this is a place to feel comfortable about your body (and others') at. There is a warm tub and a hot hot hot tub, fed by natural springs, and a cool pool. It is clothing-optional, so if you're not comfortable with that, see first line of paragraph and repeat. We were amused by a few things, especially the man with the ZZ Top beard rising from the steaming water like some sort of Swamp Thing. But everyone looks beautiful and natural here. There is a mild skeezy vibe from some that are much too comfortable with the space between their bodies' and others - but my gf and i were not bothered by anyone while we were here. It was more the interactions we saw between others, with one leathery older man who had apparently had his eye one someone's daughter from an inappropriate age to her current blossoming 18 year old state. Also, beware of studly Lou Diamond Phillips lookalike who just stepped out of the pages of International Male. There is a nice place for sammiches, smoothies, and general basking. It is relatively quiet and meditative, so it's not the best place to try out your "woo-woo" call. There are all sorts of workshops, from regular massage to yoga to Sexual Awareness. But don't worry, you will probably increase your sexual awareness just by going on a weekend. read more

Best place to relax in Northern California. I love how laid back everyone is at Harbin and it's a great place to escape the seriousness of most people in California. Keep it affordable and I'll keep coming back! read more

I woke up on my birthday with my bf saying: "i have the day planned for you...let's go...". Drive 1hr 20min from San Francisco not knowing where we were headed...and then....sign greets us: HARBIN Hot Springs!! aka Heaven! Simply the most magical bday ---massage by Elizabeth and mineral pool plunges!!! romantic, special, memorable, relaxing!! Harbin has all the amenities for a surprise pop in visit such as flip flop shoes/water/towels/etc...all the things my bf didn't pack but of course that was part of the spontaneous fun-filled adventurous part of the day!! read more

I've been bearing it all at Harbin for years and years...and let me tell you, I'm all the better for it. I usually go with my mother or a girl friend. I've never been much of an exhibitionist, I go to Harbin for health...to soak in the mineral rich pools and take in all the fresh air and breath-taking scenery...I go because I love hiking up to the Japanese Tea House, to be quiet, to rejuvenate and heal. Corny as it may sound, that's what I do, and it works...soak in the hot, hot pool, then plunge into the cold, cold pool and your senses will overwhelm you...they will take over and may even take you to another place...I've been overcome time and time again. I look the other way when the new agey (what do you get when you play new age music backwards? New age music! ha ha) thing get's to be a bit much, (it can) and I don't make very much eye contact....that being said, I don't mind chillin' with folks who are all about relaxing and keeping your body healthy...I could think of alot worse company to spend time with. It's not cheap, but it seems to me the grounds are continuously improving...except for the sauna-wtf? Come on! The sauna was closed for months and that's all you guys could come up with?Is it smaller? and the steam room? Arrgh!...some weird "beam me up" nasty plastic chairs that are sooo uncomfortable and awkward with pools of sloshy water in them? Yuck!...minus a star for that debaucle. ***Tip...there is a new moon ceremony around the 8th of every month (depending on which night the new moon falls on)...this can be somewhat annoying if you are in the warm pool. I got caught in it once and wasn't really into it, but it's up to you. Also, the warm pool is drained the first Tuesday of every month and all the pools rotate, not fun.-EFK read more

I visited Harbin Hot Springs quite a while ago, but I still think my experience is worth reporting. I had been in an accident that left me 6 weeks in traction with a weakened right leg, and a friend thought I might benefit from a visit. I am not comfortable with nudity - especially my own. My friend had neglected to tell me that Harbin was "clothing optional." HOWEVER... no one hassled me or even gave me odd looks because I was wearing a swimsuit. The environment was friendly and safe. I've been back a few times. I never did "grin and bare it," but no one minds or cares. The pools are very clean, especially for outdoor pools that see a lot of traffic. The variety of pools is also nice: all the way from super-hot to icy cold. No, it's not fancy. But fancy isn't the most important thing. Harbin is down-home, plain and real. I enjoyed it much more that I think I would have a 5-star spa filled obsequious staff. I'm thinking of bringing my husband to Harbin once I find out about accessibility for the disabled, but I think I'll find it to satisfactory. I can't wait to rediscover Harbin. If it turns out not to be your "cuppa," may you find something better to your liking. read more

Harbin is a beautiful place, however I was not impressed overall. Keep in mind that this is a clothing optional hot springs. Meaning that your not welcomed as well with a bathing suit on. (Beware of the advertising pics you may have seen in alternative magazines because they are deceptive.) Its not a very big place and the camping area's aren't too exciting. They look big in their advertising slogans. The food is overpriced. Also, speaking of food, if you are not vegetarian you may have a problem here because all they basically have is vegetarian food. If you go in the summer and you have low tolerance to heat, be forwarned it gets VERY HOT with little or no breeze. Most of the people there to me seemed very unfriendly and lacked what I would call "a personality" which many new age people lack in general. (And I consider myself to be somewhat new agey! ) On the plus side, there are the hotsprings (if you dont mind sharing them with about 20 other people as they are small). There is a little bit of hiking, nature, deer, butterflies and other animals hanging out. And the massages are great and, from what I've heard from friends, so are the watsu's. read more

Oh Harbin, Harbin....I hate to do this but i need to write a review that hopefully management will read. I just spent memorial day weekend there. My issue is not with the accomodation (i was camping) but with the sheer volume of BODIES in the main area. I have been going there for many years and have NEVER experienced it like this. Pools crowded to bursting ie. nowhere to comfortably 'be' in the water, changing rooms unworkable, decks were crammed & nowhere to even sit/lie down at certain times. And no parking at times. As for the kitchen, that's impossible to describe...i'm surprised the floor held up!! I am sure the germs were having a field day (i came back with a stinking cold). Harbin - you need to get it together & institute a better business policy. Sad to say it but quality has been overturned by quantity. Why are you not monitoring the numbers of people who are using the facilities at one time? You just keep letting people in all day long. So this was NOT a relaxing experience but quite unpleasant and stressful with a bus station feel about the main areas. I love the place, but this has really put me off going back unless it's mid-week, non-holiday time. How hard is it to see that the main areas were not built for this kind of traffic and volume? read more

Just returned from my first trip to Harbin, which was such a great experience. I was a little nervous just b/c I wasn't sure exactly what to expect of the clothing-optional environment, but with such great -and clean- facilities, friendly staff and really laid-back, respectful guests, my boyfriend and I were really impressed. We camped along the creek (which provided a great private getaway from the public pool areas), enjoyed all the pools and sauna, ate a yummy dinner at the restaurant, and each enjoyed a half-hour watsu massage. We were there Thursday to Friday afternoon, so I can imagine it may get a little crowded on the weekends. Such a pleasant and unique experience and well worth the trip! read more

My husband and I went yesterday - beautiful trees, fresh air, and inviting! I felt free to wander. Loved the flowers growing, gazebo, market, and pools. Nice prices too! There was a little too much sexual activity despite the signs. Also, because it gets so crowded things can get dirty quick. And, the restaurant food was overpriced. Honestly though - I enjoyed myself and felt comfortable. I'd be happy to return and stay the night! read more

Where else could this kind of mix of people be in one spot at the same time. I like to come here regularly. Do the warm,hot, cold, hot,cold,hot,cold,warm pool routine Harbin is a beautiful place but not for culture snobs. The water is great with no chemicals. only natural water from the earth. read more

