Overview
Desert Hot Springs is a town in Riverside County in the California Desert. Most visitors are here to chill in the desert, and relax at one of the many hotel/spas. The naturally hot mineral waters flowing into the soaking pools is heated by the earth's magma and is unusual that it contains no sulfur smell and is tasteless.
The hot water table is actually above the cold water table and in some places is so near the surface it leaks out of the earth. Soaking in the naturally hot mineral waters proves therapeutically beneficial to those suffering arthritis, bursitis, muscular fatigue or damage and is generally healing to the body. In some places the wells measure temperatures as high as 140 degrees requiring cooling of the waters before they flow into the soaking pools.
The waters that flow into the pools also flow out of the pools into retention basins that allow the waters to slowly soak back into the earth. By this method the pools are constantly refreshed with new waters flowing in, so less chlorine is required.
The city of Desert Hot Springs, once known as Spa City, was founded by Cabot Yerxa and came into being in the 1950s due to the hot mineral springs. This makes it a unique destination among all cities of the Coachella Valley. Nearby cities of Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, Palm Desert, La Quinta and Indio do not have hot mineral springs.
1 sights · 2 things to do · 3 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 11 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Desert Hot Springs
Cabot's Pueblo Museum
Mission Creek Preserve
Cabot's Pueblo Museum
100+ year old native-style home and museum of city founder Cabot Yerxa.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Nov–Apr. Summer highs reach about 109°F; winter lows dip to about 46°F. Very hot (May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jan and Feb. (climate data from nearby Palm Springs)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- PSP Palm Springs International Airport, Palm Springs — 9 mi away (major hub). Directions
- SBD San Bernardino International Airport, San Bernardino — 43 mi away (major hub). Directions
Having a car is definitely the easiest option.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Cabot's Pueblo Museum, Mission Creek Preserve
- Lunch Thai Palm Restaurant
- Afternoon Cabot's Pueblo Museum
- Dinner The Capri Italian Food and Steakhouse
- Evening Escapades Bar
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
Having a car is definitely the easiest option.
From Los Angeles take the I-10 East, exit Palm Drive, and head north.
From Palm Springs, take either Indian Canyon Drive north, or Gene Autry Trail north, which turns into Palm Drive. Either route will take around 30 minutes.
See
Do
Do Mission Creek Preserve
Eat
Eat The Capri Italian Food and Steakhouse
Eat Thai Palm Restaurant
A decent little Thai restaurant, with a traditional menu accompanied by a not-so-traditional specials menu.
Drink
Drink Escapades Bar
Friendly, neighborhood bar.
Sleep
Most of the hotels double as spas.
Stay Aqua Soleil Hotel & Mineral Water Spa
Stay Two Bunch Palms Resort & Spa
This sprawling resort set on 50 acres. Their pools are fed by a 140F natural hot spring, which is cooled and divided into a large 98F pool and a smaller 104F pool. The spa is fantastic, with top-notch masseuses and a host of other offerings. They bill themselves as a retreat, so cell phones are banned in the public areas, and whispering is preferred.
Go next
- Joshua Tree National Park – Stunning landscapes and home to two desert ecosystems and is a favorite for campers, hikers, and rock-climbers. The western entrance is about 30 minutes drive north on CA 62 in Joshua Tree Village.
Nearby
Palm Springs
City / town · 58 listings · 10 mi away
Cathedral City
City / town · 3 listings · 11 mi away
Yucca Valley
City / town · 8 listings · 13 mi away
Rancho Mirage
City / town · 8 listings · 14 mi away
Joshua Tree
City / town · 12 listings · 16 mi away
Palm Desert
City / town · 25 listings · 18 mi away
Indian Wells
City / town · 3 listings · 19 mi away
Idyllwild
City / town · 46 listings · 19 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.