Skip to Main Content

Tecopa, California: Date Shakes and Hot Spring Baths

Remote spot with natural hot springs and an unnatural obsession with food and drink made from dates.

China Ranch Date Farm

Address:
8 China Ranch Rd, Tecopa, CA
Directions:
From the town of Tecopa, follow the signs southeast. There's a bunch of them that'll lead you right to it. If you get lost trying to find the hot springs, you can pick up a map at the campground/hot springs office.
Hours:
Food and drink open daily 9-5 (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
760-852-4415
Admission:
Free.
Save to My Sights

Visitor Tips and News About Date Shakes and Hot Spring Baths

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Date Shakes and Hot Spring Baths

Unless you have a 4x4, forget it. Not worth driving on a one-lane road, literally in the middle of nowhere, with a descending slope and so easy to get disoriented. And you do not want that to happen during summer high heat because you're right next to Death Valley.

[Ted T, 02/26/2017]
Date Shakes and Hot Spring Baths

In the middle of nowhere and craving a date shake? China Ranch Date Farm is the place for you!

South of Death Valley, in the Mojave desert, is the little hot springs town of Tecopa, CA. There you'll find a hidden oasis tucked away at the end of a winding dirt road. As you come around the dusty corner, there in the middle of the desert, is an unlikely grove of palm trees surrounding China Ranch.

In the gift shop, they have more dates for sale than I knew existed, as well as homemade muffins, bread, cookies, and the most amazing thing of all: THE DATE SHAKE! It's an ice creamy indulgence you MUST try at some point in your lifetime (repeat after me: "Oh my god.... YUMMMM!!!!!").

Outside you'll find a picnic area, and a greenhouse full of cacti, succulents, and of course, date trees that you can buy.

If you're in the middle of nowhere dipping yourself in a hot spring, go for the hot spring a mile north, out in the marsh, not the pedestrian one at the campground.

[Christine Tuohy, 05/26/2009]

Nearby Offbeat Places

Castle in ClayCastle in Clay, Shoshone, CA - 12 mi.
Crossroads of the PlanetCrossroads of the Planet, Shoshone, CA - 13 mi.
Dublin Gulch: Miners' Cave HomesDublin Gulch: Miners' Cave Homes, Shoshone, CA - 13 mi.
In the region:
Painted Rocks - Military Boulders, Fort Irwin, CA - 49 mi.

Latest Tips Across Roadside America

Catch up on the latest discoveries from the road.

Explore Thousands of Oddball Tourist Attractions!

Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Map and Plan Your Own Roadside Adventure ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

California Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

JFK's World Famous Twine Ball, Highland, Wisconsin (Mar 18-24, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings