Top 21 Tattoo shops San Diego: Stunning Artists
Do you live in San Diego and you’re just thinking about getting a tattoo? A ton of tattoo shops can leave you feeling satisfied and happy with your chosen print, while some tattoo shops should be avoided at all costs. In case you’re just visiting San Diego and you’re not too sure who to go for since this is your first time in this city, this article is also for you. We can help you narrow down your selection and find a place that can meet your demands and requirements, as well as your wishes. For anyone who is quite picky and not too sure where to start, here is what we have to offer!
21 Best Tattoo Shops San Diego
1. Propaganda Tattoo
Address: 4320 Voltaire St, San Diego, CA 92107, United States
Instagram: @propagandatattoo
Propaganda is a highly-rated tattoo shop in San Diego, despite the fact that they’re not that popular or active on social media. With years of experience in the business, you can’t go wrong with this tattoo shop! What you’re going to love is the fact that they have high-quality & top-notch equipment, promising great tattoo artwork. They specialize in doing minimalistic artwork, along with realism & lettering. Propaganda Tattoo has been serving San Diego tattoos since 2005. You can ask for the owner (Teer), or ask for three other resident artists when booking your appointment.
2. SD Tattoo & Body Piercing
Address: Second Floor, 3780 Hancock St E, San Diego, CA 92110, United States
Instagram: @sdtattoo
SD tattoo shop has been around since 2011. It is a gorgeous & big tattoo shop that has nine different tattoo artists that you can book and go for. Not only that you can get a tattoo, but you can also book a piercing with them! This is perfect for those who are indecisive and in need of several services on spot. Not too sure what to go for and book when it comes to their work? They are experts at doing realism, black and gray, neo-traditional, or portrait tattoos. Another thing that is so great about this tattoo studio is that they allow walk-ins every day!
3. 454 Tattoo and Body Piercing
Address: 454 N Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024, United States
Instagram: @454_tattoo
454 is an unusual name for a tattoo shop, we might agree with you, but their artwork is more than amazing! They are mostly known for their way of doing gorgeous and unique body art. If you want a bigger tattoo – check them out. You can browse through their work online and on all of their media & social platforms, as they are quite active there. They are very strict and have high standards of cleanliness and sterilization. This means that you shouldn’t feel worried at any given point. You can also book a piercing with them, as long as you’re of age.
4. Bearcat Tattoo Gallery
Address: 2419 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
Instagram: @bearcattattoo
Check out Bearcat if you’re on the lookout for diversity! This tattoo shop is very busy, and they often have new faces coming to master the skills! You can go for anyone from their team and just know that you’re in safe hands. They are super detail-oriented and approachable, making everyone’s wishes become reality. You should go for Japanese-inspired artwork. Try out a photorealistic or illustration tattoos if you wish to experience their best work. Book an appointment a couple of days in advance as they can get quite busy & crowded.
5. Bay Ink Tattoo & Piercing
Address: 2305 Morena Blvd, San Diego, CA 92110, United States
Instagram: @bayinktattoo
Check out Bay Ink tattoo shop if you’re aiming for a professional, clean & sterile environment! This tattoo shop is very organized & sterile, allowing for different kinds of artwork. The best part about this tattoo shop? They accept walk-ins, which means that you can come in any day you want! You should ask for the owner (Fabio) if you wish to experience the prettiest portrait realistic tattoos that are out there! They are active on social media, and they will help you pick out the perfect tattoo for yourself with ease!
6. Above All Tattoo – Pacific Beach
Address: 1142 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109, United States
Instagram: @above_all_tattoo
This gorgeous little tattoo shop has been around for over 20 years now, which just shows & vouches for their quality! There are several exceptional tattoo artists that you can go for, all of which can offer you high quality and will make your wishes into reality! Not too sure what to go for and what to book with them? Why not try out black and gray ink, along with detailed Japanese-inspo tattoos? They also accept walk-in appointments, making you one step closer to your perfect tattoo. You can also do a body piercing, what more could one wish for?!
