What to Expect on Your First Visit to a Hot Springs Resort

Most first-time visitors arrive at a hot springs resort expecting warm water and a break from daily life. What surprises them is how intentional the experience becomes once they understand what they’re soaking in. At Murrieta Hot Springs Resort, home to 50+ pools of 100% natural geothermal mineral water and the largest collection in Southern California, we regularly guide first-time soakers through what to expect.

This guide covers everything you need to know before your first visit, from what to pack and how long to soak, to what to book in advance.

What Is a Hot Springs Resort?

A hot springs resort is a property built around natural mineral water sourced from underground geothermal activity. That water, heated by the earth and enriched with dissolved minerals over centuries, is the foundation of the experience. Not all hot springs resorts source their water the same way, and the differences matter more than most first-time visitors expect.

According to the Global Wellness Institute, the therapeutic use of natural mineral waters has a history spanning more than 4,000 years and is practiced across cultures worldwide. Today, the thermal and mineral springs sector is valued at $72 billion globally, based on the Global Wellness Institute’s 2024 estimate.

The single question to ask when evaluating any hot springs resort: is the water 100% natural geothermal? At Murrieta Hot Springs Resort, all 50+ pools are fed by naturally flowing mineral water containing nine therapeutic minerals, including lithium, magnesium, and sulfate. Once you have chosen the right property, the next step is making sure you show up prepared.

What to Pack for Your Hot Springs Visit

You don’t need much. Most hot springs resorts provide robes and towels, and the experience is intentionally low-tech. The goal is to simplify, not to overpack.

One note on sunscreen: apply it well before you arrive or after you soak, not immediately before entering the pools. Sunscreen residue can affect the mineral balance of the water. Most resorts provide mineral-safe sunscreen if you need it poolside.

How Long Should You Soak?

As a first-time soaker, you may underestimate how much the heat and minerals affect your body. Dr. Marcus Coplin, Medical Director at Murrieta Hot Springs Resort, recommends soaking in intervals of 15 to 20 minutes rather than one continuous stretch, allowing your body to regulate temperature and absorb the minerals. 

Stay hydrated throughout. The heat causes you to sweat even while submerged, and dehydration is the most common reason first-time visitors feel unwell. Bring a water bottle and drink consistently, not just when you feel thirsty.

If the resort offers multiple pool temperatures, moving from hotter to cooler pools, known as contrast therapy, can enhance circulation and reduce muscle soreness. Many dedicated hot springs resorts include cold plunges specifically for this purpose. At Murrieta Hot Springs Resort, guided cold plunges are offered daily, and our Historic Bathhouse features the only traditional Kneipp contrast therapy walks in Southern California. Beyond pacing yourself in the water, there are a few etiquette norms worth knowing before you arrive.

Hot Springs Etiquette: What to Know Before You Arrive

Hot springs resorts operate differently from public pools. The atmosphere is quiet and intentional, and the expectation at most properties is that guests treat the space, and each other, accordingly.

Following these norms is not just courteous, it also protects the water quality that makes the experience therapeutic in the first place. Once you have a sense of how to move through the property, the next decision is whether to visit for the day or stay overnight.

Day Visit vs. Overnight Stay: Which Is Right for You?

Both are valid, but they offer meaningfully different experiences. A single afternoon soak is restorative. Multiple soaks across an overnight stay, including quiet evening and early morning access, compounds the effect in ways a single visit cannot replicate.

If you’re visiting a property for the first time and want to test the experience before committing to a full overnight, a day pass is a reasonable starting point. If you’re traveling from Los Angeles or San Diego specifically for a wellness stay, the overnight experience is worth the investment. Murrieta Hot Springs Resort offers day passes and overnight stays that include 24-hour soaking access plus adult-only pools reserved for hotel guests.Either way, deciding whether to add spa treatments to your visit is worth thinking through before you arrive.

Spa Add-Ons: What to Book in Advance

Most hot springs resorts offer spa services alongside soaking access, and popular treatment times fill quickly, especially on weekends. 

A note on timing: soaking before a massage rather than after produces better results for most guests. The mineral water relaxes muscle tissue and increases circulation, which allows massage therapists to work more effectively. If you’re planning a visit to Murrieta Hot Springs Resort specifically, here’s what to expect from the experience.

What to Expect at Murrieta Hot Springs Resort

If you live in Southern California, Murrieta Hot Springs Resort is approximately 90 minutes from both Los Angeles and San Diego, making it the most accessible natural geothermal overnight experience in the region. What’s more, the resort offers an experience that is difficult to find elsewhere in Southern California.

• • Natural geothermal water: 50+ soaking pools fed by 100% natural geothermal water with nine verified therapeutic minerals, the largest collection in Southern California
• • 24-hour soaking access: Overnight guests have unlimited access to all pools, including private pools available after day guests depart
• • The Historic Bathhouse: Home to the only traditional Kneipp contrast therapy walks in Southern California, including a steam room, cold plunge, and panoramic sauna
• • Medically directed programming: Wellness programming guided by Medical Director Dr. Marcus Coplin 
• • Wine country setting: Located in Temecula Valley, approximately 90 minutes from both Los Angeles and San Diego
• • Overnight amenities: Talia Kitchen farm-to-table dining and Sleep Rooms with Bryte Balance smart beds

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to make a reservation for a hot springs resort?

Yes. Popular properties near Los Angeles and San Diego sell out on weekends. Book your visit at least one to two weeks in advance, and reserve any spa treatments at the time of booking, if possible.

Are there health conditions that affect whether you can soak?

Soaking in hot mineral water is generally well-tolerated, but if you are pregnant, have cardiovascular conditions, or are managing certain skin conditions, consult a physician before visiting. Most hot springs resorts post contraindications at each pool. When in doubt, start with a cooler pool and shorter sessions.

Is a hot springs resort the same as a spa?

Not necessarily. A traditional day spa offers treatments in a clinical or salon setting. A hot springs resort is built around natural water access, which may or may not include spa treatments. The most comprehensive overnight resorts, like Murrieta Hot Springs Resort, offer both: full soaking access alongside a dedicated spa with treatments, body work, and wellness programming.