6 Best Tattoo Shops In California You Have To Check Out
Getting a good tattoo isn’t as easy as many think. Since the tattoo will be, hopefully, on your body for the rest of your life, you really need to find that one exceptional tattoo artist who can make your tattoo ideas come to life. And, for that, you need to work with highly experienced tattoo artists, preferably somewhere in your area (or in other cities if you’re traveling). Either way, some help is always welcome when it comes to ‘hunting’ for a good tattoo artist, right?
So, if you’re down on the West Coast and you’re looking to get a new tattoo, we’re here to help. Here are some of our favorite, as well as top-rated tattoo studios all around California. Make sure to go through them all and see which tattoo studios meet your requirements in terms of style they’re doing, people they’re working with, and the overall vibe you can expect at the studio. So, without further ado, let’s jump right in!
Our Top 6 Picks For California Tattoo Studios
1. The Honorable Society
Address: 8424 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069
- Super nice staff
- Highly unique environment
- Prompt and fast (response to emails, text messages, phone calls)
- Highly professional
- LGBTQ friendly
- Wheelchair accessible
Established in 2009, The Honorable Society tattoo studio has quickly become one of the best, most loved tattoo studios in LA. It is far from traditional tattoo parlors, considering it is a truly unique and quirky, Victorian-style studio with a highly artistic environment. However, the quality of the works provided here at The Honorable Society is on par with the best tattoo studios anywhere in the world.
The focus is always on the customer at this parlor, the overall tattoo experience, and especially, on providing the best possible tattoos. The range of tattoo styles you can expect to get done at the Honorable Society goes from traditional American, Japanese, neo-traditional, to blackwork, minimalism, and watercolor. There is definitely more this studio offers, but for the rest, you’ll have to check it out yourself.
2. Port City Tattoo Shop
Address: 1145 Baker St, Ste A, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
- Super nice staff
- Adventurous vibe
- Highly professional and prompt
- Gender-neutral restrooms
- Wheelchair accessible
- Bike parking
Another exceptional California tattoo parlor, in our humble opinion, is the Port City Tattoo Shop, formerly known as the Long Beach Tattoo Parlor. It was established in 2012 (under the latter name), but soon it became one of the best tattoo studios to get a high-quality, exceptional Long Beach tattoo. In a matter of a few years, the tattoo studio went from having one location to having two of them, which has not only expanded its reach but also its artistry. Nowadays offer an array of tattooing techniques and styles.
This tattoo studio and its exceptional artists will make any kind of tattoo possible, that’s how good they are. The tattoo styles they offer range from simple, small, traditional tattoos, to fully exotic, unique styles only highly skilled tattoo artists can perform and make look good. Of course, if you’re lacking ideas for your new tattoo, you can always contact the studio’s tattoo artist who can sketch out a custom tattoo in a heartbeat.
3. InkInk Tattoo
Address: 830 Lincoln Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
- Super nice staff
- Highly professional and prompt
- Women-owned
- Offers military discount
- Bike parking
- Accepts credit cards
The InkInk Tattoo is the oldest original tattoo parlor in Venice and one of the rarely female-owned studios in Venice as well. It was established by Karina Mayorga in 1995, and nowadays, it is one of the best-known tattoo studios run by women. Now, regardless of who’s running it, this tattoo studio is truly exceptional (we don’t want to sound biased just because we’re super excited about a female tattoo studio).
The tattoo artists here provide some of the best tattoo work you’ll ever see. the precision with which they work is simply outstanding, and they’ll make any tattoo idea not only come to life but truly mesmerize both you and anyone who looks at your tattoo.
What we like about this tattoo studio is how chill everyone is. It is super comfortable to be here, but despite the laid-back vibe, you can still expect the highest levels of organization, skills, and overall tattoo work. There is no ‘brand name’ headedness here; this studio is drama-free, full of positivity, and certainly a place you’ll leave with a big smile on your face. The studio specializes in black and grey work, old-school style, as well as humor designs, but you can expect the artists to handle every single tattoo style you throw at them; that’s how skilled everyone at this studio is.
