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Esalen Institute. There are also springs at the nearby Tassajara Zen Center.
Sykes Hot Springs is a popular hiking destination. There's no more quintessential California hot springs hike than
the trail to this fern-banked spring, through groves of 300-foot-tall redwoods and the steep chaparral-covered
slopes of the Ventana Wilderness. The terrain is challenging, with plenty of up and down, and rich in variety.
Sykes Hot Springs has a stone lined natural tub that sometimes gets washed out in winter storms. Its about 8 feet
across and knee deep. It averages about 100 degrees Faihrenheit and can hold about six adults, with the Big Sur
River running alongside it. Depending on the water flow, other smaller pools can sometimes be found between it
and the river, marked by cairns that previous visitors have left behind.
Sykes Hot Springs is a popular hiking destination. There's no more quintessential California hot springs hike than
the trail to this fern-banked spring, through groves of 300-foot-tall redwoods and the steep chaparral-covered
slopes of the Ventana Wilderness. The terrain is challenging, with plenty of up and down, and rich in variety.
Sykes Hot Springs has a stone lined natural tub that sometimes gets washed out in winter storms. Its about 8 feet
across and knee deep. It averages about 100 degrees Faihrenheit and can hold about six adults, with the Big Sur
River running alongside it. Depending on the water flow, other smaller pools can sometimes be found between it
and the river, marked by cairns that previous visitors have left behind.
Big Sur Forest Service station, three miles south of the town of Big Sur. The Pine Ridge corridor goes up 10 miles
to Sykes and then 14 miles beyond, linking with numerous other trails on the way.
On the first section of the hike to the hot springs, within Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, coastal redwoods tower
overhead as the trail quickly rises from the traffic on Highway 1. It's tough going on the initial uphill section, but the
Pacific can be spotted in the distance as the narrow trail climbs high on a ridge above the canyons.
The route turns east and heads deep into the Ventana Wilderness, 239,110 acres of the Los Padres National
Forest . The trail makes numerous ascents to dry exposed ridgelines and plunges down to shaded stream
crossings, with swimming-hole detours for those who like a cold dip.
Finally, you reach the Big Sur River, the Sykes campground and the springs, which lie several hundred yards
downstream. (Detailed directions are available from the information desk at the Forest Service station.)
In addition, the Ventana Wilderness Alliance maintains an online trail guide that may offer current trail conditions.
To get the latest trail information, call (831) 385-5434.
Pick up a free back-country fire permit and directions at the National Forest Service's Big Sur Station (Highway 1,
Big Sur, Calif.; (831) 667-2315), or get a permit online at www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres. Overnight parking at the
station is $4 a day. A guidebook, especially useful because area maps are out of print, is "Hiking the Big Sur
Country: The Ventana Wilderness" by Jeffrey P. Schaffer (Wilderness Press, 1988). Information: Monterey Ranger
District, (831) 385-5434.
The Hot Springs at the Esalen Institute are perched on a rocky ledge just 50 feet above the Pacific. Natural hot
springs flow from the ground at 119 degrees at 80 gallons/minute. These same healing waters have been flowing
for centuries providing respite for Esselen Indians and others. Swimsuits are optional, and nudity common, in the
hot springs massage area, and swimming pool. In addition to round-the-clock availability for Esalen guests, the
hot springs are open to the general public by reservation only from 1am to 3am. There is a $20 fee, payable by
credit card only. To make reservations, call 831-667-3047.
A third hot springs is located at the Tassajara Zen Center which is accessible by way of Big Sur and an 18 mile
hike over the rugged Ventana Wilderness. You can reach Tassajara by automobile through Carmel Valley. Located
at the end of a long, meandering country road, deep in the Santa Lucia Mountains, Tassajara has been a
hot-springs resort since the 1880s. Visitors range from hardcore spiritual seekers to concrete-weary urban
dwellers looking for rest and renewal. The Zen Center has maintained this hallowed haven as a meditation center
for the past 35 years and welcomes day visitors and overnight guests from early May through August. Three
vegetarian meals are served each day, and a variety of lodging facilities are scattered throughout the grounds. Be
prepared to forego material comfort.There is no electricity in the retreat and only one phone. Zen workshops and
retreats are offered throughout the summer. (39171 Tassajara Rd.,Carmel Valley, CA, 93924-9316. Phone: (415)
865-1895. ) Website.
to Sykes and then 14 miles beyond, linking with numerous other trails on the way.