I finally made it back to Harbin since the rebuild. I enjoyed my stay! They were super friendly during check-in and check-out. Aside from that, I didn't have any interaction with any Harbin employees. The pools were great as always! And the sauna was much bigger than it was before (I think). There wasn't a steam room, not sure if that's coming back. There were way more showers/bathrooms near the pools, a definitely improvement there. They were all kept spotlessly clean. I stayed just one night in one of the cottages. It was quite nice, and private with good space between the cottages. And having a personal parking spot right out front is a definite improvement on how things were before. A couple of quirky things about the cottage...The wall between the room and the bathroom didn't go all the way to the ceiling (close, but not all the way) so if you're staying there with a friend, expect to be able to hear everything they're doing in there. You might want to bring a little music player or white noise machine or something if you're shy. Also, the curtains go all the way to the ceiling, but there aren't any strings, so it's a little tricky opening and closing them, and I'm 6'3". It would be nice if they had a long stick with a u-shaped hook to make it a little easier. Also, the Samsung AC/heating unit is great, but it points towards the bed. It's possible to adjust the flap downward though so the draft isn't too strong. Open up the panel and play with the settings. (Note, I plan to stay in a cottage for my next visit so none of the things I mentioned above were dealbreakers) The trail walk from the cottage to the pools was WONDERFUL, but don't forget to BRING A FLASHLIGHT. I forgot to bring one so had to drive to a hardware store in a nearby town to get one. (15 minutes away). Apparently Harbin sometimes has a vending machine that sells mini flashlights? I didn't see it though. They should have them available for sale at check-in imo. Overall I had a great time. It was a Monday night, and at midnight I had the meditation pool all to myself for a bit. It was awesome. The restaurant looked more like an outdoor seating thing, not an indoor situation like before. I really loved the previous restaurant with it's different dinners each night, they always had good choices, and I'm a picky eater. I think they have plans to bring back the movie nights, that would be great. Overall I had a great time. I look forward to returning, and seeing how they continue to build and improve. :) read more

Sorry to see this place go, like so many others in the past. I was only here a few times over the years, & stayed in the cabin or lodge, but wanted to try out the domes & the yurts? too, but never got to. When I was there, they had a restaurant & a general store, & they let people smoke in the parking lot, but all alcohol was strictly forbidden. Once I went for their full moon ceremony, which was quite an adventure with drumming & other events. About the only thing I didn't like was when I was getting a massage & some dope was vacuuming the room right above us. Hello? Some of the hot pools were too hot for me, but at least you had a few to choose from. They also had movie nights on a certain day of the week. All in all, it was a very unique place to visit. I miss it. read more

One star because of the natural 6000 acres which are beautiful. Otherwise there are creepy old naked guys everywhere. I originally thought that only the pool was clothing optional... ok. But no- maybe you are headed to your tent in the camping section and some weird naked guy is there wandering around your tent for no apparent reason, and everywhere else on the property the same thing, going for a hike... suddenly one crops out of the bushes. My friend who was raised by hippie parents was even repulsed. I guess it is really important for them to have an audience when not clothed. Also if you are camping- there are 2 bathrooms per about 300 -400 people and people driving up to them letting their cars run all night and into the morning until 5AM. read more

Don't tell my wife but I have fantasies of moving there and taking over as plumbing guru after about 20 years. One of the things I enjoy there but haven't read about yet in any of the reviews is nude hiking. The whole place is clothing optional, including the trails - well, I did wear shoes due to my city-boy feet. Walking up the trails in my birthday suit feels wonderful. There aren't many places like that around. There are lots of little shrines and other things like that. I grew up in Marin County, a few miles away, so it is like hiking on Mt. Tam, but in the nude and having a nice shower and natural hot spring soak at the end. The first time I went there it was raining. I camped in the rain and my tent & sleeping bag stayed dry. A big plus. My gear works. The only negative vibe from any of the staff there - residents or whatever - was this woman in a "security" t-shirt. I got a very strange "angry" vibe from her. I haven't seen her since. Other than that I had no interaction with anyone the first time except the guy at the front gate. Very friendly. Some reviewers say the staff is rude but I haven't experienced that. Maybe growing up in the Bay Area I am used to that sort of person. I like to camp, so I haven't bothered trying any of the rooms. The store is a bit pricey, but the food is good and sometimes I am too lazy to cook. Everyone I have dealt with there is very nice and courteous. I save money on lodging but I spend it on smoothies, etc. It's very important to do the hot-cold thing. Warm up in the warm pool, then go into the very hot pool until the pain needles penetrate to your bones. Get out, walk up the stairs and plunge into the cold pool until the extreme cold is very comfortable. Get out, go back into the very hot pool until it hurts again. Repeat as many times as you have time for. It makes me want to have a setup like that at my house. It's like a "drug" only better. The key is to repeat the process at least a dozen times. Everyone tells me it is a major pick-up joint. These reviews confirm that. Being a happily married male I hadn't noticed or cared except once I witnessed this guy talking to a gal, speculating on what Zodiac sign she was. Not too original. It's a bit new-agey but, hey man, adapt. This is Northern California. Dig it. I like the place. I'll keep going back as often as possible. read more

Harbin is a very intersting place. Expect to be unballenced sometimes and wonder what you are doing there if you are not used to spiritual experiences or nudity. The grounds are gorgeous, they have some lovely trails to hike and an amazing view of the mountains from the deck. There are several pools, one is extremely hot and an other extremely cold, the others are warm. However, someone had to explain to us that you first had to go in the cold one before the hot one otherwise it's impossible. We got some strange looks after the first couple of attempts. It's a self-sufficient "back to basics" atmosphere. You can tell that some people are regulars and some guiding would have been nice. Do not expect a 5star spa resort, harbin is a perculiar experience, a back to earth and senses one where you totally disconnect. read more

Please read the other reviews here. Speaking as someone who once heartily recommended a Harbin visit to my friends, recent events lead me to request you take seriously the 1 & 2 star thoughtful reviews here, not to mention this one. Once one becomes skilled at the hot/cold-cycling baths possible at Harbin, the healing and transcendent experience possible there makes it easy to overlook Harbin's problems, especially if you are male and middle-aged. I am left alone in the baths (no harassment), I prefer being there at night (can't see the garbage in the water, the sculpture and the stars are amazing), and I don't hang out in the body-temperature Watsu pool (where many other folks' complaints originate). The fact that I got poison oak exposure by sitting on their dressing room bench (silly me), have fallen on their poorly maintained trails at night (should've had more flashlights, apparently), and have been blown away by the incivility of staff and patrons at times has not, until now, been sufficient cause for me to reconsider my attraction to Harbin. My wife and I recently attempted to make use of their facility beyond the usual camping thing, hoping to spend a weekend cooking in relative privacy in the domes, spending what to us is heavy lucre, around $500, to design a weekend of food and relaxation in a beautiful spot. When we arrived at Harbin, despite our having confirmed our reservation a week prior for a specific room, we found that our dome room had been let to someone else. While it was obviously no big deal to the staff that they'd decided we didn't merit the room we'd reserved more than a month prior, for us it meant we'd taken vacation time and prepared our food in such a way that we had no choice but to leave and return home, three hours distant. Our conversation with the front desk agent took place within easy eight-foot earshot of the guy in charge at the time, so they obviously didn't give a rat's ass that they were screwing us over. What is particularly interesting to us, and what will forever keep us away, is our conclusion that the culture of the resident community at Harbin is a parasitic one. In other words, they are more than happy to separate you from your hard-earned cash, cash earned in a capacity they obviously do not respect. Harbin staff do not see themselves in the hospitality service industry there. They are doing you a favor by taking your money so you can get to their pools, and if they piss you off, you'd better just get over it lest you not register high enough on their enlightenment meter. Another conclusion I resisted until now, but one I cannot fail to mention, is there is a clear caste/cult system entrenched at Harbin. I've noticed that friends of owners and management at Harbin, when they hang out in and around the pools, are the loudest and most obnoxious of the bunch. They will make fun of people and be loud and crass, and employees just ignore them, while signs nearby demand "Silence!" and "No Sex!" While crowded pools at Harbin have never been an issue for me - I just don't enter them as I prefer the cold water - the behavior of those particular jackasses taught me where I needed to not be to enjoy my time there. In concert with this caste-behavior is our recent experience with being dumped from our carefully-reserved room. Following our return from Harbin, I emailed the staff there with my protest, and the silence has been deafening. I have no doubt now that we were dumped in order to accommodate a preferred guest. The room we had reserved was a choice accommodation, but we were happy to pay for it, as it was for one of my wife's and my rare getaway weekends. Based on other bizarre room-management policies we've experienced at Harbin in the past, Harbin staff clearly expected us to receive the news of our bumping with grace and high-minded, pseudo-liberal, self-effacing equanimity. But no. Harbin fu&cked us over, pure and simple, and they'll do the same to you and say "Peace" with a smirk as you walk out the door. To have a positive Harbin experience, do the following: - Only camp in a tent. If you want a room, assume it could be anything including a dorm if you expect it to be there for you when you arrive. Your reserved room could become anything, unless you are among Harbin Royalty. - Come during week day nights only (Sunday is fine). - Don't expect surfaces to be sanitary, and plan accordingly. - Keep your food preparation such that you can share a communal kitchen with people who will assume you are a friend of theirs. In other words, simple and something that you could work up in a tent with a Coleman stove. Careful technical food, even veggie, freaks out the residents. Salad and trail mix, yay. - Don't expect staff to be friendly. The wild deer and turkeys on the property will give you more regard than 95% of the staff. read more