7. Chris Cockrill Tattoo
Address: 3009 Myrtle Ave, San Diego, CA 92104, United States
Instagram: @chriscockadoodledo
Have you heard of Chris before? If not, now is the right time to explore his tattoo shop, and his artwork! You can book your appointment via Instagram or phone calls. The tattoo shop is very helpful, organized & responsive. It will leave everyone with a pleasant tattooing experience. The ambiance is also very nice & clean + you can do any type of tattoo that you want. The best tattoo and what is his specialty? Maybe ask for a smaller mini design or even shaded tattoos to explore the best possible outcome.
8. Guru Tattoo
Address: 2504 State St, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
Instagram: @gurutattoo
Are you looking for larger, more vivid, and more colorful tattoos? If so, Guru is for you! They are a popular tattoo shop that is very active on social media. There are also two locations along the west coast that you can explore and check out. This tattoo shop has been around for quite some time, and all of its tattoo artists have been in the business for years. Check them out any time you want as they are open 7 days a week. The best part? If you are quite picky, there are 16 resident tattooers that you can go for! No one gets left behind.
9. Chapter One Tattoo
Address: 4857 Newport Ave, San Diego, CA 92107, United States
Instagram: @chapteronetattoo
If you are looking for some gorgeous letter art or graphic designs, Chapter One is worth checking out! This is what they specialize in, and they are an amazing team of artists. Owner Cash Scott is very good at doing realism and portraits as well. This shop has been around since 2011 and has even won 13 different kinds of awards & accreditations. This only further vouches for their amazing & detailed work. They’re great at making abstract pop-up symbols and they work after 12 pm. Check them out and enjoy all they have to offer.
10. Buju Tattoo
Address: 914 W Washington St, San Diego, CA 92103, United States
Instagram: @buju_tattoo
Check out Buju tattoo shop if you want to try out a minimalistic tattoo, as this is their specialty. They are very big & active on social media, which you can see for yourself. With more than 30k followers, all of them will vouch for their amazing artwork! Their staff is professional & careful, as well as super talented & detail-oriented. Not only that they do amazing artwork, but they also specialize in permanent makeup. If you are a girl and you wish to multitask, this is for you! Get a tattoo along with microbladed brows and show off everywhere you goo!
11. Full Circle Tattoo
Address: 2312 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104, United States
Instagram: @fullcircletattoo
Full Circle Tattoos was founded in 2008 and are a tattoo shop with a lot of history. They also have 10 different tattoo artists that you can go for, all of who are madly talented & well-trained. They are very good at doing Japanese & anime artwork, but every tattoo artist specializes in a different field. Book the one you like the most on their social media or via a phone call. Full Circle Tattoo also allows people who live abroad to make an appointment and get an appointment within the shortest time possible. This just means that no one will get left behind.
12. Flying Panther
Address: 2323 Broadway UNIT 101, San Diego, CA 92102, United States
Instagram: @flyingpanthertattoo
Have you ever heard of the Flying Panther before? Such a funky name, don’t you think so?! This is a tattoo shop that offers high-quality, professional, and amazing tattoos in a wide range of styles. All of their tattoo artists know how to do your ideal tattoo, as they are properly trained. You can go for traditional or geometrical tattoos if you wish to explore the best of the best with them. However, what is actually so unique about them? You can come by at any time you want, as they do accept walk-in appointments!
13. Funhouse Tattoo
Address: 1453 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109, United States
Instagram: @funhousetattoo
Funhouse sounds like such a fun place to get your next tattoo, right?! Well, this is a tattoo shop that also offers piercings. You can book and go for 8 different tattoo artists, all of them rocking and representing different types of artwork. The best one? You might enjoy their take on Polynesian & fine-line tattoos the most. What you’re going to love the most? You can walk in to get a tattoo or book a consultation appointment on their social platforms. Just make sure that you bring a valid ID, as they won’t allow you to get a tattoo otherwise.
14. Seven Seas Tattoo
Address: 900 F St #129, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
Instagram: @sevenseastattoosd
Seven Seas is a tattoo shop that has been around since 2003. With over 20 years of experience in the field, you can’t go wrong with anyone from their team. Although they are not that popular on social media, people love to recommend them through word of mouth. They are good at doing different types of artwork, meaning that you can’t go wrong with your chosen style. Get in touch and choose among hundreds of different designs that they specialize in doing.
