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    Guru Tattoo

    4.8 (414 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 8:00 PM

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    Response time

    40 minutes

    Response rate

    100%

    Services - Guru Tattoo

    Tattooing

    Tattoo removal

    Guru Tattoo Photos

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    Recommended Reviews - Guru Tattoo

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    Reviews With Photos

    Fluffy vaulting panda + "Surrender" & "Victory"
    Brian H.

    My experience with Natalie was exceptional. Guru tattoo was highly recommended by a trusted artist. When I stopped by to request a consultation, the receptionist recommended Natalie based on the style of art I shared as concepts. I appreciate the thoughtful conversation we had about 3 concepts I was considering and her desire to connect to better understand my hope and vision for a 2nd tattoo. She was open to a fluffy vaulting panda idea inspired by a Japanese-style watercolor painting with structure in black ink and a few green accents as bamboo leaves. She also captured 4 Chinese characters beautifully as calligraphy representing "Surrender" and "Victory." Nat is kind, patient, thoughtful, intentional, and her artwork and passion for art, patterns, symbols, plants, books, and music is inspirational. My experience was 10/10, and I intend to return for additional work in the near future. I highly recommend her and the Guru studio, which has assembled and invested in talented artists who offer outstanding value and customer service with positive energy.

    Nautical coverup by Shane Orduno.
    Alex P.

    Amazing work by Shane Orduno. Came in for a cover-up of a blown-out tattoo and he completely transformed it while keeping the same theme. He created a new Neptunes trident, added a wave, and some perfectly placed poppies. You'd never know it was a cover-up. Super talented and easy to work with--highly recommend. I also want to comment on how amazing the staff is. I can easily sit through a 6-8 hour session and in that time a girl has to eat! They make their rounds and offer to go get you coffee/water, snacks, a meal. Extremely caring and sweet.

    Hubby's first tattoo

    We decided to get a tattoo today, called up and booked an appointment and JAY was the man. He's a wonderful person, and an awesome artist. I highly recommend Guru tattoo and Jay

    Nicole T.

    Amazing, incredible, wonderful My tattoo artist was Nathalie Osuna and they are the B E S T. I couldn't be happier. My out of town besties and I got matching tattoos and Nathalie was such a sweetheart about it! It was my first tattoo and Nathalie was beyond patient and kind, explained the process and gave me three little pokes in three different places so I could get a feel of the process. I didn't like the first two spots the stencil was placed and Nathalie was chill and genuinely made me feel comfortable enough to speak up. They make cleaning a priority which also put me at ease. I can tell they love what they do. Seriously the best first experience. I will be back, dude! :)

    Bean's flash art
    Colie G.

    I've gotten a few pieces done by Bean. I love his work and did a great job communicating every step of the way. I was more than willing to follow him to Guru. I've had great experiences at both shops, Little Italy and PB.

    Fingerprint heart tattoo.
    Donna G.

    Great people. Great vibe. Great artists. Went to Guru Tattoo in Pacific Beach and met with Kenny. Kenny is a class act. I came across impressions of my father's fingerprints from when he passed away in 2023. I wanted a tattoo of his fingerprint shaped into a heart and Kenny made it happen. I know it was a simple design as Kenny's artwork is by far incredible, but he took the time with me and made my simple tattoo into something I will cherish forever. Not only is Kenny a great artist but he makes you feel at ease and is able to turn your ideas into reality. I can't want to get another tattoo from him. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!

    Tattoo of roses and magnolias
    Kate B.

    Just got a 2x6hour session finished by Shane. Amazing realism flower tattoo as a memorial piece. I'm very happy with the outcome, and the service was great. Ironically, my first tattoo I ever got was also from this shop about 20 years ago, it was a great experience then as well.

    Nat did an awesome job on my tattoo. The quality of the work exceeded my expectations, and every detail was done with great precision and care. Nat was professional, friendly, and made sure I was comfortable throughout the entire process. The studio was clean, and the atmosphere was welcoming, which made the experience even better. On top of the excellent craftsmanship, the price was very reasonable compared to the quality of the tattoo. I'm extremely happy with the final result and would definitely recommend Nat to anyone looking for beautiful work at a fair price.

    Guru has become my go to place for my tattoos. I have been in both little Italy and PB locations. Most of my tattoos were done by Patrick Sweeney who is the master of skulls, snakes and anything medium to large scale. Lina also did one for me on Fri 13th. So many artist with so much style varieties. This place is top quality. I can trust any artists at Guru.