I am a massage therapist and a 25 year veteran of Harbin. I got my initial massage certification at the school there in 2001, and it was a good solid foundation of my continuing practice and education (Elaine Marie, GREAT teacher, as well as Jim Gilkeson) I first went to Harbin when I was 18, and was terrified of the nudity, so I simply donned a suit. Funny, I didnt care what anyone thought of that at 18...why do some of you, as adults? LOL Just be comfortable, you dont have to be nude if you dont want to! Anyways, as the years went by I kept visiting, and the suit came off. It was a great thing to see so many body types and know that we were all just good ole humans, and that my body too was ok. I have always kept things clean for myself at harbin by not hooking up with anyone there even though I know a lot of the people, as I have seen over the years the ensuing dramas of guests as well as staff having relations with each other, and each others significant others....and its been a great lesson, as well as easy to avoid as I am really not attracted to anyone there. So my relationship to Harbin has truly been with the land and the water, with the exception of a few lovely long time residents whom I am honored to call friends. The land and the water is amazing...the hikes and views, the fig trees and forest that surround the pools, the scalding hot and freezing cold of the water...just awesome. I also like the addition of the oddly uncomfortable but deeply therapeutic steam room, and the great new sauna...the old one was just crap. Over the years the staff has gotten ruder, and that is such a disappointment, as back in the day truly everyone seemed friendly..there is a woman in the blue room cafe who is truly only kind when her boss is present, and truly sour when she need not be kind. And I mean SOUR. Its a bummer. There are lots and lots of new age snobs, and I am a total hippy at heart (but I shave and have a career:-) but the whole snobby hippy thing makes me wanna punch someone in the hoo ha...I mean how can those two words even coexist? Its just dumb. I love the head chef in the restaraunt, his food is amazing..though I don't think they deserve him as they pay him shit from what I have heard...and no insurance! Wow! The store, lame, overpriced, and food is not so good. I usually shop downtown (also overpriced) at Hardesters, which also has camping supplies and good cheese:-) Now for the men hawking thing. I am definitely hawkable material. But I have two solutions. Ignore it, or tell them to leave you alone, or call security. Done. Now you can enjoy the water in your own boundary designed little bubble. HOWEVER....I have taken to wearing a suit on busy days. Here's what I think...Harbin and their security (whom are very good) has gotten tougher on the no sex in pools policy, thank god, BUT they need to mention more at the front gate to men who show up alone to be respectful. Its only been in the last few years that I have several times had to actually go to the little yellow phone in that disgusting dressing room and "summon the guards" so to speak because even with my verbal boundary some people just won't quit. And that is totally annoying. Not to mention, as a massage therapist I refer people up there, and there have been female clients who have had such bad experiences they will never EVER go back, and their vulnerability with me was put in jeopardy as well...the poor sheeting techniques used in massage up there was another huge complaint, and simply not acceptable unless the client asks for a bare butt specifically, which would make me question THEIR motives...LOL Back to the disgusting dressing room. Its gross. So while I might store valuables in the little coin lockers I leave my stuff outside and get ready as much as possible away from the stench and leering in the dressing room. And the showers? SOOO gross, doors won't shut properly, ground feels unsanitary, no light to see the darn knobs at night, just bad. The prices? Anyone complaining about that should stop being silly. On a budget? Then a 60$ a weeknight basic room with a short trip to the bathroom is a steal...as it also includes free pool, kitchen, movie, yoga class, dance, etc...I mean c'mon, that's great! Camping prices are also reasonable. I have never gone and gotten an upscale room there, so I wouldn't know about these 200 a night ones...but I have heard they are very nice. My biggest complaint is that after 25 years of faithful business and referrals to Harbin, and a few pretty well spoken complaints and suggestions, I have never, ever, as a customer student and musician who has performed there, been offered a free camping night, a free meal, nothing. read more

After a devastating fire, Harbin reopened, and it is lovely. There is a new deck next to the soaking pools, and a new trail that connects the cabins and tent camping to the pools. They've planted trees, and in time, there will be more shade. However, we loved it. Harbin is a special place--we go there for the waters, and we love that it's clothing optional (never had any problems) with an earthy vibe. We stayed in Cabin #1--super comfy bed and really nice bathroom. Can't wait to return. read more

Oh Harbin, why can't you make up you mind? Are you a beautiful, inexpensive, welcoming and relaxing retreat or an uptight, crowded, weird, filthy mess? And how can you be both at the same time? Good sides: * Ultra hot pool and ice bath are bliss, as are the steam room and sauna. * Gorgeous settings * Great accomodations and camping spots * Fun conversations with people on the sun deck * Nice kitchen * AMAZING RESTAURANT with clean, healthy, delicious food worth every penny. Crummy sides: * Bad attitude of some of the employees. I've never experienced this at another hot spring. From the people at the front gate to the folks in the cafe/store, I've received some hefty, "Why the hell should I smile or help you" attitude. * One, single, dirty really crowded changing room for everyone. * Main quiet warm pool needs to be cleaned more often. It's popular and it shows, from all the stuff floating in it. * The pinching and groping. A simple "Hello" is much more polite. Having my toe pinched or butt fondled, and hearing someone creepily whisper "I'd looooove to give you a massage" is very disconcerting when I'm peacefully taking a nap. read more

