Hidden in a wooded hillside in Avila Beach, this wellness resort might be one of the most distinctive soak experiences on the coast. Private hillside, mineral hot tubs surrounded by sycamores and oaks.
Every guest room and suite at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa comes equipped with its own balcony or patio, featuring a hot tub fed by natural mineral spring water. That means when you arrive, you don’t just sleep in comfort. You soak in comfort, too.
For a different kind of experience, their hillside hot tubs, which sit among sycamore and oak trees, offer the option to dive deeper into the natural spring experience. Whether it’s a quiet evening soak with your partner or a small gathering with friends, the hillside tubs can be reserved for groups of 2, 4, 6, or 8.
Sycamore Mineral Springs’ signature feature is its naturally heated mineral water, sourced from underground resources spanning over 100 acres. That water feeds everything from the guest-room tubs to the hillside open-air tubs, the waterfall-lagoon, and the resort’s pool.
A Look at the Full Resort Experience
Sycamore Mineral Springs has 72 guest rooms and suites (plus a separate three-bedroom guest-house) spread across the property.
The room types range from standard king rooms to multi-bedroom suites. Some of the newer “West Meadows” suites include extra living space and fireplaces.
The resort’s wellness facilities include a full spa, a yoga & fitness center, and complimentary bike rental. Their spa offers massages, facials, and body treatments that utilize mineral-rich products specifically designed to complement the natural spring water.
For guests who want to build a full wellness-focused day, it’s common to schedule a treatment, take a class, and plan a soak either before or after.
There are two on-site dining choices. The Secret Garden, which offers wood-fired pizzas and live music, and Gardens of Avila, the main restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner with ingredients sourced from the property’s own garden.
Location-wise, the resort sits just a brief drive from the Pacific Ocean, making it easy to enjoy beach time while staying in a wooded, hillside setting. There are also hiking trails nearby, including the Sycamore Crest Trail, which starts on the property and leads to ridge-top views over Avila Beach.
There are enough amenities for guests to spend most of their stay on the property. Between the mineral-spring pool, the hillside tubs, the in-room tubs, dining options, spa services, and the trail access, it’s possible to plan a whole day without driving anywhere.
It’s a place where guests can rest, soak, eat well, and walk through natural surroundings without needing to plan complicated activities.
Easy Access to Avila Beach
However, if you are interested in exploring, the location makes it easy to get to Avila Beach, San Luis Obispo, and nearby coastal towns without long drive times. Avila Beach is just minutes away and is near the main road leading to both downtown SLO and Pismo Beach.
Many travelers pair their stay with whale watching or wine tasting, as several wineries are within a short drive. Or by visiting Avila Valley attractions such as the Bob Jones Trail.
After time at the beach or on local trails, returning to an in-room tub or a hillside soak becomes one of the best ways to unwind.
Sycamore Mineral Springs offers a stay centered around rest and relaxation. The natural mineral water, quiet hillside layout, and access to trails and coastal towns give guests multiple ways to relax.
Alexandrea Sumuel Groves is a Travel Journalist, Yahoo! Creator, MSN Partner, Society of American Travel Writers and North American Travel Journalists Association member, and the founder of Wander Worthy. She covers vacation destinations, travel news, and tourism trends.
