I drove from Las Vegas to get tattooed by Stefan Johnsson and it was definitely worth the drive. Stefan is a phenomenal custom tattoo artist. The shop is located in Soquel near many cafés, antique stores, and bars. The shop is extremely clean and filled with awesome art. It's nice to be at a shop that's filled with nothing but talented artists. read more

California Electric Tattoo - lady rose I had the pleasure of getting by Stefan Johnsson. - Tattoo Near Me - Soquel, California

I followed Joey here from a shop in San Jose, and very happy I did! Not only do I love Joey, the shop had a really nice vibe. I really liked how the stations were intimate, and all the art work on the walls was very cool to look at. Everyone seemed extremely friendly as well. Joey is professional, a great artist and always puts me at ease. And he always makes sure I'm 100% happy with the work. He even touched up my husband's work on the fly! We will continue coming here for sure. Pro tip - cash only! But there is an ATM at the coffee shop across the street. read more

California Electric Tattoo - A great piece done by Joey! - Tattoo Near Me - Soquel, California

California Electric Tattoo is a fantastic shop with incredibly talented artists. My husband has been seeing Stefan for a while and is happy to make the drive from SF to the shop. The shop itself is super clean, there's really great flash on the walls, they play great music, and the vibe is super chill. Their shop rate ($160/hr) is very reasonable give the high level of art that comes out of there. Stefan is one of the nicest guys I've ever met; he is also an incredible artist and his work is always better than my husband can imagine. After he made his most recent appointment with Stefan, I decided to reach out to Thad about with a slightly ridiculous request. Not only was he able to fit me in on the same afternoon, but he will more than happy to draw me what I wanted. His final product was excellent and we worked together to put it in the right spot. He had a very gentle hand and did excellent work. Both of our tattoos are beautiful and we had a great afternoon hanging out at the shop. I will definitely be going back for future work. read more

I love this shop. Most all my tattoos have been done by the shop owner Thad. He takes his time to make sure that you get what you want with being realistic. Cause sometimes what you want isn't what's best for your body to withstand time or even for your body shape. That being said I love his style and all pieces he's done for me. All the people here are professional, friendly and do top notch work. I actually bought a hand drawn piece of art by Stephan for my bf cause he gets most his tattoos done here as well. I'm a happy customer and I continue to keep coming back and tell people about this place. read more

See all

I had an amazing experience here. Thad was my artist and did such an amazing job. He listened to my concerns, was fine with changing colors in the brilliant design he made for me. I will definitely be coming back here for more. You cannot go wrong with these guys. read more

California Electric Tattoo - Tattoo Near Me - Soquel, California

I came here a few years ago back when Corey Buck was an artist here. He was finishing a half-sleeve for my friend and I wanted a small wrist piece (an eye of Horus) for when he was done. Corey gave me exactly what I wanted and was kind and professional in the process. This was my sixth tattoo, Corey being my 5th tattoo artist. Wrist tattoos are notoriously difficult because there is so much movement of the skin in that area (like fingers or feet). So far, it's held up well and I have a great vibe for the shop in general. I'm considering returning for another piece with one of the artists that remain. read more

Hi yelpers! I have only been tattooed at california electric tattoo by Thad. I am kind of of a baby when it comes to pain and he was awesome with me as far as understanding and patience. My boyfriend has been tattooed quiet a bit by Thad and his tattoos never the less come out amazing every time. I have never been disappointed with a sketch, suggestion or outcome of a tattoo. If your looking for an awesome place, Thad at California Electric Tattoo is your guy!!! read more

I've been getting Tattooed for over 50 years. In the past, I have either gone over the hill, or got them while I was out of the area. I just had Thad do one for me, and it turned out awesome! I didn't even have to leave my hometown which made it even better. My first experience with Thad was great, and I'm sure I'll be returning. Look forward to my next one right here in Soquel. Thanks Thad! read more

Loved my tattoo from Thad! Super happy and I cannot wait to see him again in the future for more!

The artists are really nice. I recently got a piece done by jodi, omg I loved her! She's so nice, and her work is amazing(all the artist's work at this shop are really amazing as well)! Unlike other shops I've been to where some artists are dicks to me, she was super sweet. She walked me along the way through my tattoo since I was really nervous for it. This is really weird but they also have really good music playlists that are playing and it made my tattoo experience even more relaxing. The shop looks clean and unique. The vibe I got from the shop was super Mellow. The artists are very professional. I only say this because I've been to other shops where the artist is just there talking to his colleague about who knows what and wasn't even getting his equipment ready for his client. But whatever. This shop is amazing!! Come get tatted here!!! read more

Very clean, nice, and professional. Thad tattooed me and did an amazing job! Would recommend!

