Before you arrive
Eat something light — not a full meal — about an hour before. Drink water. Avoid alcohol the same day. Wear loose, comfortable clothes that are easy to put on and take off. If you have any health concerns or medications, jot them down so you remember to mention them at check-in. There is no required outfit, no special preparation, no need to shower right before (we provide all linens fresh). If you are coming on a lunch break or after work, plan for a 50-minute window for a 30-minute session, or 80 minutes total for a 60-minute session — including check-in and getting dressed afterward. Want a private room ready when you walk in? Send your arrival time on the bottom right.
Walking in and check-in
When you arrive at Lina Massage SPA on Dagget Street, the front desk asks three quick questions: how long do you want (30 minutes or 60 minutes), light or medium pressure, and any sore spots or areas you want extra time on or skipped entirely. Tell them about any health conditions, recent injuries, or medications. The check-in takes about two minutes. You then pick a session — Swedish, Deep Tissue, Oil Relaxing, or Stress Relief — and head to your private room. Payment happens at the end, never up front. Cash, Visa, Mastercard, Amex, and Discover all work. Honest flat-rate pricing — $50 for 30 minutes, $60 for 60 minutes.
Inside the room — undressing
Each massage takes place in a private room with a closing door, fresh linens, a face cradle, and warm lighting. The therapist steps out so you can prepare in privacy. Choose the clothing level that feels comfortable for you, then lie face-down under the top sheet and pull it up to your shoulders. The therapist knocks before re-entering. From the moment they walk in, you stay covered by the sheet at all times — only the specific area being worked on is uncovered, and it is re-covered before the therapist moves to the next area. This is called draping and it is standard professional practice.
What the therapist will do
The session usually starts at the back, since most guests carry the most tension there. The therapist uses oil or cream to let the strokes glide. Pressure begins gentle and builds based on your feedback. From the back, the session typically moves to the legs, then the feet (briefly), then the arms, then concludes with neck, shoulders, and scalp. About halfway through a 60-minute session, you will be asked to flip onto your back. The therapist holds the sheet up for you so you can turn under it without exposing yourself. The 30-minute session usually focuses on the back, neck, and shoulders without flipping over.
Communicating during the session
Talking during a massage is completely fine — many guests chat lightly the whole hour. Equally fine: staying quiet the entire time. Both signal nothing about the quality of the massage. What matters is communicating about pressure and comfort. Phrases that help the therapist: "a little firmer here," "too much, ease off," "please focus on my left shoulder," "that's perfect, stay there." If something hurts in a sharp way (not a deep "hurts so good" way, but actual pain), say so on the spot. Our therapists adjust immediately. There is no etiquette about being silent through discomfort. Send any specific concerns on the bottom right ahead of time and we will note them.
After the session ends
When the session is over, the therapist will quietly let you know and step out. Take a minute to come back to yourself, then sit up slowly. You may feel slightly lightheaded — that is normal, just sit on the table edge for 30 seconds before standing. Get dressed at your own pace. When you walk out, the front desk handles payment and tipping. Tipping is voluntary and entirely your discretion — we never suggest a percentage. Whatever you would tip at a hair salon is a fair reference. Cash or card both work. Drink water, avoid heavy workouts the same day, and notice how your body feels over the next 24 hours.
Tipping etiquette explained
Tipping in massage is voluntary in the United States — there is no obligation, no expected percentage, no minimum. Some guests tip 15-20%, similar to restaurants. Others tip a flat amount based on what feels right. Some do not tip at all and that is also fine. We never suggest a percentage and our therapists never imply one is expected. If you cannot afford to tip, please do not skip the massage — your $50 or $60 is what we ask for, and that is a fair price for the work. If you want to tip but are not sure how much, a small amount for a 30-minute or a moderate amount for a 60-minute is a common range. Card tips can be added at checkout.
Common first-visit feelings and what they mean
After your first massage, most guests describe feeling relaxed, slightly tired, mentally calm, and noticeably looser in the worked areas. Some feel emotional — massage occasionally releases stored stress in unexpected ways, and a brief emotional response is normal and not embarrassing. A small percentage of first-timers feel slightly sore, particularly if they chose Deep Tissue. Hydration helps. Sleep often improves the night of a massage. By the next morning, most guests describe feeling "reset" — not fixed of all problems, but distinctly better. If your experience was different, send us a note on the bottom right and we will adjust the next session accordingly.
