Tattoo shops in San Francisco
Thinking about ink in San Francisco, CA? Start with the studios: 85 are mapped here. All 85 are mapped as tattoo studios proper, and each one is worth a portfolio browse before you commit — style varies more between shops than towns. A consultation costs nothing and tells you everything about how a shop runs.
This guide covers every tattoo shop we could verify in and around San Francisco (within about 40 km), built from OpenStreetMap's community-maintained data. Names you'll run into include Ritual Tattoo and Sacred rose tattoo, plus Masterpiece Tattoo. If a studio's missing from San Francisco's list, it probably just hasn't been mapped yet — the scene is bigger than any single dataset.
The San Francisco tattoo lineup
85 mapped within about 40 km — showing 60:
Ritual Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Ritual Tattoo — Tattoo studio, found on 1563 Solano Avenue in Berkeley. Also worth knowing about Ritual Tattoo: it has a website with more detail.
1563 Solano Avenue, Berkeley
Sacred rose tattoo
Tattoo studio
Sacred rose tattoo is Tattoo studio.
Masterpiece Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Masterpiece Tattoo — Tattoo studio, found on 766 Geary Street in San Francisco. Also worth knowing about Masterpiece Tattoo: it has a website with more detail.
766 Geary Street, San Francisco
Redwood Tatoo Co.
Tattoo studio
Redwood Tatoo Co. — Tattoo studio, found on 831 Broadway in Redwood City. Also worth knowing about Redwood Tatoo Co.: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
831 Broadway, Redwood City, 94063
Phone: +1-650-701-1301
Old Town
Tattoo studio
Old Town is Tattoo studio on 3409 23rd Street, San Francisco.
3409 23rd Street, San Francisco
Frisco Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Frisco Tattoo is Tattoo studio on 3424 25th Street, San Francisco. Frisco Tattoo also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 12:00-20:00.
3424 25th Street, San Francisco
Hours: Mo-Su 12:00-20:00
Diving Swallow
Tattoo studio
Diving Swallow — Tattoo studio on 264 14th Street.
264 14th Street
Red Kestrel Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Red Kestrel Tattoo is Tattoo studio on 1509 Church Street, San Francisco.
1509 Church Street, San Francisco
Mission Ink
Tattoo studio
Mission Ink is Tattoo studio on 2440 Mission Street, San Francisco. Mission Ink also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
2440 Mission Street, San Francisco, 94110
Phone: +1-415-400-5785
Moth & Dagger Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Moth & Dagger Tattoo — Tattoo studio, found on 610 Bush Street in San Francisco. Also worth knowing about Moth & Dagger Tattoo: the map lists its hours as Fr-Sa 12:00-19:00; Su-Th || "Appointment only"; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
610 Bush Street, San Francisco, 94108
Hours: Fr-Sa 12:00-19:00; Su-Th || "Appointment only"
Phone: +1-415-834-5127
Mission Ink 22nd
Tattoo studio
Mission Ink 22nd is Tattoo studio on 3340 22nd Street, San Francisco. Mission Ink 22nd also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as "opening hours differ by artist and may require appointment"; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
3340 22nd Street, San Francisco
Hours: "opening hours differ by artist and may require appointment"
Phone: +1 415 400 5785
One Shot Tattoo
Tattoo studio
One Shot Tattoo is Tattoo studio on 555 Irving Street, San Francisco.
555 Irving Street, San Francisco, 94122
Haight Ashbury Tattoo & Piercing
Tattoo studio
Haight Ashbury Tattoo & Piercing — Tattoo studio on 1701 Haight Street.
1701 Haight Street
Studio Kazoku
Tattoo studio
Studio Kazoku — Tattoo studio, found on 1915 Page Street in San Francisco.
1915 Page Street, San Francisco, 94117
Oakland Ink
Tattoo studio
Oakland Ink — Tattoo studio, found on 400 14th Street in Oakland.
400 14th Street, Oakland
Dream Masters Custom Tattoos
Tattoo studio
Dream Masters Custom Tattoos is Tattoo studio on 228 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco.
228 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, 94133
Eye of the Tiger
Tattoo studio
Eye of the Tiger is Tattoo studio on 1309 20th Avenue, San Francisco.
1309 20th Avenue, San Francisco, 94122
Let it Bleed
Tattoo studio
Let it Bleed is Tattoo studio on 1124 Polk Street, San Francisco. Let it Bleed also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 13:00-21:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
1124 Polk Street, San Francisco, 94109
Hours: Mo-Su 13:00-21:00
Phone: +1 415 9326215
NightShade Studios
Tattoo studio
NightShade Studios is Tattoo studio on 214 Pierce Street, San Francisco. NightShade Studios also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
214 Pierce Street, San Francisco, 94117
Iji Emporium
Tattoo studio
Iji Emporium is Tattoo studio on 1411 Irving Street, San Francisco. Iji Emporium also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
1411 Irving Street, San Francisco, 94122
Phone: +1 415-731-8043
international tattoo
Tattoo studio
international tattoo is Tattoo studio.
