Characterised by their emphasis on the communal, Korean Spas are specialty sanctums whose origins can be traced back to the East.
(Photo: Yu Spa)
Among the array of indulgent spas that can be found in and around San Diego are several Korean Spas, each offering treatments and therapies that first emerged in the bathhouses of east Asian way back in the 15th century. Today, these spas combine time-honoured body-and-mind soothing rituals with contemporary decadence and luxury. Here are five of the best Korean spas in San Diego and nearby.
Yu Spa
Perched between the Cabrillo Freeway and Jacob Dekema Freeway in the northeast suburbs of San Diego, this spa offers a variety of treatments and services in a clean, accommodating and relaxing setting. A ‘jjimjilbang’-styleHimalayan salt sauna can help improve the hydrodynamic conditions of your body, and if you’re looking to relax your tight and stressed muscles you can choose from a range of dry and wet massages that are performed in private rooms. They also provide body scrubs and yoni steam, as well as calming common areas in which to relax and unwind either before or after your sessions.
Eco Chateau Wellness Spa
(Photo: Eco Chateau Wellness Spa)
Also situated in the northeastern reaches of the city, around 6 miles from the bustling downtown district, this Korean spa is the ideal escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. It offers a wide variety of services designed to detoxify your mind and body, and is perhaps best known for its state-of-the-art infrared sauna that is able to penetrate the skin and underlying muscles, resulting in better health benefits than more traditional sauna therapies. The spa also offers group packages.
Karma Spa
Positioned in San Diego’s buzzing northern neighbourhood of Hillcrest, this is one of two Karma spas located in and around the city – the other in Carlsbad, 35 miles up the coast. Both venues offer a plethora of refreshing and revitalising services, with a particular specialism in massages including hot oil massages, Craniosacral massage therapy, and massages designed purely for pampering. There are also large, open spaces for reflexology, sauna and steam rooms, and Vichy shower rooms, all helmed by skilled staff and therapists.
Aqua Day Spa
(Photo: Aqua Day Spa)
North of downtown, this Korean-style spa and sauna provides a variety of services designed to let you relax and replenish. Scrub and massage services are ideal for those who seek escape from the stresses of daily life, while there are also hot and cold Jacuzzis, specialty sauna rooms, and acupuncture treatments. A Himalayan salt red clay room offers a traditional jjimjilbang experience that’s particularly effective for clearing the lungs and purifying the skin. Meanwhile, premier lounge and relaxation rooms are the ideal place to relax before or after your treatments.
The Hidden Spa
Nestled along the Pacific Ocean bordering the western edge of Point Loma, 7 miles west of downtown, this Korean spa has a focus on an integrative approach to wellness, incorporating a range of healing techniques both ancient and modern to help people achieve optimal vitality and well-being. They offer a wide range of services, including various types of bodywork, skincare treatments, and therapies such as frequency therapy and light therapy. They also have their own line of herbal supplements and provide wellness programs to support people in their healing journey.