Point Arena Hot Springs facts for kids
The Point Arena Hot Springs are natural warm water springs. They are found near the Garcia River in Mendocino County, California. This is about 15 miles southeast of Point Arena.
For many years, these hot springs were a very popular place to visit. People came here for a relaxing vacation in the late 1800s and early 1900s. In 1913, a book called the California Blue Book even called them "one of California's most beautiful health resorts."
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What Are the Point Arena Hot Springs?
The hot springs are nestled in a deep valley, also called a canyon. This canyon was carved by the Garcia River. There are sixteen different hot springs in this area. They are found on the northeastern side of the canyon.
Each spring is about six feet away from the next one. The water that comes out is warm, usually between 110 and 112 degrees Fahrenheit. It's a mild sulphur water. Each spring produces about 1.5 to 3 gallons of this warm water every minute.
History of the Hot Springs Resort
The Point Arena Hot Springs became a resort in 1895. It officially opened its doors to visitors in 1904. By 1910, a large hotel was built on the property.
The resort also had several small cottages and even tents for camping. It could host up to 100 guests at one time. A stay at the resort cost about $12 for a whole week.
Fun Activities at the Resort
The Point Arena Hot Springs Resort offered many fun things to do. Guests could go hunting or fishing nearby. There were also games like croquet and billiards. For indoor fun, there was a bowling alley. If you liked photography, the resort even had a special room for developing pictures!
In the evenings, guests could enjoy dinner and dancing. The resort made sure there was plenty to keep everyone entertained.
Bathing in the Springs
When the resort was open, the natural springs were changed a bit. They were shaped into special pools with cement. Two small bathhouses were built over a stream. These bathhouses had bathtubs for guests to use. People also enjoyed bathing directly in the warm spring water.
Getting to the resort was an adventure back then. The only way to reach it was by horse and carriage. There were no cars or paved roads leading directly to the springs.
