Whether it's for a deep-tissue massage or a rejuvenating facial, spending a few hours tucked away in a spa can be a miraculous thing. If I had it my way, I'd spend at least one day a week indulging in magnesium pools, eucalyptus-scented steam rooms, infrared saunas and aromatherapy massages.

For me, what makes a spa worth it is the quality of service, the vibe of the space and the feeling I leave with. To make the search easier for my fellow spa lovers, here is a curated list of venues in San Diego to add to your list.

Each is unique and offers a different vibe, whether you're looking to lock into zen mode or enjoy a more traditional experience. I've visited each of these below, reemerging into the world a bit glowier, with a lot less knots and in a much better mood.

Four Moons Spa

The neighborhood gem — intimate, feels like a tropical escape

Four Moons Spa is nestled away in Encinitas — a cozy neighborhood gem offering visitors a serene escape from the city. It's earthy with a boutique feel, offering plenty of lounge spaces to rest before or after your treatments. I booked the In the Flow Combination Massage, which was a blend of gentle Swedish massage and deep muscle relief where I needed it. I recommend getting there 45 minutes before your appointment so you can enjoy some tea before your therapist whisks you away. While the spa doesn't offer the traditional steam rooms or whirlpools that one might expect at a larger resort, guests can choose to add a hot bath soak and sauna to their treatment.

What I really found special about Four Moons was the environment — it looked straight out of a resort in Bali. Before my treatment, my attentive therapist took extra time to chat with me and understand what I was looking for and where I needed relief. I left feeling restored and relaxed.

✦ Best for: Solo resets, peaceful vibes, avoiding the crowds

Spa at Rancho Bernardo Inn

Classic San Diego luxury — polished, timeless, easy day trip

The Spa at Rancho Bernardo Inn is where you go for a classic spa trip with the girls. Nestled within a Spanish Colonial-style resort and tucked away from the golf greens, the spa is serene and offers just the right amount of gardens and cypress trees to make you feel like you're away from it all. If you want to make it a full-on day, start your morning with a workout in their gym and enjoy the spa amenities like the steam room or co-ed lounge prior to your treatment. Treatments are done inside the building or outside in one of the casitas (which I'll need to book next time!). After your massage or facial, make sure you enjoy the adults-only heated pool or even a poolside lunch. Or, rent a cabana for the afternoon and lounge a little longer with a glass of wine.

I requested a sports massage, asking my therapist to focus on the knots in my upper back — the result of three intense months of yoga teacher training. She truly delivered, leaving me feeling so much lighter and at ease.

✦ Best for: A traditional spa experience, girls trip, serene environment

Murrieta Hot Springs

The most unique — historic mineral springs, worth the drive

Murrieta Hot Springs is where I want to go when my body and soul crave a day of dipping into steaming pools, mineral waters, cold plunges and lots of time in the sun. The newly renovated property is impressive, featuring a cedar sauna room with beautiful views, a geothermal mud experience and 49 pools of varying temperatures. I went on a solo R&R day and spent hours hopping between pools and plunges. I loved the unique features of the property, such as the bathhouse featuring a Kneipp Walk — think of it as a room where you wade through alternating hot and cold pools, a practice designed to reduce inflammation, improve circulation and more.

Whether you book a treatment or a day pass, you can enjoy wellness activities like sauna aromatherapy, gratitude ceremonies or a guided vitality plunge. While I didn't end up booking a treatment, my day was pleasantly full enjoying the property's features and on-site restaurant offering salads, sandwiches and more.

✦ Best for: Getting out of town, wellness rituals, pool hopping

Glen Ivy Hot Springs

The iconic "Club Mud" day trip — social, festive, a full experience

Located in Corona, Glen Ivy Hot Springs is what I imagine Disneyland would look like as a spa. The expansive property offers 19 different pools, various spots to grab a bite, treatment areas and their famous "Club Mud." Right when you walk in, you'll receive a helpful map to navigate the property's array of mineral pools and hot springs before making your way to the locker room, which leads to the Roman baths. I came for a birthday celebration, and it felt like every other group on the property had the same idea. Glen Ivy is a great place for a more lively escape — whether that's a bachelorette, a birthday or a girls' day out.

We spent the whole day jumping between jacuzzis and pools, enjoying delicious cocktails and chatting on lounge chairs. It does get a bit crowded, so I'd recommend visiting on a weekday if you prefer a quieter experience. Definitely save "Club Mud" for one of your last stops before showering up — it's a great exfoliating experience that you'll want as your final treat before heading home.

✦ Best for: A lively spa experience, socializing with cocktails and food

Spa Brezza at Mission Bay Resort

Resort vibes without leaving town — central location, waterfront views

Spa Brezza is the perfect pick if you want an easy spa day that feels like a little resort staycation. Located within the San Diego Mission Bay Resort, I visited as part of a "me day" that started with a workout in their hotel gym and ended with a lazy lunch lounging at their waterfront pool. The spa itself is on the smaller side, but still offers a eucalyptus dry sauna to help you decompress before or after your treatment. I opted for a facial, which I slept through — only to wake up looking wonderfully glowy.

I recommend arriving a bit early so you can spend time in their Zen lounge, which features cozy seating, teas, fruit and complimentary nibbles. As this spa is nestled within a family-friendly resort, expect a livelier poolside atmosphere once you step outside the spa itself.

✦ Best for: Staycation vibes, waterfront lounging