Michaela is an amazing esthetician! She is warm, personable, and has such a gentle demeanor that makes the entire experience relaxing and enjoyable. From the moment you meet her, you feel comfortable and well taken care of. Her professionalism and attention to detail truly stand out. If you're looking for a fabulous esthetician, look no further Michaela is the one! read more

I love it here! Ive been coming here for a few years already to get my Brazilian Wax & Facials. They make you feel so comfortable believe me! I had been wanting to get a Brazilian for so long but was shy until I got referred to Nelly and as soon as I went started talking I knew it was the place to get it done and Ive been coming here ever since 2021! read more

The Fifth Avenue Spa - My fave places !! - Skin Care Near Me - San Rafael, California

Great experience. Micahela was awesome. Very relaxing too. You will likely have to ark on the street but there's plenty.

I only work with the most skilled practitioners of the highest integrity. Micaela is the best of the best. I (and many of my friends and family) have been the beneficiary of her incredible skill over the years. She creates and holds sacred space for healing on the deepest levels to occur. She is a healer to the healers. read more

I've been coming here for about five years and I'm always really pleased with the gentle and thorough service. I've had waxing here and a facial and it's all been impeccable. The women who run it are incredibly kind, and I always feel better having been there. I highly recommend it. read more

Great spot for TLC Perfect location and friendly service. I get my Brazilian wax there and they make you very comfortable. read more

Treated my mom and I to a facial here. What a great experience! Met both sisters, they are friendly and accommodating. The place is tranquil and cozy. My facial treatment was relaxing (to the point where I fell asleep!) and my skin feels so soft right now. (Note that they are located on the second floor of the professional building on the corner - the stairs are located on the Mission side. We had no problems with parking, but I could see where it might be challenging at times. so allow yourself time to find a spot.) read more

I booked the Take me Away facial. On the website the description says: Our professional extractions will clear clogged pores. Our attentive massage for your face, shoulder and hands will promote circulation, tone muscles and release tension. You will feel relaxed and your skin will radiate a youthful glow. Not one time did she touch my face with her hands. Not ONE TIME!!! I got no facial massage, shoulder or hand massage. She put product on with a brush and used a vibrating tool to take it off. She did this over and over for the whole hour. I kid you not. There is NO WAY she is a licensed esthetician. Have never written a review before. This was just the worst hour ever. beware. read more

What an amazing experience!! Massage and facial that I cannot recommend more highly. Welcoming, personable, reasonably priced. I will be back. read more

Two sisters own this amazing spa. I've had Brazilian waxes by both Micaela and Nelly. Beyond normal spa services Micaela offers true healing!!! She's not your average massage therapist. After moving to Marin from Southern California I was searching for someone to get weekly massages with. Micaela is an angel, I feel so lucky to have found this spot!! In all my years of massage therapy I've never been more excited to work with someone who incorporates so much into each massage. Hot stones, cupping, herbs and her magical hands! I find myself raving about her constantly which makes it a no brainer to want to refer all my personal training clients, friends, and even strangers to her! Book your service ASAP, you won't regret it :) read more

I have never put a negative review on YELP or taken legal action until now. My intention was the malpractice and scarring I received during a facial would end peacefully with my refunded as agreed. 5th Avenue Spa at 1000 5th Avenue Suite #4, San Rafael, CA 94901 has totally ignored their agreement and left me wanting to warn others not to patronize their business. Here's what happened: When I got there the afternoon of February 10th, 2014, no one performed an "intake" - asked me about my skin, sensitivities, etc. I have NEVER been to an esthetician for the 1st time that has not done an intake. Micaela - one of the owners - started the facial at which time I shared that my skin was sensitive and that I had moles on it that should be avoided. She poked at one spot for nearly 30 minutes, telling me it was a black head. I knew my skin was broken out so I trusted her, never in a million years thinking she was removing something that had been on my skin for over 20 years. She removed, not a black or white head but instead a fatty cyst that was part of my skin. I had discussed removing it with my dermatologist many times and he said NO because it might scar and I agreed with him. I left 5th Avenue Spa with puss and blood oozing from the spot Micaela had worked on. Two days later, after concern for the ugly wound, I visited my dermatologist. Micaela had broken my dermis and removed something that a doctor would not have removed without a local anesthesia. SEE PHOTOS. He was horrified by the damage she had done and suggested I call the city of San Rafael and alert others to this so she was not able to butcher others' faces as well. Three other doctors, another dermatologist, and an acupuncturist agreed as well as my friends and family. I asked Micaela in an email to kindly apologize to me and pay me the money back which she agreed to do. I was willing to let it go as long as she did this as I partially blamed myself for trusting her. Much to my surprise, SHE NEVER DID. NOTHING. NADA. The benign fatty cyst has darkened my skin and remains more visible than before Micaela's facial at 5th Avenue Spa. I have contacted the state and local government, filed complaints with the better business bureau etc. While I value being happy in life over being right, being ignored and not paid back is WRONG, not to mention unprofessional. To ignore my phone calls and emails, which were kind, fair, and professional, was WRONG. I will continue to pursue getting my money back - not for the money, but for the principle. And I would warn anyone who was going to go to this "spa" to watch their face, skin and pocketbook. read more

