So Cal Free Hiker,
Perhaps you should invest in a GPS for hikers. I used to watch mine while hiking there. The Bradford spring is a little more than half the way to the springs from the parking lot. The total distance is 2.4 miles. You might see it tucked behind some tall green grass behind a hair pin turn in the trail. About the 3rd or fourth hair pin turn after you leave the parking lot. The tall green grass covers it if no one tip toes to where water is visable. There are also some pine trees just past this spring. Or at dawn and dusk you might hear the frogs calling you. I once saw a 7 foot Rosy Boa snake waiting there for some dinner .
The freedom trail is the trail that is off to the right just before you get to the Bowen Ranch. You go @ 3/4 of a mile from the turn off and the dirt road makes a sharp left at a gate. Go @ another one mile and take the first left at this road. That road goes about 100 yards and dead ends, turn left again and after 1/2 mile you will see a large parking lot park there. Do not go down the steep road past there as 4x4 IS REQUIRED and a high ground clearance! From the parking lot look south east. That is where the trail to the hot springs begins. It is 1.2 miles to the springs from there.
Camping is legal at this parking lot. The parking lot is in the S.B. National Forest. Just north of the road is where the BLM land begins and where my favorite camping area is. Good luck and remember to have lots of water. And take MORE trash out than you bring in PLEASE ! ! !
Glad to help ;~)