Planning to go here for the first time soon. Some q's?

Hello, all. My boyfriend and I just moved to mountains and just discovered that this exists. I see that there are several ways to access the hot springs. Driving to bowen ranch I think would take a long time just driving there, whereas the access point off the 173 seems like somewhat less of a drive from us. From the info I gathered, we would have to take the 173 north (we are coming from lake arrowhead) and park near where Bradford ridge path starts, correct? Is it that much of a difference from starting at Bowen Ranch?

Another option I think is hiking from Splinters cabin/deep creek all the way to the hot spring? My boyfriend is really interested in doing this but that seems strenuous for our first time there. Have any of you taken this way there? We aren't total newb hikers but we are developing our hiking legs in this new setting. I am from LA, and I hiked there a lot, but obviously it's not the same as driving dirt roads through the mountains and fording creeks lol.

Anyway, I'm glad to have discovered this online community. I hope to join you all in experiencing this special place soon. Thanks in advance for your advice.