Santa Barbara Mobile Sauna Brings Heat, Cold and Community to the Central Coast

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — It's hot. Really hot.

But for people stepping inside Third Space Sauna, that's the point.

The mobile sauna experience combines intense heat, cold plunges and time away from technology in what is known as contrast therapy — a recovery method that alternates between hot and cold temperatures.

For Santa Barbara resident Jess Rogers, the experience is about more than physical recovery.

“I sleep better with this. It kinda calms/zens me out,” Rogers said.

The process starts in the sauna, where temperatures climb as participants sweat it out before taking the plunge into cold water.

“First, get really hot in the sauna. Just completely get steamed up in the sauna,” Rogers said. “And then I like to just not think about it and go right in and take a lot of deep breaths.”

For runners like Santa Barbara resident Rosina Garcia, the physical recovery is part of the appeal.

“For me, I'm a runner. So that recovery is important. Heat training is important,” Garcia said.

Third Space Sauna can be found in Santa Barbara's Funk Zone and at Rincon Beach near Carpinteria.

Founder Joey McGuinness says the transition from heat to cold can leave participants feeling energized.

“Coming out of the sauna and especially the contrast with the cold plunge, you're like invigorated. It's like you drank three cups of coffee,” McGuinness said.

More than a workout

McGuinness founded Third Space Sauna with partner Eli Pearlman with another goal in mind: creating a place where people can connect.

The founders say the sauna is designed to combat loneliness by creating an environment where people can put their phones away and simply be present.

“There's no phones in there. There's no screens. And so there's just a lot of really good conversation that happens,” Pearlman said. “And you kind of leave feeling close to a group of people that you just went through this experience with.”

Partner Brett Hunter says one of his favorite parts is actually having nothing to do.

“Doing a sauna, it feels like the lack of an activity or the lack of something that you're, like, supposed to be doing,” Hunter said.

Research on sauna use has found people commonly report relaxation, stress reduction and improved sleep.

For Santa Barbara resident Liam Staats, the experience has become a way to slow down.

“It's honestly helped me become less stressed,” Staats said. “Mostly when you're in the hot and the cold, you have to just be doing that. And that gives you a lot of stillness and calmness.”

The repeated exposure to heat and cold also gives participants a chance to notice how their bodies adapt over time.

“You can feel yourself getting more tolerant,” Staats said. “You can stay in the hot longer, you can stay in the cold longer, and you can experience your body adjusting to it every time in a new way.”

For some, Third Space has become a midweek ritual — a place to sweat, take the plunge and spend time with other people.

“Any night of the week, this is where you should spend your weeknight,” Staats said. “Your weeknight is at Third Space.”

For information on booking a session, visit the Third Space Sauna website.