BEWARE of contaminated wax they use here! DO NOT ever get a bikini or Brazilian wax from this place!!! Although the spa is lovely and the owner nice, I was horrified when immediately after having a Brazilian wax I started itching "down there" like crazy and had massive redness. Within 24 hours it felt like poison oak and I had intense pain inside like your worst yeast infection times 100! This lasted for almost 2 weeks!!! I ended up going to my OB/GYN who diagnosed me with a nasty bacterial infection specifically caused by dirty wax she said! And I did NOT have any prior infection and the symptoms occurred within an hour of being waxed here. They use the old fashioned bowl of hot wax with the wooden applicators and obviously don't sterilize things or re-use applicators on women by re-dipping the sticks into the wax creating an ideal breeding ground for bacteria! The other places I go use a hard wax without having to re-dip any applicators into that gross dirty bowl of wax they use here. And to make matters worse it was the most PAINFUL waxing I've ever experienced. And I've been getting waxed for years. I only tried this place because of the Living Social deal. I will never go here again and strongly advise anyone else to avoid waxing here as well. read more

Two weeks ago I stumbled upon this new day spa just one block off of 4th Ave in San Rafael. One word...FABULOUS! I try to get a facial four times a year with the change of the season. My usual spa is in SF, but I didn't feel like the drive and was direly in need of a tune up. On a whim, I checked out a few reviews on Yelp and found The Fifth Avenue Spa. Nelly the spa owner, with great skin I might add, welcomed me into the quaint and sophisticatedly decorated spa. After an hour of primping, masks, extractions, my skin was left wonderfully clean and glowing for days! I especially liked when Nelly went in for the deep pore cleaning, painful...but so worth it!! Happy spa-ing!! read more

I LOOOVE coming here for my Brazilian waxing. Nelly is always so warm and welcoming. Her spa is small but it has a cozy feel to it and makes you feel really relaxed. I did some research on Brazilian was and tried to find the perfect spa for it and then I found Fifth Avenue! The pricing of it is very reasonable. Most waxes go up to 50-60+! That's too much for me; but Fifth Avenue was perfect. Nelly did my waxing and she was quick and efficient with her amazing waxing skills. She is also a great conversationalist. I always come back and I am thinking of trying her facials soon. read more

I had the most horrible Brazilian wax experience here! (A few months ago) I went here for a last minute option since my regular esthetician from a different salon was out of town. Not only did the lady take FOREVER to complete my wax, but she left me with burned skin and some abrasions from pulling my skin off. It was horrible!! As nice as she was, I couldn't let my experience go unnoticed. read more

Nelly is AWESOME!!! I have absolutely terrible skin with every single skin problem. Needless to say I have been to many many spas and have had many facials. Nelly is by far the most caring esthetician I have ever had. She worked with me because she actually cared if my skin improved. Not just for the success of her business, but because she CARED! She is kind, gentle, patient and detail oriented. Nelly spent a lot of time on my skin, working until she was satisfied with the results and not by the time on the clock. I have bought more products than Macy's currently has on their shelves and most are just promises on a box. The product line she uses works and is really nice. I bought the cleanser and literally waited months to use it because I wasn't so excited about it and thought it was just another product. I finally tried it and it is wonderful. read more

Went back and got a hand treatment - OMG this really worked on my hands! Nelly put a lovely pumpkin lotion on them after other attention to my hands and I swear I have half (yes HALF) the 'old age spots' I had before. Definitely hitting this place to keep my skin in tip top shape! read more

