Sauna by
The Sea
DORAN BEACH, CALIFORNIA
book your session
25 Minute Community Session
$25
The Community Session Fee
is Per Person
Book with a friend or two, or come solo and make a new one. Community sessions are shared with up to three other guests. Sessions kick off at the top of the hour and again at the half hour.
Private 55 Minute Session
$200
Private sessions give you and your group exclusive access to the sauna.
Invite as many friends as you'd like — split the cost, cycle in and out at your leisure. Just keep in mind the sauna comfortably seats up to five at a time.
80 Minute Dip, Dunk & Plunge
$25
The Community Session Fee
is Per Person
Our Dip, Dunk & Plunge session runs from 8:30-9:50am every Saturday and is open to up to 10 people at $25 per person. Get in the ocean, warm up by the fire, and cycle in and out as you please. The sauna comfortably seats up to five at a time, so this session is all about sharing the space and the experience.
Where to find us
We are out at the beach most Saturdays and Sundays—check our schedule for the most up to date info.
Sauna by the Sea is located within Doran Regional Park in Bodega Bay, California.
You'll find us on the oceanside of Doran Beach Road, near the Visitor Center — roughly ¼ mile into the park, midway between the park entrance and the jetty. Look for the round cedar structure overlooking the Pacific.
Follow along on Instagram for session times as they drop.
Don't want to make the trek to Doran? No problem.
We'll Bring the Sauna to You
The sauna is on wheels, and we love a road trip. Whether you're planning a private party, a special event, or just want the whole experience in your own backyard — we're in.
Get in touch by filling out the contact form below, and let's make it happen.
What you need to know
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Yes. The sauna is cleaned and reset between every session. We also ask guests to sit on a towel to help keep the cedar fresh for the next person who steps inside.
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We have a 12-hour cancellation policy. You can cancel or reschedule your booking up to 12 hours in advance for a full refund.
Please plan for parking at Doran Regional Park—it can take extra time, especially on weekends and holidays. If you don’t have a Sonoma County Regional Parks pass, you’ll need to pay a $8 day-use fee at the entrance. We recommend arriving at least 20–30 minutes early to allow time for parking and walking to the sauna.
If you’re running late or having trouble finding parking, please email us at hello@thesaunabythesea.com—we’ll do our best to move your session to a later time or reschedule if needed.
The weather at the coast can be unpredictable, and we embrace that wildness as part of the experience. The sauna operates rain or shine—but if there is a weather advisory, we’ll reach out so you can decide whether to keep the time, reschedule, or receive a refund.
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Youth 14 and older are welcome. For health and safety reasons, all guests must be at least 14 to join a session.
And yes, even if you book the private session, the age requirement remains. -
If you have specific ADA requirements, please contact us directly at hello@thesaunabythesea.com, and we will do our best to accommodate you.
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The sauna usually sits around 90°C (194°F), with natural shifts between 80–100°C (176–212°F).
Wood-fired heat has its own rhythm—temperatures change slightly with weather, ocean air, and people moving in and out. In community sessions, we ask guests to keep door openings to a minimum to help maintain steady warmth.
And always, step out the moment your body asks you to.
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We created this space to be quiet, restorative, and shared.
A few things to keep in mind during your visit:
Speak softly, or not at all. Let the sound of the waves and the crackle of the stove lead.
No photos inside the sauna during community hours. We suggest leaving devices outside the sauna. If you do bring one in, please keep it silent and out of sight.
Bring a towel to sit on. It’s more comfortable and keeps the cedar fresh.
Be mindful of time. Sessions are 50 minutes. Please exit on time so the next group can begin with ease.
This is a shared ritual. Whether you’re here for solitude or connection, respect the pace and presence of others.
We want this to be a place where everyone feels welcome and at ease. Thanks for helping make it that kind of space.
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Bring a towel to sit on (and maybe another to dry off with), a swimsuit, a water bottle, and warm layers for after your session.
Optional comforts: sandals, a robe, and a thermos of tea—whatever makes the experience feel cozy.
Please leave jewelry outside the sauna, as metal heats quickly.
And for everyone’s safety, no glass is allowed inside.
We do encourage you to bring water and stay hydrated while you’re in the heat.
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Not at all. Many people enjoy alternating between hot sauna and cold ocean, but you’re welcome to experience it in whatever way feels good to you.
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Parking at Doran Beach can take time, especially on weekends. Please plan to arrive 20–30 minutes early to find parking and walk to the sauna. A Sonoma County Regional Parks pass or day-use fee is required at the entrance.
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Text us as soon as you know you’re running late or having issues parking at 415-509-3274. We’ll do our best to adjust your start time or reschedule if needed.
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The sauna runs rain or shine—we love fog and a little wild weather. If there is a weather advisory, we’ll contact you to reschedule or offer a refund.
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Yes. Everyone who uses the sauna will be asked to sign a waiver during the booking process.
If something gets missed along the way, don’t worry—an attendant will be on-site tending the fire and will have printed waivers ready for anyone who still needs one, or if your group shifts at the last minute. description
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Most of the time, yes. An attendant will be nearby—tending the fire, keeping an eye on the space, and available for any questions that come up.
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There are no changing rooms or restrooms right at the sauna. Most guests change at their car, on the beach, or use the restrooms near the park entrance before heading over. Layers and simple setups work best at the coast.
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Sauna use isn’t recommended during pregnancy. Please check in with your doctor before booking to see what’s right for you.
why sauna by the sea?
Sauna by the Sea was born out of a love a small group of us had for the cold waters of the Pacific at Doran Beach. A few times a week, we would gather on this wild stretch of Sonoma County coast, drawn to the shock of the cold water and the way it pulled us fully (and immediately) into the present.
We knew the science—cold immersion lifts your mood, boosts immunity, builds resilience and confidence.
But more than that, it reconnected us to our bodies, our joy, and our power.
Then, one foggy February morning, standing on the sand with our giant smiles and post-water glow, someone said it: "Wouldn't it be amazing to have a sauna right here?"
That one offhand comment sparked something bigger. We started dreaming about a traditional, wood-fired sauna overlooking the ocean—the kind of heat that reaches deep, easing tension, strengthening the heart, releasing endorphins, restoring the body from the inside out.
The kind the Finnish have known about for generations. Paired with the cold water, it would become the ultimate contrast therapy: fire and sea, heat and cold, surrender and strength.
Permits, many more dips, and a whole lot of community effort followed. And together, we built it—cedar walls facing the Pacific, a quiet place to return to yourself.
Deep gratitude to Ellen, Ann Margaret, Katie, Christina, Andrea, Noel, Lisa—and every dipper who helped bring this dream to life.
Still dipping, still dreaming.
—Breffni