    IG exchange

    I had a disappointing experience at this shop. I had a confirmed appointment and even communicated ahead of time that I'd be about 10 minutes late. When I arrived, there was someone sitting right at the front desk who made eye contact but didn't greet me, acknowledge me, or offer any assistance. He stayed on his phone the entire time. After waiting awkwardly with no guidance, I left. First impressions matter, and this one wasn't great. Update: After I posted my review, the shop reached out via Instagram with multiple long messages. Initially, I was told their front desk staff had stepped out. Later, they claimed the person I saw was "just a client" and that they reviewed camera footage. The tone of the messages became dismissive and condescending, suggesting I "didn't wait long enough" and implying I was being rude. At no point was I disrespectful. I simply showed up for my scheduled appointment and expected basic acknowledgment. The follow-up communication only reinforced my decision to go elsewhere. Response to business: The "free consult" point is irrelevant. I showed up for a confirmed appointment and would have had no issue paying if required so framing that as a favor is unnecessary. When I arrived, someone at the front made eye contact but didn't acknowledge me at all. From a client perspective, that is the front desk. I waited, received no guidance, and left. What's more disappointing is the tone of your response--focusing on "47 seconds" and making this personal instead of simply acknowledging the experience. If you could not accommodate that I was 10 minutes late, we could have rescheduled. I stand by my review and my experience. Review sites are for people to "review" and I'm sorry that this business does not understand that. My impression is that this business will bully you into removing reviews. I ended up blocking this business on IG because the messages continued regarding my review. Most of my reviews on yelp and Google are pretty positive so I'd like to think if I felt compelled to take the time to write a negative review, that my experience is valid.

    Reached out to Guru via instagram because I had seen a few ads. I made an appointment for a consultation based on a design I was looking for and they set an appointment for me to meet with Bean. Bean took the time to learn the story behind my design and then took some measurements of my arm in order to start designing the piece to fit perfectly. A couple of weeks following, I had my appointment and I was beyond happy with the result! Bean took my idea and made it even better than I could have imagined! I highly recommend him and will definitely be going to see him again for my next one!

    My little Huck from the book Tress of the Emeral Sea by Brandon Sanderson. Tattooed by Andi at Guru Tattoo PB.
    Chanel P.

    My experience at Guru was great! I definitely recommend Andi. She is very welcoming and did a wonderful job bringing my tattoo idea to life. I'll definitely be going back to her in the future.

    Bob W.

    I've been thinking about getting my first custom tattoo for a few years now and I found my way to Guru Tattoo. Spoke with Sean about what I was looking for and one thing led to another and we're now half way to being done with a tiger/snake sleeve and it's getting real. This shop is very professional and very clean. The other artists are very nice and you can just tell no matter what you want they can do it. I can't wait to see what Sean will do with my tat. Going to be sick!

    My daughter posted this on her instagram.

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    1 month ago

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    1 month ago

    We absolutely love bean! He did an amazing job on matching tattoos for 4 of us! Would totally recommend!

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    Guru T.

    Wow Avah! Thank you for this phenomenal review! Bean is the man!

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    2 months ago

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    3 months ago

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    5 months ago

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    Guru T.

    Heck yea!!!!!

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    15 days ago

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    3 months ago

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    2 months ago

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    Guru T.

    These tattoos came out rad!! Thank you for the 5 star review Colie!

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    6 months ago

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    4 months ago

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    Guru T.

    Wow, this came out stunning! Thank you for the amazing review Kate!

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    2 months ago

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    Guru T.

    Thank you for the amazing review Tang! Nat’s the best!

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    2 months ago

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    5 months ago

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    2 months ago

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    11 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

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    Thank you for the additional review Laura! You are the best!! :)

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    3 months ago

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    Guru T.

    These came out so good Stephanie! Thank you for the 5 star review!

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    5 months ago

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    7 months ago

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    Guru T.

    This looks great Kim!! Thank you for the 5 star review!! :)

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    1 year ago

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    Guru T.

    Beautiful tattoos Charmagne! Can’t wait to see you back soon :)

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    4 months ago

    Went for a walk in & they were welcoming & helped me right away! Had a great session and looking forward to coming back!

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    5 months ago

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    8 months ago

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    Guru T.

    This is so awesome Nanci! Can’t wait to see the fam back for more! :)

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    4 months ago

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    Guru T.

    Thank you so much for the review Isabella! We love Izzy!!

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    3 months ago

    Lu was absolutely amazing. Didn't even hurt will definitely be getting another tattoo here in the future

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    6 months ago

    Wow! Five stars! Great artists, great vibes! Nat Osuna is the best and I will definitely return!

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    Guru T.

    Thank you Bryan!! Can’t wait to see you back!!

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    1 year ago

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    Guru T.

    We love Andi!! Can’t wait to see you back for more Jamie

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    2 years ago

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    7 months ago

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    7 months ago

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    Guru T.

    This is awesome Alyssa!! Thank you for the review!

