The Japanese-style gardens at Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary.

Osmosis is a magical spa destination in Sonoma County known for its beautiful zen gardens, unique cedar enzyme baths, and rejuvenating spa services. Osmosis Founder Michael Stusser’s background in organic gardening led him on a path to Kyoto, Japan where he studied traditional Japanese landscapes and first experienced a cedar bath. Inspired to bring the meditative world of the Japanese garden together with the healing power of the therapeutic bath, Stusser returned to California where he founded Osmosis in 1985.

Guests meditate at Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary.

The almost six-acre property offers a sustainable, holistic, and nurturing experience surrounded by nature. From relaxing in a hammock while enjoying sound therapy beside the salmon creek to meditating in the outdoor Japanese gardens, guests slow down from their busy lives while enjoying healing moments of peace and relaxation. We caught up with Stusser to learn more about Osmosis and what makes it a must-visit destination spa:

At Osmosis, guests can enjoy massages in outdoor pagodas surrounded by nature.

Why You’ll Love It: At Osmosis, guests discover an incredible welcoming and professionalism. Visitors love the meditative environment that provides an authentic experience infused with artistry and love.

Key Features: Five different gardens, the property is bordered by a salmon creek with hammocks along the creek, outdoor massage structures in the woods, pagodas, network of trails, and a bamboo forest.

Osmosis guests relax in a hammock while enjoying sound therapy beside the salmon creek.

Insider Tips:

Book in advance (at least 2-3 weeks for weekends).
Order lunch and enjoy it outdoors.
Get an outdoor massage.
Give yourself plenty of extra time to enjoy the grounds.
Check out the event’s calendar for one-day retreats, including forest bathing, meditation, and more.
Santa Rosa Airport is conveniently only 25 minutes from the spa.

Insider Tip: While at Osmosis, enjoy lunch from farm-to-table restaurant Fork Roadhouse.

Spa Snacks: Fork Roadhouse provides fresh, organic, and locally-grown menu items. The spa donates a portion of food sales to Ceres, a non-profit that teaches teenagers how to source, prepare and distribute food to families facing life-threatening illnesses.

Osmosis is known for its Cedar Enzyme baths which provide many health benefits.

Unique Treatment: The Cedar Enzyme Bath is a healing body treatment from Japan that involves immersing your entire body in a mixture of soft, fragrant ground cedar and rice bran with living enzymes that stimulate metabolic activity inside and out. This treatment provides many health benefits, from improving circulation to relieving joint and muscle pain. The living enzymes deeply and thoroughly clean your skin, leaving your entire body exuding a radiant glow.

Splurge Treatment: The Ultimate Experience is a 4.5-hour spa immersion package that includes:

A warm cleanse in a Cedar Enzyme Bath
A 75-minute Firm Swedish-Esalen Massage and a Vital Energy Facial.
Enjoy the beauty and tranquility of our Japanese meditation garden and satiate your body with a boxed organic meal from Fork Roadhouse.

Insider’s Favorite: The Osmosis Fusion ($169/75 min) blends elements of Western and Eastern massage techniques. This fresh approach to massage integrates the long strokes of Swedish-Esalen massage, with the rejuvenating techniques of Shiatsu, Thai, and Chinese massage, including essential oil aroma-acupressure.

Featured Brands: Laurel, Naturopathica, and Phyts.

For more information, visit osmosis.com and follow them on Instagram: @osmosisdayspa

[Images courtesy of Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary]