Where can I go within 3-4 hours of SF that has a nice hotel with a hot tub, heated pool or hot springs?

3–4 hours? The Resort at Squaw Creek- beautiful hot tubs and swimming pools in the snow, saunas, spa. I took my kids there but it is not a kids resort, but kids will like it.

Go down to Big Sur.

I second Big Sur. Check out Esalen Institute. It’s a kind of summer camp for adults. They do let you have kids. It’s more a place to do things, but I think they have some kind of rest and relaxation program. It’s on the cliffs looking over the ocean. It is clothing optional around the pool and the hot tubs, so it might not be a place you want to go with your kids.

There are many other hotels in the area, and some are quite expensive. I’m sure some have spas.

Big Sur. Riverside Inn. Amazing.

Napa Valley has many good places. Look for B & B’s.

Hearst Castle is a great place to visit, and there are a multitude of motels with hot tubs and heated swimming pools on the beach near by. I love that place.

I like Sycamore Hot Springs, It might be a little further than you were thinking but it sounds exactly like what you’re looking for.

Up near Fort Bragg near Ukiah: http://www.andersonic.net/orr/

Orr Hot Springs resort.

Clothing optional

I second what @Judi suggested. I haven’t been to the resort myself, but I did pass it almost daily when I was going to Avila Beach from San Luis Obispo when I lived there many years ago. The location is gorgeous. There is so much to do in the area that is perfect for both adults and children. San Luis Obispo is considered to be the dividing line between the north and south coasts of California. Just south of SLO are beautiful, sunny beaches and dunes, and just north of SLO begins the more cooler, foggy coast with tall cliffs along the shore. You get the best of both worlds in this location.

Napa Valley – Calistoga Hot Springs or Big Sur.