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    1 year ago

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    9 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    11 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

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    5 months ago

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    Thank you for the amazing review Janet! We love Shane! :)

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    2 years ago

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    Page 1 of 11

    Ask the Community - Guru Tattoo

    Do you guys take walk ins?

    Yes, we do!

    Hi there! Was wondering if you have any artists there willing to do a cover up? I know they are a completely different animal. Another artist recommended your shop and I could send you pictures of what I'm looking to cover up. Thank you!

    Hi Alicia! Hope you are well. Thank you for reaching out to us. My name is Cris and I can assist you… 

    I recently moved to San Diego and I have an unfinished Japanese sleeve on my arm and need to finish it and get more work done. Is that something that you guys can do? Thank you

    Hi Brad! Hope you are well. Thank you for reaching out to us. My name is Cris and i can assist you with your inquiry.… 

    Hello I'm 17 but looking to get a tattoo around my 18th birthday and was just wondering what the usual time between consultation and appointment is?

    Hi there! It all depends on the artist you choose. Some of our artists have availability within 1-2 weeks, and others are months out. Feel free to email info@gurutattoo.com for more information when you are ready.

    Do any of the tattoo artist specialize in UV tattooing?

    Sorry, no UV ink specialists here.

    I was wondering if I'd be able to get a quote on a tattoo without coming in? :)

    Sure. I’ll do my best to help with that. DM any reference, and let me know what you have in mind. Size and placement too! Thanks.

    Interested in a small tattoo. What is the shop minimum?

    The shop minimum is $100, and the hourly rate starts at $200.

    View All 8 Questions

    Review Highlights - Guru Tattoo

    Aaron did my first tattoo 18 years ago, before Guru, and when I wanted another piece I searched him out.

    Mentioned in 29 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Evolve Tattoo Removal

    Evolve Tattoo Removal

    4.9(109 reviews)
    6.6 mi

    Jordan is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, and she always keeps the clinic feeling clean and…read morecomfortable. She's a demon for the temporary pain she inflicts upon us, but we as a people forgive her. Overall, I'd highly recommend her for tattoo removal.

    If you are thinking about tattoo removal, Evolve is the place you want to go. Seriously. I am…read morepretty critical about businesses that have to do with making clients feel comfortable when in a vulnerable state and I am so impressed by my first interaction with Evolve. Look, I`m in my 40s now and have some wisdom, but in my 20s, I was getting tattooed without really thinking about the artists skill or if I really, truly wanted the tattoo. Now that I`m older, I`m in phase two of my tattoo journey, which includes both covering up some pieces and now, removing some pieces either as a full removal(or as close to it) or lightening. Thus my journey with Evolve has begun. I had my consultation and first session with Mary today. I had no idea I was going to go through with a session on the spot, but after talking with Mary and feeling really comfortable and pleased with the information I received, the professionalism, and Mary's good nature and attitude, I went ahead and dove in head first. I went to talk about 3 different areas I wanted to work on and ended up staying to work on the bigger piece on my back. Go big or go home. Really, though, I should have started with a smaller piece because I`m not going to lie, laser tattoo removal is painful. Yes, your mileage may vary and it will depend on the size and area of the tattoo, but truthfully, it is no walk in the park. Mary was incredibly kind and sensitive to the pain involved with this process. They have numbing cream if you need it and with the laser, you get a nice arctic blast of air over the area. I have a lot of tattoos all over, and this was spicier than I thought. The care that Evolve places on their process and the passion they perform their work with is unmatched and you will be in the best hands during your sessions. Need to take a lot of breaks? Totally fine. Communicate and you will be met with kindness and understanding because this is not a comfortable process. I will provide an update as I go along my journey. I want to schedule my next session, for my smaller pieces, and get those going as well. Appointments are easy to schedule, you get text and email reminders, and the part that everyone wants to know about: Pricing. VERY reasonable. I did one consultation at another place a couple of years ago and said forget it because of the insane(in my opinion) cost per session for a very small piece. You won't know how many sessions you will need, of course, but they sometimes have specials or package deal that will take a bit extra off of already doable pricing. The only minor note I have is that parking can be tricky. This is not Evolve's fault. It is the nature of the area. So, may the force be with you. Get there early and you might have to do a little walking.

