Harbin Hot Springs Birthday Weekend

I’m super excited to spend the weekend with ya’ll. Here’s some important info you’ll need for the weekend:

Essential Information

Dates:  February 7-9

Where: Harbin Hot Springs

18424 Harbin Springs Road, Middletown, CA 95461 (Google Maps Link)

Schedule 

Friday Feb 7

• Arrive any time - If your room isn’t ready you can soak until it’s ready

• No scheduled lunch, or dinner

Saturday Feb 8

• 7pm- Dinner reservations in Calistoga (30 min drive from Harbin) - MORE INFO TO COME

• After dinner - Cottage kiki

Sunday Feb 9

• 11am Check-out

What to bring

• Smart casual dinner attire (don’t read too much into this)

• Beach/Pool towel (Harbin provides them for sale only)

• Robe, wrap or sarong

• Shading hat

• Sunglasses

• Sandals

• Comfortable, sturdy shoes - there are hiking trails around

• Flashlight

• Sunscreen

• Water bottle (non-glass)

• Food cooler (for storage in your vehicle)

• Lock for storage lockers

• Rain gear (if forecasted)

Towels

Please bring your own beach towels for use at the pools. Room towels will be replaced upon request by contacting the Reception office. Please do not bring room towels up to the pools, as their disappearance adds to the cost of your retreat. Towels for pool use are available at the reception desk for purchase.

Food and drinks

Cafe

Place your dining orders for the Dancing Bear Café at the Blue Room Coffee Cart window between 8am and 8pm. The Dancing Bear Café closes daily from 4-5pm. The Blue Room Coffee Cart will be open for snacks and drinks during this time.

We're rebuilding the Harbin Restaurant and look forward to serving you in the new dining room sometime next year. In the meantime, indulge at the Dancing Bear Café and Blue Room Coffee Cart located between the Health Services office and the lower Garden. Our breakfast, lunch and dinner menus feature tasty, healthful, and predominantly vegetarian fare, with meat and gluten-free options, using organic ingredients when possible. Every plate is made with special care for you to enjoy!

Bringing your own

You are welcome to bring prepared or packaged food and beverages with you. We ask that you store them in your vehicle or an odor-proof cooler/container away from the pool area. Camp stoves or other cooking devices (or flames of any sort) are not permitted anywhere on Harbin property. We offer ice bags for sale at our café/food services area.

You'll find tables and chairs in the Food Court and Garden Pavilion, and you'll discover delightful picnic areas and tables among the shady oaks in the Meadow Campground, on the lawns near the Garden, and on your way up to the pools. We do not allow food in the pool area and surrounding sundecks.

Local Restaurants and Groceries

Middletown is less than 10 minutes away from Harbin, and offers a variety of Restaurant Options. Most offer sit-down and carry-out service. Hardester’s supermarket has a vast selection of food, including a deli. Or visit Hardester’s sister stores in nearby Hidden Valley (a 15-minute drive from Harbin) and Cobb (a 20-minute drive). Stop by our Reception Office and we'll be happy to offer our list of suggestions!

Guest agreements from their website:

• PAY IN ADVANCE for all visits and room charges.

• MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED for admission to our non-profit retreat center. You will be issued a membership number for future visits

• DISPLAY REGISTRATION CARD with current paid receipt in the windshield of your vehicle. You will be fined for overstaying or not having a paid permit visible.

• DRIVE VERY SLOWLY. Speed limit is 15 mph; 5 mph mainside.

• WE ARE AN ALCOHOL AND DRUG FREE RETREAT CENTER. Please, no cannabis, alcohol or illegal drugs on property.

• EXTREME FIRE DANGER. No fires or flames in rooms or outdoors, including camp stoves, propane lamps, candles, incense or cigarettes. Violators will be asked to leave immediately. SMOKING IS PERMITTED IN DESIGNATED AREAS ONLY, in the upper parking lot and near the meadow restroom, including e-cigarettes.

• CLOTHING IS REQUIRED in food service areas, events, dances, yoga classes, Reception office, Health Services office, and anywhere within sight of the public road along our creek.

• NO SEXUAL ENERGY OR ACTIVITY in the pools or public areas, including unwanted staring or touching, or any displays of a sexual nature.

• NO PHOTOGRAPHY OR VIDEOGRAPHY ALLOWED anywhere on Harbin property.

• NO CELL PHONES AND ELECTRONICS (including e-readers) at the pool area or ANYWHERE clothing is optional. You are welcome to use electronics in the designated area of the lower parking lot by the Reception office, in the food area by the Dancing Bear Cafe, or for hiking safety.

Cell reception and wifi

There is no cell phone reception on the property. I’ve never been to Harbin with a group this big, so we’ll need to over-communicate and plan accordingly. If I remember correctly, there may be wifi down at reception, but not in the rooms or near the baths.