Paraiso Springs (Sulphur Spring)

Monterey County, California · Near Soledad
36.3310°N, 121.3670°W · 1,095 ft
98°F 1,095 ft Roadside Camping nearby (8.9 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Paraiso Springs (Sulphur Spring) LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Paraiso Springs (Sulphur 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.

Paraiso Springs, listed here as its Sulphur Spring, is a thermal spring about eight miles from Soledad in Monterey County. The water is close to body temperature, a comfortable soak on a cool day. The name says sulphur; the record holds no chemistry sample to confirm it. Neither ownership nor access appears in the file.

Location

The spring is roadside, less than a hundred feet from the road, though no road name is given. Elevation is around a thousand feet, foothill country. Rain is modest and falls in winter; snow is not a factor. No land unit and designation is on record. The outlet itself goes undescribed.

The three winter months are the ones on file. Arroyo Seco shows up as the closest campground, nine miles or so. With no access status on file and no owner named, treat this as private until you can confirm otherwise. No fee is recorded. The water will feel like a warm bath, nothing hotter.

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 Paraiso Springs (Sulphur Spring).

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the southwest.
Highest ground nearby
527 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the southwest
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
96 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 40% 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
52°
Jan
52°
Feb
54°
Mar
58°
Apr
62°
May
70°
Jun
75°
Jul
75°
Aug
72°
Sep
66°
Oct
57°
Nov
50°
Dec
Annual Precip: 13.8 in Annual Snow: 0.2 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 50°F · Water 98°F · +48° contrast
January Air 52°F · Water 98°F · +47° contrast
February Air 52°F · Water 98°F · +47° contrast
December offers 25°F more contrast than August
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Arroyo Seco 8.9 mi away

Overview Arroyo Seco Campground is a semi-rustic, but developed facility in California's westernmost national forest. It offers a great escape from bustling city life, into the mountain air and provides access to a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities.Recreation The small non-body contact lake near the group campsites gives campers an edge on mountain fishing and small non-motorized boating. Anglers will find mostly bass and catfish in the lakes, and other species on occasion. A fishin...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
98°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 98°F (37°C)
Avg Air Temp 62°F
Above Ambient +36°F
Warm air, warm water September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Distance to Road 84 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Paraiso Springs (Sulphur Spring)?
Paraiso Springs (Sulphur Spring) has a water temperature of 98°F (37°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Paraiso Springs (Sulphur Spring) located?
Paraiso Springs (Sulphur Spring) is located in Monterey County, California at 1,095 feet elevation, near Soledad. Coordinates: 36.3310°N, 121.3670°W.
How do I get to Paraiso Springs (Sulphur Spring)?
Paraiso Springs (Sulphur Spring) has Roadside road access (84 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Paraiso Springs (Sulphur Spring)?
Yes, Arroyo Seco is located nearby (8.9 miles away).