9/14/2023 0 Comments Wilbur hot springs![]() We spent some time exploring and taking photos and it was a lovely way to end our trip. The Mendocino coastline is ridiculously gorgeous. ![]() Their pastries and breakfast burritos hit the spot! We spent the evening making dinner and drinking beers and the next day exploring Mendocino town and walking around the headlands. BUT our host was very nice, and it helped to have easy access to potable water and bathrooms, key facets of gateway camping. I’ll admit, it’s a little strange at first-you are essentially camping in someone’s backyard. I’d heard good things about Hipcamp and decided to give it a go to reserve a site right outside town. And of course, you can chat by the pool, where I spent most the day swimming around. Not talking is obviously extremely difficult for me, but was good to feel the peace in the area. Bring a book or a journal, or simply let your mind wander. If it’s not too hot during the day, hike around the hills, where there’s a small geyser, handmade chimes, and a small cemetery.Ī big part of the experience is maintaining a level of silence at the springs. This might seem strange at first, but honestly, it felt totally natural once we were there! Everyone is super nice and respectful, and it allows you to let your entire body relax. Spend the day Saturday before heading out.Ĭlothing is optional, and most people choose not to wear it. Come early on Friday it’s such a unique experience to be in the hot springs and pool at night while looking up at the stars. My highlights and recommendations for Wilbur Hot Springs:Īn evening and a day are more than enough time. Since there are regular bathrooms and a communal kitchen (they don’t provide food, but they offer everything for you to cook your own), I’d call this gateway camping, which was fine by me. There’s more privacy, and once it gets dark, the star gazing is incredible, especially with a couple bottles of wine in tow ( side note: I nearly didn’t bring a sleeping pad but of course packed two bottles of wine as dire necessities). While you can reserve lodges at Wilbur, we camped, which we found much more preferable. There’s also a pool so during the day when it’s hot, you can stay cool. The no-cell-service zone, scarce lights at night, and hot springs that reach up to 105 degrees make for relaxing and shedding your burdens. Tucked away off a VERY dirt road north of Calistoga, Wilbur is a retreat from the bustle of everyday life. I’d been wanting to go here since my old coworker told me about it. I liked this because it allowed us to explore more of Marin county AND let me have more experience in pitching a tent and peeing in the dark (turns out it’s not as bad as you think).įirst stop: Wilbur Hot Springs. Rather than pick one spot for the weekend, we split it up into two. Dirt/trees/sleeping on the floor I can handle knowing what I need to bring in order to do that = pffft no idea.Ī couple weeks ago, I procured all the more-or-less baseline supplies and headed up north to go camping with E, who was basically my camp counselor (thank youuuu!). It’s more that I never had the gear/committed to getting the gear, and I didn’t have anyone experienced to go with/teach me. ![]() If you count Burning Man, then I’ve gone camping a grand total of one time. Okay I did something I’ve (surprisingly) never actually done before-went CAMPING! ![]()
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