If you’ve lived in Southern California for more than five minutes, you’ve heard about the mud. Not just any mud. We are talking about that thick, reddish-brown "Club Mud" that people slather over their skin before baking in the sun like human terracotta pots. The Spa at Glen Ivy—officially known as Glen Ivy Hot Springs—is basically a local rite of passage in Corona.
It’s weird. It’s crowded. It’s expensive. And honestly? It’s kind of a vibe if you know how to do it right.
But here is the thing: a lot of people go there and end up frustrated. They get stuck in massive lines for the Grotto or realize they spent $100 just to sit in a pool with 400 strangers. If you are going to drop the cash, you need to know what you’re actually getting into. This isn’t your quiet, white-linen-tablecloth aesthetic spa. It’s a 12-acre playground centered around geothermal mineral springs that have been bubbling out of the ground for centuries.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Mineral Baths
People think "hot springs" and imagine a secluded, steaming pool in the middle of a forest. Get that out of your head right now. This is a highly developed resort.
The water is the real deal, though. The Spa at Glen Ivy is famous because of its 19 different pools and the specific chemistry of the water. We are talking about sulfur-rich, geothermal water that comes out of the earth at about 104 degrees. Does it smell a little like eggs? Yeah, it does. That’s the sulfur. If a "mineral spring" doesn't smell a little funky, it’s probably just a heated swimming pool with some Epsom salts tossed in.
The sulfur is supposed to be incredible for joint pain and skin conditions like psoriasis. Some regulars swear it’s the only thing that helps their arthritis. Whether you believe the "healing" hype or not, the heat is undeniably relaxing for sore muscles.
Pro tip: Do not wear your favorite expensive white bikini. The mineral water and the red clay in the mud bath will stain it. Period. You will leave looking like you had a fight with a bottle of self-tanner and lost. Wear a dark suit or an old one you don't care about.
Club Mud and the Grotto: Is the Extra Cost Justifiable?
You pay your "Taking the Waters" admission fee, which gets you into the pools, the saunas, and Club Mud. Club Mud is the only place in California where you can play with California red clay mixed with mineral water. You rub it on, let it dry until it cracks, and then rinse it off in the outdoor "caves." It’s supposed to draw out impurities.
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Is it scientifically proven to "detox" your liver? No. Does it make your skin feel like silk for three days? Absolutely.
Then there is The Grotto. This is an add-on. You go underground into a literal basement that looks like a sea cave. Staff members paint a hydrating masque on your body from neck to toe. You sit in a warm, humid chamber, then a cool one, and then you shower it off.
It feels fancy. It feels exclusive. But if the park is packed—and it usually is on Saturdays—the Grotto can feel a bit like an assembly line. If you want true relaxation, book a massage instead. The touch-therapy treatments at Glen Ivy are actually quite high-level compared to "mall spas," mostly because they have a massive staff and high turnover, meaning the therapists see everything and know how to work out a knot.
Timing Your Visit to Avoid the Chaos
If you show up at 11:00 AM on a Saturday in July, you’re going to have a bad time. You'll be fighting for a lounge chair like it's a Black Friday sale at a department store.
Go on a Tuesday.
Seriously. The vibe changes completely. The "Wellness Lounge" areas actually stay quiet. You can hear the birds. You don't have to wait 20 minutes for a salad at Ivy Kitchen. If you must go on a weekend, get there 30 minutes before they open. Most people don't realize that the "prime" spots near the Lounge Pool fill up within the first hour.
The Food Situation
Don't bring a cooler. They'll make you take it back to your car.
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The food at Ivy Kitchen is actually decent, which is surprising for a high-volume venue. They lean heavily into the "California Fresh" thing—lots of avocado, seared ahi, and quinoa bowls. It's pricey, though. You're looking at $20+ for a lunch. The nachos are the secret MVP, but eating heavy cheese before sitting in a 104-degree sulfur bath is a choice you have to make with your own conscience.
Why the "Self-Care" Trend is Changing Glen Ivy
In the last few years, the Spa at Glen Ivy has tried to pivot away from just being a "day at the pool" to a more holistic wellness destination. They started doing "Evenings at Glen Ivy" during the summer, where they stay open late with live music and lighting.
Honestly? This is the best way to experience it.
The sun isn't beating down on you, the water feels more magical under the stars, and the crowd is usually a bit more "chill date night" and less "bachelorette party."
The Expert Take on Mineral Content
When we look at the actual benefits of these springs, we have to talk about the total dissolved solids (TDS). High TDS counts in geothermal water are what provide that "buoyant" feeling. While Glen Ivy doesn't publish their daily mineral assays on a giant billboard, the water is tested constantly. The primary minerals here are sulfate, calcium, and magnesium.
Magnesium is absorbed through the skin (transdermal absorption), which is why you feel so incredibly sleepy after a few hours here. It’s not just the sun; your nervous system is literally being forced to downshift.
What Actually Matters: The Cost vs. Value Breakdown
Let's talk numbers because "wellness" shouldn't bankrupt you.
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- Admission: Usually ranges from $85 to $120 depending on the day.
- The Grotto: Usually around $35-$45.
- Massages: Expect to pay $160-$250.
If you just go for the "Taking the Waters" admission, you get a lot. You get the lap pool, the saline pool, the hot tubs, the Roman baths, and the saunas. If you stay for 6 hours, that’s about $15-$20 an hour for access to facilities you can't find anywhere else in SoCal. That is a solid deal.
But if you start adding the Grotto, a facial, a massage, and three cocktails? You’re looking at a $500 day. For most people, that’s a once-a-year treat, not a monthly habit.
The smartest way to play it? Skip the Grotto. Spend that money on a better lunch or save it. The mud bath is free with your entry and does basically the same thing for your skin.
Important Limitations and Realities
We have to be real: this place is old. Even with renovations, parts of the facility show the wear and tear of thousands of guests. It’s a commercial operation. If you are looking for a spiritual, silent retreat where people whisper and bells chime, this is not it. This is a place where groups of friends laugh, people take selfies in the mud, and there is a definite "resort" energy.
Also, the parking can be a nightmare. They have shuttles, but on peak days, the wait can be annoying.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Trip
If you're planning to head out to Corona, do these three things to ensure you don't waste your money:
- Book your "Taking the Waters" reservation online at least a week in advance. They do sell out, especially for weekend slots.
- Pack a "Wet Bag." Bring a plastic bag for your wet, sulfur-smelling swimsuit. You do not want that water sitting in your gym bag or on your car seat for the drive home.
- Hydrate before you arrive. The mineral water is dehydrating because of the heat and salt content. If you show up already needing water, you'll have a headache by 2:00 PM. Drink 32 ounces of water before you even walk through the gates.
- Check the weather. Since 90% of the experience is outdoors, a windy or overcast day can actually be quite chilly when you're moving between pools. Bring a robe—you can rent one, but bringing your own saves money and ensures you aren't wearing the same one as 500 other people.
The Spa at Glen Ivy remains a staple because there is simply nothing else like it in the region. It’s a bit kitschy, a bit crowded, and totally unique. Just remember: keep your head above water in the sulfur pools (it’s better for your hair), and don't forget where you parked the car.