and typically are described as being closer to warm than to hot.[23] [24]

U.S. government geologist Gerald A. Waring described Las Cruces Hot Springs in 1915: [25]

One newspaper article from 1984 stated that Gaviota springs are "unusual inasmuch as tritium dating shows the water to be about 38 years old, coming from a depth of about, with water temperature of and a rate of flow of a minute."

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pawlik . Matt . 2022-10-07 . 8 tranquil hot springs in California to heal your weary soul . 2024-01-21 . Los Angeles Times . en-US . 2024-01-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240120191102/https://www.latimes.com/travel/list/california-hot-springs-natural . live .
  2. Book: Andrews, Chris . Hiking Hot Springs in the Southwest: A Guide to the Area's Best Backcountry Hot Springs . 2022 . Rowman & Littlefield . 978-1-4930-3657-8 . 92–93 . en . 2024-01-21 . 2024-01-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240129092327/https://books.google.com/books?id=KCdnEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22gaviota+hot+springs%22&pg=PA92#v=onepage&q=%22gaviota%20hot%20springs%22&f=false . live .
  3. Book: Loam, Jayson . Hot Springs and Hot Pools of the Southwest . Gersh . Marjorie . Aqua Thermal Access . 1992 . 0-9624830-4-4 . Rev. . Santa Cruz, Calif. . 110 . en-us.
  4. News: 1880-12-18 . Las Cruces Hotel . 2024-01-21 . The Lompoc Record . 2 . 2024-01-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240129092359/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lompoc-record-las-cruces-hotel/139221341/ . live .
  5. News: Dale . Judith . 2020-05-12 . Las Cruses: The forgotten crossroad . 2024-01-21 . Santa Ynez Valley News . B1 . 2024-01-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240129092427/https://www.newspapers.com/article/santa-ynez-valley-news-las-cruses-the-f/139223196/ . live . & News: 2020-05-12 . Dale [part 2 of 2] ]. 2024-01-21 . Santa Ynez Valley News . B3 . 2024-01-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240127181519/https://www.newspapers.com/article/santa-ynez-valley-news-dale-part-2-of-2/139223325/ . live .
  6. News: Squire . 1893-08-05 . Camping at Las Cruces . 2024-01-21 . The Santa Maria Times . 3 . 2024-01-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240129092403/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-santa-maria-times-camping-at-las-cru/139220961/ . live .
  7. Book: Lindley . Walter . California of the south: its physical geography, climate, mineral springs, resources, routes of travel and health-resorts, being a complete guide-book . Widney . J. P. . 1896 . 3rd . 302–303 . 2027/nnc1.cu01636065?urlappend=%3Bseq=325 . en . 2024-01-21 . . 2024-01-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240129092440/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/imgsrv/html?id=nnc1.cu01636065&seq=328 . live .
  8. Gidney . C. M. . April 1907 . The Mineral Springs of Santa Barbara County . For California: A Monthly Publication . California Promotion Committee . San Francisco . 11 . en-us . Biodiversity Heritage Library & HathiTrust . IV . 5 . Springs Number . 2027/mdp.39015082352025?urlappend=%3Bseq=3 . 2024-01-21 . 2024-01-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240129092411/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/imgsrv/html?id=mdp.39015082352025&seq=6 . live .  
  9. Book: Wilson, Leila Weekes . Santa Barbara, California . Santa Barbara, Calif. . Pacific Coast Publ. Co. . 1913 . HathiTrust . 91–92 . 2027/nyp.33433081782629?urlappend=%3Bseq=117 . en . 2024-01-21 . 2024-01-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240129092326/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/imgsrv/html?id=nyp.33433081782629&seq=120 . live .
  10. Book: Bradley, Walter W. . Mines and Mineral Resources of the Counties of Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura . 1917 . Mineral Springs of Ventura County . State Mineralogist's Reports . California State Mining Bureau . Ferry Building, San Francisco . HathiTrust . 147 . Field Assistants: Emile Huguenin, C. A. Logan, Clarence A. Waring . 2024-01-21 . 2023-11-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231111055123/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3115293&seq=7 . live .
  11. Book: Carey, Craig R. . Hiking and Backpacking Santa Barbara and Ventura . 2012-06-19 . Wilderness Press . 978-0-89997-635-8 . 35 . en . 2024-01-21 . 2024-01-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240129092431/https://books.google.com/books?id=MnK2gwWzXssC&dq=%22gaviota+hot+springs%22&pg=PA34#v=onepage&q=%22gaviota%20hot%20springs%22&f=false . live .
