I have to say this is by far the best place out here. Water is amazing and the history behind this location is astonishing. I totally recommend everyone and their family to come out and have a great time (: read more

Franklin Hot Springs - Fishing Near Me - Paso Robles, California

My cousin lives right down the road from this place, so I just came here with my family for the first time while visiting on vacation. The owner claimed that people catch fish here all the time, but we didn't even get a nibble. There were no fish biting bugs on the top of the water, either. I did catch a line that had been left in the water along with hooks and bait. So, probably not the kind of place you wanna eat the fish from (if there were any). The swimming pool was nice. Definitely not what I was expecting, but my skin felt great after getting out. Just be warned, wear water shoes or flip flops! It has a natural bottom with algae and mud. Feels kind of gross in between your toes... I would have really liked for there to be a fresh water shower for after you get out, but I guess that is what it is. Overall, the best experience here was the water and the owner's friendly dogs. I think I would come back for that, but the fishing is bunk and the facilities are less than minimal. read more

This place was honestly disgusting. I understand that it's nature and it's going to smell like sulfur but it was rancid. The whole surrounding area is run down trailers and mobile homes. It took me 20 minutes to get in the water it looked that gross. And honestly the whole time I was worried I was going to get a disease. The only reason I gave it two stars was because i can use this as a really funny story. But seriously I would recommend spending $30 to go somewhere better. It was nasty read more

Nazi hangout. I've changed my info on Yelp to feel safe enough to write about this. I was at Franklin Hot Springs recently with some friends. It is a small, family-run business, I know. I've been there a few times in the past. There weren't many people there. There was one man with a child who seemed to be friends with the owner. They talked in a very easy, friendly way that seemed to establish that they knew each other. When the man stood up from the hot springs it became obvious that he had a full back tattoo of a swastika and a skull. I was shocked. This man got out of the pool, walked freely around the hot springs and continued talking to the owner. So it would seem that Franklin hot springs is a comfortable place for Nazi's to hang out. Perhaps that will help you decide whether Franklin hot springs is for you. It is not for me and I will never feel good about going there again. read more

The reviewer that coined the Appalachian aesthetic is super spot on... Such amazing potential. A dumpster run (or a dozen) would go a looong way to clean up the area. It's mind boggling to me that it's such a dump. A tetanus shot might be advised, but otherwise it's enjoyable in a white-trash, garbage strewn eyesore kinda way. read more

As you drive up, there are a bunch of abandoned looking trailers sitting in the road. You walk in a shack like building and put your money in a wooden box. There are changing rooms/restrooms with a barely hanging roof. The pool that houses the hot springs is pretty packed with algae so as you step into the pool, your feet go squish squish. Granted its only $7 for a entrance fee but.....def another world. We came on a sunday afternoon for about 20 minutes and the place was pretty packed with kids and adults swimming and sunbathing. Folks had beers out and everyone seemed to be having a grand ole time. I don't think the spa was our cup of tea though. read more

I love this place- it is not for everyone. I have been going here regularly for a few years now. The water is fabulous--lustrous glowing green and sulphery. The price is right--$7 a day for as long a soak as you can stand (water temp is not too hot--many people actually swim laps in the large pool). There are ducks quite often in the pool--duck poo included. The best time to go is dawn-- serene and a bit other worldly. In the morning the old locals come to do calisthenics (I too believe this water has special qualities). On the weekends, in the evenings especially there are young people well armed with beer and dogs and radios and slightly improper couples. The grounds are in a continually varied state of neglect and decay. I like that this intimidates the masses-- but I do wish the owners had a slightly better than Appalachian aesthetic... Nonetheless I like it there and will continue to go as long as they maintain their permit to . read more

The owners double booked our stay, which we found out when, after coming back to our campsite at 10:00 pm,we discovered tents and vehicles surrounding our camper. We had to leave as the 'new' group decided that 10:30 pm was a great time to fire up the barbecue. read more

