Community Highlights: Meet Miracle Hill Spas of Miracle Hill Spas Association

Today we’d like to introduce you to Miracle Hill Spas.

Hi Miracle Hill Spas, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Desert Hot Springs’ mineral waters have been valued for centuries, beginning with the Cahuilla Native American peoples, who recognized their therapeutic qualities long before modern development. In the early 1900s, homesteader Cabot Yerxa brought wider attention to the area after discovering both hot and cold mineral water on his land with the help of the local tribe. This pure water, on what he named Miracle Hill was a rare geological occurrence. This phenomenon is directly linked to the Mission Creek Fault, part of the San Andreas Fault system, which allows water from the surrounding mountains to travel deep underground, heat geothermally, and rise back to the surface as hot mineral springs alongside a separate cold aquifer. By the 1940s, the first bathhouses opened, and Desert Hot Springs quickly grew into a spa destination known for wellness and relaxation. Today, the spas on Miracle Hill continue to operate by drawing naturally heated mineral water directly from these underground aquifers, preserving a long-standing tradition of soaking, healing, and renewal that remains central to the city’s identity.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
After booming in the 1950s and 1960s, Desert Hot Springs’ spa industry declined as travel trends shifted, larger resort destinations expanded nearby, and many aging bathhouses fell into disrepair. By the 1970s and 1980s, numerous spas had closed, and the city’s reputation as a wellness destination faded. In recent years, however, Desert Hot Springs has experienced a strong revival fueled by renewed interest in wellness, historic preservation, and boutique spa experiences. This comeback has been supported in part by the city itself through zoning protections for mineral water resources, encouragement of spa-friendly development, infrastructure improvements, and partnerships that promote tourism and small businesses. Together, these efforts have helped restore Miracle Hill and the surrounding areas as a thriving spa district, once again positioning Desert Hot Springs as a unique destination centered on its historic mineral waters.

We’ve been impressed with Miracle Hill Spas Association, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The Miracle Hill Spas Association in Desert Hot Springs is a collective of local spa owners and operators dedicated to promoting and protecting the area’s unique boutique spa culture and world-class mineral waters. One of its primary efforts is organizing the annual Miracle Hill Spa Tour and Wellness events, which invite visitors to experience multiple historic and independently owned spas, participate in wellness programming, and learn about the region’s geothermal mineral resources. Working in collaboration with the City of Desert Hot Springs, the association helps increase visibility for small spas, encourages sustainable tourism, and fosters cooperation rather than competition among local businesses. The organization also supports the broader community by partnering with local nonprofit organizations, reinforcing the role of the spas not only as wellness destinations but as active contributors to the cultural and economic vitality of Desert Hot Springs.
The Miracle Hill Spas in Desert Hot Springs offer a range of boutique wellness experiences centered on the area’s naturally heated, mineral-rich waters. Most spas feature geothermal mineral soaking pools, private tubs, and jacuzzis designed for deep relaxation and restoration. In addition to soaking, many locations provide massage therapy, body treatments, facials, and other holistic services that complement the healing properties of the mineral water. Guests can also find quiet spaces for meditation, yoga, and wellness programming, as well as overnight accommodations at select spa resorts. Together, the Miracle Hill Spas offer a peaceful, wellness-focused environment that emphasizes simplicity, natural healing, and a slower, more intentional spa experience..

How do you think about luck?
Many people who visit Miracle Hill and Desert Hot Springs believe the area holds a unique spiritual vortex—an energetic convergence created by the desert landscape, mineral-rich waters, and powerful fault-line geology—that supports clarity, renewal, and intentional living. This sense of energetic openness is often credited with helping local businesses and spas thrive, as visitors arrive seeking not only physical relaxation but also emotional and spiritual alignment. Within this atmosphere, the act of soaking, resting, and slowing down is seen as a form of “clean manifestation,” where intentions can flow without resistance or energetic blocks. Whether viewed spiritually or symbolically, the calm, grounded energy of Miracle Hill fosters creativity, healing, and purposeful growth for both guests and the wellness community that serves them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.miraclehillspas.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miraclehillspas/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miraclehillspas/

Image Credits
Victoria Posh Photography
www.victoriaposh.com