The natural grounds and landscape are pretty. Perfect location to retreat (definitely not resort). Good for couples that may wanna join the sex awareness workshops. 1. Most visitors come here for the spring water soaking. The main hot tubs which are pretty disgusting (very dirty filled with plenty of scum floating) since everyone is nude going in - it's obvious when you step in these that they are never cleaned. Reported to health department, they will pay fine or request to be closed down. Will warn you the majority of the men attending here are seriously horny wanting to stare and get off on both men and women. You may feel safer or shall I say unobtrusive staying by the pool and sauna. Did pay for an hour massage to stay away from the hot tub area. 2. Retreat housing guestrooms are shared bathrooms down the hallway, so pretty much sucks when you're in the shower and someone walks ins to use toilet, kind of ridiculous since door does not locked for privacy. 3. The outdoor areas are pleasant and good location for hiking with a serene ambiance. You may probably enjoy there scheduled activities such as yoga or interpretive dance. 4. They do have a shared kitchen with a commune feel. Make sure you label all your food and packaging. I did pay for dinner service but you do have to wait in one line (crowded and small) to order and get food. I really hate the cafeteria style for dinner. This is not a bed and breakfast. 5. About the nudity, people are not walking around nude. Only nude around the hot tub area. No WiFi bring your own hotspot. 6. They have a movie room but Dave Chapelle was playing most of the evening so this room used as a TV room. haha I was laughing aloud he's pretty funny. ADVISE: Plenty of other top rated and CLEAN retreats around. This location offers no sense of safety or security in the evening for guests. No call phones in guestrooms, which are far from pool area. read more

i went on a trip to harbin in october with a group of 8 of my girl friends. i will review our visit with as much detail so this review is helpful for potential harbin visitors. there is no alcohol or drug rule. (that doesnt mean i didnt drink wine coolers in my tent or chow down on magic brownies). we got there at night and set up our tents and then had dinner. we brought two tents and camped. it got very very cold at night. like 30 degrees cold. if i ever go again and its not summer time i will definitely stay in a room. the cold was unbearable even in my sleeping bag, two pairs of socks, two sweatshirts etc. i was so cold i couldn't sleep or get out of my sleeping bag to pee. they have a restaurant and they also have various cafes for coffee and a market. the wait at the restaurant for dinner was kind of long. we found the staff there to be either really odd or kind of rude. hippies. figures. the market is pretty well stocked but pack what you need its a little pricey. the food at the restaurant was really good. the baths are open 24 hours which is really cool. you walk up several of steep hills and you should know that ahead of time in case you are disabled or really stoned. some of the cabins are much closer to the baths than where we were camped. when you leave your tent/room take a bag with all the stuff you'll need for the day: a bathrobe (the towel kind) is great to have and way better than just a towel. a towel (for lying on on the sundeck), we brought all kinds of body oils and salt scrubs and face masks which was wonderful. we used the body scrubs in the stream room. all your toiletries like shampoo, toothbrush and paste etc. suntan lotion if its during the day. etc. dont forget your money so you can get snacks. one girl lives on a farm and brought farm fresh eggs and all kinds of munchies which we cooked up in the communal kitchen which is right where the baths are. the kitchen is vegetarian only. they provide all plates, pans, utensils etc and then you wash em yourself. everyone has to wear clothes in the kitchen and eating areas. thank god. the nudity was kind of jarring to be honest and i am a pretty open minded person. i personally would be much more comfortable in a womans only bath house and some of it was too much because sometimes you are passing in a hall way or sitting very close to someone in the sauna and i felt gross. i didnt experience any creepiness of anyone talking to me. thank god. there are couples that are hugging in the warm pool. whatever. an older asian man talked to my friend, she was being nice and talked to him and he kind of followed her around and followed her to give her his email address. she was creeped out. he didnt mean to be creepy he was just trying to make friends. but like he was old and naked. im good at not talking to people i dont want to talk to. especially old naked men. oh yeah and i was lying on the sun deck and a naked dude was doing yoga in front of me. um...yeah...i want to wash my eye sockets out with soap. cool angle dude. there is a warm pool, a hot hot pool and a cold plunge. the water has sulfur in it which produces a smell but also leaves your skin so soft and your muscles relaxed. there are two of everything silent and talking. its not that silent but its hushed. it feels amazing to go into the super hot and then the cold, just so invigorating and while it was cold out i felt so warm from the hot bath it didnt bother me. there is also a pool you can swim laps in i didnt go in there. next to the baths there is a little cafe with awesome smoothies, teas and some snacks so dont leave your money in your tent. they also have free yoga classes and all kinds of new agey wuwu classes but i didnt make it to any of them. overall, i had a really great time with my ladies. it was a super bonding trip. the baths themselves felt amazing and we were all glowing. im sure it would be very different to go with my boyfriend and i'd visit again or try another hot spring. be warned about how cold it gets at night (might not be that way in the summer). and be prepared to see lots of penises. penii? list of things to pack: bathrobe, towel, sarong to drape over yourself, lots of snacks, water bottle, food to cook in the kitchen (veg only), clothes for hot and cold weather, an extra bag for carrying your stuff for the day, coconut oil, body scrub, face mask, toiletries, suntan lotion, sunglasses. flip flops. i wore sweatpants the whole time. dont bother bringing jeans or too many clothes, just comfortable stuff. also there is no cell phone reception. read more

I got to see how Harbin handled a crisis, and I wasn't impressed. Major thunderstorms had caused a power outage and blocked the road in and out of Harbin for much of the day, and many guests were stuck - they had checked out of their rooms and were hanging around to soak before leaving, as Harbin allows. Harbin refused to let them check back into rooms (nevermind who was paying), even though incoming guests could not arrive. This persisted late into the evening - I think the road reopened only after 10pm. A more gracious answer would have been to put the guests into rooms, and even comp the rooms - power was out, after all. Their inability to accommodate guests better speaks poorly of their management skills. read more

I love Harbin. I've been going there for for years, usually twice or three times year, but in the past 5 months, I've gone there three times. I love to go during the summer and camp. Gorgeous! Being naked is fun. Lately, this has been the typical Harbin visit for me: I usually go for three days. During the summer, my future husband and I would go there Monday - Wednesday (we're teachers = summer off!). This is an excellent time to go if you want to have the place to yourself, because the weekend crowd is gone, and the weekend/unconditional dance crowd isn't there yet. We would leave Monday late morning, and drive to V. Satui winery, where we would stop to eat a lunch I packed and taste wine. You aren't supposed to eat your own food on the grounds, but we haven't been caught yet! After our break, we go the rest of the way to Harbin. When we get there, we go to the kiosk and buy our camping permit. There is a sign that says "If you're in a hurry, you're in the wrong place", so if there's a line we just breath and take in our surroundings. It costs $25 per night per person to camp. We've thought about saying there is only one of us to save money, but decided against it because Harbin is really not the place to screw with karma. Then we set up camp. There are nice flat deck-like structures on the camping area to put a tent on. We bring a futon, sheets, and one sleeping bag to use a a blanket, and it's pretty comfortable. There are two bathrooms with a flush toilet and sink in the camping area, and it's usual reasonably clean. After we set up camp, we walk over to the main area with our food. We always save money by bringing our own food and cooking in the Fern Kitchen which has fridges and cubbies to store food. It is vegetarian kitchen (no meat or fish, eggs and cheese are OK). We eat so well there! For breakfast I always make a big egg scramble with onions, mushrooms, peppers, and avocado. For lunch we have a big salad with whatever fruits and vegetables we brought, and for dinner I make couscous with tofu and veggies, quesadillas, chili, baked potatoes, etc. People are always sharing leftovers. Last time there was a group who made too much lasagna, and shared it with everyone who was in the kitchen! People are also willing to share things like butter, salt, pepper, hot sauce... just ask! Most everyone in the kitchen is very friendly and nice. Don't use the kitchen if you are a neat freak or bacteria-phobe. It's clean, but it also has people in and out of it using it 24/7, some of whom are not that great at washing dishes. I don't mind, but some people think it's just too gross. If you can't deal, they have excellent food in the cafeteria and the lunch stand, but it's very overpriced. I highly recommend the Zorba the Buddha Sandwich. It's heavenly. So... after we're there and we've set up, the leisure begins! Things to do: -Soak in the pools! There is warm pool, where you can just hang out and look up at the beautiful fig trees while meditating, observing others, or cuddling with your cutie. There is a hot plunge (VERY hot) and a cold plunge). It's fun to rotate between the hot lunge and cold. It makes your body feel amazing. -Get a tan! There are decks for sun worshipping. We lay out on towels and read while we get our line-free tans. -We always bring puzzles and games to play. -Get a massage. I've done the regular and the Watsu, they are both great. The Watsu is strange for some people. You are naked, and a naked person is swirling you around in the water. Joe did mine, and it was excellent. -Get a treat at La Sirena! They have great smoothies, sandwiches (the afomentioned Zorba), and appetizers. I also recommend purchasing a cup of Harbin water for 50 cents. It's cold harbin water with mint, lemon, and cucumber; perfect on a hot day. So, my fiance and I have joked that it would be totally possible to go to Harbin for free. We would never do this, because Harbin is the last place you want to screw with karma, but here's how: -Hitchhike there, unless you want to drive and pay for your own gas. -Make your own hot pink camping tag (or pay $25 a night per person) -There is a lot of food sitting around unattended in the kitchen. Can you say "grazing"? (or buy your own groceries) -There are some skeezy people in the pools looking to score, and they would probably give you a massage if asked. There you go! Free ride, camping, food, and massage. Harbin is very relaxing. I am a fan of being naked and eating healthy food and soaking in water for hours on end. I always have a great time. More tips: -There is a library between the yoga room and the blue moon cafe. -There is rosemary growing everywhere. Pick it fresh to use on your food. -Get yummy chocolate at the Harbin store. -The cleanest bathrooms are the ones near the rooms. They are supposed to be for people renting rooms, but are open all the time. If you find #2 difficult in less-than-clean environments, use these bathrooms. read more