Awesome!!! I was just there on Wednesday, August 15, 2012. We got there in the evening on the first day of a road trip so we could only stay for 45 minutes because we didn't want to miss dinner at a restaurant. This place took away A LOT of my stress. If I lived near here, I'd soak every single day. It really is a fountain of youth. The owner's father lived till he was 96. There's a picture of him in the entrance building and he had few wrinkles even just before his death. This is the first time I've been to a hot spring where the mineral silt collects at the bottom. It reminded me of the Blue Lagoon in Iceland (which I have yet to visit). I rubbed the silt all over. A "day spa" will never have the mineral silt. As soon as I got in, my skin felt smooth. The mineral content is very good. I've been to dozens of onsens in Japan and none of them remotely had the therapeutic effect of this place. I'm planning on going back to Paso Robles for a few days this autumn or winter just to soak in Franklin Hot Springs. I'm thinking of taking the Coast Starlight Amtrak train from Union Station in LA since I don't feel like doing the 4-hour drive. I would take a bike and ride from a motel in town to the hot springs each day of my stay. $7 for an all-day pass ($5 for seniors and kids). Can't beat that! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pf4UmEPeSY0 read more

I would love to love Franklin's Pond, as there is something very special about the quality of the water. Very therapeutic. Have frequented the place since it opened to the public. (Even before when I snuck in as a high schooler) :) Unfortunately, over the years, I'm not what sure to expect when I drive up. More and more it's like Sanford and Sons, and you never know what they've created out of their junk lying around. (water slide from plywood, carpet that leads into the pool, private hot tubs made out of?, etc...), I'm afraid to go out there to see what the latest addition is. Not so fond of the motor homes out there either, felt safer in the past. Was loving the Spirulina mud baths, but now that the ducks swim in the pool, not so much. I wish they could have kept the originality and "crudeness" of the place ( meaning unique and homespun) without it becoming just plane crude. I miss going there, I've introduced many new people to there, I loved it . Now it's just scary, and I'd be embarrassed to actually take someone there... ( Benefit of the doubt- I haven't been there in about two years, as the last time I was overwhelmingly disgusted, so hopefully they've made it less of a refuse. ) read more

It may not have been a spa-like setting, but it was a lot of fun and a warm escape from winter! A great deal for the price!!!

Thank you Norm. You made me look good for Mothers Day !! Seriously, Thank you and your wonderful family and amazing look out dog. Elleana read more

I LOVE Franklin Hot Springs! I've visited a number of California hot springs including Tassajara Hot Springs and hot springs in Calistoga. Franklin Hot Springs rates top notch for me. No pretension ... just hot water, mud, and nature. They are continually making improvements but I hope they retain their funky natural ambiance forever. They are located about 7-ish minutes from my house. I take all of my visitors there and everyone loves it and requests more time there on each visit. I also refer my clients there and I have a link on my website for people to visit them. Go! If you like pristine architectural separation from nature this may not be the place for you. If you enjoy feeling primitive, putting your toes in the mud and floating beside a variety of species of ducks and looking into their eyes, you'll love Franklin Hot Springs as much as I do. A Paso Robles treasure! read more

good spot to get in some natural water. the pool floor and walls are pretty slimy but it adds to the vibe. you can camp there and shower as well. good amenities read more

This is really an amazing place! Very easily accessible. There is sand at the bottom of the pool so it is not that slimy. We met locals there that were very nice. Bathrooms weren't the nicest but they get the job done. They were very dog friendly. We brought our 3 dogs and they had a great time playing with the friendly pack of dogs that were there. There was a hot tub that we didn't get a chance to try but it looked very nice and relaxing. Only a couple people there. (We went around 10-11am) We already planning our trip back. Check it out totally worth the $7. read more

Franklin Hot Springs - Endless mineral water pool - Fishing Near Me - Paso Robles, California

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No amenities, thats okay. Bring your own towel. $7 is great! But the place is so run down that it's kinda scary. read more

Nice owner very nice pond, but we were harassed by some weird neighbor who lives in the trailers in the back who insisted on telling us we didn't pay and even went to the extent of bringing the owner out before the owner realized that i was the one that personally handed him the money. Really nice place but I don't think I would go back or recommend just because of how rude and creepy the residents living there acted towards us when we were just trying to fish. read more

Wonderful place, so relaxed and simple. Stayed for one night and enjoyed the pool extensively! Met so many lovely people from all walks of life. A great place that has character, charm and an abundance of good energy! The owners are lovely people; very calm, happy and relaxed. We had a great time and plan to stay again the next time we are passing through. This is a high mineral content hot springs and there is a strong sulphur smell, but the water is clean and nourishing. The place is wild and left more natural. If you come with high expectations you are just setting yourself up for disappointment and then you would miss the beauty of this place! Norm and Cindy, the owners, are good and peaceful people. This is a unique experience that reminds me of a time when fun didn't require hand sanitizer and Wi-Fi! :) read more

Love this place. So relaxing and makes you feel so much better. The owners are always really nice.