4. Atomic Tattoo and Body Piercing
Address: 5903 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028
- Super nice staff
- Highly professional (staff wears masks and requires proof of vaccination)
- All staff fully vaccinated
- Wheelchair accessible
- Open to all
- Gender-neutral restrooms
- LGBTQ friendly
What would a California tattoo parlor list be without some high-end, luxury tattooing right in the middle of Hollywood? Well, as you may know, the answer; the list would be incomplete. So, here we are at our favorite luxury tattoo parlor, Atomic Tattoo, and Body Piercing studio. Now, this is an old-school tattoo parlor, established in 1996. To this day, they’ve earned 20+ years of experience, and thousands of incredible tattoos (as well as piercing work).
Sometimes, the best thing you can do is just go right into the best-rated tattoo studio in California. You can be sure that the tattoo artists here will truly take care of you and can provide you with the tattoo of your life. Besides the array of different tattoo styles, because they do it all here, you can expect a highly professional staff, exceptional tattoo mastery, as well as a friendly and welcoming vibe; this isn’t one of those stuck-up luxury tattoo studios.
5. Studio City Tattoo
Address: 11032 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604
- Super nice staff
- Highly professional and prompt
- Family-owned and operated
- 30 years in business
- LGBTQ friendly
- Free consultation
- Walk-ins welcome
Another exceptional tattoo parlor that we simply had to include in this list is the one and only Studio City Tattoo. This is also an old-school tattoo studio, established in 1992. Being for 30 years in the industry, this studio has gathered some of the best, highly-skilled tattoo artists and tattoo professionals, all in one place. This is a truly respectable and credible tattoo studio, with celebrity clientele. However, it is surely focused on all of the clients, regardless of their background, and strives to provide everyone with a comfortable, pain-free tattoo experience.
Here, you can expect tattoo artists to handle every single tattoo technique and style you throw at them. There is also the body piercing section of the studio with a high-quality body jewelry collection. If you’re someone who has a hard time relaxing at a tattoo parlor, or fears getting tattooed, this is the place to check out. The staff will make you feel so comfortable and they will treat you so well, that you’ll never want to leave. Make sure to check them out and see them for yourself!
6. Generation8 Tattoo
Address: 7216 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
- Super nice staff
- Highly professional and prompt
- Proof of vaccination and mask required
- Offers military discount
- Wheelchair accessible
- Gender-neutral restrooms
- Moderate noise
- Bike parking
And finally, we couldn’t end this list without mentioning the Generation8 Tattoo. Now, this studio is truly creme de la creme when it comes to tattooing in California. The West Coast can be proud to have such a studio, with so many incredible tattoo artists and a truly diverse team.
Now, this studio is relatively new; it was established in 2013 by Dave Hatton, who has himself been in the tattoo business for over 12 years. Dave has managed to gather the best, super-skilled tattoo artists in his studio who do everything; from traditional American tattoos to for work, fine work, neo-traditional, Japanese, blackwork, scar coverup, body modification, you name it…
Now, we have to mention how chill and friendly the Generation8 tattoo studio is; everyone at this place will try to make you super comfortable and relaxed. The tattoo artists strive to provide a pain-free tattoo experience, so if you’re someone fearing tattoo pain, make sure to check this place out. Here, you’ll be treated well and you’ll be respected, no matter who you are or where you come from.
Final Thoughts
And, that’s it! Hopefully, you liked our top favorite tattoo studios in California. Make sure to check them out, especially their websites and Instagram pages since they provide pictures of their work and the tattoo styles they do. If you’re in the area, pay them a visit; most of the aforementioned tattoo studios offer walk-ins or free consultations, so make sure to take advantage of that.
Surely, these aren’t all tattoo studios in California; there are so many other studios you should also check out, at least online, but these were just some of our favorite picks. Whichever tattoo studio you choose for your next tattoo journey, we wish you good luck, and may you enjoy your new tattoo!
Also Read:
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