15. Remington Tattoo Parlor
Address: 3009 Myrtle Ave, San Diego, CA 92104, United States
Instagram: @remingtontattoo
Did you know that this tattoo shop was built in 1914 and was restored in 2011?! Talk about its history, right? If you are a fan of galleries & tattoos – this is both of your worlds combined! You can enjoy the view and all the pictures, or hop down a tattooing train. What you’re going to love is their way of doing full-color or neo-traditional designs. You can also try out their floral tattoo designs. So, why not customize your tattoo inspiration and go for a tattoo that you love? They will execute it with ease!
16. Garnet Tattoo
Address: 1968 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109, United States
Instagram: @garnettattoo
This is a gorgeous tattoo studio with 20 years of experience! When you walk in, you can ask for its owner – Shane Wallin, who specializes in dramatic and bold tattoos. He is also very good at doing portraits, along with 3D nipple tattoos (hurray ladies)! Get in touch with them through their social media and book an appointment. You will enjoy their approach, kindness, as well as the variety that they can offer. If you are very picky – you can’t go wrong with this studio!
17. True Fit Tattoo Studio
Address: 6561 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115, United States
Instagram: @truefittattoo
True Fit tattoo studio is the right ‘fit’ for most of you! This tattoo shop was founded by Tomas who started doing tattoos even at the young age of 16. He worked all over the US, before opening his own tattoo shop in 2009. Most clients love him and his approach, along with his way of doing American & Japanese styles. He is also very good at doing cover-up tattoos. Get in touch with him and get all the answers to your questions on his Instagram profile.
18. Luckys Tattoo Parlor
Address: 1000 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101, United States
Instagram: @luckystattoosd
Did you know that this tattoo shop has been around since 1989?! Talk about history and its impact! If you want to book a crew of tattoo artists who know what they’re doing – give them a go. You can ask for any type of custom artwork as they know how to do it all. You can also ask for black & grey tribal ink tattoos. If you are a picky person and someone who enjoys trying out several services in one place – this is your shopl! Not only that they do tattoos, but you can also try out piercings or permanent makeup in there.
19. Even Keel Tattoo
Address: 4675 Cass St, San Diego, CA 92109, United States
Instagram: @evenkeeltattoo
Thinking about getting a high-quality, well-done & artsy tattoo? Why not check out Even Keel, as they are one of those bigger tattoo shops that can do it all! They are super chill and laidback, allowing you to enjoy your tattooing experience. The best tattoo that you can go for? Try doing a Japanese style of tattoo. The owner of a tattoo shop is called Kyle, mostly known for his unique eye & approach toward tattoos. Get in touch with him or his co-workers through Instagram and book your next big appointment, you are going to love the results.
20. Vipers Ink Tattoo
Address: 1760 Palm Ave #101, San Diego, CA 92154, United States
Instagram: @viperinktattoo
This is a tattoo shop which is owned by Frank Gomez, a well-known & very famous tattoo artist from the area. What you’re going to love about him is his approach and way of doing portraits & black & white tattoos. He has been running this tattoo shop since 2013 and is very popular with years of experience behind him. You should check him out if you are a perfectionist, as Frank is one as well! Get in touch and let him do his magic on you.
21. Wylde Sydes Tattoo & Body Piercing
Address: 1515 Palm Ave k1, San Diego, CA 92154, United States
Instagram: @wyldesydes
Do you want to book a tattoo along with a piercing? If so, this tattoo shop has it all for you! What you’re going to enjoy in particular? Piercing is available on a walk-in basis Tuesday~Saturday: 1 pm to 7 pm & Sunday: 1 pm to 6 pm! You can also try a walk-in appointment for your tattoo (as long as they’re not too busy). There are three different tattoo artists that you can go for, all of who know how to provide you with high-quality designs. With good pricing & unique eye for details, you can’t go wrong with anyone from their team.
Time To Book Your Appointment!
Now you know where to look for and who to trust when you find yourself in San Diego. Anyone can enjoy a gorgeous tattoo, just follow our list and recommended tattoo shops. All of these tattoo artists can vouch for the quality and amazing artwork, so you can’t go wrong with anyone from our list. Ready for something new?
