Boyes Hot Springs, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Boyes Hot Springs
|
|
|---|---|
Location in Sonoma County and the state of California
|
|
 Boyes Hot Springs, California
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County | Sonoma |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.06 sq mi (2.75 km2) |
| • Land | 1.06 sq mi (2.75 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) 0% |
| Elevation | 135 ft (41 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 6,215 |
| • Density | 5,863.21/sq mi (2,262.97/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
95416 (PO boxes), 95476 (Street addresses)
|
| Area code | 707 |
| FIPS code | 06-07848 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1658122 |
Boyes Hot Springs (also called Boyes Springs or The Springs) is a small community in Sonoma County, California. It is located in the beautiful Sonoma Valley. The area is famous for its natural hot springs that bubble up from deep underground. For many years, people came here from places like San Francisco to relax and enjoy the warm waters.
Contents
History of Boyes Hot Springs
Early Days and Hot Springs Discovery
Long ago, Native Americans were the first to discover and use the hot springs in this area. They knew about the special healing powers of the warm water. Later, in 1840, the land became part of a large Mexican ranch called Rancho Agua Caliente.
In 1889, people started selling land near what was called the "celebrated old Indian Medicine Spring." Then, in 1895, a man named Henry Ernest Boyes found even more hot springs. He and his wife named their new area Agua Rica and built the Boyes Hot Springs Hotel. This hotel is now the famous Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa.
A Popular Tourist Spot
Boyes Hot Springs quickly became a very popular place for tourists. More than 70,000 people visited each year! A railroad even brought visitors right to the area.
However, a big wildfire in September 1923 destroyed many buildings in the settlement.
Changes Over Time
During the Great Depression in the 1930s, fewer tourists visited, and the hotel had to close. Interestingly, during this time, famous baseball teams like the Oakland Oaks and San Francisco Seals came to Boyes Hot Springs for their spring training.
Tourism started to pick up again in the late 1930s. But during World War II, the United States Navy used the area as a place for sailors to relax. The railroad service to the area stopped in 1942.
Today, Boyes Hot Springs is mostly a place where people live. It has a large Latino population. It's part of a bigger area known as "The Springs," which also includes nearby communities like Fetters Hot Springs and Agua Caliente.
Geography and Climate
Where is Boyes Hot Springs?
Boyes Hot Springs covers about 1.1 square miles (2.75 square kilometers) of land. It's located in the Sonoma Valley in Sonoma County, California. The community is named after its famous hot springs, which are about 1,100 feet (335 meters) below the ground. The water from these springs is very hot, around 135 degrees Fahrenheit (57 degrees Celsius)! You can still experience these springs today at the Fairmont Hotel and Spa.
Weather in Boyes Hot Springs
The area has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate. This means it has hot and dry summers. Average summer temperatures can range from 85 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit (29 to 43 degrees Celsius).
Transportation
Getting around Boyes Hot Springs is easy with public transportation. Sonoma County Transit offers bus services throughout the area.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 6,215 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Who Lives Here?
According to the 2020 Census, about 6,215 people live in Boyes Hot Springs. In 2010, the population was 6,656.
The community is very diverse. In 2010, many different groups of people lived here:
- About 39% of the people were White.
- A large part of the population, about 67.7%, was Hispanic or Latino.
- There were also smaller numbers of African American, Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander residents. Some people identified with two or more races.
The average age of people living in Boyes Hot Springs in 2010 was 34 years old.
Economy and Tourism
The Hot Springs and Local Businesses
Historically, tourism has been a very important part of the economy in Boyes Hot Springs. People came for the natural hot springs, not just for bathing, but also for drinking! Companies used to bottle both fizzy and still water from the springs to sell.
Today, the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa is a major attraction. This fancy hotel is built on the site of the original Boyes Hot Springs Hotel. Its spa still uses the natural hot springs for its treatments.
Boyes Hot Springs also has some great places to eat:
- El Molino Central serves delicious Mexican street food and is known for making its own fresh tortillas.
- Mary's Pizza Shack, a popular Italian restaurant, opened its very first location here.
- Santé, a restaurant inside the Fairmont, has even earned a special star from the Michelin Guide for its excellent food.
Famous People
- Shotsie Gorman, a talented tattoo artist, painter, sculptor, and poet.
- Duffy Lewis, a professional baseball player who played for teams like the Boston Red Sox.
See also
In Spanish: Boyes Hot Springs para niños