Mom's Body Shop
Tattoo studio
Mom's Body Shop — Tattoo studio on 1408 Haight Street. Also worth knowing about Mom's Body Shop: it has a website with more detail.
1408 Haight Street
7th Son
Tattoo studio
7th Son — Tattoo studio on 65 Langton Street.
65 Langton Street
Seventh Son
Tattoo studio
Seventh Son is Tattoo studio.
Monsters Ink
Tattoo studio
Monsters Ink is Tattoo studio on 423 San Pablo Avenue, Albany. Monsters Ink also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 12:00-20:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
423 San Pablo Avenue, Albany, 94706
Hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-20:00
Phone: +1 510 898 1076
Everlasting Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Everlasting Tattoo — Tattoo studio on 813 Divisadero Street.
813 Divisadero Street
Dark Water
Tattoo studio
Dark Water is Tattoo studio on 2035 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley. Dark Water also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
2035 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley
Amor Eterno
Tattoo studio
Amor Eterno — Tattoo studio.
Idle Hand
Tattoo studio
Idle Hand is Tattoo studio on 575 Haight Street. Idle Hand also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
575 Haight Street
Phone: +1 415-552-4353
Final Sin Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Final Sin Tattoo — Tattoo studio, found on 1108 Contra Costa Boulevard in Pleasant Hill.
1108 Contra Costa Boulevard, Pleasant Hill, 94523
Old English
Tattoo studio
Old English is Tattoo studio.
Hot Ink Tattoos
Tattoo studio
Hot Ink Tattoos is Tattoo studio on 818 Marin Street. Hot Ink Tattoos also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 12:00-20:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
818 Marin Street, 94590
Hours: Mo-Sa 12:00-20:00
Phone: +1-707-648-2070
Tuesday Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Tuesday Tattoo — Tattoo studio on 4025 Judah Street.
4025 Judah Street
Manus Lux Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Manus Lux Tattoo is Tattoo studio on 3402 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco.
3402 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, 94118
Modern Electric
Tattoo studio
Modern Electric — Tattoo studio, found on 3330 Adeline Street in Berkeley.
3330 Adeline Street, Berkeley
Triple R Tattoo & Art Studio
Tattoo studio
Triple R Tattoo & Art Studio — Tattoo studio.
Cold Steel
Tattoo studio
Cold Steel — Tattoo studio on 1783 Haight Street. Also worth knowing about Cold Steel: it has a website with more detail.
1783 Haight Street
Two Cranes Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Two Cranes Tattoo — Tattoo studio on 825 Sacramento Street. Also worth knowing about Two Cranes Tattoo: the map lists its hours as 12:00-19:00.
825 Sacramento Street
Hours: 12:00-19:00
Zebra
Tattoo studio
Zebra is Tattoo studio.
Berkeley tattoo
Tattoo studio
Berkeley tattoo — Tattoo studio. Also worth knowing about Berkeley tattoo: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 12:00-19:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Su 12:00-19:00
Phone: +1-510-549-2828
True Love Tattoo
Tattoo studio
True Love Tattoo — Tattoo studio on 2700 San Pablo Avenue. Also worth knowing about True Love Tattoo: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
2700 San Pablo Avenue
Phone: +1-510-841-5683
Industrial Tattoo and Piercing
Tattoo & piercing studio
Industrial Tattoo and Piercing — Tattoo & piercing studio, found on 2434 Dwight Way in Berkeley. Also worth knowing about Industrial Tattoo and Piercing: the map lists its hours as Mo-Tu 12:00-19:00; We 11:00-19:00; Th,Su 10:30-19:00; Fr-Sa 10:30-20:00; PH closed; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
2434 Dwight Way, Berkeley
Hours: Mo-Tu 12:00-19:00; We 11:00-19:00; Th,Su 10:30-19:00; Fr-Sa 10:30-20:00; PH closed
Phone: +1 510-644-0968
The Forge
Tattoo studio
The Forge is Tattoo studio on 1906 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Fairfax. The Forge also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Su 11:00-19:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
1906 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Fairfax, 94930
Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-19:00
Phone: +1-415-419-5362
Ocean Avenue Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Ocean Avenue Tattoo — Tattoo studio, found on 1907 Ocean Avenue in San Francisco. Also worth knowing about Ocean Avenue Tattoo: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
1907 Ocean Avenue, San Francisco, 94127
Phone: +1-415-585-2600
Ace
Tattoo studio
Ace is Tattoo studio.
