Boron Spring

Santa Barbara County, California · Near Toro Canyon
34.4230°N, 119.5380°W · 251 ft
72°F 68°F air · Good soaking weather 251 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (15.3 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Boron Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Boron Spring
Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag the handle to compare the two views. The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Boron Spring, in Santa Barbara County a mile or so from Toro Canyon, is tepid by the reading on file, barely warm. Owner and access status are both unrecorded. The chemistry comes from a USGS sample taken in 1934, and the record gives no date for the temperature, so treat both as history more than current condition.

Location

Cravens Lane sits about five hundred feet away, a short walk. Elevation is low, a couple hundred feet above sea level. Rain comes to around fourteen inches yearly, and snow is close to nonexistent, so the climate is gentle year round. Nothing is attached by way of land unit, and no agency is on record for the ground.

Winter months are the listed best. Upper Oso Campground, fifteen miles away, is the closest camping listed. The 1934 sample shows alkaline water carrying calcium and sodium, with sulfate and chloride also present. Nobody has recorded public access, and nothing says what is on the ground now. Fee unknown.

Terrain

Aircraft with laser scanners measured this ground to within inches. The scan strips out trees and buildings, leaving the bare shape of the land around Boron Spring.

Setting
Canyon floor
Steep ground climbs away on both sides of the spring.
Highest ground nearby
429 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the northwest
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from northwest to southeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Heat Below
70 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's close to the US average of 65. It's higher than at 5% of the springs on this site.

Heat flow measures the warmth working its way up through the ground from deep inside the earth. Where it runs high, rain and snowmelt that seep down through cracks in the rock come back up hot.

Heat flow estimate: Stanford Thermal Earth Model (Aljubran & Horne, 2024), CC BY 4.0.

Monthly Climate
56°
Jan
56°
Feb
58°
Mar
62°
Apr
64°
May
68°
Jun
72°
Jul
74°
Aug
73°
Sep
68°
Oct
61°
Nov
55°
Dec
Annual Precip: 13.8 in Annual Snow: 0.8 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 55°F · Water 72°F · +17° contrast
January Air 56°F · Water 72°F · +16° contrast
February Air 56°F · Water 72°F · +16° contrast
December offers 19°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
68°F
E 3.6 mph 83% Good soaking weather
Today 75° Low 60° Mostly Cloudy 11% precip
Wednesday 72° Low 60° Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny 13% precip
Thursday 71° Low 61° Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Spring is +1° warmer
Friday 71° Low 62° Sunny
Spring is +1° warmer
Saturday 73° Low 62° Sunny
Water Chemistry Sampled 1934-08-04

The water at Boron Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 8.5). It is notably rich in sodium (supports circulation and skin hydration) and chloride (natural antiseptic with skin health benefits).

pH 8.5 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 46 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 8 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 1,150 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 0 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 1,440 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Upper Oso Campground 15.3 mi away

Overview Upper Oso Campground provides ample opportunity for exploration of California's coastal mountains. It is a family-friendly campground, equipped with equestrian sites, and is close to a variety of trails and several mountain streams.Recreation A variety of hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails begin in and around the campground, including the Santa Cruz Trail, which traverses 18 miles north to the San Rafael Wilderness. The 2.5-mile Aliso National Recreation Trail leads...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
72°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 72°F (22°C)
Avg Air Temp 64°F
Above Ambient +8°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Cravens Lane
Distance to Road 0.1 mi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Boron Spring?
Boron Spring has a water temperature of 72°F (22°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Boron Spring located?
Boron Spring is located in Santa Barbara County, California at 251 feet elevation, near Toro Canyon. Coordinates: 34.4230°N, 119.5380°W.
How do I get to Boron Spring?
Boron Spring has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Cravens Lane (0.1 mi from the road).
Can I camp near Boron Spring?
Yes, Upper Oso Campground is located nearby (15.3 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Boron Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 8.5 (slightly alkaline).
Sources: USGS NWIS