• » NUDE BEACHES HOME
• » SAN FRANCISCO
• » MARIN
• » ALAMEDA
• » SAN MATEO
• » SANTA CRUZ
• » MONTEREY
• » SONOMA
• » LAKE
• » MENDOCINO
• » HUMBOLDT
• » LAKE TAHOE
• » CONTRA COSTA

Nude hot springs in the sea that hold 15 persons easily, 30 people who are crowded, or 40 who are jammed inside?  In the Bay Area, it's not a mirage or a scene from a porno movie.  Steep Ravine, located between Muir Beach and Red Rock, has two springs, one in the ocean and another on the cliffs.  "We trick it out in the winter, meaning we remove rocks that have been pushed by the storms and waves into the springs," says Martin, a regular visitor.  "On December 31, 2009, we had a great New Year's Eve get together in the late afternoon and evening.  It wasn't very crowded, which was a miracle."

If you see cars parked on the highway above the trail, it probably means the springs are in use.  "But if you see 25 cars there, it means there are too many people there," adds Martin.  "We had way too many people in March and April.  It was terrible."  Rocks continued to cascade into the springs as late as mid-May.  "We had to pull one out that weighed several tons," says Martin.  "An outer wall and breakwater we built were trashed, but we rebuilt it."  As of June, he comments, "it was going great guns."

But the trail down from the road is so slippery that we've never recommended it.  "It's more like a goat trail," explains Martin.  Poison oak on the path is another concern.  In fact, we've rated the site a "D" for years, but it hasn't stopped people from trying to visit a clothing-optional hot springs that's nearly hidden in the sea.

Even finding the spring is quite difficult, as it's located in the middle of the shoreline's tidal zone. ("It's only usable at very low tide," says Dave, of San Francisco.)

And walking along the shore isn't much to write home about. It's strewn with enough rocks to fill a quarry. Plus, rangers from a nearby campground occasionally cite naked people. "Some people use burlap sacks (to pile dirt) to make walls for a hot tub (around the springs)," Dave says. Bring a shovel. Leslie, of Oakland, says, "It's a fragile place and has somewhat of a sulfur smell." Those who are brave or foolhardy enough to attempt the journey say winter's the best time to visit.

Finally, there are the people of Steep Ravine.  More than a few persons have fallen on the slippery rocks on the trail or near the springs, especially in the spot known as the "dressing area" above the springs. "I gave a towel to one person who was bleeding," says Martin.  "Several people have needed stitches."  Others have flipped out and suddenly "gone off mentally," he adds.  "It's happened more than once."  Tip: visit early in the day. "You either arrive while there's room available or have to move on to nearby Red Rock," says Martin.

Part of Mount Tamalpais State Park. State park rangers here do not tolerate nudity.

From Muir Beach, go north on Highway 1 about four miles, then look for the Steep Ravine campground sign; from Stinson Beach, head south two miles. Parking is prohibited on the ocean side of the highway; park across the street. Take the dirt road, which becomes a very long and slippery trail to the water. The spring in the sea (at latitude 37.880, longitude 122.627) is on the north end of the beach.

Bring a beach chair to sit on the rocky shore, whose main lure is its pristine ruggedness.

Usually just you and one or two other folks. Up to a dozen visitors may be found during peak-use periods.  For more information, please see above.

Extremely dangerous trail, sometimes with poison oak; numerous incidents of people falling on slippery rocks; possible law enforcement; poor parking; poison oak; springs often inactive or covered by rocks or debris; no sand for sunbathing; proximity to clothed families at nearby campground; occasional reports of gawkers.