10 Best Ethnic Spas in L.A., From Gail Herndon and Brenda Goldstein's Book The Spa Less Traveled

​
If your version of an "ethnic massage" is limited to Swedish rubdowns, a new book promises to open your eyes.

For The Spa Less Traveled: Discovering Ethnic Los Angeles, One Massage at a Time, authors Gail Herndon and Brenda Goldstein anonymously visited hundreds of Thai, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Indian and Mayan spas in the L.A. area, from the beach cities to the valleys, and beyond. Published by Pasadena-based Prospect Park Books (the same people who issue the annual EAT: Los Angeles), The Spa Less Traveled is not only a great resource on hard-to-find local spas -- it's also part of a good cause, with a portion of sales benefiting the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking.

You can catch the authors at Vroman's in Pasadena on Friday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. But first, we asked them to give us their ten favorites spas, coupled with text from the book.

Photo courtesy Sonya P

​10. Mint Leaf Natural Products & Thai Massage (Claremont)
"You'll get a true Thai massage in a beautiful facility in a lovely little city. Factor in time to walk through Old Town Claremont afterward and keep your Zen on."

Photo courtesy Sonya P

​9. Ayodhya Thai Holistic Therapy (Pomona)
"Occupying a sweet little house, this Thai place is simply lovely, with hardwood floors, warm colors and pretty fabrics. The main room doubles as an instructional area for yoga, complete with mattresses on the floor. There are a couple of wooden benches off the cushioned floor where you wait for your treatment."

Photo courtesy Prospect Park Books

​8. CJ Grand Health Spa (Northridge)
"If you don't want to go to Koreatown for an authentic body scrub, have it here. The private rooms make it a great place for folks who don't like the idea of being scrubbed naked in public."

Photo courtesy Hankook Sauna

​7. Hankook Sauna (Koreatown)
"An older, smaller Korean spa, Hankook has an appealing intimacy. While it's not for you and 20 of your close friends, it is a good place to share with two to three friends who enjoy a spa adventure."

Photo courtesy Soul Spa

​6. Soul Spa & Chiropractic (Long Beach)
"In addition to Indian head massage, they do hot-stone, deep-tissue, sports massage, pregnancy and Swedish massage, as well as reflexology, facials, waxing and chiropractic care."

Photo courtesy Prospect Park Books

​5. Spa Relaken (Torrance)
"It's just such a gorgeous place -- you feel better simply by sitting in the lobby. The spa has package deals that include a bento-box-style healthy lunch with your treatment. What a great idea! Be sure to pop in the Japanese market just behind on Western Avenue while you're still in the neighborhood."