Pearl Spa and Sauna

Pearl Spa and Sauna is a women's-only Korean-style jimjilbang in San Francisco's Japantown, offering bathhouse facilities alongside a small menu of body treatments. It's a reservation-only spot rather than a drop-in bathhouse, so plan to book ahead rather than show up expecting walk-in access.

The spa is clothing-optional, and guests are asked not to wear swimsuits inside. Access starts at age 13, with anyone under 18, guests 70 and older, or those with mobility issues required to have an adult companion aged 21 or over present throughout the visit. Once inside, there's no exiting and re-entering the facility during a visit, so settle in for the duration.

Booking comes with some firm logistics worth knowing before you go. Check-in is required at least 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment, and arriving late means your original time slot isn't guaranteed. Cancellations or reschedules need to happen 24 to 48 hours out, since a credit card secures the booking and no-shows or late changes are charged the full service fee. As of April 2025, card payments carry a 3% service fee, which is waived if you pay cash.

The spa is open seven days a week from 6:45am to 7:45pm. It sits in the moderate price tier with a small set of three treatments on offer, and the facility includes a relaxation lounge and sauna area typical of the jimjilbang style. Guests mention amenities like Dyson hair dryers and UV sanitizers for brushes, and treatments such as body scrubs paired with milk and honey or oil.