Cold spring coming from deep within Mt. Tamalpais. This is the closest, most accessible quality public spring for much of the Bay Area. Park your car right next to pipes in the large pullout. The center copper pipe has the highest flow but does get occasionally vandalized. Flow rate is good through dry autumn, and really gushes in the spring. Area is nearly vacant most of the time, but can become crowded midday on warm weather weekends. Spring has been lab tested, details here: https://longevitypower.com/red-rock-beach-spring-testing-2013/. Please do not tamper with pipe setup, as local steward has to regularly fix damage that has been done. Please support excellent spring water etiquette and ongoing lab testing here: https://www.meetup.com/BayAreaSpringWater/
Nearest Address
915 Shoreline Hwy
Directions from Nearest Address
From 101 take the Stinson Beach Exit. Follow Route 1 North (Shoreline Hwy) for about half an hour until just before the town of Stinson Beach. Large parking lot on both left and right. The spring is on your right coming out of bottom of sheer cliff.
I am planning to collect water from this spring but I’m getting a bit apprehensive due to so many mixed reviews. How do I know if this water is really pure? And how do I find the fissure if the pipes are not safe?
i just collected some of this water, it seems good, it is very clear. tastes a little bit like iron though.. curious if its ever been tested for pH and mineral profile?
Has anyone tested this water ? I have drank several gallons of it and seemed good, but I wonder if any nitrates or anything else is in the water ? I went to Home Depot and the water testing kit is $90 ! I agree that spring water is a good idea, but am very curious to know what is in this water. I think it is impossible to know if has runoff unless it is tested – perhaps I’ll make the investment .. if I do I’ll post the results
Christian, I am in West Marin right now. I want to find the spring, and am getting back on the 1 south right now. Are there any specific directions you can give me? Or will I just be able to see the spring from the road? Also, do you know of any other springs on the 1 or the 101 south all the way down to L.A.?
Hi, I am JazzyJ Chef, just under a different name. I just wanted to let you know that I am heading to 700 Sequoia Valley Rd., and want to find the spring while I am on the 1. Please let me know how to find the spring. Right now I am going south on the 1 and am going around a huge lake by West Marin.
went to the spring yesterday with a friend to collect some water from the fissure, at first i felt ok about the water, it tastes slightly metalic-im guessing it has a lot of iron from the red rock of the mountain/dirt surrounding it. I didnt bring a pipe so my friend and I just filled up one small water bottle each. While we were standing there a local hippyish character came by to talk with us about the water. He said some people drink from it and haven’t gotten sick but from his observations he personally wouldn’t drink from it. He said that 5 years ago the holes were drilled in an attempt to save the road (as erosion was causing the mountain side to slide down) and that within a short time of the holes being drilled a lake from above completely drained (this is a good indication that at least some of the water from the spring is shallow ground water and not from an aquifer- and therefore a little more susceptible to contamination). His other qualm was that he has seen a snake (with prey) coming out of the same hole that christian suggests we collect from-which (if its true) is slightly worrisome. My personal feeling is that it is difficult to know much about a water source that I don’t really live with and get to observe all the time (however I did notice that the water was not that cold-or as cold as other springs and wells i have happily enjoyed water from in the past, which is a big indicator to me that this isn’t the most reliable safe water source) – given the different sides of the story that I have heard I’d rather commute to a different spring since I had to drive about an hour from Berkeley to get there anyway. However it is a beautiful place and I’ve heard that the tidal hot springs are worth visiting! Anyone have suggestions of another spring with less controversy surrounding it? Much love and blessings–Heather
Thanks for all the info Christian! And for the use of your set-up. The water is great! I’ve drunk about a gallon and so far, so good. Note to everyone: I did not harvest from the pvc pipes, when I went Christian was there with his copper pipe and ormus set-up.
I tried this spring last summer. The water was warm coming out of the spout(s). When I got home and drank it, it tasted “off”. Very weird after taste, somewhat chemical in nature. I dumped the rest and would not drink this water again.