  12. News: Cappon . Sally . 2010-07-27 . A mystery still lingers in San Marcos Pass . 2024-01-21 . The Lompoc Record . A2 . 2024-01-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240129092932/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-lompoc-record-a-mystery-still-linger/139219543/ . live .
  13. Book: Berkstresser, C. F. . Data for Springs in the Southern Coast, Transverse, and Peninsular Ranges of California . 1968 . U.S. Department of the Interior, Geological Survey, Water Resources Division . en . 2024-01-21 . 2024-01-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240129092817/https://books.google.com/books?id=aiX9D_-fj60C&dq=%22gaviota+hot+springs%22&pg=PA38#v=onepage&q=%22gaviota%20hot%20springs%22&f=false . live .
  14. News: 1960-04-02 . In Old Santa Barbara: 75 Years Ago . 2024-01-21 . Santa Barbara News-Press . 14 . 2024-01-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240129092820/https://www.newspapers.com/article/santa-barbara-news-press-in-old-santa-ba/139222371/ . live .
  15. News: Stob . Ron . 1984-10-13 . Back Roads: Nature's Best Bath Yours at Hot Springs . 2024-01-21 . The Tribune . 60 . 2024-01-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240129092846/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tribune-natures-best-bath-yours-at/139220106/ . live .
  16. News: 1992-03-27 . Gaviota Beach . 2024-01-21 . Santa Maria Times . 5 . 2024-01-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240129092838/https://www.newspapers.com/article/santa-maria-times-gaviota-beach/139222205/ . live .
  17. News: 1960-04-02 . In Old Santa Barbara: 75 Years Ago . 2024-01-21 . Santa Barbara News-Press . 14 . 2024-01-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240129092820/https://www.newspapers.com/article/santa-barbara-news-press-in-old-santa-ba/139222371/ . live .
  18. Book: Bischoff, Matt C. . Touring California and Nevada Hot Springs . FalconGuides . 2018 . 978-1-4930-2912-9 . Touring Hot Springs . 48. Gaviota State Park Hot Spring (Las Cruces).
  19. News: Cappon . Sally . 2013-01-01 . It's not hard to find fault around here . 2024-01-21 . Santa Maria Times . A4 . 2024-01-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240129092848/https://www.newspapers.com/article/santa-maria-times-its-not-hard-to-find/139220803/ . live .
  20. Thermal Springs List for the United States . Berry . G.W. . Grim . P.J. . June 1980 . U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) . 10.2172/6737326 . Boulder, Colo. . 12 . Ikelman . J.A. . Environmental Data and Information Service National Geophysical and Solar-Terrestrial Data Center . Key to Geophysical Records Documentation No. 12 . 2024-01-21 . 2023-11-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231117051532/https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/13426 . live .
  21. Book: Marshall, Justin D. . Santa Ynez Cycling: A Complete Guide to the Best Mountain Bike Rides of the Region, Including Several of the Most Popular Road Cycling Routes . 2016-05-26 . Lulu.com . 978-1-4834-4506-9 . 62 . en . 2024-01-21 . 2024-01-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240122190101/https://books.google.com/books?id=AziVDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA59 . live .
  22. News: Best . Jennifer . 2000-10-01 . Gaviota Hot Springs: The bare necessities . 2024-01-21 . Santa Maria Times . 37 . 2024-01-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240129092942/https://www.newspapers.com/article/santa-maria-times-gaviota-hot-springs-t/139217693/ . live .
  23. News: Cappon . Sally . 2008-04-15 . 'Warm Springs' Once a Hot Spot . 2024-01-21 . Santa Maria Times . Best of Roadside Attractions . A3 . 2024-01-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240129093446/https://www.newspapers.com/article/santa-maria-times-warm-springs-once-a/139218365/ . live .
  24. News: McKinney . John . 1989-09-23 . Enjoy Coastal Vistas from the Top of Gaviota Peak . 2024-01-21 . The Los Angeles Times . 88 . 2024-01-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240129093434/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-enjoy-coastal-vist/139219971/ . live .
  25. Book: Waring, Gerald Ashley . Springs of California . January 1915 . U.S. Government Printing Office . U.S. Department of the Interior, Geological Survey Water-Supply Papers . Washington, D.C. . 68 . en-us . 10.3133/wsp338 . Water Supply Paper No. 338 . HathiTrust . 2023-12-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231211225721/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3015436&seq=55 . live .  

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