Common first-visit anxieties and the reality
Anxiety: "I do not want to undress in front of a stranger." Reality: you undress in privacy with the therapist out of the room, then stay covered by the sheet throughout the session. Anxiety: "What if I do not know how much pressure to ask for?" Reality: the therapist starts gentle and adjusts based on your feedback — there is no required level of expertise. Anxiety: "What if I have to make small talk for an hour?" Reality: silent sessions are completely normal and many guests prefer them. Anxiety: "What if my body is too tense or out-of-shape for massage?" Reality: every body is welcomed exactly as it is — therapists work with whatever the body presents. Send any specific concerns on the bottom right ahead and we will note them.
What to wear when you arrive
Comfortable clothes that you can change in and out of easily. Loose pants, t-shirt, and slip-on shoes are ideal. Skip jewelry where possible — earrings, watches, necklaces all need to come off and getting them back on adds time. Eye makeup is fine but it may smudge from the face cradle. If you wear hair extensions or a wig, mention it at check-in so the therapist can adjust the technique on your scalp. If you have any piercings or jewelry that cannot be removed, mention them and the therapist will work around them. There is no dress code for the spa itself — wear whatever is comfortable for you, including workout clothes if you are coming straight from the gym.
Eating and drinking before your visit
Eat a light snack 60-90 minutes before your visit. Lying face-down on a full stomach is uncomfortable, and a completely empty stomach can leave you light-headed at the end. Avoid alcohol the same day — it amplifies the slight dizziness many guests feel after a session. Drink normal amounts of water before; do not over-hydrate. Coffee is fine if you usually drink it but skip it within 30 minutes of arrival to avoid jittery nervous-system contradiction with the relaxation goal. After the session, drink water normally — no need to chug 32 ounces, the "flush toxins" claim about post-massage hydration is not supported by evidence.
After your first session — what the next 24 hours look like
Most first-time guests describe the first hour after a massage as a quiet, slightly floaty calm. Drive carefully — your reflexes may be slightly slower than normal for 15-20 minutes. Eat a light meal if you are hungry. Avoid scheduling demanding activities for the rest of the day if possible. The night of a massage often produces unusually good sleep — fall asleep faster, sleep deeper, dream more vividly. The next morning, most guests report feeling "reset" — not fixed of all problems but distinctly better. By day two or three, normal life patterns return and the relaxation effect fades unless reinforced with continued sessions. Notice your own response and use it to plan future visits.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to undress completely?
No — undress to your own comfort level. Many guests leave underwear on. Draping keeps you covered throughout.
Should I tip?
Tipping is voluntary and entirely your discretion. We never suggest a percentage. Whatever you would tip at a hair salon is a fair reference.
How early should I arrive?
5 minutes early is plenty for check-in. We are walk-in friendly so timing is flexible.
Should I shower first?
Not required — we provide all linens fresh. A quick shower is fine but not necessary.
Can I talk during the massage?
Yes — talk if you want, stay quiet if you prefer. Both are completely fine. What matters is communicating about pressure.
Talking about preferences during the session
Saying "a little firmer please" is not interrupting — it is collaborating. Therapists learn the most useful information from your real-time feedback, not from guessing. Common helpful phrases: "please focus on my left shoulder," "that pressure is perfect, keep going," "too much there, ease back," "please skip my feet today," "can you spend a bit more time on my lower back." None of these are awkward to say. Therapists hear them all the time and adjust without comment. The session is yours — speak up about what works for your body.
Booking your second visit
After your first visit, you have a much better sense of your preferences. The second visit is when most regulars settle into a pattern that works for them. Same flat rate — $50/30min, $60/60min — so experimentation is free. Try a different service on visit two if visit one was good but you are curious about alternatives. Walk in any day 8 AM to midnight at our Dagget Street location. Free parking right at the door. Send your second-visit timing on the bottom right and we will hold a private room. We track regulars' preferences over visits so by the third or fourth visit you will rarely need to repeat your preferences.
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Come in for a session
Walk in any day from 8 AM to midnight at 7999 Dagget St A-12, San Diego. Honest flat-rate pricing — $50 for 30 minutes, $60 for 60 minutes — every visit, every guest.
Want a private room ready when you arrive? Send your arrival time on the bottom right →