Sea Wellness

This serene, lovely spa is tucked into Casa del Mar, one of the nicest hotels along the Santa Monica beach. And we do mean tucked—an elevator brings you to the fourth floor where you'll walk down a hallway of guest rooms until the spa doors appear like an opening in a labyrinth. Once inside, you'll be taken to a serene, dimly lit waiting area with lemon water, warm green tea and comfy chairs. The changing rooms are spacious and offer a single shower that converts into a mini steam room, as well as individual lockers with soft, heavy robes and seemingly brand-new Haviana flip-flops to wear to your treatment. And you're definitely in for a treat: Even the plain, 60-minute massage is heaven (be sure to ask for Dana), but the menu offers such luxuries as Hydrafacial (no harsh chemicals or lasers), hot stone massage and a firming citrus body treatment. If you're really in the mood to splurge, try the Diamond Magnetic Body Ritual, which uses mud spiked with diamond dust to eliminate the effects of electromagnetic pollution—we're not 100% sure about this one, but getting a diamond rubdown still sounds pretty nice. Tip: Certain treatments are available oceanside, so be sure to ask if you'd like your treatment al fresco. And for the men, try a Gents Facial, inspired by techniques used by old-school barbers to sooth an oft-shaved face.