Not very social or interactive, this is a great place for a quiet, spiritual retreat. Or a romantic getaway, it appeared, but keep the hanky-panky in your room. The three main pools are designated silent, but I found little conversation occurring in the 2 other pools, sauna, steam room, or really anywhere else. I found it odd that there are no hot tub-temperature pools (~101 degrees); instead the largest pool is a tepid 90 degrees, great for standing around for extended periods but not even bathtub hot. The HOT pool is about 112, giving me a pretty good idea what a lobster feels like; surprisingly, by breathing deeply with each step, I made it all the way in and discovered that after a couple short dips, it's actually amazing for 2-5 minutes at a time. I got into a very meditative state by cycling between that, 1-3 minutes in the cold (60 degree) pool, and 5-10 minutes just sitting on the deck. The water quality and resort-wide cleanliness was excellent, and I found that everyone was really focused on their own experience, so there was no reason to feel at all self-conscious. Rates for camping are awesome, whether in a tent you bring or under the stars on their sleeping deck. The restaurant served pretty good food at decent prices, and the range of activities was nice - world-music dances, movie nights, library, free yoga, and self-guided hiking. I look forward to going back. read more

I've been going to Harbin for over thirty years and up until my last visit I thoroughly enjoyed the place. It was my little retreat from the world. I'm not sure what happened, maybe new 'non profit' management. To start, I received a pretty good massage but it was basically a sales pitch for 'products'. Both before and after the session I felt like I was watching an infomercial. The other reason I must say goodbye to this beautiful place is the new Nazi camp security patrol. Between the flashlight by night and the pointed finger in the daytime I felt like I was twelve again with the worst baby sitter ever. read more

My family went to Harbin Hot Springs right after Christmas. Unfortunately, my sister and her husband both contracted Giardia, a gastrointestinal parasite, drinking the water above the hot, hot spring. Which quite a few people were doing. There was no sign and it comes out of a pipe, tempting many folks to drink it! She has emailed the folks at Harbin twice, to get them to put up a sign at least! And they haven't even responded. So know that you can get intestinal parasites (giardia) at Harbin by drinking out of any of the springs, signed or not. And that management is not at all responsive. I gave it 2 stars because it was fun there. Suzanne Soule read more

I had been wanting to check out the hot springs for ages. My boyfriend and I went up for just a Saturday night to try to get some R&R away from the city. I frequent the korean spas in SF and used to go in LA, so I am very comfortable in the nude environment, but realized I had only been in that situation with other women, which was easy peasy. At Harbin, the co-ed nude situation made me more uncomfortable than I predicted, mainly because it WASN'T just people enjoying the healing hot springs together (which would have been fine) - no no, it was people, lots of couples, using the nude, nighttime, hot tub environment as an excuse to rub their junk on each other, moan about, and (we're pretty sure) have sex outright in the big hot pool. The thought of some random dirty dude's semen floating around us made me want to vomit. The "no sexual activity" sign didn't do a lick of good - and maybe just the need to HAVE that sign up should have clued us in...! Get it together people, restrain yourselves for a couple hours - that behavior is rude and very inconsiderate to other guests who come there for a respite, some quiet reflection time, and healing from the waters. There is also a jeeby vibe of just random people hooking up here, or looking for hook ups. Again, not what I came for! Frustrating. The co-ed changing facilities were musty, too small, too crowded, and the bathrooms in there reeked of pee, ugh. The public showers just outside had glops of hairballs on the floor... eeeeek. I love camping and rustic conditions, but I think it was these conditions mixed with crowds of people, most wanting to just get it on, that made me totally annoyed and stressed. Not the relaxing respite I was seeking. The food in the cafeteria was nothing to write home about... but it filled us up. Additionally, when we first arrived at 5:30pm to the springs, we thought we'd eat first, then go soak. We walked into the deserted cafeteria, which we didn't realize opened at 6, and I politely asked the lady writing the menu on the whiteboard "Are we too early?" She was rude, didn't look at me, and curtly replied,"Yep, nobody's going to serve you right now".... a simple explanation that they opened at 6 would have sufficed... I had a scrub and massage with Colleen, and she was lovely. I paid a bit extra for the hot oil scalp massage, which was nice, but only involved a couple minutes of "scalp massage" - I could have used a bit longer! Overall, I was very disappointed in Harbin. It bills itself as a place for rejuvenation and relaxation, but it is crowded, full of horny & inappropriate behavior, and I just didn't feel very safe or relaxed the whole time. I left wondering if I could have caught something in that nasty big hot tub, and scrubbed myself a LOT in our motel shower. Eew. Not going back there... read more

Currently I am planning a trip to No Cali to visit several hot springs including Harbin , which I have visited at least 5 times in the past 15 years. Having read the reviews I can see how some people can get confused. Is Harbin Heaven or Hell? The answer to this question depends on who you are and when you go. Don't like naked people or being naked, don't go. Don't like crowded pools, don't go on weekends, especially during summer months. Are you a fan of five-start luxury, this ain't the place for you. Truly the experience can depend on your approach. I choose to visit in May or September when it is not too crowded. I also try to visit the pools in the early morning and late evening. If you are on the deck or in the pools during a summer weekend afternoon you will not find the place place in the best circumstances, and are more likely to run into men (and women!) for whom Harbin is an exorcise in vouyerism/ehibitionism . Also, there is a large, flowering tree above the warm pool, and when it drops flowers and seeds into the pool they can look like semen (or at least that is what I have been told). I tend to believe this since I have seen "stuff" floating around, when there have been no men other than myself in the pool for some time. Sometimes I think they ought to remove the tree just to get rid of the rumors but it would not be as nice a soak without the shade of the tree above. A wise move when using a shared "bath" is to kindy shower before you go in and to shower afterwards in case others have not been as kind. Do some people break the rules and do things they should not in the pools, yes, and the managment will kick them out if caught. Do people look like they are having sex but are just "water-cuddling" yep, that happens too. Sometimes you just have to focus your attention inward. If you are on the anal side regarding hygeine, this place will ruin your day, Not because it is filthy, it isn't, but because bodies, sweat, dirt, and shared water are considered good things here. If you are the type of person who gets anxious about sitting on a public toilet seat without an "ass-gasket" you may want to take a pass on harbin. In a nutshell, this is the way the world worked a hundred years ago, pre-hand sanitizers. Remember, Harbin is run mostly by the community, and they are looking to make the place sustainable, so food is reletively expensive (try having breakfast in Vegas if you think Harbin meals are high priced), and you are not going to be pampered (execpt by yourself and the pools). Great place to let your inner hippie wave the freak flag. Good luck read more

