Entry No. 24 — the Santa Cruz file — filed under: private hot tub
Tea House Spa
A Japanese-garden-style courtyard a block off Pacific Ave has rented out private redwood hot-tub-and-sauna rooms by the hour since 1984, screened behind bamboo — Downtown Santa Cruz's directory calls it 'a locally owned retreat since 1984,' and regulars just call it 'the Tea House.'
The story
A block off the street noise of Pacific Avenue, tucked away on Elm Street, sits a bamboo-screened courtyard that has operated as Downtown Santa Cruz's secret soaking retreat since 1984. Behind the garden gates, the Tea House Spa rents out private redwood hot-tub-and-sauna rooms by the hour. Regulars simply call it 'the Tea House,' slipping off the sidewalk into a courtyard garden where downtown concrete gives way to wet bamboo and circulating hot water.
While downtown Santa Cruz continuously re-develops around it, the Tea House stays stubbornly low-tech. There is no Wi-Fi here, forcing you off your phone and into a room smelling of steam, cedar, and steeping leaves. You get your private enclosure, a heat sauna, an open redwood tub, and a pot of tea delivered straight to your room. It is a simple, four-decade-old local ritual designed to sever you from the grid for sixty minutes.
What it's like
Book your hour slot in advance, slip through the Elm Street bamboo gate, and get shown to a private timber room equipped with a deep redwood tub, a cedar sauna, and a pot of freshly brewed herbal tea. The space is muted, damp, and unpretentious. Don't come looking for resort-style fluff or high-speed connectivity—just strip down, alternate between sweating in the sauna and soaking in the tub, sip your tea, and keep an eye on the clock so you don't overstay your sixty minutes.
The move: Rent a private tub-and-sauna room for two, sip the tea that comes with it, and let the hour run long before wandering back onto Pacific Ave.
- 📍 Downtown Santa Cruz
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Indoor or outdoor
Where: 112 Elm St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Go Ask Alice — Pair your post-soak herbal glow with a short walk around the corner to browse loose herbs and custom tinctures at this Pacific Avenue apothecary.
- Del Mar Theatre — Step out of your private cedar tub and dry off in time to catch an indie film or midnight screening at this 1936 Art Deco theater nearby.
- Ulterior — Keep the low-profile theme going by following your hourly soak with a cocktail in this speakeasy hidden upstairs in Pearl Alley.
- Blue Lagoon — For a sharp contrast in energy, trade the serene bamboo courtyard for a cold pint or pool game at this classic Pacific Avenue dive bar.
Good to know
Where is the Tea House Spa located?
It is at 112 Elm Street in Downtown Santa Cruz, just a block off Pacific Avenue.
What is included with a tub room rental?
Each private hour rental includes access to a private redwood hot tub, a sauna, and a pot of tea.
Is Wi-Fi available on-site?
No, Wi-Fi is unavailable at the Tea House Spa.
Do I need to make a reservation in advance?
Yes, rooms are rented out by the hour and slots fill quickly, so reserve ahead online or by phone.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · downtownsantacruz.com · Reddit
last checked: 2026-07-20