I was asked privately about those "free and clothing optional hot springs in California." I made a long reply and I thought I may as well post it here in case anyone else likes the idea of a place where they can hang out nude (in mixed company, which usually includes women and children).
I will mention 3 good hot springs. None are entirely free, but they are all cheap enough for day use or camping.
First there is Harbin Hot Springs (
www.harbin.org/). It is a large and friendly place, clothing optional, of course. I'm not sure what the cost is for day use, but camping is (or was - I'm out of date) only $10 a night -- you can just sleep in your car or pitch a tent or whatever -- in fact, the camping area can be fun all on its own! And it includes full use of all the tubs and saunas and everything.
Another place I like is Orr Hot Springs, near Ukiah. It is much smaller, but very nice. Day use is pretty cheap, I think.
Now for absolutely my favorite place! Cougar Hot Springs near Eugene, Oregon. That is the most wonderful hot spring ever! First of all, it is the closest to free: I think they ask $3.00 for parking/day use, and that's all! Not only that, but it is located in National Forest, which means camping is perfectly free everywhere except for the prepared and dedicated camp-sites. Many people stay at the "campsites" because there is a place to build a fire, and toilets and stuff, but you can just camp anywhere in the woods, quite legally: ask any ranger; they will tell you it is totally legal and free to camp for up to two weeks (then you simply change location, if you want to stay longer).
I happen to love the younger guys, and this place draws from the university in Eugene, which is a very cool town anyway, so there are lots of very hot guys there at Cougar! (Everyone calls the place "Cougar" but technically it is "Terwilliger Hot Springs at Cougar Reservoir.") There are also families with little children, but, later in the evenings, things often get to be lots of fun.
It is "clothing optional" but it is very, very rare to find anyone using the spring wearing any kind of clothing -- everyone is naked, families and all. I think the guide post even encourages guests to use the place nude. The place is very well maintained, including nice toilets and even litter pick up and spring maintenance, so you really get a lot for your $3.
Best for last: it is a totally natural spring in the middle of the woods in the mountains; you feel like you are in a Cathedral, in the presence of God. It is breath-taking! Forget those cement pools at Harbin and the other places! The spring comes out high up and very hot from a mountain of giant and beautiful trees, and as it cascades down the mountain, a series of pools have been formed by wood and stone -- it is so well done that at first you don't even realize that it has been modified to contain those pools -- it just looks so natural. So every pool down is a bit cooler than the one above, so you can pick just your temperature (or your "scene"), and/or move around to suit your mood. The little kids are usually in the cooler pools lower down, and the hottest pools on top are hot enough for anyone.
There is a cool, fresh water spring up there also, and I have drunk the water with no problem, but to be safe you might want to bring in your water. Pack in your own food, too, because there is no McDonald's anywhere close! Nearest restaurants are about a half hour drive away, but the simple thing is to just bring fruits, nuts, and raisins. Actually, in my own case, I prefer to fast! When I see all of those gorgeous young men with their flat stomachs, I never want to eat anything ever again! It actually works -- after a day or two without eating, I flatten up pretty well.
If you want to plan a campaign, a bit of preparation can yield results: pack along the whole fixings to do a fat barbecue (bring plenty extra!). Then if you find a couple of starving college kids who are about ready to pack it in, you can invite them to join you for the barbecue (at your campsite, away from the springs) and hang out for the evening. Of course, you can provide your choice of liquid or herbal refreshments to keep the energy however you like it . . .
One last thing: please don't even go there if you are going to be rude, obnoxious, or indiscreetly illegal! One hears stories of excessive alcohol and drugs, especially later in the evenings, and there may be a fine line (drawn in the sand with a tractor) between a happening party and inappropriate behavior for a public place of mixed company. At the very least, you might adhere to the very sensible Dutch policy: whatever you do, at least keep it discreet.