Frisco Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Frisco Tattoo is Tattoo studio on 3134 24th Street, San Francisco. Frisco Tattoo also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as 12:00-20:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
3134 24th Street, San Francisco
Hours: 12:00-20:00
Phone: +1 415 7570707
Gilded Ink Tattoos
Tattoo studio
Gilded Ink Tattoos is Tattoo studio.
Black Sea Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Black Sea Tattoo is Tattoo studio.
Black Serum
Tattoo studio
Black Serum — Tattoo studio, found on 310 Valencia Street in San Francisco. Also worth knowing about Black Serum: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
310 Valencia Street, San Francisco, 94103
Phone: +14159099437
Black & Blue Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Black & Blue Tattoo is Tattoo studio on 381 Guerrero Street.
381 Guerrero Street
Gold Leaf Ink
Tattoo studio
Gold Leaf Ink is Tattoo studio on 1751 Market Street.
1751 Market Street
Best Day Ever Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Best Day Ever Tattoo is Tattoo studio.
Magnetic Arts
Tattoo studio
Magnetic Arts is Tattoo studio on 2110 Ashby Avenue, Berkeley. Magnetic Arts also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as "by appointment"; it has a website with more detail.
2110 Ashby Avenue, Berkeley, 94705
Hours: "by appointment"
Natural Selection
Tattoo studio
Natural Selection — Tattoo studio, found on 1411 Martin Luther King Jr Way in Berkeley.
1411 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Berkeley
Castro Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Castro Tattoo is Tattoo studio.
Jay's Fine Line Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Jay's Fine Line Tattoo — Tattoo studio, found on 1714 Palmetto Avenue in Pacifica. Also worth knowing about Jay's Fine Line Tattoo: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
1714 Palmetto Avenue, Pacifica, 94044
Phone: +1-650-636-6522
Cleopatra Ink
Tattoo studio
Cleopatra Ink — Tattoo studio.
Cloud95
Tattoo studio
Cloud95 is Tattoo studio on 1114 Folsom Street. Cloud95 also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
1114 Folsom Street
Hold Fast
Tattoo studio
Hold Fast is Tattoo studio on 1224 Main Street.
1224 Main Street
Trilllogy Tattoo
Tattoo studio
Trilllogy Tattoo — Tattoo studio on 1607 2nd Avenue.
1607 2nd Avenue
What the map tells us about tattoo shops in San Francisco
16 of the 85 list their opening hours on the map, which is genuinely useful — tattoo studios often work by appointment, so posted hours can be more of a guideline than a promise.
31 have websites listed. Studios with websites usually show portfolios there — the fastest way to tell if a shop's style matches yours.
2 of the studios are also tagged for piercings, handy if you're after both in one visit.
The San Francisco tattoo shop tour
Plot these on a map and the day plans itself: Ritual Tattoo on 1563 Solano Avenue, Sacred rose tattoo, Masterpiece Tattoo on 766 Geary Street, Redwood Tatoo Co. on 831 Broadway, Old Town on 3409 23rd Street, Frisco Tattoo on 3424 25th Street, Diving Swallow on 264 14th Street, and Red Kestrel Tattoo on 1509 Church Street. That's 85 stops on the San Francisco tattoo shop tour. 77 more are listed below.
Tattoo tips for San Francisco
A few things worth knowing before you work through San Francisco's tattoo shops:
- Be honest about your pain tolerance at Ritual Tattoo. Ribs, feet and inner arms hurt more. A good artist will tell you straight and plan breaks.
- Tip your artist at Sacred rose tattoo. Standard practice, like any skilled service. Twenty percent is the usual benchmark for good work.
- Document the healing. Photos of the healing process help your artist advise you, and help you judge their work honestly.
- Don't pick the scabs. Healing tattoos itch and flake. Picking pulls ink out with the scab and leaves patchy spots.
Good to know
We searched about 40 km around San Francisco — that covers the town itself plus the surrounding communities you'd reasonably drive to. Listings come from OpenStreetMap, mapped by local volunteers, so a brand-new tattoo shop in San Francisco can take a while to appear. Spotted a closure among the 85, or a tattoo shop we missed entirely? The map is the source of truth here — one OpenStreetMap edit corrects it for everyone.
We don't rate studios or artists, and we never list prices — those are between you and the shop. What we list is the where and the how-to-find, from places real mappers have verified.
If you run one of the 85 listed here and something's wrong — a closure, a move, new hours — the fix is the same: update the shop on OpenStreetMap and the correction flows through to this page on the next daily refresh.
Tattoo shop listings for San Francisco: 85 mapped from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Photos from Wikimedia Commons contributors; individual photo credits appear in captions. Listing data was last refreshed automatically — verify hours before visiting.