I'nnumerable springs of hot and cold water, among the many the celebrated 

 "Fountain of Life" spring, which has never been known to fail to afford 

 relief to those afflicted with stomach, liver, and kidney troubles; "Mother 

 Eve" spring, the use of whose waters is very beneficial for the relief of 

 headache and nervous disorders; the wonderful Lithia spring, the analysis 

 of which is almost identical with that of the famous spring of Carlsbad. 

 Besides the many medicinal and mineral springs, there are numbers of 

 springs of almost Ice-cold pure mountain water, clear as crystal, for 

 domestic purposes. A cement reservoir, called Fern Lake, constructed on 

 the north side of one of the abrupt mountains at about two hundred feet 

 elevation above the grounds, is fed by several of these springs, and the 

 water is conducted through the grounds to drinking fountains and 

 buildings for domestic use. 



There is a large swimming plunge, 40x100 feet, besides numerous 

 nicely furnished rooms for hot tub baths. 



Recreations and amusements are supplied in a fine bowling alley, bil- 

 liard-room, croquet grounds, horseback riding over the numerous scenic 

 mountain trails, deer hunting, quail and dove shooting, and excellent 

 trout fishing in season. A well-equipped livery stable is maintained at the 

 resort, where all kinds of conveyances, saddle horses, and pack animals 

 can be hired at all times. There is a general supply store, stocked with 

 the best of everything in the market, a regular postoffice, long-distance 

 telephone, and daily mail. 



This beautiful resort is easy of access, being reached by taking a 

 branch of the Southern Pacific Railroad at Ventura for Nordhoff, situated 

 in the famous Ojai Valley; thence a six-mile ride in the old-fashioned stage- 

 coach to destination. 



MINERAL SPRINGS OF CONTRA 

 COSTA COUNTY 



J. E. HUGHES 



IN addition to the many other natural advantages of Contra Costa County 

 — her excellent climate, soil, and superb location on the deep waters of 

 San Francisco Bay — her mineral springs are unsurpassed by those of 

 any other county in the State, or Indeed in America. 



The more Important of these are the Byron Hot Springs, situated 

 in the eastern end of the county, and the Alhambra Mineral Springs, near 

 Martinez, the county seat. The former is within three hours' and the 

 latter within one and one-half hours' ride by automobile from Oakland, 

 and both are on the main line of the Southern Pacific Railway. 



The Byron Hot Springs are situated sixty-eight miles from San Francisco, 

 east of the twin peaks of Mt. Diablo, which rise from the plain in a direct 

 line between the springs and the city. Before those grim sentinels of the 

 valley first burst upon the gaze of civilized man, the hot springs and mud 

 baths of Byron were known and used by the Indians for the cure or 

 amelioration of their various ills; since the coming of, first, the Spaniard, 

 and then the "gringo," they have become increasingly popular as their 

 curative properties have become more and more widely known. 



At the present time the Byron Hot Springs are conducted as both a 

 watering-place and a sanitarium. A fine modern hotel furnishes enter- 

 tainment for guests, with all the comforts and conveniences made possible 

 by science, one wing being set apart for invalids needing special care and 

 nursing. To make the time pass pleasantly there are provided billiard- 

 tables, tennis lawns, croquet-grounds, besides riding, driving, automobiling 

 and swimming. 



It Is becoming a custom for San Franciscans to run over to the springs 

 for the week-end, to rest and refresh themselves with the waters and baths. 