After a ridiculously long week that ended up with me sick and calling in sick to a backpacking trip, I departed to here since my mum likes hot springs. After hearing so many good things about this place, I thought why not. My mum thought it would be good for the cold. Yes, it worked, for the short answer. We arrived around 5pm. We decided on sleeping under the stars on the deck with our sleeping bags....more to follow on that later. My first reaction..not so sure on all the nekkid people, but I also liked how everyone didn't care what they looked like.Eventually, it didn't matter after awhile. Mom and I rocked sarongs. The vibe of this place at first sight was exactly what I needed. Down to earth, calm, relaxing, and so were the multitude of other people there. There is the warm pool which is nice and while I was there, people were absolutely silent. Onward to the hot pool-HOT but the pool is nice with the candles, its secludedness, and yes, people were silent. Then on to the cold pool-my favorite. I loved how the fig tree enclosed the whole area, while a single spicket of spring water flowed in, and Quan Yin stood in silent regard. I stayed in this pool the longest and meditated until the water became me. I then meditated under the fig tree and finally the week melted away. My mom sat next to me and we just sat there together. That's why we came. Just for that. No talking, just sitting happy. I did a couple more rounds -key is to go from warm to hot to cold to hot-it's not so bad this way. The food, though expensive was completely organic and yummy. So practically for the whole week-just vegetarian. We then went to the theatre and watched a movie which was really cool and chill. I then went back to pool hopping again. The coolest thing was having the long pool all to myself. It was like the song "Nightswimming." I swam on my back with the Milky Way overhead. Super cool. Then on to the warm pool. There were many faces-but all silent-not one voice. I made my way to the cold pool and one guy did a sorta somersault into it, causing a big wave and splash, which resulted in an outburst of laughter from me which could not be helped. After cleaning up I went to bed at midnight. Mom was still up. We were treated to the Milky Way and several burst of meteorites exploding through the sky. *Couple tips here* be far away from where everyone enters and exits-the boards are creaky. place an emergency blanket under your air mat to avoid convection heat loss and one on top of the sleeping bag because around 2 am the wind picks up a little and so does the dew, making it more chilly. So I didn't sleep all that well, that was until I did the emergency blanket thing which worked well and made for a toasty Joy sandwich. Do do the yoga in the temple in the early AM. Well worth it to start the morning right. it's from 8-9:30 AM I went to the garden after and it is beautiful there and they sell organic fruits and veggies for a donation. They have lots of trails to explore and one takes you to a waterfall where the fig tree has become one with it. This is my favorite spot so I forbid you to go here. Just absolutely forget I said anything. Now, the second day during the day is way crowded and a little more than I'd like to see of skin where it turns into the in thing to do is sans clothing. There is the one token creepy guy who looks at women a little too long-just don't pay attention and he gets the message- but for the overall vibe of the spot, friendly staff and folks met, and the massage therapist who also was the yoga teacher, I'd definitely go back because of all the hot springs I've been to this was the only one that lets you have a whole 24 hrs to just be. I loved nightswimming. No where else in California could this be done. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2141277314830037358&q=nightswimming+rem&total=68&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0 My cold is gone, I had a great time with my mom, I'm utterly and completely relaxed, I feel comfortable in my skin. Best birthday present ever. read more

After the stress, yes stress of Christmas, I decided to take a vacation from my vacation. Harbin Hot Springs is not what I expected. If you expect the opportunity to be active and participate in workshops, classes, guided nature walks, poetry jams Etc., you will be disappointed. Harbin is for self-sufficient people who care only to be minimally active, i.e. meditation, yoga, nonjudgmental psychedelic dancing and nude co-ed soaking in spring fed pools. Regarding nudity, men and women shower together, (un)dress together and sunbathe together. While hiking on the trails surrounding the complex, several nude hikers breezed by; so if co-ed nudity is not your thing, Harbin is going to disappoint. Good things about Harbin: Peace and serenity. Crisp clean air. Relaxing environment. Friendly employees and guests. Bad things about Harbin: Co-ed nudity (if one has never been to a nudist colony and is uncomfortable with co-ed public nudity, Harbin will disappoint or be offensive). Sparse activities (few workshops, classes or other activities for those who want a more active experience). Poor (boring) movie offerings. Mediocre food; breakfast runs from $4.00 for a bowl of oatmeal to $14.00 for a bowl of rice with eggs and vegetables. Dinner runs from $13.00 for a vegetarian dish to about $24.00 for a meat based meal. Hiking trails are nothing short of ordinary; no trails for families with young children or advanced level trekkers, just simple run-of-the-mill trails (with naked hikers). I do not see why anyone would travel far into the boondocks for such a ho-hum experience. read more

I thought I'd posted a review (and a little commentary on some of the other reviews) of Harbin some months ago, but I can't find it so here goes. okay, I guess I'm one of those older hippie-ish types that some of the reviewers here like to trash. some creep even doesn;' like people like me for not trimming my pubes..well, dude (or dude-ette) you;re looking too close if you have an opinion about it. I go to these retreats to soak, not to show off for you. and it's us folks who don't shave anything who started this trend. I go to Harbin because a) a soak in hot mineral water is good for body and soul b) the price is really reasonable especially if you camp and bring your own food c)the natural beauty is just astounding...lots of wild turkey and deer, hummingbirds and hawks, clouds and stars whirling above you as you look up from warm water, oak-studded grasslands and hills. *I'm a budget traveler by necessity and maybe preference. some people are rude and trash the kitchen, but the staff does okay pulling it back together. bring food from home for cheaper than buying it at their store, but if you get stuck or just want a treat you didn't bring, it's a well stocked little natural foods store. and I'm okay with camping out and find the campgrounds quite lovely; there are other places to camp, further away of you don;t want to deal with the whole village. maybe I'm getting old or I perhaps put out a "don't be an idiot shark" vibe, but that supposed Harbin hustle has never been used on me there. I'm sure there is a whole pickup scene, but I generally hand out in the Heart Pool, where the people with children hang out, even when I'm by myself, and the more responsible, together people are generally there as well. hot pool is a bit too hot for me. I agree with the folks who think it'd be nice to have a 104 F pool or something, in between the warm and the super-hot. ah well... cold mineral pool is superbly refreshing on hot summer days. we were there a couple summers ago when it was 109 F outside and my kid spent hours and hours playing in the unheated pool. some of the residents.staff are superb, some really are sots, just like anywhere in Real Life. there are those who'd definitely like to get rid of the families with children altogether partly so they can have thier tantra workshops unencumbered...and some of their rules about kids are a compromise and a bit too restrictive. my 11 year ild got asked to leave the deck of the pool where she as quietly reading a book and no one was doing watsu or having a sex workshop or meditating or anything - they just decided children should be unseen as well as unheard until 10 AM, while some older man is swimming laps in the cold pool at 9. I love a good massage and I've had a few here, but I've never been even remotely drawn to watsu. I've also been a hippie hot springs aficionado since my teens, drawn to yoga practice and vegetarian food -but I'm not a New Ager, and this Heart Consciousness business, and goddess worship and all, really bore me almost to tears. none of that really matters that much to me though I fall back on "live and let live," and the waters are lovely and the scenery can't be beat. I;d like to see the bookstore etc offer more books on the flowers and trees and animals around us and the night sky, and maybe a few less on opening your chakras or astrology, but again - there's probably room for each. it does get crowded especially on sunny weekends and holidays. almost urban but hey...learn to share. I've been there in the rain, when attendance is pretty light and light snow as well as on hot summer and harvest days. and I;ve met some good folks to sit and chat with, as well as some crashing bores among the guests; once more, that's sort of life. I tend to dislike people who are a) down on kids b) down on people older than they are c) down on pubic hair d) down on vegetarians. since I fit all the above categories, just go ahead and hate on me privately, and find some other place to go. oh yeah, it's clothing -optional and that means 96% nude. look gently and don't touch without permission, duh. read more

