Tipper,
The shortest fastest way to the springs from Redlands is to go to Lake Arrowhead. Just before the Mall is a 5 way STOP sign. Turn right onto Hwy.173. Go @ 5-7 miles and past Penny Pines park and a shooting range. 2 miles past the shooting range is a concrete bridge with a curve in it. Park near the bridge and look north for the trail head. It is 2.9 miles to the springs and turn right when you get to Deep Creek and go @ 1/4 mile to the hot springs. I used to jog the trail down in 25-35 minuets back in 2000 when I went there to free hike. A regular person can expect to make it in less than one hour in BUT ! Hikeing out is 900 feet of uphill. The biggest hill is just before you get to Deep Creek. I measured it with my GPS and it was a 600 foot hill. Once you climb it it is only another 300 ft climb to your car. So expect to get out in 1 and 1/2 hours.
Remember, This is your land. The area is know for it's history of free hikeing that goes back centuries before Europeans changed things. How you re - create/express yourself is a constitutional right on your land. It is my opinion that it is less crowded down stream than it is up stream.
FYI Hwy 173 has been closed from this point down to Hwy 138 by a large steel gate which is about 1/4 a mile past the bridge.
PLEASE help with the trash problem at the springs area by hauling out more trash than you bring in !
Enjoy !