Montecito Hot Springs

Montecito Hot Springs for health of the community, the watershed restoration of Hot Springs Canyon and for the steelhead as the springs flow to the ocean

For over 10,000 years the Chumash people interacted with these medicinal springs. For over 150 years these springs have been commercially used by early American settlers and tourists of Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara was known for its remarkable medicinal mineral waters. After the 1964 Coyote Fire the spa went fallow with the springs capped and diverted for the Hot Springs Creek Water Company. Additionally Montecito Water District maintains a test well at the base of the canyon.

Today you can go to the springs and find no trespassing signs with the water piped away for non potable irrigation.

Land Trust for Santa Barbara County is working to "protect" the land as open space without discussion of cultural and historical issues pertaining to the springs including the unique spring water and downstream steelhead. The planned outcome is to provide the springs to the US Forest Service.

We know the USFS will not be a suitable match in stewardship of the springs. The best steward for the springs, watershed and land will be a community focused land trust to specifically restore the watershed's habitat and provide ecological balance in cooperation of the separate 501 c3 that is forming to resolve the cultural and historical significance of Montecito Hot Springs.

Tags: