This review is long overdue. For years I wanted a tattoo but wasn't sure what I wanted to get and if I would like having something on me for life. I had an epiphany over a few events that happened in my life these past couple years and decided it was time. A friend of mine referred me to Sergio. I had in mind what I wanted. I went and saw him and showed him the design. I made an appointment got my tattoo and have been back five more times since that time from a couple years ago. I really like his work and he has not let me down on all the tattoos I've gotten from him and I want to get a couple more. I really like his specialties in work and they remind me of my time in the South Pacific and time at Pearl Harbor. I also like the shop it is a really cool place with a fantastic atmosphere. Just went and saw Sergio again for a little more ink last week. Sergio's artistic works are stellar, I am so glad I was introduced to this shop. read more

Maybe don't go here for fine line... My sister and I were charged 400$ for 4 small fine line tattoos. A total of 9 words, 4 numbers and 4 small hearts between the two of us. 30 minutes total of the actual tattooing between both of us. The lines are inconsistent with a few gaps on some of the cursive letters. I've been told by multiple that we were taken advantage of concerning the price, sorta bummed and won't be coming back :/ Yes we could have said no to the quote, but we communicated and they knew that was our first tattoos. We came in for a walk-in, which they recommended, while knowing nothing about pricing hence why we didn't know we were being overcharged. I wonder if had the owner been working that day if he would have done the same. And I hope this instance isn't an accurate representation of 454 Tattoo. I wouldn't want other young and naive folks experiencing the same that we did. read more

Went for a piercing with Aaliyah. She was amazing. Very gentle and thoughtful, and made great recommendations. 5 stars for Aaliyah. The rest of the staff was pretty unfriendly, I must say. We popped in to see if there was availability hours before coming back, and employees were sitting on the couches, none of them acknowledged us, and we definitely would have left if it wasn't for Aaliyah. Shop seems really clean, lots of jewelry options, and it would be so awesome if everyone was friendly. read more

454 Tattoo and Body Piercing - Exterior - Tattoo Near Me - Encinitas, California

I received a high ear lobe piercing. Alliyah . She was amazing . She helped me pick my earring and she made a color texture on it. She explained the care and told me about the recheck. Unfortunately I'll have to get it checked at another reputable place from the web site which I made the appt . I don't live in CA but plan to some day! Kiddos Thank u so much for the experience! read more

454 Tattoo and Body Piercing - Moon earring - Tattoo Near Me - Encinitas, California

They did an amazing job. Dear friend, and I came in and got matching tattoos on the inside of our fingers with kitten whiskers. They turned out great and after two years, they still look fantastic. Despite the fine lines. read more

454 Tattoo and Body Piercing - Tattoo Near Me - Encinitas, California

Thank you Chelstine for being patient with me and covering up an old tattoo of mine. I will show the before and after pics. Original tattoo done by someone else. If you're looking for an american traditional tattoo, then 454 is right place. read more

454 Tattoo and Body Piercing - Before the cover up. - Tattoo Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Aaliyah at 454 is AMAZING! I stopped in as a walk-in and she was kind enough to fit me into her schedule. She helped me pick out some gorgeous yellow gold pieces from the shop and got them in for me right away--everything looks so awesome and I left feeling great! She was incredibly sweet, patient, and super gentle, especially when removing a different piece of jewelry that had been SUPER uncomfortable for me. It was on a really sensitive part of my ear, and she handled it with the softest touch. Aaliyah also gave great input on how to style my ear and even rearranged some of the jewelry I already had. I really appreciated her time and care--she made the whole experience fun, easy, and comfortable. You can trust Aaliyah if you're heading to 454--you'll be in the best hands! read more

454 Tattoo and Body Piercing - EARRINGS - Tattoo Near Me - Encinitas, California

I got pierced by Aliyah and she was amazing! So knowledgeable, welcoming, and gentle the whole time. She gave me great options and clear aftercare info, which I really appreciated. Sweet, kind, and professional -- highly recommend getting pierced by her! Total girls girl read more

I was referred here by a friend of mine who has multiple tattoos and she has beautiful work. I came in and made an appointment with Sergio after seeing his work I like the old school traditional tattoos and he did a beautiful piece of work for me. I'm so happy with the work and will always go back to Sergio. The ladies at the counter were very nice as well. It's a really cool shop as well. read more

I had a great experience both times I visited over the past couple months with Henry . He was generous with his time , consideration, suggestions and recommendations for tweaks to what I had in mind . read more

454 Tattoo and Body Piercing - Tatoo by Henry - Tattoo Near Me - Encinitas, California

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just recently started going here after my sister put me on !! she got most of her piercings done here and the girls are just the sweetest ! love aaliyah and jordyn to death and will fs be coming back for more piercings :)) read more

Always love going to 454! Friendly staff, clean place, excellent environment. I have never walked away unsatisfied with my experience there!

