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Soothing Soaks
(June 25,
2005) |
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By Kelly O'Connor |
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Desert Hot Springs is home
to 40 spas and resorts
offering relaxing hot
mineral waters |
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Before
becoming a permanent valley
resident, Lane Sarasohn used to
make the trip from Malibu to
Desert Hot Springs just for the
water. |
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"The hot mineral pools are what
is very special about this
community," said Sarasohn,
president of the Desert Hot
Springs Chamber of Commerce. |
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Also the general manager of
Miracle Springs Resort & Spa, he
visited the area for 20 years to
relax and soak in the mineral
water. |
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Desert Hot Springs is the home of
40 spas and resorts and some are
open to the public for minimal
day-pass fees. |
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Although Miracle's pools are
private, open to spa and hotel
guests, its sister resort, Desert
Hot Springs Spa, is open to the
public. For $3 on weekdays and $6
on the weekends, locals and
visitors can relax and unwind in
one of the eight mineral pools. |
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The place does get packed on the
weekends and is popular among
families. |
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They come for the pools,
constantly streamed with fresh
water. The temperatures range from
89 to 104 degrees. |
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"It makes your muscles feel so much
better. It's a relaxing experience
that really is quite unique,"
Sarasohn said. |
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The water originates as rain water
that takes seven years to reach
Desert Hot Springs from the San
Gorgonio Mountains. The water
rises from 300-foot-deep aquifers
at 140 degrees, warmed from the
magma from the earth, and is
cooled for comfort, said Helen
Alexander, spa director at both
resorts. |
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"Hot water increases the flow of
blood and oxygen to the muscles,
heart and brain," she said. "High
blood pressure is also lowered." |
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Soaking in the waters is great for
people with arthritis and
circulatory conditions,
Alexander added. |
She suggests the following steps
for maximum relaxation:
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Sit in one of the hot pools for
five to 10 minutes
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Lounge in the cool air for five
to 10 minutes
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Go back in the hot pool for
another five or 10 minutes
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Exercise, tread water, swim or
walk in the swimming pool for
five minutes to cool off.
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Back to the hot spa for five
more minutes.
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Finally, lie down and rest while
you are still warm
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Day spas open to the
public |
| Agua Caliente
Hotel & Mineral Water
Spa: 14500 Palm
Drive, $6 for day pass.
Information: 329-4481 |
| Ambassador
Resort: 12921 Tamar
Drive, free to the
public. Information:
329-1909 |
| Desert Hot
Springs Spa Hotel: 10805
Palm Drive, day pass $5
for adults, $6 on
weekends. Information
329-6000 |
| Desert Palms:
67-485 Hacienda Blvd.
$15 day pass.
Information: 329-4443 |
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| Las Primaveras
Mini Resort: 66-659
Sixth Street, day pass
by appointment only.
Information: 251-1677 |
| Sahara Spa &
Resort: 66-7000 E.
Fifth Street, $15 day
pass. Information:
329-6666 |
| Sam's Family Spa:
70-875 Dillon Road, day
pass $12 on weekdays,
$16 on weekends.
Information: 329-6457 |
| Sandpiper Inn &
Spa: 12-800 Foxdale
Drive, $15 per day pass.
Information: 329-6455 |
| Swiss Health
Resort: 66-729
Eighth Street, $10
weekdays, $15 weekends.
Information: 329-6912 |
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