De Luz Warm Springs

San Diego County, California · Near Fallbrook
33.4360°N, 117.3240°W · 401 ft
85°F 64°F air · Good soaking weather 401 ft Roadside Camping nearby (10.1 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around De Luz Warm Springs

The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

A warm spring beside De Luz Road in the hills outside Fallbrook, in San Diego County. The water is warm, the sort of temperature that feels good on a cool morning and goes unnoticed by afternoon. A 1961 USGS sample found it alkaline and low in dissolved minerals. The owner is not on record and there is no note about whether you can stop and use it.

Location

Low foothills a few hundred feet above sea level. The spring lies right at the roadside on De Luz Road. The road is the approach. Fourteen inches of rain falls over a year, and snow never does. Wildomar Campground is the camping we have on record, roughly ten miles away by our reckoning.

The cooler months are the listed season. Roadside, so the visit is quick. The water chemistry figures are from 1961 and the temperature reading is of the same vintage, so the spring may behave differently now. Neither access nor ownership is on file. Wildomar Campground, ten miles off, is where to camp.

Terrain

USGS hasn't flown a detailed laser scan here yet, so this view comes from aerial photos and older elevation data.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the northeast.
Highest ground nearby
285 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the northeast
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from southwest to northeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
90 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 30% 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
55°
Jan
56°
Feb
59°
Mar
62°
Apr
64°
May
69°
Jun
74°
Jul
76°
Aug
75°
Sep
69°
Oct
62°
Nov
55°
Dec
Annual Precip: 13.6 in Annual Snow: 0.1 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 55°F · Water 85°F · +30° contrast
December Air 55°F · Water 85°F · +30° contrast
February Air 56°F · Water 85°F · +29° contrast
January offers 21°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
64°F
Cloudy N 0.0 mph 88% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 82° Low 61° Mostly Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +3° warmer
Wednesday 81° Low 60° Mostly Sunny 2% precip
Spring is +4° warmer
Thursday 83° Low 59° Sunny
Spring is +2° warmer
Friday 85° Low 59° Sunny
Saturday 86° Low 60° Sunny
Water Chemistry Sampled 1961-02-02

The water at De Luz Warm Springs is alkaline (pH 9.5) with 246 mg/L total dissolved solids.

pH 9.5 Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 2 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 1 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 75 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 11 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 43 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Wildomar Campground 10.1 mi away

11 sites available. Wildomar Campground is currently closed due to the Wildomar Fire until further notice.

Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
85°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 85°F (29°C)
Avg Air Temp 65°F
Above Ambient +20°F
Warm air, warm water September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road De Luz Road
Distance to Road 100 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at De Luz Warm Springs?
De Luz Warm Springs has a water temperature of 85°F (29°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is De Luz Warm Springs located?
De Luz Warm Springs is located in San Diego County, California at 401 feet elevation, near Fallbrook. Coordinates: 33.4360°N, 117.3240°W.
How do I get to De Luz Warm Springs?
De Luz Warm Springs has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being De Luz Road (100 ft from the road).
Can I camp near De Luz Warm Springs?
Yes, Wildomar Campground is located nearby (10.1 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at De Luz Warm Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 9.5 (alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 246 mg/L.
Sources: USGS NWIS