Lia CabreraWith the hectic life in San Diego, anyone in their right mind would want to find a place to relax. While a spa is nice, there’s something to be said about the heat and warmth of a sauna that keeps attracting me to its warm embrace.
Saunas are great at relaxing the body and detoxifying it through sweating. I’ve personally found that it can lower stress and relieve a lot of the muscle tension from working and traveling all day.
I’ve personally gone to a few in the city, and I have my choices for the top saunas in San Diego. They’re some of the most relaxing spots in the city, and some even come with a soothing massage.
1. Yu Spa
Media credit: Yu Spa Instagram
Website: https://yuspasd.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yuspasd/
Address: 3927 Convoy St, CA 92111
Contact Details: +1 858-987-0476
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 9:30 AM to 8:30 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 9:30 AM to 9:00 PM
Pricing: $$
For a Korean experience, look no further than Yu Spa, which offers a variety of relaxing services, such as body scrubs and massages. I also love the sauna here, as it offers five different varieties for guests to choose from.
I personally adore the Himalayan Salt Sauna. The room is infused with minerals from the earth, such as calcium and magnesium. It helps with circulation and clears blockages in the respiratory and immune systems.
They also have another specialty sauna here called the Red Clay Sauna. This one features clay that has been used for centuries due to its medicinal and cosmetic benefits. I’ve come here to detoxify heavy metals in my body, and I feel refreshed after.
| Pro Tip: They offer birthday discounts for customers here, which are good the day before, during, or after. While this is for body scrub and massage services only, the 10% discount is surely nothing to scoff at. Just remember to bring your ID. |
2. Pure Infrared Sauna Studio
Media credit: Pure Infrared Sauna Studio Instagram
Website: https://www.pureinfraredsaunastudio.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Pure-Infrared-Sauna-Studio-100076082300045/
Address: 2665 Fifth Ave #103, CA 92103
Contact Details: +1 619-914-2730
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Friday: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Pricing: $$
Pure Infrared Sauna Studio offers a unique sauna experience that I found far more relaxing than traditional ones. This full-spectrum sauna induces deep sweating that can help detoxify your body from harmful substances and environmental pollutants.
Saunas here are medical-grade and use infrared lights, helping clients stay longer than in traditional saunas. Other services here are their cold plunger, which can reduce inflammation and improve a person’s mood and sleep patterns.
I also love their red light bed. After experiencing it, I found that my skin felt tighter and with fewer fine lines and wrinkles. Their salt therapy is best for those looking to improve respiratory conditions, such as asthma.
| Pro Tip: When heading here, I’d suggest becoming a member, as it offers many benefits. Some notable ones include 4 sauna and red light bed sessions, as well as 50-minute sessions with their compression boots. |
3. Cascade Spa
Website: https://www.cascadethespa.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cascadethespa/
Address: 3838 Fifth Ave, CA 92103
Contact Details: +1 619-326-8029
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Friday to Sunday: 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Pricing: $
Located in the heart of Hillcrest, Cascade Spa is a serene environment perfect for meditation. Whenever I head here, I often avail myself of their packages since they’re quite comprehensive and typically last more than 2 hours.
My choice is often the Cascade Orchid Package, since I enjoy the aromatic journey that it entails. The highlight has to be the Lavender Eucalyptus Steam Sauna and the Himalayan Salt Sauna, which smell divine and are the most relaxing places in the spa.
This also includes a brown-sugar full-body scrub and a scalp-massage serum that really gets those knots out. By the end, I’m relaxed and ready to enjoy the soothing herbal-melody tea while admiring the healing-bead bracelet I get to take home.
| Pro Tip: Always bring your ID when heading here. Some inclusions in the packages, such as complimentary glasses of wine or champagne, often require guests to present proof of age. |
4. Hot Haven
Media credit: Hot Haven Instagram
Website: https://www.myhothaven.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HotHavenSaunaStudio
Address: 521 Grape Street, CA 92101
Contact Details: +1 619-255-0907
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 10:30 AM to 7:00 PM
- Friday: 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Pricing: $$
Hot Haven offers holistic services that can detoxify and promote anti-aging. I absolutely adore their 55-minute lymphatic cleanse, as it relaxes the body and promotes healthy blood circulation. Other clients have noted improvements in their immune systems.
For those looking for some alone time, head to the infrared sauna cabin. I used it as my own suite, putting some of my favorite music—sometimes a podcast—to enjoy as I sit and relax. Bringing in a friend is fairly cheap at around $25 per person.
For an in-depth experience, the Body Wrap is the best option. This is basically the sauna, but more concentrated, allowing your body to self-regulate and balance its temperature. Add in a movie or a show, and you can relax for the next 55 minutes.
| Pro Tip: Get a membership here since it can easily save you some money. They have 6 tiers, but the one to choose is the “I’m Essential” membership. It includes unlimited sessions, priority booking, and 20% off services. |
5. The Spa at Rancho Bernardo Inn
Media credit: The Spa at Rancho Bernardo Inn Instagram
Website: https://www.ranchobernardoinn.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RBInn
Address: 17550 Bernardo Oaks Dr, CA 92128
Contact Details: +1 858-675-8471
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Pricing: $$$
The Spa at Rancho Bernardo Inn is a luxurious experience best suited for times when you want to treat yourself. Voted as the best day spa of North Inland San Diego by Union Tribune readers, I can honestly agree due to the pampering I received here.
The dry sauna here is amazing and compact, while the traditional steam room does wonders for my pores. Other treatments here include massages, and I’d definitely go for the Classic Sports & Deep Tissue Massage that truly gets in there and restores vitality.