On the first section of the hike to the hot springs, within Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, coastal redwoods tower
overhead as the trail quickly rises from the traffic on Highway 1. It's tough going on the initial uphill section, but the
Pacific can be spotted in the distance as the narrow trail climbs high on a ridge above the canyons.
The route turns east and heads deep into the Ventana Wilderness, 239,110 acres of the Los Padres National
Forest . The trail makes numerous ascents to dry exposed ridgelines and plunges down to shaded stream
crossings, with swimming-hole detours for those who like a cold dip.
Finally, you reach the Big Sur River, the Sykes campground and the springs, which lie several hundred yards
downstream. (Detailed directions are available from the information desk at the Forest Service station.)
In addition, the Ventana Wilderness Alliance maintains an online trail guide that may offer current trail conditions.
To get the latest trail information, call (831) 385-5434.
Pick up a free back-country fire permit and directions at the National Forest Service's Big Sur Station (Highway 1,
Big Sur, Calif.; (831) 667-2315), or get a permit online at www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres. Overnight parking at the
station is $4 a day. A guidebook, especially useful because area maps are out of print, is "Hiking the Big Sur
Country: The Ventana Wilderness" by Jeffrey P. Schaffer (Wilderness Press, 1988). Information: Monterey Ranger
District, (831) 385-5434.
The Hot Springs at the Esalen Institute are perched on a rocky ledge just 50 feet above the Pacific. Natural hot
springs flow from the ground at 119 degrees at 80 gallons/minute. These same healing waters have been flowing
for centuries providing respite for Esselen Indians and others. Swimsuits are optional, and nudity common, in the
hot springs massage area, and swimming pool. In addition to round-the-clock availability for Esalen guests, the
hot springs are open to the general public by reservation only from 1am to 3am. There is a $20 fee, payable by
credit card only. To make reservations, call 831-667-3047.
A third hot springs is located at the Tassajara Zen Center which is accessible by way of Big Sur and an 18 mile
hike over the rugged Ventana Wilderness. You can reach Tassajara by automobile through Carmel Valley. Located
at the end of a long, meandering country road, deep in the Santa Lucia Mountains, Tassajara has been a
hot-springs resort since the 1880s. Visitors range from hardcore spiritual seekers to concrete-weary urban
dwellers looking for rest and renewal. The Zen Center has maintained this hallowed haven as a meditation center
for the past 35 years and welcomes day visitors and overnight guests from early May through August. Three
vegetarian meals are served each day, and a variety of lodging facilities are scattered throughout the grounds. Be
prepared to forego material comfort.There is no electricity in the retreat and only one phone. Zen workshops and
retreats are offered throughout the summer. (39171 Tassajara Rd.,Carmel Valley, CA, 93924-9316. Phone: (415)
865-1895. ) Website.
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Sykes camp was the site of an extensive hippie commune in the late 1960s, complete with numerous structures.
By the early 1970s, though, local residents were complaining about the influx of hippies living in the back country,
and after the 1972 Molera Fire, which reportedly was started by illegal campers, the U.S. Forest Service began
clearing squatters from its land. An extensive effort by the forest service in the 1970s removed most of the debris
from Sykes Camp.
By the early 1970s, though, local residents were complaining about the influx of hippies living in the back country,
and after the 1972 Molera Fire, which reportedly was started by illegal campers, the U.S. Forest Service began
clearing squatters from its land. An extensive effort by the forest service in the 1970s removed most of the debris
from Sykes Camp.
Hot Springs Safety Tips:
Be careful of your footing. Watch out for broken glass & slippery
moss. Use caution when going barefoot and don't go alone.
Water temperatures vary by site, ranging from warm to very hot.
Test the water first for temperature to avoid scalds and burns.
Prolonged immersion may be hazardous to your health and
result in hypothermia
Elderly persons and those with a history of heart disease,
diabetes, high or low blood pressure or who are pregnant
should consult their physicians prior to use.
Respect private property rights. Do not trespass at private hot
springs without the landowners permission.
Don't drink the water.
Please don't litter. Visit our safety page.
Be careful of your footing. Watch out for broken glass & slippery
moss. Use caution when going barefoot and don't go alone.
Water temperatures vary by site, ranging from warm to very hot.
Test the water first for temperature to avoid scalds and burns.
Prolonged immersion may be hazardous to your health and
result in hypothermia
Elderly persons and those with a history of heart disease,
diabetes, high or low blood pressure or who are pregnant
should consult their physicians prior to use.
Respect private property rights. Do not trespass at private hot
springs without the landowners permission.
Don't drink the water.
Please don't litter. Visit our safety page.
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