Welcome to Warm Springs
Warm Springs, one of the original five townships that make up Fremont today, is a neighborhood located in the southern part of the city. The neighborhood is named after the natural hot springs that once flowed in the area, which were a popular destination for visitors seeking therapeutic benefits.
On a trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles in 1981, Anthony Marinelli of the Marinelli Real Estate team remembers seeing Warm Springs in a Rand-McNally map and taking a detour through the area in search of hot springs. Although they were long gone, the area itself was a wonderful discovery.
Warm Springs has a rich history that dates back to the early days of California's development. The area was once home to the Ohlone people, who were the original inhabitants of the region. In the 19th century, the area was settled by Spanish and Mexican ranchers, who established large landholdings in the area.
During the 20th century, the Warm Springs neighborhood became known for its agricultural production, particularly for its apricots and cherries. The area was also home to several resorts and spas, which took advantage of the natural hot springs that flowed in the area. Rancho Agua Caliente defined the borders of the hamlet of Harrisburg, later named Warm Springs. The Warm Springs Health Resort on this land was known worldwide in the 1850s. In 1869 Governor Leland Stanford purchased the resort area as a private estate.
In 1956 five individual townships – Warm Springs along with Mission San Jose, Centerville, Niles and Irvington– came together to form The City of Fremont. At this time the Warm Springs neighborhood began to see a period of growth and development, as the San Francisco Bay Area experienced a population boom.
The neighborhood has become a hub for high-tech companies, with major employers such as; Meta, Lam Research, Apple, Western Digital, Seagate, Boehringer Ingelheim, and ThermoFisher to name a few establishing a presence in the area.
Built on 840 acres of the legendary Fremont Dragstrip/Baylands Raceway Park, Pacific Commons an expansive retail and mixed use development was an important addition to the Warm Springs area supplying a growing population with restaurants, movie theaters, clothing and shoe stores as well as big box stores. The dragstrip was in operation from 1959 until the end of 1988. Even Evil Kenevil performed here.
The Fremont area is known for its cultural diversity, with a variety of ethnic restaurants, markets, and festivals. The neighborhood is also home to several parks and open spaces, including the nearby Mission Peak Regional Preserve, which offers hiking and outdoor recreational opportunities. It’s small wonder to those living in Warm Springs that Fremont was named happiest city in America in a February report from WalletHub in 2023 for several years running.
As a child, Fremont Realtor Nicole Herrmann remembers a class trip to Higuera Adobe located in Rancho Higuera Historical Park at the foot of Mission Peak in Warm Springs. It is the last of seven adobes built between 1830-1840 on Fulgencio Higuera's ranch. Nicole was surprised that the structure consisted of a large main room and two small bedrooms with dirt floors, and a stable. The Adobe has been restored and furnished with handcrafted redwood furniture.
Overall, the Warm Springs neighborhood is a vibrant and diverse community, with a rich history and a dynamic presence. Its mix of residential, commercial, and industrial uses, its cultural diversity, and its proximity to major employers and outdoor recreational opportunities make it a popular destination for future residents and visitors alike. It’s no surprise that Warm Springs Homes are highly desirable.
Schools
- Elementary: Warm Springs
- Junior High: Horner
- High School: Irvington
