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Below is a list of some of the many things to do in the immediate area surrounding Mercey Hot Springs as well within a days' (roundtrip) driving distance.
Disc Golf
Yes, its' true! We now have a fully functional 9 hole disc golf course. Use of the course is included in the $15 day use fee which gives you access to the big pool and outdoor hot tub... there is no seperate fee for the course only. Official baskets will be installed over the summer but for now please feel free to hit the bucket! -- Here's more info...
Bird Watching
Having one of the few year-round water sources in the valley attracts an incredibly diverse number of bird species to the facility. Bird watchers from thousands of miles away have come to Mercey Hot Springs in order to catch a rare glimpse of their favorite bird species.
Mountain Biking
Being closely situated to BLM land (only 3 miles away) provides some of the best mountain bike trails around California. The San Luis Reservoir is only a 7 mile ride and is a beautiful picnic spot as well!
Rock Hunting
While taking a walk (up or down) the Little Panoche Creek that winds its way through the Mercey Hot Springs resort, you can't help but find many colorful & interesting rocks. You may even find an Indian artifact! If you do, we respectfully request that you turn your “find” into our office. We'll reward you with a free, two day stay in a cabin of your choice (Holidays excluded) and you'll be making an important contribution to our growing collection of local artifacts which will be put on display in our future museum.
Star Gazing
Mercey Hot Springs is a fantastic place to see a sky crowded with stars at night. Be sure to come visit during the Perseid meteor showers!
San Luis Reservoir
Fishing, boating, jet-skiing, wind surfing & water skiing. Go west (towards I-5) 7 miles on Little Panoche road, north 24 miles on I-5 and then west 5 miles on highway 152.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) - Great for site seeing, bird watching, seasonal hunting, (Dove, Quail & Chucker) and horse back riding. The entrance is just 1/2 mile west of the Mercey Hot Springs gate entrance on the north side of the road. As their are trails that go for miles which are dirt and gravel, four wheel drive vehicles are HIGHLY recommended.
New Idria mine
A major part of local history - New Idria is an old mercury (Quick Silver) mine dating back to the middle 1800's. Go east for eight miles on Little Panoche Road, go left at the “T” and follow the signs. Approximately 35 miles total distance, this mine was at one time the largest Quick Silver (mercury) mine in the world. This is also where Benitoite, a rare gem only found in San Benito county (and nowere else in the world) was discovered. There is still a mine in operation along the way to New Idria that sells various rocks and Gems.
The Pinnacles
The Pinnacles National Monument has Geologic history, hiking & site seeing. Make a right (east) out of the Mercey Hot
Springs entrance and go eight miles on Little Panoche Road. At the "T", go
right for approximately 35 miles to Paicines. Go left (on highway 25) about
25 miles and follow the signs.
Just before entering the National park is a campground called The Pinnacles Campground that serves the area. It has 103 tent sites, 15 tent group sites, and 36 RV sites. Ammenities include a store, hot showers, and a 50,000 gallon swimming pool.
Tres Pinos, Hollister & San Juan Bautista
Antique stores, restaurants and mission - Take the same route as to the Pinnacles but make a right in Paicines on highway 25 instead of a left. You will pass Balado Park on the left where the San Benito county fair, rodeo and other special events are held. In Tres Pinos you'll find a few antique stores and a couple of excellent restaurants. Continue on highway 25 for about 8 mile into Hollister which is one of the fastest growing cities in California due to its close proximity to the Silicon Valley. Take highway 156 into San Juan Bautista where you'll find many, very fine restaurants, shops and the San Juan Bautista mission.
Monterey & Carmel
Well known for its beaches, restaurants, shops and aquarium, follow the same route above to San Juan Bautista but continue on highway 156 for another 2 miles to highway 101. Go South 8 miles to where highway 156 reconnects to highway 101 and continue west for 15 miles to highway 1. Head south for approximately 10 miles to highway 1 where both Monterey and Carmel are well marked.
Gilroy - Garlic capital of the world!
A city of about 35,000 people and host of the annual Garlic Festival in July, Gilroy is also well known for its “Outlet Shopping Center”. To get there taking the scenic route, follow the route to Hollister as described above and continue west on highway 25 to Gilroy. For the quickest route, follow the route to the San Luis reservoir as described above but continue west on highway 152 past the reservoir to Gilroy.
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