16 May 2010: 2 friends and I felt 'wrong' after drinking a few sips of this water at the spring. I tried it again the next day (this time after boiling it for 10 minutes) and it still felt 'wrong'.
Please test this water for contamination before you decide to consume it.
I tried to find this spot this morning and no luck! I'm pretty sure I was at the right place, but couldn't even find pipes/sign. saw a few areas that looked buried/landslide Anyone been here lately? Any water? If this spot still does exist, any help finding it (specific mileage references?) I'd be grateful! This is a wonderful website, we've gotta get more springs up here!!! ANYONE KNOW OF ANY OTHERS IN THE SF BAY AREA?! PLEASE ADD THEM! Blessings!
I also think this should maybe come of the sight. I was there and it seems it is effected by rain fall and so not a true spring. Also spoke with some folks living in the area that said they felt they got sick from the water. I guess the source is somewhere up on mount Tamalpais, and these pipes were drilled into the side of the mountain to relive the wetness that was happening up by the spring source. We should go find out where the source is. I'd be up for that adventure.
I was here on Dec 22, 2009 and it was just basically a trickle coming out of the rock. there really wasn't any way to get water from this location. Maybe at other times of the year it's flowing.
I was here on Dec 22, 2009 and it was just basically a trickle coming out of the rock. there really wasn't any way to get water from this location. Maybe at other times of the year it's flowing.
Hey there, I hit up this spring a week ago and it was bone dry… Is this usual? Pretty bummed as this is the only close spring to SF I can find. Any info will help. thanks
Drinking pure spring water is one of the most important things we can do for our health. Our bodies are over 99% water at the molecular level, so water affects every aspect of our biology. Yet, not all water is created equal. Almost all the bottled spring water available is pasteurized for shelf stability, which neutralizes many of the powerful health benefits such as increased hydrogen, healthy probiotics, and crystalline structure. For more about why unprocessed spring water is the best water to drink, read this.
The best way to guarantee you are getting real unprocessed spring water is to collect it yourself. This is a short and simple guide filled with information about how to gather spring water. We will cover how to find a spring, how to collect the water, how to honor the spring, how to store the water properly and other tips.
FindASpring.org is the best resource for locating a spring near you. However, not all springs are on the map. First, check the map to see if there is a spring in your local area. If there is, look at the reviews and comments. Has anyone shared helpful information about flow rate or posted a water test result? Is the spring in a pristine area? Do a bit of research and make sure the spring is safe to drink from. If you have any doubt about the purity, don’t risk it and get a water test, HERE. If you don’t see a spring on the map in your area, there still might be some that aren’t listed yet. First, ask the older generation who have lived in your area a long time if they know. You can also ask people in your community who might already get spring water such as people at a health food store or at a farmers market. Another great option is to view A US forest service map, where many springs have been marked. You can view these maps through the Gaia GPS or All Trails hiking apps on your phone. The map overlay you want is USGS Topo. Not all are easily accessible or ideal for drinking, but some are and it can be a fun adventure to find them. We have found over half a dozen great springs this way.
Once you’ve found your spring, figure out how you are going to gather the water. Is it right on the side of the road and easy to access or do you have to hike to it? We recommend storing spring water in glass instead of plastic to preserve the purity of the water. It is better for the environment, your body, and the water. Even BPA free plastic has toxic chemicals that can leach into water and cause health issues. If you do want to use plastic for safety reasons when filling at the spring, we recommend transferring the water to glass as soon as possible. FindASpring is sponsored by Alive Waters, which offers beautiful reusable glass. They have a 2.5 gallon option, which is a convenient size for carrying that isn’t too heavy. They also sell handles that you can use to transport the jugs even more easily. If you have to hike to access the spring, we recommend putting the water jugs into an extra large backpack to hike the water out with ease. We use Osprey packs that hold 2 jugs each. You can also use a wheelbarrow or even a stroller depending on how easy a walk it is.