    Photos
    Evolve Tattoo Removal
    Evolve Tattoo Removal
    Evolve Tattoo Removal

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    Funhouse Tattoo

    Funhouse Tattoo

    4.8(470 reviews)
    0.4 miPacific Beach
    $$

    Highly recommend going to Brandon!…read more Came in with my mom and sister who had never gotten tattoos. They were only in town for a couple of days and Brandon was very flexible with scheduling and accomadating both of them. His set-up was incredibly clean and he was very patient and kind to my sister who was scared of needles. He took the time to explain the process, make sure they were both comfortable, and paused before continuing to ensure they were okay. He was also honest about placement and recommendations for sizing so that the tattoo would heal the best and not fade excessively fast. We took a while for 2 fairly small tattoos due to conversation and changing our minds about placement, but he never rushed us and made the entire process the best it could've been. Overall, Brandon was professional, patient, and geniunely caring toward his clients. The line work was clean and well done, and the tattoos came out exactly as discussed. 10/10 would recommend especially if you're a newbie to tattoos. Thank you!

    Leo is a true professional and a gifted artist. My brother and I got coordinated tattoos for which…read morewe had a tall order: similar concept but totally different styles. Leo created two incredible and unique designs and executed them perfectly. Our tattoos healed flawlessly and it was a pleasant experience all around. Can't recommend this guy enough! Couldn't ask for a better first tattoo experience

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    Funhouse Tattoo - Freddy Krueger by Skott K.

    Freddy Krueger by Skott K.

    Funhouse Tattoo
    Funhouse Tattoo - Japaname pice by Chelstine

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    Japaname pice by Chelstine

    Tattoo Ink Spot - Summer working on the amazing artwork

    Tattoo Ink Spot

    3.8(178 reviews)
    0.1 miPacific Beach
    $

    Absolutely 10/10 service, work, and attitude! I've been coming here with all my friends since 2020,…read moreand I honestly wouldn't trust anyone else with my piercings or tattoos. I've gotten 5 ear piercings, 2 nose piercings, my septum, belly button, tongue, and 2 small tattoos here--and I KEEP coming back because of KEITH the shop owner. He's done pretty much all of my piercings, and he is seriously the sweetest and most awesome person. He always has the best, chillest vibes and makes every experience comfortable, fun, and stress-free. You can tell he genuinely cares about his clients and his work. One of my absolute favorite piercings has been my smiley, which Keith has actually done for me THREE times! The first time, it eventually eroded away was able to get second one lasted about two years before i decided to retire it. Then, FOUR years later, I decided I wanted my smiley back--and somehow Keith was STILL able to repierce it for me! He seriously made my day, mi whole weekend being back in sd . i was thrilled & was special. Keith so genuine & generous. I'm always so happy with his work, and I genuinely love coming back to this shop. The entire Ink Spot crew is amazing, and I've had so many great experiences, conversations, and memories with everyone there. The talent, dedication, and overall atmosphere are unmatched. If you're thinking about getting pierced or tattooed, I HIGHLY recommend coming here and asking for Keith. He's the best, and the whole crew is incredible! 10/10 every single time!

    Terrible shop don't go here it's dirty and the people that work there are clearly tweakers! I got a…read morehorribly shallow belly button piercing done here that was badly off center by an old man with shaky hands

    Photos
    Tattoo Ink Spot - My friend's super infected tattoo

    My friend's super infected tattoo

    Tattoo Ink Spot - Tattoo from Addie, summer, and jake

    Tattoo from Addie, summer, and jake

    Tattoo Ink Spot - Keith with another happy client

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    Keith with another happy client

    LaserAway

    LaserAway

    4.0(671 reviews)
    5.4 miUniversity City
    $$
    19 years in business
    Certified professionals

    I just wanted to take the time to acknowledge the amazing customer service I had yesterday during…read moremy appointment with Brenda. Brenda is amazing! I've been coming to this location since September 2025, no complaints, but Brenda definitely went above and beyond. She made me feel comfortable, cared about my results, and just overall made me feel heard. Depending on the service you're coming here for it can feel a bit intimidating or vulnerable to speak up about what you're needing but she completely changed how I feel about my future appointments. Shoutout to Brenda and request her for your laser treatment

    Customer service at LaserAway is a joke…read more I purchased a Thermage package for nearly $3,000. Before making the purchase, I specifically asked what would happen if I couldn't tolerate the pain, since I had never experienced the treatment before. I was assured that if I completed less than 10% of the treatment, I would be eligible for a full refund. I ended up doing barely one pass and simply could not tolerate the pain. When I requested a refund, I was told they would not issue one because I had apparently been given "misinformation" by their own staff. So now I'm stuck with nearly $3,000 in credit for services I don't want or need. That is completely unacceptable. I ended up using some of the credit on Clear + Brilliant, which was essentially pointless for me, and Botox with injectors that were inexperienced and horrible. The biggest issue here is that I made a major purchase based on information their employee gave me, and when that information turned out to be wrong, LaserAway refused to take responsibility for it.

    Photos
    LaserAway
    LaserAway
    LaserAway

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    Guru Tattoo - tattoo - Updated September 2026

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