It's the year 1890...you are in the mood to yourself to a spa day, and the only Health Spa you want to go to is the Famous Alum Rock Health Spa Retreat. You have heard that the Spa consists of 27 exquisite mineral springs, an indoor pool, a dance pavilion and a gourmet Restaurant, as well as a tea garden! This is definitely a place for you to unwind, relax, and come back renewed. You don't even need to drive, you can take the Alum Rock Steam Train in Downtown San Jose all the way to the spa.
Now fast forward to 2016. This is what is left of the popular Alum Rock Health Spa Retreat. Run down stone baths, a log cabin, and a Gazebo. Even though everything is now in ruins and the Mineral Springs do not run as it once did...oh and don't forget the never ending stench of rotten eggs, there is still charm left in this place.
Alum Rock has long been converted into an open space preserve where activities consist of hiking and nature viewing. It is one of California's oldest municipal parks, created in 1872. It is greatly shaped by the Penitencia Creek that runs straight through the park, and can be admired as you walk along the lower-level trails.
The Penitencia Creek is the life giver of the lushness in this area. With the amount of trees and greenery, this is one of my favorite parks to hike during the summer because of the abundance of shade. I also love the stone bridges and stone bath-spas left behind from the retreat. The place is abandoned but it is not.
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In the summer when the baths are dry, you an jump right in and experience the true size of the baths. I am going to warn you now to not go in the winter or springs. Because after the rain, these baths fill to the brim and is the perfect nesting grounds for mosquitos. It's a bit of a health concern because mosquitos are known to carry the West Nile Virus in California. So if you only have time to come during the rainy season, be sure to use plenty of bug repellent. I was fortunate to come out with not bites.
RELATED VIDEO: [My Top 5]South&Easy Bay Area (EP. 3) "Abandoned Mineral Spa Resort"
In the summer when the baths are dry, you an jump right in and experience the true size of the baths. I am going to warn you now to not go in the winter or springs. Because after the rain, these baths fill to the brim and is the perfect nesting grounds for mosquitos. It's a bit of a health concern because mosquitos are known to carry the West Nile Virus in California. So if you only have time to come during the rainy season, be sure to use plenty of bug repellent. I was fortunate to come out with not bites.
Anyways, back to before I went on a mosquito rant, Alum Rock's spa ruins are definitely the highlight of this park. They are the reason why I fell in love with this park. Alum Rock is one of a kind. Not only is the hike to these ruins a beautiful two mile or so stretch, but to be able to see part of the past is always a welcome to a history lover.
Happy Wandering, Alice.
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