Filling 2.5 Gallon Alive Waters Jug
When you get to the spring, remember to first give back before you take. Springs are considered sacred in indigenous cultures around the world for their life giving water and also as a connection to the inner earth. A powerful and simple way to give back is to clean up. Is there any trash that needs to be collected? Could you move any dead leaves or sticks to improve the flow rate? Show up in service. Some other wonderful ways to give is with a moment of expressing verbal gratitude, singing songs to the water, offering the water an ethically sourced crystal, a feather, or some other physical gift. Flowers are a popular and beautiful thing to offer, but please be careful to source organic ones as most flowers from the store are sprayed with pesticides and can be toxic to put near a spring. Also, flowers can attract bugs as they decay, so it can be best to offer them to the flowing water directly or a little downstream from the spring head.
When gathering the water, fill the jug as close to the spring head as possible, never gather downstream. Be very careful as wet glass is extremely slippery. Make sure the lid is securely fastened. When transporting the spring water home, the jugs can sometimes slide around the car. Secure them in place or wrap them with towels or something so they don’t crash into each other.
How you store your spring water is essential. It is not pasteurized like spring water from the store, so it will start growing algae if left in direct sunlight. This is good because it means it’s alive! If the water you drink can’t even support the most basic life forms, how do you think it will support your body? Store your water in a cool, dark place such as a dark corner, pantry or closet. The fridge is ideal if you have room. Some people prefer to filter their water through a Berkey filter before drinking, but if the spring is pure, it’s not necessary. We drink our spring water completely unfiltered.
How long the water stays good for depends on how cold a temperature it’s stored at. Spring water is best fresh. We personally do not prefer to drink spring water past 2 weeks old. However, we know other people that will drink it at a month old. It’s great to get in a rhythm where you know how long the water lasts you and put your collection day on the calendar in advance.
I believe that water is calling us to reconnect with her in the deepest way, to gather our own water. Just like our ancestors did. Our ancestors didn’t have fancy water machines. They also didn’t create villages or settle where there was no water. Water was revered as the center of the community and the nodal point around which life could spiral out and take root.
Here’s to restoring the sacred connection with the waters of life.
Written by Dakota Chanel. Water Priestess and Ceremonialist. DakotaChanel.com
Thank you so much for uploading this – I just checked it out and it says there were 2 things detected – cadmium and coliform – is this something you are concerned about personally?
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Cameron
I am planning to collect water from this spring but I’m getting a bit apprehensive due to so many mixed reviews. How do I know if this water is really pure? And how do I find the fissure if the pipes are not safe?
i just collected some of this water, it seems good, it is very clear. tastes a little bit like iron though.. curious if its ever been tested for pH and mineral profile?
Has anyone tested this water ? I have drank several gallons of it and seemed good, but I wonder if any nitrates or anything else is in the water ? I went to Home Depot and the water testing kit is $90 ! I agree that spring water is a good idea, but am very curious to know what is in this water. I think it is impossible to know if has runoff unless it is tested – perhaps I’ll make the investment .. if I do I’ll post the results
The Google maps GPS coordinates are:
37.88934, -122.62976
So to get directions from SF type:
94105 to 37.88934, -122.62976
Does anybody want to go in with me on getting it tested? I’d like to know, but it’s expensive ($300+).
Did you ever test the water from this spring?
Christian, I am in West Marin right now. I want to find the spring, and am getting back on the 1 south right now. Are there any specific directions you can give me? Or will I just be able to see the spring from the road? Also, do you know of any other springs on the 1 or the 101 south all the way down to L.A.?
