The Oasis, a private pool at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa
It had been a busy week. I’d walked the California Coastal Trail from Cayucos to Morro Bay, an eight-mile (13-km) beach hike along the Pacific. I’d cycled the 30-mile (50-km) Sea to Summit route, climbing from seaside Avila Beach to the top of Prefumo Canyon and back down to the coast. And not long after checking into my suite at the Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa on California’s Central Coast, I walked up to the property’s “Yoga Dome” for an energetic flow class followed by a sound bath meditation. Later that evening, I eagerly sank into the heated waters of the private hot tub out on my deck. Ahhhh.
Spending several days adventuring in this California region midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, perhaps best known for its iconic road trip route along Highway 1, I spent the night at Sycamore Mineral Springs, a classic hot springs resort. Here’s the scoop:
The main building housing the Gardens of Avila restaurant and the resort lobby
A Historic Spa Resort
Located in Avila Beach, a short drive from both Pismo Beach and San Luis Obispo, Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa opened more than a century ago after natural mineral springs were discovered on the property in the 1880s.
The resort offers a classic wellness escape with mineral pools, hot tubs, yoga classes, and plenty of peace and quiet. It’s not on the beach, but it’s a short drive or bike ride to the Pacific. The multiuse Bob Jones Trail runs near the property and leads to the ocean.
Facilities and Services
The centerpiece of the property are the hillside hot tubs, 24 private soaking tubs set in the woods. Climbing up a steep hill, a network of walkways and stairs connects the tubs which both hotel guests and non-guests can reserve. Even guests don’t get free access, but staying at the hotel gives you a 50 percent discount, as long as you soak between 8am and 3pm Monday through Friday.
If you’re here with a small group, you can reserve the Oasis, a larger secluded pool with two waterfalls that lives up to its name.
The property has an outdoor swimming pool, as well as a full-service spa.
Another popular feature is the Yoga Dome, an airy modern space where guests (and non-guests) can book a class. Yoga is 50 percent off for hotel guests.
Sycamore guests also have complimentary access to the swimming pool and hot springs at Avila Hot Springs, another mineral spring just down the road.
The West Meadows suites are among the property’s newest lodgings.
Guest Rooms and Amenities
Sycamore Springs has 72 guest rooms, from small double rooms to expansive suites, set in multiple buildings around the property.
Throughout the guest room buildings, furnishings are traditional, and rooms include coffeemakers and mini fridges. They all come with yoga mats as well, in case you want to supplement your classes in the Yoga Dome with an in-room workout.
One area of the property, the West Meadow suites, is a short walk across a pedestrian bridge and along the woods. You can’t drive directly to this area, which makes it feel more private, although if you don’t want to walk, staff will shuttle you and your bags in a golf cart.
Also on this part of the resort is The Secret Garden, an outdoor cafe/bar serving drinks and wood-fired pizzas, with regular live music.
A guest room in the West Meadows suite building
The West Meadow suites are set along a wooden walkway. My room here had a separate living room with a fireplace and a spacious king bedroom.
Like the hot tubs that line the hillside, it’s the soaking opportunities that distinguish Sycamore Springs’ rooms from those at other lodgings — each room has a terrace or patio with a private outdoor hot tub.
All the guest rooms have private hot tubs.
And even if you haven’t been hiking, biking, and energetically downward dogging, a soak in your private hot tub is a relaxing luxury.
Rates
Guest room rates at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa start at about $275 per night, although they vary significantly by room type and season. You can also check rates on agoda.
Looking for alternatives on California’s Central Coast? Check out some of our other hotel reviews from this region:
- The Pacific Motel, Cayucos: Making California’s Central Coast Cool Again
- Hip Hotel San Luis Obispo Near California’s Central Coast
- Inn at the Pier, New Hotel in Pismo Beach, California Central Coast
- Morro Bay Salty Sister Hotel on California Central Coast
Hotel feature by Vancouver-based travel, food, and feature writer Carolyn B. Heller. Photos © Carolyn B. Heller. Highway 1 Road Trip, in partnership with Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa, hosted my stay for review purposes.
