The Kents enjoy the Hot Springs at Steep Ravine
by Jocelyn Moss
When this photograph was taken, William Kent, Jr. had already built ten cabins at Steep Ravine overlooking the Pacific Ocean on the Marin County coast. He built the cabins for the extended Kent family as well as for the Kent’s friends and business acquaintances. The family and guests had the exclusive use of “Hot Springs Beach” as well as of the cabins.
The hot springs are located at the mouth of Webb Creek. William Kent, Sr. bought the property in 1902 and allowed free public access to the hot springs for many years. During the Depression of the 1930s, homeless transients took over the beach, living in tents and building shacks of driftwood. To clear out the area, the beach was closed to the public. In 1938, William Kent, Jr. commissioned William Wurster to design and construct the cabins at Steep Ravine.
However in 1941, all of Mt. Tamalpais was taken over by the military for the duration of WWII. After the war ended the Kent’s again took possession of the area and rented out the cabins to family, friends and others for $450.00 a year.
In 1960, the Kent’s property at Steep Ravine was sold to the state to increase the holdings of Mt. Tamalpais State Park. The leases on the cabins were allowed to continue until 1974 when all lease holders were evicted. The plan was to demolish the cabins but after some controversy, it was decided to construct additional tent sites and remodel the cabins for public use. Today, anyone can rent the cabins by making a reservation through the California State Parks system.
If you want to visit the hot springs, you may be disappointed. When Highway 1 was reconstructed in 1960, falling rocks buried the hot springs. However, during the autumn months, if you follow the path to the mouth of Webb Creek during a minus tide, you can dig a hole in the sand and still find the hot springs.
Originally published at https://annetkent.kontribune.com.
