Franklin Hot Springs

What to expect

Franklin Hot Springs is the opposite of a polished wine-country spa. It is a family property on the southeast edge of Paso Robles with a spring-fed soaking pool, a few hot tubs, a lawn with picnic tables and a small lake. People come for a cheap, unhurried soak, a bit of fishing, and an evening by the fire pit. If you want robes, massage menus and quiet rooms, the town’s resort spas are a better fit.

The water comes up naturally sulphurous, and the operator says nothing is added to it. Expect the smell of minerals and a warm, not scalding, soak. The family gives the pool temperature as about 98 to 100°F37 to 38°C, which is close to body heat. That is warm enough to stay in for an hour on a cool evening, but on a 95°F35°C summer afternoon it can feel more like a bath than a hot spring.

The main pool is a large open-air basin. One visitor guide notes that its floor is uneven, so walk in carefully rather than jumping. Photos on the operator’s site also show smaller hot tubs, one with a little waterfall, plus a fire pit area with heaters and lounge chairs. The lake behind the pool is fed by the same spring system. It is stocked, and the day pass lets you fish or take a small boat out without a fishing license.

A day pass also covers a lawn game area with giant Connect Four, giant ladder ball, cornhole and ping pong. On summer weekends the family has run community events such as outdoor movie nights and a music festival they call Ponda Palooza.

History

The story starts with oil. According to the Franklin family, Wesley Franklin was farming the land in 1952 when Texaco surveyed it for oil and struck mineral water. Over the following decade he dug lakes and channels to manage the flow. The springs were a private retreat for decades and opened to the public in the 1980s. Norman and Cindy Franklin now run the place with their children and grandchildren, and the operator describes it as family owned for 74 years.

Getting there

The springs are at 3015 Creston Road, a few minutes’ drive from downtown Paso Robles.

• From US 101: Exit in Paso Robles, cross to the east side of the Salinas River and pick up Creston Road. Follow it southeast toward the town of Creston. The entrance is on Creston Road, roughly 4 miles from downtown.
• From San Luis Obispo: Take US 101 north for roughly 30 miles, then follow the directions above.

Creston Road is paved all the way, and there is parking on the property. You walk straight from your car to the pool. No hiking is involved.

When to go

The springs are open year-round, and Paso Robles has a hot inland climate. Summer afternoons often climb past 90°F32°C, which makes 100°F38°C water feel less appealing. The best soaks are:

• October to April, when mornings and evenings are cool and the warm water feels right.
• Weekday mornings, when the pool is quietest.
• Summer evenings, after the heat breaks and before the 9 pm close.

Weekends bring families, campers and event crowds. If you want a quiet soak, avoid Saturday afternoons and holiday weekends.

Prices and booking

Prices below are from the operator’s site, checked October 2026:

• All-day pass: $10 for adults. $8 for children under 14, seniors and military.
• What it includes: The hot spring pool and tubs, the lake for fishing and boating, and the lawn games.
• Tent or RV camping: $30 a night, admission included. The operator also lists some campsites at $75 to $85.
• Maximum stay: One week.
• Memberships: $50 a month or $500 a year, for regulars.
• Hours: 7:30 am to 9 pm, every day.

You can book day passes and camping online through the links on the operator’s website, or call (805) 712-5372. Day visitors can usually walk in. For camping, especially on weekends, book or call ahead.

The site does not publish a full rules list. Plan on swimsuits, since this is a family place. Ask at the gate about pets, alcohol and glass before you bring them.

Where to stay nearby

• On site: Tent and RV sites at the springs are the cheapest base, and they include admission, so you can soak at night and again in the morning.
• Paso Robles: Downtown, about 10 minutes away, has hotels, inns and motels at every price level, plus restaurants around the City Park square.
• Lake Nacimiento: A reservoir northwest of town with a resort, campsites and lodges. It is roughly a 30-minute drive and is popular in summer for boating.

Safety notes

• Supervise children. The pool is unguarded and the floor is uneven in places. Keep non-swimmers within reach.
• Summer heat. Inland Paso Robles gets very hot. Drink water, find shade between soaks, and keep sessions short on hot days.
• Sulphur water. The mineral smell is normal. Rinse off afterward and expect light swimwear to pick up some odor.
• Lake safety. If you take a boat or paddleboard out, wear a life jacket and keep kids close to the shore.

Nearby stops worth adding

Paso Robles has a long hot springs history, and you can make a day of it. Downtown Paso Robles is built around a shady square with tasting rooms and cafes. The town also has spas that use local mineral water, such as River Oaks Hot Springs, if you want a private tub after a cheap public soak. The Highway 46 East wine corridor starts on the north side of town and is lined with wineries.