Franklin Hot Springs — Attraction in Paso Robles

So you are in Paso Robles for the night or maybe you are just passing through. You want to stop and enjoy some local flavor and unwind for a bit. You are looking at things to do in the area and you think, "what if I found some hot springs to hang out in for a while?"

The search on Google maps turns up a few places and some fairly ritzy locations. You find Franklin Hot Springs and read the reviews, a lot like I did. There are some strangely negative ones that I just don't understand. Like, who goes to Hot Springs expecting them to not smell like deep earth minerals? Also, you are paying $10 a person and filling out a safety waiver to go in. What exactly are you expecting? Poolside cocktail service? Freshly paved roads for you to drive your showroom-quality car on? For $10?

OK, here it is. I enjoyed my time at Franklin Hot Springs today so much, that I had to thank the owner. He has been given one of the most incredible gifts on the planet and has made it accessible for what practically amounts to couch cushion change. The joy this place brings is irreplaceable. Families with kids were having the time of their lives in this warm water in the golden California sunshine.

The vista includes rolling hills and Live Oak trees that you would expect from the North American plate of California. The sunset was incredible. For $10, I shared in this incredible gift, this little slice of heaven that many people would overlook or pishaw for its lack of someone's definition of refinement.

Don't get me wrong, I've stayed at $600 a night hotels around the world, had spa treatments that Hollywood stars couldn't even imagine, and had dinner with princes in the Middle East. I understand the scope of experiences, both rustic and opulent. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been able to visit this place even once.

Franklin Hot Springs is something so genuine that the wealthiest sheiks would yearn to own so they could try to even come close to something so real and authentic. Go visit this place and be yourself. Be around other people. Commune the way we were meant to. Go early, bring lunch and stay a while. You'll be grateful...

Every visit is a different experience. Aaron and I came on a rainy Saturday and as a long time patron told me the water still comes up from the ground 104 degrees. It is an olympic size pool so naturally the further from the generous flowing source the cooler the pool gets. Still, cold rain on my face, I had only to dive under to feel the warmth of the mineral rich healing water. "I wouldn't change a thing about this place" is what I wrote on the customer suggestion form passed out to patrons by one of the owners. And I've been there on days when the guests were more like pigs than people I'd want to have over to my place but, after they leave, and I do mean the very next day, the entire place is cleaned up and you'd never know those piggies were there! They've made the pool area a no smoking zone, I do understand they are just responding to complaints from the non-smokers. They've added cameras, I do understand they are trying to keep patrons behavior respectable! Signs posted "no mud rinsing in shower" clogged drains are a problem they're constantly addressing. Mud that when applied makes your skin feel soft for days after your visit leaving no stench on your skin. "Sulfur smell" well of course, but have those that complain never been to a natural hot spring. They should smell Avila Hot Springs or even the more posh Sycamore Hot Springs! Trailers, yes, RV and tent camping where pets are welcome. Truly, Norm and Cindy, their son and daughter and the entire crew make EVERYONE feel welcome and care that you have a...

Great Big Bang for your Buck! Stay all day and all night if you were to take advantage of their overnight camping area. Swim in the 90+ degree pool, take a soak in the Hot Spring 100.7 degree therapeutic concrete community size tub, go fishing in the pond, or just kick back and relax in the sun during the day, then bar-b-que dinner while watching the sunset, only to end your perfect day by taking a warm water swim under the stars.

All of it sounds like a resort type atmosphere but it isn't, it's more like a locals diamond in the ruff. Trash is not always emptied right away, bathrooms not cleaned on any kind of regular schedule, some campsites have limited services at best. Then you ad the noticeable old junk laying here and there and you start to look for Grandma, Uncle Jed, Jethro and Elly May to be swimming in the cement pond with a few of Elly May's critters joining you.

The torn shade screens and damaged amenities that are scattered throughout the property haven't seen a maintenance man in the last few seasons, so keep your high expectations at bay and come with a vision of a facility in need of some love and attention, but owned by a freindly local family who's goal is simplicity not to be the shiny new hot spot resort on the front cover of Better Homes...