Murrieta Hot Springs Resort Slated To Become 'Local Cultural Resource'

The designation could make the resort eligible for property tax relief.

By Toni McAllister, Patch Staff

Oct 13, 2026 11:10 AM PDT

Murrieta Hot Springs Resort (City of Murrieta)

MURRIETA, CA — The Murrieta Planning Commission is considering whether the Murrieta Hot Springs Resort should be designated as a local cultural resource and thereby eligible for potential property tax incentives.

During its 6 p.m. meeting Wednesday, the commissioners will decide whether to make the recommendation to the City Council, which would have final approval.

If the City Council approves the designation, the resort at 39405 Murrieta Hot Springs Road becomes eligible for consideration of a Mills Act contract. Enacted under California state legislation in 1972, the act is designed to help offset the high costs of maintaining historic properties. It is a voluntary agreement between a property owner and a California city or county that provides property tax relief in exchange for the active restoration, maintenance, and preservation of qualified historic buildings.

In 2024, the latest year for which data is available, the resort's property tax bill totaled $608,637.38, according to the Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder's office.

City documents show the more than 100-year-old resort, originally called Guenther's Murrieta Mineral Hot Springs, is likely eligible for registration with the National Register of Historic Places and the California Register of Historical Resources.

Listing on either register could help satisfy the eligibility criteria to qualify for a Mills Act contract.

Development of the resort property originally began in 1902. It attracted locals, travelers, and celebrities to its restorative waters before falling into disrepair in the 1980s. It came back to life in 1995 when Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa converted it into a Christian conference retreat center and Bible College campus.

The current 41.3-acre site was sold in 2022 for $50 million to real estate investment and development firm Olympus Real Estate Group. The group has renovated and preserved the historic property as a hot springs wellness resort and day spa.