Los Angeles has a functional gay sauna scene, concentrated in and around West Hollywood and the immediate surrounding areas. The scene is not as developed as some comparable cities, but the venues that exist are established and have been operating for years. Nothing in LA matches the resort scale of Babylon Bangkok or the historic weight of some San Francisco venues, but the practical options are there.

What to expect

LA saunas follow the standard bathhouse format. Entry includes a towel and either locker access or a private room. Lockers give you access to communal facilities: steam room, dry sauna, showers, and any social areas. Private rooms cost more and give you a door to close. Entry fees in the LA area typically run $20-35 for locker access and $35-50 for a private room, varying by venue and day of week.

Most venues operate all week and see traffic on weekday afternoons as well as weekends. Themed nights run on some weekends: bear nights, young adult nights, underwear nights. Check social media for current scheduling.

The culture in LA saunas reflects the city's gym culture more than in most places. The clientele tends to be fit and body-conscious. This is consistent and worth knowing if that dynamic affects your experience either way.

The saunas

Practical notes

Bring ID. LA venues card at the door. Towels are included. Condoms and lube are available at the reception desk or at dispensers inside. Some venues have phone lockers at the entrance. Parking is available at or near most venues — this is LA, so car access matters more than it does in denser cities.

For the full LA picture, see the Gay Los Angeles Guide.