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.
