Insanely Cool Korean Spas in Los Angeles and San Diego

If you haven’t experienced a Korean spa—also known as a jimjilbang—you haven’t really lived yet. It’s the perfect place to totally disconnect from the world while soaking, scrubbing, massaging, and waxing away all your troubles—and thankfully, Los Angeles and San Diego have lots of them.

So, How Does It Work?

Most Korean spas charge an entrance fee (prices will vary) which will gain you entry into the baths, jimjilbang, and usually, a restaurant—spa services will cost extra. After you check-in, you’ll be handed a ‘uniform’ which usually consists of a cotton, super non-sexy t-shirt-and-shorts combo. You’ll also be given a wristband with a key or FOB that gives you access to a private locker.

Once you’re in, there will generally be areas divided by gender (where you can choose to be nude, most people are), as well as mixed-gender areas (no nudity allowed). Feel free to enjoy the many soaking pools of various temperatures, rooms with different healing properties (like jade, salt, or clay) where you can slip away into a quick nap, and book a spa service like a body scrub, massage, or facial. Signs will be posted throughout the spa letting you know which rooms and pools are for what purpose, as well as staff that can answer any questions.

Must-Visit Korean Spas in Los Angeles

Wi Spa

By far one of the most popular Korean spas in Los Angeles, if not the West Coast, is Wi Spa. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, some people choose to use the Wi Spa in lieu of a hotel or a place to come sleep off a heavy night of partying. Here, the men’s and women’s areas are on separate floors of the three-floor facility, where each area boasts two hot tubs, a cold pool, steam room, sauna, and showers. Here, you’ll have the option to book any additional treatments as well.

The second floor has a family-friendly jimjilbang with several saunas—each of varying temperature and purpose. The clay, salt, and jade saunas are kept at a toasty 130 degrees while the ultra-hot Bulgama is set at 213 degrees. Cool down in the ice sauna afterward. Guests will also find a fitness center, restaurant, rooftop terrace, and computer stations.

Address: 2700 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90057
Hours: Open 24 hours
Website

Beverly Hot Springs

Beverly Hot Springs isn’t just an awesome spa, but it’s a fixture of Los Angeles history. The 2,200-foot all-natural artesian well was discovered in 1910, and since then, the spa was built around it. Now, people can soak in the 96- to 105-degree water, enjoy the man-made waterfall, and book beauty and skin treatments like massage therapy, spray tanning, hair removal and more.

There is a $35 dollar entrance fee which gains you entrance to the pools, sauna, and steam room. However, the fee will be waived if additional treatments are booked.

Address: 308 N Oxford Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90004
Hours: 9 am to 9 pm
Website

Century Day & Night Spa

Feel like getting a few golf swings in before relaxing in a soaking pool or salt room? You’ll definitely want to hit up Century Day & Night Spa. This giant Los Angeles facility has everything you want out of a Korean spa but with an added bonus—a two-story, outdoor driving range. As with most Korean spas, there are gender-divided areas as well as a co-ed, clothing-required area. Guests can also take advantage of the on-site fitness center, restaurant, and indoor swimming pool.

Address: 4120 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90019
Hours: Women’s spa – 6 am to 12 am
Men’s spa – 6 am to 2 am
Website

Crystal Spa

What makes Crystal Spa so cool is that they use an all-natural approach and have partnered with Aveda for all of their products. Inside their gorgeous facilities, you’ll find steam rooms, massage rooms, and skincare stations. Some of their specialty saunas include a Himalayan salt room, charcoal room, and red mud room where they only use the famous 100% Korean mud known for its detoxifying and purifying agents.

Guests can pay per day or purchase monthly and yearly memberships. Of course, any additional treatments will be extra.

Address: 3500 W. 6th St., Ste. 321, Los Angeles, CA 90020
Hours: 6 am to 12 am
Website

San Diego’s Best Korean Spas

Yu Spa

San Diego’s newest jjimjilbang is Yu Spa and it’s quickly gaining in popularity. Yu Spa offers all of the standard Korean spa offerings like specialty saunas, soaking pools, ice room, and skin and beauty services with a restaurant on-site as well. Regular admission includes access to the sauna and jjimjilbang, and if you feel like booking anything extra, the prices are very reasonable—be sure to try their Yoni steam room.

Address: 3927 Convoy Street, San Diego, CA 92111
Hours: Sun-Thurs – 9 am to 10 pm
Fri-Sat – 9 am to 11 pm
Website

Aqua Day Spa

Located in the heart of San Diego's Convoy district is Aqua Day Spa—a complete Korean-spa experience. Come in and hang out for the day while you relax in the red clay sauna or steam room. Or if you feel like taking a break from the typical spa services, you can simply read a book or watch TV in the lounge. Other services Aqua Day Spa offers include body scrubs, acupressure, and reflexology.

Address: 4637 Convoy St., Suite 105, San Diego, CA 92111
Hours: 8 am to 10:30 pm
Website

The Hidden Spa

Tucked away in Ocean Beach, visitors of The Hidden Spa can find total relaxation in their small and private facilities. Although not your typical Korean spa, The Hidden Spa offers many similar body and skin services that many Korean spas offer. Expect to find an extensive service menu offering Thai massage, dermabrasion, body contouring, and body wraps.

Grab your friends and book a Spa Party Package where you’ll all receive a 30-minute facial, 20-minute hand and foot scrub, 50-minute full-body massage, and rosewater scalp massage.

Address: 4969 Santa Monica Ave., San Diego, CA 92107
Hours: Call for details (619)224-2160
Website

Written by Ashley Brewer for Knockaround.