Facials are also available here, and you can even get nail treatments. There are even IV drips here that boost your immune system and restore gut health. The one I prefer is the Jet Setter, since it helped me overcome jet lag and is packed with electrolytes.
| Pro Tip: When heading here after a night out, please go for The Afterparty IV. It helps relieve headaches and nausea and prevents nasty consequences like brain fog and fatigue. The IV itself contains electrolytes and vitamins! |
6. Conscious Body Recovery
Media credit: Conscious Body Recovery Instagram
Website: https://www.consciousbodyrecovery.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/consciousbodyrecovery
Address: 4030 B Sports Arena Blvd, CA 92110
Contact Details: +1 858-305-2226
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Pricing: $$
Conscious Body Recovery combines the benefits of an infrared sauna with a cold plunge, allowing clients to reap both. Some notable benefits include reduced inflammation and boosted metabolism.
Clients can avail of either or both treatments, but I’d rather you go for both. Contrast therapy is performed through alternating cycles of heating and shocking the body. This provides significant recovery benefits and enhances physical activity performance.
Sessions here last 25-85 minutes, and you can even bring a friend along. They provide everything, and even some nice water to drink while you relax.
| Pro Tip: Memberships here offer one session per day, which is great for those who enjoy the benefits of their services. The price ranges from $49 to $99 and includes benefits like bringing a friend or longer sessions. |
7. The Traveling Sauna
Website: https://www.thetravelingsauna.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569732668876
Address: 7514 Girard Ave Ste 1 #935, La Jolla, CA 92037
Contact Details: +1 858-321-5543
Operating Hours:
- Open 24 hours
Pricing: $$$
The Traveling Sauna is great for those who want a brief experience without leaving the comfort of their home. While this is an expensive choice, I find it worth it, considering it’s a private experience that allows clients to truly relax with no inhibitions.
Even though this is a traveling sauna, this utilizes the natural benefits of a wood-fired sauna rather than the high-tech infrared. The sauna itself fits 8 people and includes a section for cold plunging that can easily accommodate 2 people.
They offer weekday or weekend experiences, but please go for the weekend one, as it lasts 2 days. Additionally, they set up everything for you, so you can just relax and enjoy those two days in the sauna and wake up to a nice cold plunge.
| Pro Tip: You can also find them at local pop-ups. They bring and showcase their traveling sauna here, and it’s the best way to get a taste of the experience. Look through their website to see where you can find them next. |
8. Longevity Lounge San Diego
Media credit: Longevity Lounge San Diego Instagram
Website: https://www.longevityloungespa.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/longevitylounge
Address: 4747 Mission Blvd #7, CA 92109
Contact Details: +1 858-291-8374
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Pricing: $$
The Longevity Lounge is a chic place to get some modernized holistic treatments. Led by Rachel Ellis, a detox specialist, her shop offers ways for the body to heal itself from several chronic autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.
The infrared sauna here masquerades as a typical sauna while still delivering the benefits of infrared. Clients have also used their lymphatic drainage and body contouring to great effect, reducing puffiness and inflammation across the body.
Other treatments here include their IV therapy, which is better than oral supplements at delivering vitamins and minerals into the bloodstream. I’ve even come here for microneedling, which left my skin feeling smoother.
| Pro Tip: Longevity Lounge offers payment plans to clients through either Affirm or Cherry. Either one works and has no interest when choosing the 8-week plan. The longer plans do have interest, but it’s barely noticeable. |
9. Aqua Day Spa
Media credit: Aqua Day Spa Instagram
Website: https://www.aquadayspaconvoy.com
Address: 4637 Convoy St, CA 92111
Contact Details: +1 858-279-8889
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM
Pricing: $$
Aqua Day Spa uncovers the secrets of Korean beauty and wellness. These are tailored to each client’s specific needs, whether it be treating puffiness or reducing inflammation. I especially love their body scrub because it feels like all the dirt is washed away.
The scrub and massage sessions are also great here, and they come with a complimentary face mask and hair wash. These are incredibly soothing, and I felt pampered and cared for throughout the entire experience.
For the best results, head over to the jacuzzi or the steam room. The steam room opened up all my pores and made my skin feel as soft as a baby’s.
| Pro Tip: Always arrive 30 to 60 minutes early when heading here. Before any procedures begin, they’ll ask you to do a body soak to remove dirt and grime. Arriving late will shorten the experience. |
10. Stardust Float Spa
Media credit: Stardust Float Spa Instagram
Website: https://www.stardustfloatspa.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stardustfloatspa
Address: 3589 Midway Dr, CA 92110
Contact Details: +1 619-988-9609
Operating Hours:
- Monday: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Wednesday to Friday: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Pricing: $$
I absolutely adore float spas, and Stardust Float Spa is no exception. When I visited, I enjoyed a therapeutic massage and their high-quality spectrum infrared sauna. Of course, the float therapy itself was incredible and felt amazing.
The sauna itself can accommodate two people and can easily fit a third for $15. Additionally, the Full Spectrum IR Sauna experience is cheap compared to other locations, for around $35 for 30 minutes and $60 for 45 minutes.
Aside from these, their relaxing lounge offers a selection of fine teas and light snacks, perfect after a floating session. There’s even some great reading material there to peruse and read through while you wait for your turn at any of the treatments.
| Pro Tip: For couples, there is the couple’s float, which can accommodate two people. Clients are provided with a private room and shower, along with toiletries to take with them after a soak. Don’t forget to turn the lights off when enjoying with a partner. |
