The New La Vida Onsen Resort in Carbon Canyon

In July 2025, 36 acres in Carbon Canyon comprising the former La Vida Mineral Springs resort, which operated for most of the 20th century, offering hot mineral baths, lodging, a café and bottle mineral water purporting to have all manner of positive effects on health, was purchased.  In early September, "Kevin Y" left a comment on this blog starting that "we purchased this property about 2 months ago."

In September, a presentation was given to the Brea Historical Museum on some of the history of La Vida and the owner and an architect attended.  A brief discussion afterward included mention of the future plans envisioned for the property.  In Japan, onsen refers to mineral springs, the bathing facilities at these locals and the lodgings associated with them.

As a newly launched website states, "a visionary local developer acquired the land, pledging to revive it as the "New La Vida Onsen Resort"—honoring its legacy with Japanese-inspired cabins and exclusive mineral baths."  Moreover, the site remarks, "as of December 2025, plans whisper of a rebirth, where ancient springs meet modern serenity, ensuring La Vida flows on for generations."

The site also remarks on the quality of the water being "a rare 'hot soda' or alkaline mineral type with concentrated therapeutic minerals" and adds that its locale "in a prime location" is such that its "urban access + canyon privacy is unmatched."  This includes the potential of the water to be utilized again because it is "therapeutically balanced, historically drinkable/bottled, and subtly effervescent without overwhelming sulfur."

Check out the website, which uses photos and content from this blog as well as public presentations as noted above in Brea, as well as the Orange County Historical Society, here, and keep an eye out for what the future may hold for the site.

Carbon Canyon Road Closed in Brea Due to Mud Slide

With the heavy rain, saturated soil and history of issues in this part of Carbon Canyon, it is no surprise to learn of this just now from the City of Chino Hills:

Carbon Canyon Road Closed - Long-Term Closure Expected

12/26/2025 - 12:14 PM PST

Carbon Canyon Road (State Route 142) is closed at Olinda Place due to a mudslide on the City of Brea side of the roadway. This is expected to be a long-term closure while Caltrans responds and conducts cleanup operations.

Residents who live in Carbon Canyon may access their homes from the City of Chino Hills side via Chino Hills Parkway. There is no access to Chino Hills via Carbon Canyon from the City of Brea side. Updates will be provided as the road reopens.

UPDATE, 3:15 P.M.:

Major Road Alert

12/26/2025 - 3:12 PM PST

UPDATE: Carbon Canyon Road (State Route 142) has reopened.

Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council Trunk or Treat This Sunday the 26th!

Come on over this Sunday the 26th from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. to Western Hills Country Club and the Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council's annual Trunk or Treat event.  Don your costume, check out decorated cars, enjoy food, participate in games with prizes, meet local firefighters and more as we celebrate the Halloween season.

The Fire Safe Council will mark its 25th anniversary next year and events like Trunk or Treat not only engage our community in fun ways, but also remind Carbon Canyon residents that the Council works diligently to mitigate wildfire risk through information and education in our twice-annual newsletters, hosting our Brush Drop Off event, also two times a year, coordinating with city, county and state agencies, and more.

So, we hope to see you there this Sunday and Happy Halloween!

Serenity Grove Grand Opening Tomorrow

Thanks to Carbon Canyon resident Michael May for forwarding the flyer advertising tomorrow's grand opening from 10-2 of the Serenity Grove housing project located off Canyon Hills Road north of Carbon Canyon Road and situated between the Hillcrest and Oak Tree Downs neighborhoods.  Three models will be open for viewing and prices start at close to $1.8 million and up to near $2 million for the 50 houses with square footage from about 3,500 to 4,150.

With a revived Stonecrest proposal with an increase in units from 28 to 46; the Lewis Homes proposed 187 duplexes and "stacked flat units," now in entitlement review with the City of Chino Hills; and who knows what may come with the former Hidden Oaks property, there could be a great many new houses in the Canyon in upcoming years, even as Carbon Canyon Road will remain a two-lane state highway amid an ever-escalating fire risk.

Lastly, the St. Joseph's Hill of Hope religious institution property in the Canyon is apparently up for sale and it can only be imagined how much developers are eyeing that property, at the right price.

Last Saturday's Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council Brush Drop Off Another Success

Last Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council, in partnership with the City of Chino Hills and Waste Management, held its second Brush Drop Off event of the year on Canon Lane near Fire Station 4, as part of its efforts to mitigate wildfire risk.

A quartet of Council volunteers assisted a steady flow of Canyon residents in off-loading material into a pair of roll-off bins supplied by Waste Management, with the better part of both filled.  Anything that can be done to reduce flammable material helps to reduce the potential damage in case of a wildfire in the Canyon, so it is very fulfilling to see the amount of brush carted away at the end of the event.

There was also an extra bonus this time as a sidewalk was cleared of plant material that grew over it, as if the Council volunteers didn't have enough to do, so this was all cut back, the sidewalk swept clean and the material added to that brought by local residents.

The weather has been cool and pleasant lately, but we know the hot, dry Santa Ana winds are coming and the conditions will be ripe for more wildfires.  After the horrific January blazes at Pacific Palisades and Altadena, it is increasingly obvious that there is no fire season and that the threat is basically year-round, so anything we can do to decrease the risk of damage is important.  

This is why the twice-annual Brush Drop Off is a vital part of what the Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council does.

Carbon Canyon Brush Drop-Off This Saturday the 4th

The Carbon Canyon Fire Safe Council holds its fall brush drop-off this Saturday the 4th from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Canon Lane, north of Carbon Canyon Road, near Fire Station 64.  Council volunteers will be there to assist in the unloading of cut brush, clippings, branches and other material, the reduction of which helps mitigate wildfire risk in our Canyon.

Thanks to the City of Chino Hills and Waste Management for their collaboration with these twice-yearly offerings with tons of debris hauled away and making Carbon Canyon that much safer, especially as the fall Santa Ana winds approach and the risk of a wildfire grows, even as the fire season is now year-round.  The Council looks forward to working with residents this Saturday as we work together on this vital aspect of protecting our Canyon.

Carbon Canyon Road Fatal Accident and Closure

Due to a fatal traffic accident at Feldspar, where Summit Ranch is located, Carbon Canyon Road was closed at 9:50 this morning.  No further information was provided, including an ETA for reopening.

UPDATE, 6:40 p.m.:  Just received a notification that Carbon Canyon Road is now fully open following the completion of the investigation of this morning's fatal accident.

UPDATE, 10:40 p.m.: The fatal crash this morning took place before 5:50 and involved a two-car head-on collision with one car engulfed in flames and a person dead.  Some discussion has concerned whether lengthy closures should lead to opening of the emergency gates on Canon Lane leading north of Eucalyptus Avenue.  Authorities, however, would likely respond that these are only to be used with evacuations during natural disasters such as wildfire.