I have quite a few tattoos from several different shops including California Electric, which is a top notch shop. This place is as professional as it gets, every single tattooer is incredibly talented and they are all regularly featured in magazines and conventions. The artists are all friendly, and respect their clientele enough to be honest about the viability of their tattoo ideas. I believe this is where some negative reviewers on here got butthurt: not every tattoo idea is viable with every type of skin and location, and since the artists at California Electric are true professionals, they have the integrity to be honest about this, rather than taking the clients money and attempting something that won't turn out top notch. Unfortunately, some people are so used to the ass kissing approach to customer service of places like Wal Mart and Starbucks, they cannot deal with hearing "no, sorry I can't do that.," so they hop on yelp and give a negative review out of immaturity and spite. Keep in mind, a place that can afford to turn down customers has lots of them, because they are great at what they do. California Electric Tattoo is one of such places. If you want a high quality, long lasting tattoo from a clean, organized shop, look no further than California Electric. This is a place where the art of tattooing is not a hobby or a job, but a way of life. read more

I had always known the kind of tattoo I wanted, but only recently having enough money I didn't know where to go, a friend of mine recommended Herb, and I thank god she did. His work is beautiful and I'll always love it. He's quiet which when I'm in my own little world really helps! I'll never go to another shop again :-) read more

Thad is amazing! I was taking a trip to San Jose & hit Thad up pretty much at the last minute to see if he could get me in & he took such good care of us & totally made us feel like we were local customers! We can't wait to go back & get more! Tattoos turned out amazing as well & we could not be happier! It was totally worth the 5 hour drive!!! read more

I'm really happy with my new Eagle tattoo, Thad did a great job! Very friendly and professional tattoo artists, and very talented as well!

Kory Buck is absolutely amazing! I have followed him from San Jose and I am absolutely so happy to have found him! He does amazing work and is such an awesome person! Go see Kory! read more

This shop is my favorite! Thad and the boys kill it. Seriously! If you want an extremely high quality tattoo and respect the tradition/neo-traditional style of tattooing, this shop is probably your best bet on the entire west coast. Thad Ritchey, Herb Auerbach, and Stefan Johnsson are IMO the most solid crew of artists you could ever hope to find. I've received tattoos from Thad since 2007 and have never been let down. Their pricing is extremely fair and I'm sure you've heard the adage "a cheap tattoo ain't good and a good tattoo ain't cheap". They're not cheap, and they're also not ridiculously outrageous. Their colors hold extremely well, their experience and artistic input is world class, and I could never be happier. The Bay Area and the West Coast in general is full of great artists.. But the magic and the chemistry these doods have created is beyond excellent. Go get a tattoo from any one of these three and I guarantee you will not be disappointed. Respeck! read more

I have spent almost 2 years looking for an artist to start my sleeve. Despite hours of online searching, it took spotting a woman with phenomenal work at an event in SF and asking her who her artist was to FINALLY find my person!!! I reached out to him and we started communicating about what I wanted and set an appointment. This past weekend - my appointment with him finally happened! Stefan Johnsson took everything in my head - and turned it into something even better than I could have ever imagined. He was honest about what would work and what wouldn't (and in a very respectful and not harsh way where he wanted me to understand why)! He cared SO MUCH about making sure I was happy with placement, colors - everything. He didn't rush me in any way at all and even showed me on his sketch iPad what the colors would look like on my skin now (because I'm darker than I normally am because hashtag SUMMER) versus when I am a little lighter. He was funny, cheerful, engaging by asking lots of questions about me and my hobbies etc. I found my artist and that is the best feeling in the world. He was an absolutely great conversationalist and provides amazing work at a more than reasonable cost.I cannot wait to finish my sleeve with him! read more

I cannot thank Stefan enough for the tattoo I got on my leg today. I went in with just a simple very basic idea of what I wanted....he took that idea..added his ideas/advice to it and i was SHOCKED by the tattoo. He took a basic idea and turned it into something absolutely beautiful. I told him the story of why I wanted this tattoo and now I am inked with something meaningful and wonderful. I have now found a tattoo shop for life! Thank you so much!!! I also looked through the other portfollios while waiting and the other artist does great work as well. California Electric is friggin awesome. Oh they are cash only but Stefan was sweet enough to wait while I ran to the bank to get the $$$$. read more

This review is for Jodi Lyford. Jodi Lyford was a recommendation to me from my previous tattooist who noted that Jodi was great with mandala and mehndi style tattoo work. I was really interested with getting a henna style tattoo on the top of my foot, and was happy to see that Jodi has had a lot of experience as shown on her various portfolios found on line. We started with a consultation and talked about the pictures I had emailed her a few weeks prior. She sized my foot and the following appointment was for placing it on my feet and outlining. I have a collapsed arch on my right foot, something that I never really paid attention to and she immediately caught on to it and adjusted the position of the outline so that they were both absolutely symmetrical . I really admire her attention to detail and friendly attitude. She did a wonderful job of shading it in, and I got a taste of her dot work as well (it felt like a massage. Wonderful!!) I will definitely be coming back to her and the wait-list will not deter me! I have received many compliments abut my tattoos and highly recommend her. I have posted a picture here, it goes from the top of my foot to my lower shin. My left foot has a slight plantar flexion to show off the detail on my ankle. Love it!!! read more