Take care of your mind and body with this list of feel good things to do in Santa Cruz. When traveling or when you’re new to a city, you might be in need of personal services. Whether you seek a new hairdo, a personal trainer, a simple workout, or a massage, you can find the best in Santa Cruz listed here. The dollar signs indicate how much you’ll likely spend at each place, and the stars represent local ratings of each individual establishment. Consult the chart below for monetary information.
$ Inexpensive
$$ Moderate
$$$ Pricey
$$$$ Ultra high-end
Santa Cruz Spas, Health Clubs & Gyms
Santa Cruz Day Spas
1) L’ Atelier Day Spa
304 Lincoln St., Santa Cruz, 469-7546, www.latelierdayspa.com
Voted best new green business, L’Atelier Day Spa is unique in its commitment to Eco-friendly products and services. They offer massage, skin care, a variety of spa packages. Hair services specialize in coloring, hair extensions, and working with curly hair. Stop in and revel in the great service and treatments offered.
☆☆☆☆☆ $$$
2) The Spa at Chaminade
1 Chaminade Lane, Santa Cruz, 831-475-5600, www.chaminade.com
The Spa at Chaminade is always creating a buzz for its unique brand of services. Get drawn in by the mission style architecture, contemporary Spanish furnishings, and color pallet inspired by the CA coast. Get pampered while gazing out at the Santa Cruz Mountains and Monterey Bay. Spa guests can choose from multiple services and packages while enjoying access to the steam room, sauna & whirlpool, heated outdoor pool, complete fitness center, private spa patio with jacuzzi and koi pond, private hiking trails, and tennis courts.
☆☆☆☆ $$$
3) Pacific Skin Care
879 41st Ave. (Near Portola), Santa Cruz, 831-476-1060, www.pacificskin.com
Are you seeking a place to unwind and recharge? Would you like to treat yourself or a loved one? Pacific Skin Care is your answer, offering anti aging and acne solutions, facials, waxing, mineral makeup, diamond microdermabrasion and massage. Make an appointment in advance using your computer or smartphone so you can experience this truly zen- like experience.
☆☆☆☆ $$
4) Serene Skin & Body
108 Magnolia St., Santa Cruz, 831-427-1912, www.sereneskincare.com
Serene is a full service day spa that lives up to its name. Experience professional service and a wide selection of treatments including facials, massages, nail treatments and much more. Be sure to check out their specialty services while you’re there. Wheelchair accessible.
☆☆☆☆ $$
5) SC Core
317 Potrero St., Suite C Santa Cruz, 831-425-9500 www.santacruzcore.com
Featured in GT’s Best Of Santa Cruz Readers’ Poll, Core Fitness and Rehab offers the best of integrated wellness. Their professionals offer Swedish, Deep Tissue, Myofascial Release, Thai, Shaitsu, Acupressure, Tui Na, Acupuncture, Pre-Natal, Hot Stone, and Aromatherapy. If you’re in the market for specialty services, Core offers Acupressure Facials, Hands & Feet, and Facial Acupuncture. Core prides itself on helping its clients meet their wellness goals.
☆☆☆☆ $$
6) Scotts Valley Spa & Boutique
4301 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, 831-439-9900, www.scottsvalleyspa.com
Scotts Valley Spa is built on individualized service. Choose from massage, skin-softening body therapy, rejuvenating facial, or one of their incredible nail services. Spa packages start at $225 for two and a half hours of pampering. Coupon on website offers $10 discount to new clients.
☆☆☆☆ $$
7) Tea House Spa
112 Elm St., Santa Cruz 831-426-9700, www.teahousespa.com
Go Zen in downtown Santa Cruz. The Tea House Spa has provided private hot tub rooms, sauna and massage since 1984. The Tea House is also known for its fine array of green, black, and herbal teas. Couple packages available.
☆☆☆☆ $$
8 ) Well Within Spa
417 Cedar St., Santa Cruz , 831-458-9355 www.wellwithinspa.com
Well Within has earned “Best Day Spa” several times in the GT Readers’ Poll. Offering private tub and sauna rooms in the midst of Japanese gardens with waterfalls, bamboo, maple, blossoming cherry trees and floating water plants. Lose yourself in one of their Warm Stone Massages or indulge in a Monarch Body Wrap. They offer a full line of organic bodycare products. Make reservations by calling; no online reservations.
☆☆☆ $
9) Caress Day Spa
Capitola, CA (831)462.4422 http://www.caressdayspa.com/
Thee experienced technicians at Caress DaySpa offer facials, massage, & body treatments in a serene environment. Reflexology, warm stone, & prenatal massage; microdermabrasion and waxing. Tip: Arrive early. The lounge/waiting area offers hot tea, infused water, a fireplace, and lounge chairs for relaxing both before and after your session.
☆☆☆☆ $$
Santa Cruz Health Clubs and Gyms
1) Pacific Edge Rock Climbing Gym
104 Bronson St, Santa Cruz, CA (831) 454-9254 http://www.pacificedgeclimbinggym.com/
Pacific Edge offers yoga, mat Pilates, and a variety of fitness programs in a state-of-the-art studio. The rock climbing component is 50 feet tall, and 14,000 square feet. Enjoy the huge lead cave, extensive bouldering, and classic crack climbs. If you’re new to the sport, they are proud to provide a comprehensive indoor and outdoor climbing school.
Pacific Edge also has excellent cardio & weight training facilities, saunas & showers.
☆☆☆☆
2) Toadal Fitness
1212 17th Ave. Santa Cruz, CA (this is one of several locations)
(831) 464-3764 http://www.toadalfitness.com/
Yes, the name is correct! A slight alteration from their original Frog Fitness, Toadal aims to help its members maintain a healthy lifestyle with a lighthearted atmosphere, low stress, and fun workouts. Also offers Toadal for kids with programs for children age 3 months – 15 years.
☆☆☆ $$$$
3) CrossFit Santa Cruz
2521 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA (831) 345-7779 http://www.crossfit.com/
Unlike any gym you’ve visited, CrossFit is a “minimalist program.” Their philosophy is reflected by the functionality and limited number of exercises combined with simplicity of their equipment. You won’t find treadmills, elliptical, or a cybex machine here. Check out their website to find out what they do offer- you’re sure to be impressed!
☆☆☆☆☆ $$
4) Rocky’s Gym
4135 Portola Dr., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 479-0867 http://rockysworkout.com/
The top trainers in Santa Cruz County have come together under one roof to offer the most comprehensive training approaches found today. Group and personal training, physical therapy, massage therapy, and yoga.
☆☆☆☆☆ $$$$
5) The Weight Room
120 Dubois St., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 423-5617 http://weightroomsantacruz.com/
This gym was originally built and designed by Dave Draper, a former Mr. America, Mr. World, and Mr. Universe champion. Therefore, you can rest assured that the equipment selection is the best. The layout is designed for facilitating an outstanding workout, and the atmosphere is perfect for simple yet effective athletic training.
☆☆☆ $$$
6) June Bugs Gym
3910 Portola Dr., Santa Cruz, CA (831) 464-2847 http://www.junebugsgym.com/
June Bugs Gym offers gymnastics and fitness for children age walking to six years old. Its goal is to provide a place where children can be comfortable and build their self-esteem through their sense of accomplishment. Activities include circle-time, obstacle courses, song, dance, manipulatives-(scarves, ribbons, beanbags, hoops, etc), parachute and basic gymnastics skills on floor, beam, bars, trampoline and vault.
☆☆☆ $$