Does anyone know the status of Paraiso Hot Springs? I heard it was closed, and there were issues with the county planning department when the owners demolished some of the historic cottages. I never stayed there, but saw it once in my travels. It looked like a quiet, out-of-the-way place to relax I have visited Paraiso Hot Springs numerous times before it was closed a few years ago. I just called their phone number and there is a recording indicating simply that the resort is "closed until further notice".
The fact that they have maintained a telephone line for so long is somewhat encouraging, but I have also been unable to find any information about what is happening now to the resort. I also heard the same rumors that you heard about it being bought and being re-developed. If you hear anything further from your sources I would really appreciate knowing what's going on. Paraiso was a great little slice of paradise and it's a tragedy that the County has allowed this public asset it to sit idly for so long.
My e-mail address is: fredskala yahoo. I was going to post a day or two ago when I got back from my latest vacation. I went by Paraiso and there is a chain-link fence at the entrance, with a sign saying it is closed and the pools and springs are closed to the public. There's no name for an owner, manager, etc. It looks like the nearest similar place now is Mercey Hot Springs , which is even farther off the beaten path.
I saw it once, years ago when I went to see the New Idria mercury mine site. But it won't be off the beaten path for long, now that the S. Chronicle has written it up. I was tempted to visit Mercy Hot Springs a few years ago, but when I got no response to my e-mail inquiry sent to the owner I decided to drop the idea for a while. It looked like they were struggling to survive back then, but maybe the death of Paraiso has lead to brighter prospects for Mercy.
I guess Mercy would be OK during the rainy green season, but the inland area it's in must be pretty hot, dry, and dusty during the summer months. As far as I know, Paraiso is closed indefinitely.