I needed a stress reliever. I needed a mini facial. I had a super stressful day. So I called this number and got a great skincare treatment. I didn't have a coupon or anything. Just a facial on a whim. WOW, love Nelli and her facial was fantastic. Her service was great, she gave me a coupon for a massage and a facial at a nice discount. I bought a nice eye shadow and she gave me samples galore. She is super friendly and what I liked about the facial was I got a light neck massage PRIOR to the facial. It made the whole experience more relaxing. The only little problem I had, is I had microcurrent on my face. I liked it but I wasn't advised prior to what it was or if it would be done. It wasn't in the brochure. It felt, kind of funky but I tell ya, I can see my nose again cause it gets rid of tons of dead skin. WOW! I would go back here again. I can't wait for the massage read more

Excellent service and excellent value. My wife and I have gotten many massages in many different places, and the massages here are top quality. Friendly staff and professional environment. Well worth the price. read more

Well, what hasn't been said in a favorable way about 5th Avenue Spa? So true. After a hectic schedule of work and responsibilities, it's good to be pampered now and then. From the very start of my facial, I feel relaxed and comfortable in this spa. Nelly has such a gentle touch, and uses a number of wonderful techniques on my skin. I return home with a radiance on my face and stress relief in my body (she includes a massage to neck, shoulders, hands, and arms). I'm so glad I took the advise of fellow yelpers! Enjoy! read more

I was given a gift certificate for a facial here and was so surprised at what a wonderful space this quaint spa boasts. The owner, Nelly is beautiful and has gorgeous skin which is always a good thing. You think to yourself "can you make my skin look like yours." Probably not, but lets let you give it a try. I am writing to tell you, to seek out this spa and try the many services they offer because they are not going to get walk in business--they are a bit off the beaten path, which gives it an oasis feeling. I had a lovely experience and hope yelp can help this special local spa. Thanks Nelly, Ill definitely be back! read more

So relaxing! I got the take me away facial and my brows done, couldn't be happier with the results. there space is small but very clean and inviting. the extractions were a bit painful but it was totally worth it. i'll definitely be going back. read more

Fifth Avenue Spa is tops! I used a Yelp deal there to get a very needed deep tissue massage. Going through an intensive nursing program where I had been standing on my feet all day, and sleeping on a futon like chair bed for the last month left my back/neck/shoulders with a serious kink. Every time she stepped away from the table, or her hands slowed a inner voice inside me kept yelling "No, no, not yet!", I just did not want this massage to end. I left feeling extremely calm, loose, and a lot more comfortable in my movements. Plus she gave me a 20% of coupon for the next time! And there will most def be a next time! read more

I only go online to write reviews when it's warranted. This time, it is! I purchased a Living Social deal knowing nothing about this place. It's hidden in a little tiny strip mall and if you blink, you'll pass it. Once you walk in, you're transported to another world. It's beautifully decorated, warm, inviting and smells wonderful. Nelly was my esthetician and right from the beginning, she was calm and patient. Her facial was like none other (and I've had many). Her touch is perfect! They use this super awesome machine that feels great and makes my skin glow! When I got home, my husband couldn't believe how gorgeous my skin looked. I am now a loyal customer and will be going back to see Nelly in January :) read more

I got a Groupon for a Brazilian here and it was my first ever waxing experience. The woman who helped me was so sweet and made me feel extremely comfortable, we had a great conversation. Booking is by appointment only which is great because it gives you lots of privacy and only added to the already very comfortable setting. The place also smells wonderful with the scents of essential oils, but it's not overbearing! The Brazilian wax was a very quick process, it only took less than 30 minutes and she definitely knows what she's doing so it hardly even hurt. Upon checking out she gave me a coupon for my next waxing appointment, I'll definitely be going back! Check this place out it is so wonderful! read more

Micaela and Nelli are the best. They do Avery thorough job when waxing. They give great massages and very relaxing massages. They are very clean. I highly recommend them. They are the nicest sister. I love to see them read more

I initially found out about this place off of LivingSocial, and I'm so grateful that I did! Nelly's warm and genuine personality is so refreshing, and it really feels like she's taking care of you, not just trying to get you in and out of there as soon as possible. I've had at least 25+ waxes at other places and most of them hurt pretty bad, but I always thought that was just what a Brazilian wax felt like. From my experience at 5th Avenue Spa, I discovered that you don't have to be in pain while getting waxed! Nelly used a special powder before she did the waxing and it's the most painless waxing experience I have ever had in my life. I have now had two Brazilian waxes here and I honestly can't see myself going anywhere else now that I've discovered how easy and pain-free this can be and also how taken care of I felt by Nelly. I highly recommend you give this place a shot! I bet, like me, once you get your first treatment here, you won't go anywhere else! read more

Clean place, ok massage, way over board on ringing bells, chimes, and aromatic oils...

