Harbin Hot Springs Retreat & Workshop Center
Harbin Hot Springs, boasting 5,000 acres of a private retreat, takes the concept of escaping it all to a whole new level. Whatever your preference may be (room, private cottage, dorm, or camping ground), Harbin has you covered. Fun fact: their hot springs are recognized as one of the oldest in San Francisco—and in the Golden State for that matter.
Guests travel to Harbin from all over the world to put technology aside and immerse themselves in an atmosphere of rest and relaxation. It isn’t difficult to imagine how an area enveloped by meadows, hills, and canyons serves as a sort of nature’s “pick-me-up” for visitors, but it’s Harbin’s springs that really take the cake. The natural, tranquil, clothing-optional spring-fed pools can be found during professional bodywork treatments, hill hikes, yoga classes, and more.
Steep Ravine Hot Springs
Just across Golden Gate Bridge in sparkling Marin County is Steep Ravine Hot Springs—the remedy to all of your daily stressors. Make sure it’s low tide before hiking down to the springs, which are nestled between the Steep Ravine Cabins and the sandy Stinson Beach. And though your hike is already going to have the hues rolling in, it isn't until you're able to soak in the warm salty waters that you’ll truly begin to appreciate the splendor around you. The white sand will glimmer under the fading sunlight, as you begin your journey out of this dimension and into one where lapping waves are your melodic music.
If you ever want to prolong your stay ("justifiable" would be an understatement), the nearby Steep Ravine Cabins offers excellent small cabins for rent. It's located near Mt. Tamalpais. You’ll also find a campground with tables, a food locker, a fire pit, and a place to pitch a tent if that's more your speed. Regardless of what you choose, Steep Ravine Cabins is a stone's throw away from the springs themselves and makes for a beautiful retreat for a longer outdoor adventure.