Russian Valley Hot Springs
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| Russian Valley Hot Springs Valle de Guadalupe Hot Springs | |
|---|---|
 Viniculture in the Valle de Guadalupe | |
 | |
| Location | South of Tecate, Baja California |
| Coordinates | 32°06′27″N 116°27′15″W / 32.107387°N 116.454110°W |
| Elevation | 1,500 ft. |
| Type | Geothermal spring |
| Temperature | 125°F |
Russian Valley Hot Springs, also known as Valle de Guadalupe Hot Springs[1] is a group of hot mineral springs near a historic Russian settlement in the Guadalupe Valley of Baja California, Mexico.[2]
The Valle de Guadalupe was originally occupied by the Kumeyaay people, many of whom still live on rancherias there today.[3]
The hot springs are named for the group of Russians who settled in the Guadalupe Valley. These religious people of the Prygun faith (spirit jumpers), separated from the Eastern Orthodox Church. They referred to themselves as Molokans (milk drinkers), although the local people called them Los Russos (the Russians).[4] They abstained from eating pork, the use of tobacco, and alcohol. The Molokans first settled in the area near Los Angeles before moving to the Guadalupe Valley in Mexico for ranching, farming. Although they abstained from wine drinking, they practiced viniculture. The area is known for its wine.[5]