I found the love of my life at this place, so no complaints here. It's more Red Neck Rivera than Ghetto. We went Jetskiing and row boating. Had a blast. There is catch and release fishing too! read more

Franklin Hot Springs - #sunset #tonight #nofilter #franklinhotsprings - Fishing Near Me - Paso Robles, California

This is 4.5 stars. The GOOD: the water is amazing. It is not too hot for those craving hot water. It's lukewarm which isn't bad because it's beneficial for your body to stay in longer. No CHLORINE. Thank god. All running water just gushing out from our Mother Earth. It has a slight sulfur smell but not too strong. I've been to ones where it was way, waaaay stronger. People who complain about the smell have absolute no idea what natural mineral springs smell like. This is one type of natural mineral water which happen to contain sulfur that makes it smell. The running water overflows to make a small pond next door. You can even swim and fish there. They have one large pool you can swim in which is slightly cooler than the ones in the tubs. I was there for the afternoon. Nothing beats swimming in pure water in the sunset and under the stars. This place is a goldmine. You can also bbq. The owner is a really nice guy. Very friendly and down to earth. He's apparently one of Ben Franklin's descendent. The BAD: the only thing I will complain about is the algae that grows along the walls. I don't mind it at all. It's just a preference. I know it's natural since it's outdoors and the sun is gleaming on, but I think a lil pressure washer can clean the cement jacuzzi in five minutes. The pool might take longer. Then again I don't know how often it grows back. The place could use a bit of a landscaping changes. Here's my 2 cents. I think even minimal changes can make the place 1000 times better. They have antiques laying around. I like the old equipments but they could just place them in certain spots in there land to make them look even more appealing. Kinda like how Disneyland does. One at the entrance, some on the driveway and some in the parking lot. Have maybe natural logs on the ground dividing parking lot/areas. They were constructing new bathrooms. Using wood tiles would just fancy things up in the rustic way. So much potential here but you can't complain about the prices here. If you're looking for superficial spa-esque pampered treatment with golden toilet seats with gold tissues, go elsewhere. If you're looking for an authentic, down to earth place, this is your spot. It's so nice to have a pure place without the outrageous prices. I have to give it up the owners. Perhaps their founding father spirits live on. God bless. read more

Cheap price but the place is a tad run down and the sulfur smell was overwhelming. I will look for another place for Hot Springs.

Disgusting. Poorly maintained. This place looks like someone dug a hole in the ground, found some stuff at the Dump and threw it all together. So gross. So much trash everywhere. Run down. Not worth paying any amount of money to go here. read more

Coolest, funky, kitschy place, to really relax, just soak, better yet camp out and soak all day and night. Absolutely unpretentious, with wonderful waters and wonderful relaxed set ups to enjoy it, and wonderful ducks, geese, chickens, and Canadian Honkers, and a tremedous view of the rolling rural hills of Paso Robles. Can swim or soak in the pool, soak in the hot tub, bbq and picnic, and the local people seem to like to make simple natural jewelry while here which is cool. Totally laid back with, most importantly, wonderful laid back people. Kudos and good karma to Norm who owns the land and thanks posthumous to his dad who set the vision for this little happy Eden. read more