This is my spot to get my Brazilian waxing done. I was in on Saturday for an appointment I called in for the Friday prior. Good parking available. The premises are meditative and quiet. There are a number of other services available and definitely worth it. read more

Last week, I surprised my mom with her very first massage EVER! I wanted a small private spot that would give her special treatment and understand her tentativeness and modesty. This little gem was perfect! The sisters who delivered the hot stone massage and signature facial couldn't have been nicer (even though I was 20 minutes late). They schedule appointments in such a way so that a customer has the place to his or her self. It's a small space so you appreciate not being crowded by others waiting their turn. I highly recommend it. The prices are reasonable and scheduling was flexible. I felt they really went out of their way to make my mom's day special. They even gifted her with a travel mug which was a wonderful gesture. She was stoked and went from being a reluctant participant to wanting to go regularly. She has rheumatoid arthritis throughout her body but after her massage she said it was the first time in many months she felt pain-free. The spa is located on a 2nd story of a modest two story building. There is no elevator. Parking is on the street but I didn't have a problem finding a space during the week. They didn't have a full range of services and last I checked their website was under construction so call for details. read more

Nelly was so amazing! Made a new and somewhat uncomfortable service very relaxing and non-stressful. Totally recommend this place!

Had a fabulous facial at the Fifth Avenue Spa. Although my treatment didn't turn me into the beautiful Nelly, I did become relaxed, moisturized, and totally pampered. The spa is gorgeous and Nelly took amazing care of me. A wonderful experience from the moment I entered until the moment I left. Thank you Nelly! read more

This place is a gem! I didn't think I'd find a place this wonderful in San Rafael after being spoiled by great treatments in the city. But my husband gave me a gift certificate for Mother's Day and I fell in love with the place! It feels like a very high-end exclusive spa once you're inside. It smells great (they get their fresh lavender from Green Gulch Farm) and I enjoyed one of the best, most healing massages of my life. It was heaven. These two sisters use only healthy, non-toxic products and the healing music being played only contributed to the deep relaxation and sense of peacefulness I experienced. I can't recommend this place highly enough and can't wait to go back! Enjoy. read more

I got the take me away facial with Nelly the day after I ran a half marathon and it was a-mazing! The facial and shoulder massage made all the pain from the run go away. I will definitely go back! read more

The place is modest, so I wasn't sure what to expect. The massage therapist was very in-tune with what was going on with my body. Probably the best massage I have ever had. It was such a wonderful experience that I scheduled another one for a month out. That is something I have never done. read more

This place is AMAZING! The two sisters that helped us were very honest and very helpful. My husband and I decided to go here to relax on his 2-week vacation from Afghanistan and from the facial to the eye brow wax to my husband getting a massage - this place was heaven! Incredible place! Definitely worth checking out. read more

WONDERFUL WAXING JOB!!! This place is awesome. I bought the Groupon and made an appointment for Saturday morning. Even though I was 15 minutes late, they were really really nice about it. The place makes you feel very calm and relaxed, and the brazilian wax barely hurt. The best part about the experience was that the waxer didn't try to make awkward small talk while she's ripping the hairs out of you!! Which I really appreciated. Lying half naked on a table in front of a stranger is not the place you want to talk about your personal life. I could close my eyes and just relax while the waxing took place. Then they gave me a $10 off coupon for my next visit. I will definitely be back, and will recommend this place to friends from now on. read more

I discovered this spa through the groupon and two days ago went there for the first time for waxing. I am very pleased with the results and professionalism of Nelly who was gentle and supportive considering that it was my first waxing experience ever. She gave me a coupon for 10$ off of a next treatment which is nice. Definetly will be back to book appoitm. with Nelly. Now, after reading reviews I want to have facial with her too! read more

Well, nelly has done it once again! Honestly, I just can't go ANYWHERE else anymore!! Nelly gives such a superb facial, eye mask, wax for my overworked hands... It's perfect everytime. I leave feeling so relaxed, refreshed, rejuvinated. I have become a regular, yes but Nelly always does something different/ special each time I visit... It's not "the same ole facial" I feel like it's a mini retreat;-) nelly truly has a gift! I was recently at the Four Seasons on Lanai and the facial given was of no comparison what so ever.. Bravo 5th Ave. Spa! read more

Used a livingsocial.com certificate and a friend and I had facials and body scrubs. We left feeling refreshed and pampered!