Overlooking the Santa Ynez Mountains along California's coast, this custom Lighthouse Sauna marks the first step in bringing an intentional vision to life for a client’s outdoor space. Set at elevation with long days of direct sun, the project was designed with both site-specific durability and architectural alignment in mind. The sauna was carefully positioned atop a hill, offering sweeping views of the mountains in the distance and ranches spread throughout the valley below.

The clients approached Harbor in the midst of a complete home and outdoor wellness project, seeking a structure that could both echo the language of the main residence and withstand the climate’s extremes. We customized their sauna to fit this vision—taking the standard Lighthouse model and integrating ORCA’s Copper/Brass Outdoor Shower, while extending the porch to provide additional space outside the interior heating room.

Clad in Harbor’s Black Viking Linseed Oil exterior treatment, this particular Lighthouse Sauna was built to weather with intention, sitting quietly as a subtle statement piece beside mature oak trees. The thoughtfully treated cedar will maintain its dark tone while gradually silvering, and the brass fixtures will form a soft patina over time.

From the hilltop home, the sauna reads as a quiet focal point - marking the beginning of a larger vision to transform the land below into a comprehensive wellness retreat, complete with natural cold plunges and pools to complement the thermal experience the sauna provides.

Location: Solvang, California - Summer 2025
Model: Lighthouse Sauna
Exterior: Black Viking Linseed Oil Stained Cedar
Interior: Knotted Select Cedar Cladding, Clear Cedar Benches
Roof Color: Shadow Grey
Customizations: ORCA Copper/Brass Outdoor Shower, Porch Extension