I've gone top Harbin alone and with a girlfriend a couple of time. Reason being is that their hiking trails are great, I've enjoyed the Sprirtual Path with a Rocky Road ascend and back down, takes about 2-3hrs if you take your sweet time, take in the scenery, hug a tree, and really feel the energy from above. The reason I have given them two stars is that their pools are filthy, as others have pointed out. They clean them once a month, if you get lucky you might go on a day that they cleaned the pools. This is very unsanitary considering the drones of people that flock from the cities to Harbin every weekend rain, snow, or shine this place is always fully booked on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. You'll find hairballs, random globs of goop, clumps of unknown materials, and who knows what other funky stuff is floating around in the hot and warm pools. Highly recommned you bring your own soap and scrubber and scrub down hard after you dip if you dare to after reading this review; you might catch something if you don't. While I was there with a girlfriend I noticed all the creepy old dudes kept staring at her like she was a piece of meat, I even gave a few of them some looks but it did absolutely nothing to make them turn away. It is blatantly rude as I observed all around, old men staring at all the young women, I'm a straight male but this creeped me out big time. There was even one time when my girlfriend and I were in the communal kitchen eating and two old men were sitting next to us talking about finding swingers and young women to take back to their room and campsite. All the reviewers who said this place was probably a lot nicer in the past were correct, I even heard this from a friend who studied Watsu at Harbin when it was first being introduced. Looks like the Holy Grounds and Spiritual healing energy has become creepsville filled with old men trying to find a young girl to hookup with. If you're looking for more privacy and not so many creepy old men consider Wilbur about 30min north east where you can have private baths. It costs more but atleast you'll have a sanitary place and won't have to worry about some weirdos. read more

I'm extremely disappointed with this place. The pool area is nice but it's disgusting that it's "clothing optional." I was very offended that some guests are walking around partially or completely clothed, including that creepy guy with the overcoat and hat gawking at me and other nude women. As soon as I covered up, he turned and left and planted himself at another peeping Tom spot. Icky! Other clothing optional clubs, including Laguna del Sol in Wilton, prohibit clothing anywhere near the recreation /pool areas, allowing guests who prefer being nude at all times to feel relaxed, protected and off the viewing stage for these wanker creeps! And if there is a guest who is walking around fully clothed on a warm, sunny day just to take in the sights, the management will set them straight on club rules and etiquette. I will not be going back, and I hope you don't go, until they get their heads out of their butts and change their pool area clothing optional situation. It's offensive, rude, annoying, uncomfortable, and downright stupid. read more

I recently tried to make a one night reservation for a weekday for the New Grove cottages but when I called and spoke to the reservation manager, she stated there is a two night minimum for the new cottages. I informed her their website states there is a two night minimum for Weekends and holidays only. Despite this she stated she knows the rules and would not honor what their own website states. She was rude and as a result I cancelled all my reservations for their spa services for my girlfriend and I. I will book another spa and recommend to all my family and friends to avoid Harbin Hot Springs. read more

Most of the folks walking around Harbin Hot Springs seem to be floating several inches off the ground - just high enough to take on airs. Getting a simple 'hello' is like drawing blood from a stone. Perhaps it's because of the self-help mentality so many Harbiners are cultivating, but it seems there's a strange atmosphere of inflated self-importance and over-privileged spirituality going on round here. Perhaps the smegma floating around in the hot pools has created some sort of mass neurosis. I don't know. But if you decide to visit here, here are a few tips: 1. Go with someone you know. If you are a female this should be obvious after reading a few of the posts on here, but no matter what your gender, having someone with you will ground you in a certain degree of normal human interaction. 2. Say 'hello' to people. This is a very simple but important rule. So as to avoid working yourself into a foul mood, just be nice. Even if people look at you like you're a toad or an outcast or lift their noses right up to the heavens, just be nice. Say hello. It's quite simple. 3. Enjoy the water. That's why people come here and that's why you should come here. Just don't drink the water. That's gross. read more

Harbin may be a nice place to visit for the trails, yoga and cafe facilities but the hot springs are anything but inviting. A sheen of oil and hair floated across the water surface as I squeezed into an overly crowded pool that was scalding hot. The one pool that about the right temperature does not have seats and the others are too cool. Additionally the concrete sprawl around the pool area really diminishes the sense of being in a natural surrounding. The most scenic pool is the cold plunge pool which again is small and crowded. In general the hot springs were unpleasant though the yoga class, cafe meals and hiking trails were very good. Hopefully they will improve the soaking experience and place more importance on quality and cleanliness. read more

I have been going to Harbin Hot Springs about 20 years. I used to go a lot, not so much of late. It has changed quite a bit. Beautiful metal work dragon gate, and metal work around the pool. Slow improvements and renovations over the years. RE: the cleaning of the pool, I think they use ozone now. Your body gets covered in tiny bubbles when you soak in the deep warm pool. Its great. Over the years I have heard about the creep factor. Basically i have never been touched inappropriately EVER, nor have I not been able to say NO and not have it respected. If someone starts talking to me and I dont feel like talking, i tell them directly. You can also wear a bead necklace that Harbin provides, which means you do not wish to engage in any conversation. People do look at you, you will look also. Its fun to see lots of diverse naked bodies. Some very old or very fat, women with mastectomys, child bearing tummys, super lean athletes, queer boys queer girls, tattoos, piercings. I love it all. Yes its clothing optional so if you have an issue with that Dont Go. Why moan about it after the fact, get real folks. I love clothing optional. I like to swim naked in the big cold pool. Lie on my towel naked and read a book, eat my salad naked if I want. The restaurant food is hit or miss, sometimes great, sometimes not. They had an italian chef working there for a while and the food rocked. Workers constantly change, so the quality changes. They do have a little grocery store and a public use kitchen, so you can make your own food. Hard to get fridge space on weekends though. Most of Harbin is staffed by temporary workers, doing trade for their ability to live on the land, some are paid staff members. So its kinda laaaaiiiiiddd back and funky. Funky in a good way. Harbin is beautiful, a large old fig tree hangs over the warm pool and deer come right down to the pool at dusk to feed. Fresh flowers abound in vases around the pool. Its tranquil and so very beautiful. Hundreds of acres to hike and with wonderful outlooks over the valleys higher up. The sun decks are surrounded by large trees that rustle in the afternoon breezes. Down by the hotel rooms, fresh green grass in shade to hang out on. Great body workers and other treatments. I have only had wonderful massages over the years. I got a massage from one man and it was the very very best massage I have ever had in my entire life. He was so sweet to me. They have a tiny coffee place for us am caffine heads and a sweet little deck to hang out and read if you want. They serve fresh home made pastrys. Harbin also has a library, great for rainy days. Free Yoga in the yoga room above the restaurant and free movies in the small movie house. Tiered floor sections with large piles of pillows, all shoes left outside. its way cool. Soak, watch a movie, soak some more and go to bed. You can stay in one of the rooms or camp. I usually sleep in my vehicle as its easy and I can park near the stream. A short 5 min walk to the main pools. Some of the rooms are funky as other reviews have said. Once we booked a room for 3 of us and got one bed when I called them they had forgotten to set up the couch bed that needed a crate to hold up the bottom leg of it. It was really uncomfortable. There is NO sound proofing btwn some of the rooms and you hear every step above you head, on every staircase and the slamming of the bath room door that is communal for some rooms. I have stayed in a couple of rooms where the beds are very very uncomfortable. They do not even provide towels in the rooms. I thought that rather stingy. This is why I choose to camp. its not worth the extra $$ to stay in some of the rooms. The rooms closer to the kitchen were quite a bit nicer. i had my own bathroom and it seemed much quieter. You can also sleep outside under the stars on the deck. This is great to star gaze. Once in a while a couple have woken me with insanely loud sex, that makes the entire deck shake. Fortunately its only happened 2x in 20 years. I like hearing people have sex, its good for you. Not when its 3am though. Thanks people. What else to say about harbin, I will always come here. Its so very beautiful. I love warm water. I love coming with my friends. Most of my friends like it too. Best to go for at least 2 or 3 nights so you can let the city go and really begin to chill out in the warm healing waters of Harbin. read more

