Pecho Warm Springs

San Luis Obispo County, California · Near Los Osos
35.2690°N, 120.8510°W · 636 ft
95°F 636 ft Open Short Walk SPR Camping nearby (12.7 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Pecho Warm Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Pecho Warm Springs
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.

Pecho Warm Springs is inside Montaña de Oro State Park near Los Osos, San Luis Obispo County. The water is a little below body temperature, soaking warm without being hot. Access is open under state park rules. Islay Creek Road leaves you a short walk away, a bit under a third of a mile, and Los Osos is three miles off.

Location

State park ground, so the park's rules apply. Islay Creek Road is the approach. The elevation is modest, a few hundred feet, and the climate is mild year round with no snow and a moderate amount of winter rain. Nothing in the file describes the outlet or whether there is any kind of pool, so do not count on one.

The record leans toward winter, though with no snow and mild temperatures the spring is reachable year round. Access is open. Cerro Alto, about thirteen miles off and well outside the park, is the camping the record gives. No fee appears in the file; check whether the park charges for day use. The water is warm, well short of hot.

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 Pecho Warm Springs.

Setting
Canyon floor
Steep ground climbs away on both sides of the spring.
Highest ground nearby
369 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
93 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 36% 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
56°
Apr
57°
May
60°
Jun
62°
Jul
63°
Aug
64°
Sep
62°
Oct
57°
Nov
52°
Dec
Annual Precip: 14.9 in Annual Snow: 0.0 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 52°F · Water 95°F · +43° contrast
February Air 52°F · Water 95°F · +43° contrast
December Air 52°F · Water 95°F · +43° contrast
January offers 12°F more contrast than September
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Cerro Alto Campground 12.7 mi away

Overview Cerro Alto Campground is a well-known hiking and mountain biking paradise. It is located a short distance from the sandy beaches of Morro Bay, where visitors enjoy surfing, fishing, kayaking, sailing, scuba diving and more. While the campground offers a serene, relaxed environment, both Morro Bay and the nearby town of Atascadero offer numerous dining opportunities, shopping, museums and other activities. Wine Tasting in the Tempelton, Paso Robles Area is also a very popular experi...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
95°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 95°F (35°C)
Avg Air Temp 58°F
Above Ambient +37°F
Good soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Islay Creek Road
Distance to Road 0.3 mi
Land
Ownership State
Agency SPR
Designation State Park
Unit Montaña de Oro State Park
Manager SPR
Protection 4 - No known protection
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Pecho Warm Springs?
Pecho Warm Springs has a water temperature of 95°F (35°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Pecho Warm Springs located?
Pecho Warm Springs is located in San Luis Obispo County, California at 636 feet elevation, near Los Osos. Coordinates: 35.2690°N, 120.8510°W.
How do I get to Pecho Warm Springs?
Pecho Warm Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Islay Creek Road (0.3 mi from the road).
Is Pecho Warm Springs free to visit?
Pecho Warm Springs has Open access. It is managed by SPR.
Can I camp near Pecho Warm Springs?
Yes, Cerro Alto Campground is located nearby (12.7 miles away).