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This is definitely one place I never need to go to again! I was in town for a girls weekend of wine tasting and one of the women suggested that we go here on a Saturday night. She tried to preface it by saying how "unique" the place is. She had been before. However, nothing really could have prepared us for it. Entrance is down a dirt road in the middle of nowhere. And yes, you are on someone's private property. The owners supposedly live in the rundown trailer behind it. We arrived about 9p and there was close to zero lighting. Like pitch black. As the good people we are, we eventually found the box you put your $7 entrance fee in. However, it was not easy to find. Also, we noticed other people come in after us and not pay. There were about 15 people in the water and random music was blasting on Pandora playing through a TV. The place is filthy and is basically a big shed in disrepair with a dark pool in the middle of it. It was super uncomfortable not being to see anyone's faces. And the minute we got in, a few of the local men tried to talk to us in a somewhat creepy way. The ground of the hot spring pool is bumpy (rocks? branches?) and slimy in parts (moss?). Again, you couldn't see anything. We then ventured to the "hot tub" which was even slimier. I couldn't bare to sit or extend my legs...I crouched on my feet. There was a local couple in there already who was friendly but questionable. The water in both the pool and tub was warm but definitely NOT hot. I could not get out of there fast enough. Maybe come during the day time for a first visit? Also, DO NOT wear your jewelry. All our silver (earrings, bracelets, necklaces) turned black from the minerals. This place is borderline dangerous with no lighting and no one keeping an eye on patrons. I will say, the smell of the minerals was not that strong but yes, it definitely is there. I will not be back! p.s. I am a city girl so your experience may be different! read more

Franklin is a great place to soak for an hour or so en route to another destination. It's a super low-key establishment just off the 101. A bit run down, but that's what keeps the prices low and vibe carefree. We enjoyed our soak, but wished the water was just a few degrees warmer as we found ourselves a bit chilly at 1am in April. read more

it's sad to have to even write this preface but here goes: this hot springs is more of an awesome, rustic, hippie hot springs (reminds me of the cool natural ones i grew up around in western montana). it is therefore NOT a yuppie, upper-class, super-clean place to bring country club friends. most of the poor reviews seem to reflect people who are really disturbed by slightly "run down" environments so if you're one of those people just save yourself some time and either don't come or don't be so negative about it. this place is such a hidden oasis in paso robles. the hot springs pool itself is enormous, you can stay in for hours w/o being too hot, it's cheap as hell ($7 for all day), and it's incredibly laid back (you can bring food near the pool, even cook on site if you want, and can bring non-glass into the pool). and there's awesome, therapeutic mud that you can cake onto yourself and let dry in the deeper end of the pool! the family that runs the place is so incredibly nice. they even let me swim for free the first time i came and didn't have cash on me. if you can't handle rustic please don't come. but if you're laid back enough this place is a true restorative gem. and only like 15 minutes off the 101! read more

I've been driving 50 miles to this place for 15 years. It goes through good times when people pay the 7.00 to get in, bring their kids, enjoy. Then there have been bad times when the clientele gets scary. Last few times there (I stay for hours) I realized I was the only one that paid (honor system). Last couple years the Franklin family has placed many beat up old campers on property. They appear to be renting them out to really scary people. Instead of the nice natural, relaxing place it can be, its turned into haven for cigarette smoking tweekers. Blasting loud obnoxious music. Empty beer bottles around pool. I went 4 days ago. Lots of really rough people standing around, drinking, fully dressed. No one in the water=2 woman screaming at each other from one of the campers close to pool. Just got the feeling it was not safe to be there, or leave my car in the parking lot while I was in the water. I left. Won't be back for a while. Really wish they'd clean it up. Get rid of the renters. The place looks like a parole housing experiment. read more

Franklin Hot Springs in Paso Robles is the red neck resort complete with jet skis, dirt camping and paintball arena. We barbecued in the parking lot and watched Zorro on a bed sheet. If you like resort amenities go elsewhere. If you want therapeutic waters, mineral mud and trailer culture go here. read more

a lot of people call this place "ghetto" in these yelp reviews, but seriously, for what it is, it is a five star experience if you are into experiences. Seriously...there are so many commercial places in the U.S. and you can pay for the spa experience, but for seven bucks, you can have a great soak, in a great pool, and be relaxed.... under the stars. This place is great. Natural, and we love it. We bring all our relatives to Franklins and they love it. Unless of course they are the persnickety five star hotel snobby types.. If you are one of those you won't be interested in this swim hole anyway. But for the rest of us awesome laid back fun seeking, adventurous types...it's a GEM.....a hidden central coast secret...go for it, you will LOVE IT. going there tonight to meet my friends from Los Angeles....:) enjoy! read more

Maybe it's just me not used to hot spring but it STINKS! Changing room is not very clean.