Hi, I am JazzyJ Chef, just under a different name. I just wanted to let you know that I am heading to 700 Sequoia Valley Rd., and want to find the spring while I am on the 1. Please let me know how to find the spring. Right now I am going south on the 1 and am going around a huge lake by West Marin.
anyone send this spring’s water to a lab for testing? here’s one i found online:
https://www.stevensecology.com/webstore/How_it_Works.htm
went to the spring yesterday with a friend to collect some water from the fissure, at first i felt ok about the water, it tastes slightly metalic-im guessing it has a lot of iron from the red rock of the mountain/dirt surrounding it. I didnt bring a pipe so my friend and I just filled up one small water bottle each. While we were standing there a local hippyish character came by to talk with us about the water. He said some people drink from it and haven’t gotten sick but from his observations he personally wouldn’t drink from it. He said that 5 years ago the holes were drilled in an attempt to save the road (as erosion was causing the mountain side to slide down) and that within a short time of the holes being drilled a lake from above completely drained (this is a good indication that at least some of the water from the spring is shallow ground water and not from an aquifer- and therefore a little more susceptible to contamination). His other qualm was that he has seen a snake (with prey) coming out of the same hole that christian suggests we collect from-which (if its true) is slightly worrisome. My personal feeling is that it is difficult to know much about a water source that I don’t really live with and get to observe all the time (however I did notice that the water was not that cold-or as cold as other springs and wells i have happily enjoyed water from in the past, which is a big indicator to me that this isn’t the most reliable safe water source) – given the different sides of the story that I have heard I’d rather commute to a different spring since I had to drive about an hour from Berkeley to get there anyway. However it is a beautiful place and I’ve heard that the tidal hot springs are worth visiting! Anyone have suggestions of another spring with less controversy surrounding it? Much love and blessings–Heather
How low does the tide have to be to access the hot springs?
From what I understand it needs to be the lowest tide on the full moon. They are tidal hot springs !
Thanks for all the info Christian! And for the use of your set-up. The water is great! I’ve drunk about a gallon and so far, so good. Note to everyone: I did not harvest from the pvc pipes, when I went Christian was there with his copper pipe and ormus set-up.
Hi Christian, so where is the fissure, could you post directions? I would love to check it out some time
Charles, did you fill from the fissure or from the toxic PVC pipes?
I tried this spring last summer.
The water was warm coming out of the spout(s). When I got home and drank it, it tasted “off”. Very weird after taste, somewhat chemical in nature. I dumped the rest and would not drink this water again.
I talked to a ranger in the area who said these springs test positive for bacteria!
16 May 2010: 2 friends and I felt 'wrong' after drinking a few sips of this water at the spring. I tried it again the next day (this time after boiling it for 10 minutes) and it still felt 'wrong'.
Please test this water for contamination before you decide to consume it.
I tried to find this spot this morning and no luck! I'm pretty sure I was at the right place, but couldn't even find pipes/sign. saw a few areas that looked buried/landslide
Anyone been here lately? Any water?
If this spot still does exist, any help finding it (specific mileage references?) I'd be grateful!
This is a wonderful website, we've gotta get more springs up here!!!
ANYONE KNOW OF ANY OTHERS IN THE SF BAY AREA?! PLEASE ADD THEM!
Blessings!
I also think this should maybe come of the sight. I was there and it seems it is effected by rain fall and so not a true spring. Also spoke with some folks living in the area that said they felt they got sick from the water. I guess the source is somewhere up on mount Tamalpais, and these pipes were drilled into the side of the mountain to relive the wetness that was happening up by the spring source. We should go find out where the source is. I'd be up for that adventure.
I was here on Dec 22, 2009 and it was just basically a trickle coming out of the rock. there really wasn't any way to get water from this location. Maybe at other times of the year it's flowing.
I was here on Dec 22, 2009 and it was just basically a trickle coming out of the rock. there really wasn't any way to get water from this location. Maybe at other times of the year it's flowing.
Was here a couple weeks ago and found the pipes buried. 🙁
Hey there, I hit up this spring a week ago and it was bone dry…
Is this usual?
Pretty bummed as this is the only close spring to SF I can find.
Any info will help.
thanks