I was looking forward to a relaxing day at the springs, but a few negative aspects stand out more to me than the few good ones. This is mostly due to the attitudes toward nudity our culture seem to possess. I traversed the grounds with a towel around my waist while in the midst of stark nakedness. Having the towel was comfortable for me, but I noticed a hefty amount of smugness on other people's faces as they passed by. I guess my lack of nakedness beyond the pools and sauna wasn't liberated enough for them. After I became aware of their looks, I thought of my approach and realized it operated on two levels. The first and more important was my own comfort level. If I want to just walk around for a bit, I'm not going to do it naked, even in my own home. So outside on a cool overcast day, it made zero sense to me to flop around just to show how "free" I was to a bunch of faux-hippies. If they were the real deal, they wouldn't pay attention to me for one thing and wouldn't care for another. On the second level, I'm a respectful guy and didn't want any women feeling uncomfortable about anything, especially in close proximity to me. I have no doubt there are creeper guys who just want to get up close viewing of the female form and probably try inappropriate moves. I figured a towel was like a peace offering to signal I'm just a dude who wants to relax. For real relax, not show off relax. Luckily, my social skills are non-existent so all the tension in the pools had no effect on me. I definitely sensed it, but its effect on me amounted to saying "whatever." I feel a lot of this tension and arrogance and fake sense of liberation is a result of our sexual repression in the U.S. If we had a different take on nudity and sexuality here, places like this would be much different. The conversations I heard were all about spiritual enlightenment and the like, and everyone sounded super proud of just being able to talk like that. Compare this to Japan, where nude public baths and springs are the norm. I've been to a bunch there, and the whole attitude is different. Way less pompous and a chance to genuinely wind down, not just pretend to do so. I was missing that at Harbin. I enjoyed the sauna and being on the deck when the sun peaked out as well as the hiking, but it wasn't really enough for me to drive the two hours back up there from Berkeley. Plus, the rules are fine and dandy, especially for a day trip only, but why have a smoking section? It didn't bother me, it just didn't make any sense. No booze, no phones, no talking, no pot, no sex, but tobacco is great. I'm sure the surrounding forest agrees. read more

Read my husband's review, just below. He's been a member of Harbin for years, yet we were still treated like sh#it. I'll be succinct. Only come to Harbin if you want the following: 1) Your reservation will be confirmed by email twice, by phone once, and then when you arrive (after driving 3 hours, mind you) it will be totally disregarded and you'll be downgraded to a piece of sh$it room for $140 night while your room (which you reserved several weeks in advance and confirmed just three days prior) was given to the reservation chick's friend. 2) When you protest this little bait and switch, you will be met with animosity, impatience and annoyance. Then you'll be offered that piece of sh$it room for the same price you would have paid for the very nice room that you reserved. When you ask why they chose to switch your room at the very last minute without informing you (before you drove 3 hours to get there) you're met with blank stares and a "well duh, we don't give a crap what you think" attitide. 3) If you actually DO get what you've requested and have to use the Fern Kitchen, be prepared for grimy, disgusting, oily filth everywhere. Why bother with the vegetarian kitchen requirements when you have to use nuclear weapon-strength antibacterial cleansers before anything is sanitary enough to use? I am a chef. People there make fun of you if you choose to cook anything and other than granola from a box or lettuce from a bag. If it's good enough for Milennium then it's good enough for us...but apparently it's not good enough for Harbin. STAY AWAY from this hideous place, unless you enjoy being ridiculed, diminished, and patronized. I, for one, would rather take that $324 that we were initially charged (for the "basic" room we were bumped into when someone's little uber-enlightened buddy arrived late the night before) and spend it elsewhere. But if you like throwing that kind of money around and having it land in the laps of seriously hypocritical and abusive asses, then go for it. We'll go somewhere sanitary, pleasant, non-abusive, and NORMAL. read more

I go way back with Harbin and we have been buddies for around 15 years now. I still come here on a regular basis and it's the only place where I can seriously unwind, be at one with nature, unplug, and chill out. Am I a granola girl? No but thats whats cool about his place. You got a healthy mix of granola hippie, techies, world travelers, locals, non locals, professionals, hipsters, you name it. Think about it were else could this kind of mix of people be in one spot at the same time. You guessed it Harbin. Yelp readers please go and experience Harbin for yourself before making a judgment call. Some peoples experiences here can be bad and some can blow your mind. I have been really fortunate that I can honestly say the majority of my stays have been excellent. Of course there were a few bad stays mixed in there i.e. too crowed, a bunch of weird freaks, perverts, people talking in the meditation pool or getting there freak on on the down low ( which is annoying but it happens) but Im Yelping on my overall experience not a one time thing. Harbin is a magical place and a true gem. Gorgeous grounds and magical healing waters that feel like a baptism when I enter. I don't know what it is about the water here but my skin is always soft like a baby's butt and I feel clean and refreshed. No chemicals all natural water from the earth. I do the warm,hot, cold, hot,cold,hot,cold,warm pool routine and I feel reborn. Then I take a nice plunge in the wonderful swimming pool while the sun is brightly shining on me. (Christ now Im starting to sound granola). Going al fresco is the way to go. Of course like many others I was shy and kinda weirded out by being naked amongst strangers but Im so over it now I can't wait to strip off my clothes and feel the water on my skin. Sure I have had some experiences with men who think they can hit on me etc but overall people here are accepting non judgmental and aren't focused on you even though you may think they are. People are here for their own healing I think our own ego may think otherwise. In this world of judgements and perfection its nice to see people naked of all shapes and sizes. Not a lot of places were you can do this. Im not crazy about the massages or the spa treatments here Ive had several and it never left an impression on me. Kinda hard to believe being that its Harbin but its true at least for me. The food here is good pricey but wholesome and organic. Ive eaten here and have also brought my own food which is a nice option to have. I love the yoga classes and the other events they have in the temple.The unconditional dance is awesome highly recommend that. The movie theater is one of my favorite things here and they always have very good and interesting films to watch. I enjoy the residents cats who mingle on the grounds as well as the Turkeys and the deer. Ive stayed in the Domes, basic rooms, camped on the deck, and stayed in the womans dorm. I prefer the basic room but the Domes are cool too and sleeping on the deck isn't bad especially in the summer. If your a first timer come with an open heart and mind, if your a return guest then my yelp review isn't necessary. read more