So unlike any hot springs I have ever been to before. 10 times stinker. However, that could have been from all the poop overflowing in both toilets. The only spot with shade from the heat from a tree is infested with hornets. After the sun went down, a creepy guy blasting Barry White from his convertible drove through the campground, slowly, either trying to pick up drunk sunburned chicks or scope for drugs. I had to flash my knife and run after his car to get him to leave us alone. The gentleman who showed me the camp spot was nice, though. The Hills Have Eyes! Avoid this "Deliverance" at all costs! read more

This is my favorite hot springs on the central coast! Avila chlorinates their water and I always get ichy. This water comes from an underground river 10,000ft below the surface so the water quality is surreal. I can't believe I avoided this place because my faint of heart friends. They said it had a dirt floor and moss.. little did I know that the dirt was actually healing mud, adobe, and gold covered rock (the water has ionized gold).. the moss is actually vitamin E producing blue green algae. Ha! Glad I asked. I go here a few time a week now. The surrounding isn't fancy but I don't mind because it keeps the LA snobs away :) read more

One word: terrifying. Remember that scary film...deliverance? This is Paso Robles' version of the film, trash everywhere, very dumpy, we drove in, and then drove right out.. and we are the adventurous type! read more

Came here and kept driving! Nothing like the description on groupon! Abort! Abort! if you have ever seen Texas chain saw massacre this is most likely where it was filmed! Just a big swimming hole surrounded by junk and trailers. As I said in the beginning of my review Abort! This is no Calistoga! read more

We went there on 1/01/2011. Yeah New Year Day. We expected to have shower later, so went there early around 9am in the morning. Could find the location from GPS without problems, but hard to identify whether we can go straight or need to go around the pond from the Hot Spring sign board. We were the first people to get in the Hot Springs. Temperature in the Pool is not hot, so we can stay for long time in a pool. It was cold outside, anyway. Two ladies came around 30 minutes later. They look like people living around here. We swam in a pool and had a hot spring water shot from the pipes, which felt like warmer. Very enjoyable. Since we like more natural type of hot spring than some hot tubs type of hot spring located in inns or spas. If people like natural hot spring and can't go to those places like hot creek near Mammoth Lake, etc., this is a good second option to go easier from Bay Area. We want to go there again in better season like spring or summer. read more

Love this place! About 3.5 hours from Los Angeles. Very easy to find. We arrived at around 1pm and there were 4 people in the pool. There was one of the owners collecting entrance fee ($7) upon our arrival. There is a changing room with no lock but it's fine for us. The environment is very rustic and natural which we love so much! The water is just right in winter time. I personally prefer the small pool next to the big pool because you get to see the lake and farm behind. Some people complained this place stink but it is actually the smell of sulfur. We bought some snack and drinks. Please make sure you clean up your trash, keep your voice low and maintain this beautiful environment. I will definitely keep an eye on my stuff just to be careful. I love this down to earth hot spring, nothing fancy. You may find the place a bit funky and beat-up but I don't care. If you are looking for a natural hot spring, this is the perfect place!!! read more

LOVE IT LOVE IT!!! I get yearnings to go back and just float in the steaming pool under the sparkling stars...what a special place! Norm Franklin has a beautiful spirit and you can sense that he truly loves opening his own private lake and hotsprings up to the public.There is clearly no big business here to rip off the public. No muss, no fuss, no frills...as a matter of fact, it's the opposite. If you have an adventerous spirit, and you don't need everything around you to be finished,sterile and stamped with Goodhousekeeping's approval, then you will enjoy this piece of heaven. The place looks make-shift (and to some, questionable), but, we love precisely that! No hoity toity shee shee fru fru... simply a cement pool, filled with the mineral-rich hot water from the earth. Of course algea grows in it...NO Chemicals added. Just nature...sit, soak and take in the beautiful surroundings of the rolling pastures of Paso Robles. The people who visit, mostly locals, are typically wonderful, spritual, health-conscious, fun loving folks. Every time we have visited, we have met guests who have been coming for years, professors, chiropractors, masseuses, travelers... we sit, we soak and we chat.... WE LOVE LOVE LOVE read more

Funky 1000 gallon a min open till midnight big big 101 degrees pool

Water in pool is great, I just wish they would clean up some of the garbage sitting around. Kind of like a homeless camp where you pay the fees. Would possibly go back but the lack of maintenance is almost enough to make me not want to. read more