Warmth. Stillness.
A refreshing change.
Sauna & cold plunge in Santa Barbara
First 60-minute sauna & cold-plunge visit: $29 per person
What is contrast therapy?
Contrast therapy alternates heat and cold, with time to rest between them. At Acorn & Oak, that means pairing traditional or infrared sauna with cold-water immersion in our garden.
Your visit can include warmth, a brief plunge and a quiet pause. There’s no need to choose the coldest water or stay longer than feels right.
A simple way to begin
Warm up gently.
Start with a short sauna session. Step out before you feel overheated, and pause before entering the water.
Shower before you plunge.
Shower after the sauna, before entering the cold tub. Please repeat this rinse each time you return from the sauna to the plunge.
Keep your plunge brief.
Enter slowly, keep your head above water and breathe naturally. Never hold your breath or deliberately hyperventilate in or around the water. You can step out at any time.
Rest and reassess.
Dry off, drink water and allow your breathing and temperature to settle. One round is enough for a first experience; another is optional.
01Warm up gently.
Start with a short sauna session. Step out before you feel overheated, and pause before entering the water.
02Shower before you plunge.
Shower after the sauna, before entering the cold tub. Please repeat this rinse each time you return from the sauna to the plunge.
03Keep your plunge brief.
Enter slowly, keep your head above water and breathe naturally. Never hold your breath or deliberately hyperventilate in or around the water. You can step out at any time.
04Rest and reassess.
Dry off, drink water and allow your breathing and temperature to settle. One round is enough for a first experience; another is optional.
Find your rhythm.
Traditional sauna
A traditional sauna heats the surrounding air, which warms your body. Expect a hotter room and the familiar, enveloping feeling of sauna heat.
Infrared sauna
Infrared panels deliver radiant heat directly to your body, allowing the room to operate at a lower air temperature—though your body still heats up and needs regular breaks.
Cold plunge
Our four cold plunges offer different temperatures. Start with a warmer option and a brief immersion, giving yourself time to become familiar with the sensation. Colder isn’t automatically better.
Make time
for yourself.
Come for your first time, or return to something familiar.
4410 Hollister Ave. #ASanta Barbara, CA 93110
Monday–Saturday by appointment
Sunday drop-in, 10am–1pm · $25
Have a question? Call or text 805-637-1909.
How long should I stay?
Temperature, experience and health all matter. Begin with short exposures rather than trying to complete a fixed time. Ask us about the current sauna and water temperatures before choosing your starting point.
Before you begin
Check with your healthcare professional before trying heat and cold exposure, especially if you’re pregnant or have heart, blood-pressure or circulation concerns. Avoid alcohol, don’t plunge alone, and stop immediately if you feel dizzy, faint, unwell or unable to control your breathing.