San Diego, Los Angeles, among other quintessential Orange County beaches may be what you envision when planning a Southern California vacation.
You’re not wrong.
However, what’s lost in the shadows of household names lies SoCal’s own “Napa,” teeming with grand Chateau-style wineries, stunning nature, small-town charm, and capped by a newly revamped resort with a fascinating timeline worthy of a 3-part Netflix docu-series.
This former celeb hotspot fizzled out in the hippie era of the 60s and 70s after initially opening in 1902, only to be taken over in the 80s by the Alive Polarity commune (ahem, a cult), followed by Calvary Chapel Bible College, then of course, a Covid shutdown we can all relate to, ultimately finding it’s current newfound glory as a reimagined luxe resort after an extensive remodel.
All in all, it was closed off to the public for 30 years, only to reopen with a bang in February 2024.
While it’s fun to dive into the past, the here-and-now Murrieta Hot Springs Resort is where it should have been all along – a tranquil hideaway roughly an hour from both LA and San Diego in the surging Riverside County town of Murrieta.
Whether you’re an overnight guest or opt for a $49 Day Pass, there’s no question this unsuspecting retreat with a serene setting of ample hot springs for leisure is the ultimate destination to kick back, relax, and recharge.
Warm Up, Cool Down, And Recharge
You don’t need me to tell you life is full of stresses, but Murrieta Hot Springs Resort is just the place to set your phone aside, focus on rest, and let your problems back home melt away.
Upon arriving, you’re welcomed by friendly, knowledgeable staff who genuinely seem to enjoy their job. That alone is refreshing, isn’t it?
You’re provided with a detailed map of the expansive property grounds, but the staff does a great job helping you understand what’s open at certain hours and the best route to take from your room.
Plus, you’re provided with waterproof wristbands serving as the key to your room and gated pool area, where you’ll be hanging out the most during your stay.
There’s a 24/7 unlimited towel and robe exchange simply by calling the front desk or swapping out garments at the labeled exchange station near the “Mud Cove”, where you’ll definitely need a new towel after lathering yourself in detoxifying “mud” like your auditioning for a Papua New Guinea tribe.
Every aspect of the resort encourages overall well-being from curated Sleep Guide packets in your room, a variety of massage treatments and calming activities like Aqua Sound Baths (my favorite), Aqua Yoga, and the Roman Spa, a spitting image of authentic European bathhouses; not to mention the adults-only panoramic sauna.
If you’ve been paying attention to the latest trends in healthy living, cold plunges are all the rage right now.
While certainly not a requirement, to max out health benefits from mental health to inflammation ailments, industry experts encourage alternating between hot and cold pools.
Start off by relaxing in one of the resort’s 20+ pools, then switch to a teeth-chattering cold plunge, and warm up again.
Each pool is marked by a temperature reading from that morning. My sweet spot was 102 degrees, but I saw measurements as high as 104.
Fun Fact: The resort can accommodate upwards of 1,100 guests, but occupancy is capped at 50% to ensure a relaxed atmosphere and prevent overcrowding.
Hot Tub Bloody Marys & Midnight Stargazing: Enjoy 24/7 Pool Access
The worst part about vacationing is some fellow travelers ruin all the fun. How often do you book a hotel with a nice pool only for it to close right after dinner?
That’s the case for most stays. Murrieta Hot Spring Resort is the antithesis to resort rigidity by trusting guests to conduct themselves respectfully.
While drinking is allowed in the pools, I’ve gotta say this was the quietest resort I’ve ever been to, even during peak hours.
The surprising part about that is this resort is very family-friendly, but there weren’t any loud, snot-nosed kiddos ruining our Zen.
Everyone seemed zoned in on all-day soaking in 100% natural geothermal waters, which explains the masses of Utah plates in the free parking lot – or perhaps the former “commune” housed here cast as lasting spell on all of us.
Kidding, of course. The springs were truly rejuvenating, even soothing a lingering foot injury.
My only conundrum was deciding between partaking in my comfortable bedroom’s Sleep Guide goodie bag of earplugs, protein snacks, and aromatherapy products or taking advantage of 24/7 pool access as an overnight guest – so, I did both.
The first night I slept like a rock, followed by late-night stargazing the next night, where I had endless choices of empty springs to soak in while gazing into the night sky.
While I didn’t see any alien-crafted drones, I did see 5 shooting stars; a really cool experience since Murrieta is tucked away just enough from light pollution.
Know Before You Go: Day Pass users are not permitted 24/7 access. The Spa is open daily 9am – 9pm, where Day Pass users have free range of Serenity Garden pools and receive a robe, towel, and storage locker.
Explore SoCal’s “Napa” With One-Of-A-Kind Wine Cave
Don’t sleep on Murrieta; there’s a lot to do for a soccer-Mom town. Albeit sometimes you may cross over into Temecula, Southern California’s version of the North’s Napa Valley.
Temecula is just a stone’s throw away, boasting immaculate landscapes cruising the backroads, especially at sunset.
For a nice evening out, I highly recommend checking out The Cave at Oak Mountain Winery.
Just as it sounds, you’ll be escorted into ‘SoCal’s only subterranean mined wine cave‘ for curated tastings (and/or dinner).
It’s a really unique atmosphere inside, but the patio steals the show with sweeping mountain views. Enjoy them best with a glass of velvety Syrah in hand.
There are numerous wine tours to book throughout the region, but a fun way to see the sites is by horseback riding at Susie Q Ranch, who work in tandem with Lorimar Vineyards & Winery for post-tasting rides and also offer lessons as young as 5 years old compared to competitors’ age 8 requirement.
Make sure you ask for Karen; she’s an incredibly insightful guide whether you’re a seasoned rider or a novice like me, who doesn’t know the difference between a Seabiscuit and a seahorse.
You can also book a rustic, remodeled barn apartment onsite for overnight stays at Suzie Q’s, but you’ll need to contact them directly for more info.
Talia Kitchen: A Destination Unto Itself
Whether you’re a resort guest or not, Talia Kitchen alone is worth driving from anywhere in SoCal for an unforgettable meal.
For perspective, I recently traveled across France, wined and dined in the Algarve, splurged on Marrakesh’s finest tagines, but all it took was one bite at Talia Kitchen to send my tastebuds around the world.
Every dish was a masterclass of culinary precision, from sinful sumac-spiced fritters to pillowy scallops locally sourced (sadly, no longer offered).
Equally great was the service from rockstar waitress Isis to funny quips from the Chef who took time out of his busy shift to provide some off-menu delights just because.
Talia Kitchen may be housed at Murrieta Springs Hot Resort, but it’s a destination unto itself.
Here is what I recommend ordering:
- Bottle of Robert Renzoni (Tempranillo wine)
- Roasted Delicate Squash (appetizer)
- Prime Back Loin Center Cut Local Swordfish (entree)
- Caramelized Honey Panna Cotta (dessert)
**Travel Off Path was a guest of Murrieta Hot Springs Resort, who helped with the creation of this itinerary by hosting some of our accommodations and attractions. Our opinions, recommendations, and suggestions remain our own.**
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