This is our go to place for piercings -- clean, knowledgeable, and caring. I've taken my teenage daughter here multiple times now and have had multiple piercers who are not only skilled at placement and piercing but also patient, explaining everything along the way, making sure the piercing is exactly where you want it, and completing the task quickly and cleanly. They have a good selection of starter jewelry as well. We won't go anywhere else! read more

I'm sure they do nice art work. I accompanied my 18 year daughter there for her first tattoo and the guy on duty was so rude to her we left. We went elsewhere and were treated fabulously and she got a small wave on her arm that looks amazing. Dude, I realize you're having a bad day but treating women like that is wrong. Wish you all the best in your business. read more

Did a walk-in for my tattoo with my husband and everyone was very pleasant. The place was very clean and they had separate areas for piercing and for tattoos. Gabe was our tattoo artist and he was really thorough about showing us options of what we're looking for. He printed everything out and made sure that it looked right. We had to fill out some forms and they checked our IDs, and off we went. I've gotten a tattoo before, so it wasn't a big deal to me. However, it was my husband's first tattoo and so it was nice that everyone was so nice to him to make sure his first experience goes well. After we finished, Gabe recommended what we should do to get the tattoos to heal nicely and even offered for us to come back in a month to do any touch-ups for free, if needed. They have been around for 30 years and are very professional. I like that they have all the tattoo artists work online and made it clear that it's $100 minimum per person, so that we know what to expect. I'm already drafting up another tattoo for myself for them to tattoo on me in the next few months. read more

Yet another review for this amazing shop, I recently saw Sergio for the Tattoo You Drive and he was so nice and steady handed, my tattoo turned out perfectly and the flash he had on the walls will definitely make me go back to him. read more

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Came to 454 for their Toys for Tats (Toy Drive). In exchange for a $20 minimum toy is one of their flash tattoos! I chose to sport the 3 hearts with a string! This was only for today (from 12pm - 8pm). Line was long enough to garner attention from all the cars and people passing by. The wait was about 2 hours+, including the check in (this is where they take your toy donation and have you fill out the waiver, etc). Once that was completed, my name was called 20-30 minutes later to be finally tattooed! Hector was my tattoo artist; he was quick, focused, and efficient. I haven't gotten a tattoo in about 4 years and was nervous about the pain! The tattoo itself took about, or less than, 30 minutes. Pain-wise, it was about a 4-5 out of 10, with 10 being the most painful. I paid $20 for the tattoo itself and tipped $10, making this tattoo $50! Definitely a steal of a deal! Sidebar: I had a question about their jewelry for nipple piercings and a girl named Kayla (sp?) helped me. She also looked at my nipple piercings since my right once has been angry D: she gave some insight, which I'm super appreciative for! I am very happy and pleased with my tattoo, and would 100% come back for other pieces and piercings! Thank you 454 Tattoo for hosting this Toy Drive! read more

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I went for piercings and Jordyn is the absolute best! I highly recommend going here over anywhere else in SD!!!

Go see Josh Moore, super cool dude! Love the shop and the location. Can't wait to go back and get some more work done.

My friend and I wanted to get some new jewelry for our piercings and stopped by the only other piercing shop in solana and were given a 2 HOUR WAIT TIME just to look at their jewelry...not even to get a piercing. absolutely ridiculous. This spot was the second piercing shop on yelps suggestions and frankly the only one within a 5 mile radius so we had no other choice. But WOW im so happy i came here. Kayla helped us pick out jewelry and even installed my tragus for me for $5. She was quick, friendly and had me and my friend out in 10 minutes. Thats how its done!! Thanks 454! read more

Having been recently !badly! reinfected with the piercing bug, I've been in to see both Aaliyah and Jordyn for a handful of ear piercings and jewelry changes. After a lull of not getting any piercings for almost ten years, it's amazing to see how far the industry has come - with iodine, flatback jewelry, saline spray, etcetc.! Thank you for always being so sweet and thoughtful with each visit from checking in to make sure I'm comfortable after each step to going out of your way to show me how different jewelry works! Highly recommend for the coziest and safest piercing atmosphere/experience and the sweetest people :- ) read more

Fantastic for ear piercings for my daughters! Clean, professional, make and honor appointments.

Amazing amazing amazing service. I worked with John and he did a fantastic job. He did the hummingbird and then I had him touch up the cherries and they look brand new! Will definitely be coming back here again :) read more

454 Tattoo and Body Piercing - Tattoo Near Me - Encinitas, California

Came in today because I got a piercing done somewhere else (I know dumb move) and it didn't heal correctly. A very nice lady helped me out and didn't make me feel stupid at all haha! She inspected my piercing and changed my jewelry for me and only charged me for the cost of the new jewelry. I was such a dumb dumb to go anywhere else. Please save yourself pain and go here first! read more

came here for basic lobe piercings because friends and I have both had nice experience at this shop. Piercing was super expensive, which I was fine with to get it done right. Everything was good and healing fine, followed all the piercers instructions precisely. However, when I came back to get my studs downsized (which cost even more) the girl who switched my earrings pinched me really bad twice on the same ear, and ever since then that piercing has been hurting/swelling and giving me issues (this was weeks ago and its still not quite right). The girl still charged the service fee even after acknowledging she messed up twice and hurt me. Disappointed because it delayed my healing and was a bad experience. For such an expensive shop, I guess I just expected a little better or at least some sort of accommodation when the service went wrong. In total this piercing ended up costing me around $200. read more

We stopped in as walk-ins and they were able to accommodate my daughter on the spot. They do require a copy of a birth certificate along with 2 forms of ID for anyone under 18. Jordyn mapped out my daughter's ear with a marker to make sure the second piercing would be in alignment with her ear fold and first piercing. Really impressive. She made sure everything was sanitized before she began and explained each step along the way. Very pleased with our experience. Can't recommend them enough! read more

454 Tattoo and Body Piercing - Mapping her ear with a marker to make sure the second piercing is in alignment with her ear fold and first piercing. Really impressive. - Tattoo Near Me - Encinitas, California

Really great experience! Seamless online scheduling and information, friendly staff and expert piercers. Bonus: they cost less overall than 101 Piercing (don't bother), AND they allow you to re-use the jewelry you purchase from them - they simply need enough time to sterilize it prior to your appt. My experience was efficient, lovely and completed in 30 minutes! It's a no brainer where I'll go, and recommend to others... Thanks 454! read more

Sergio did a great job with these tattoos. It was my mothers first tattoo and he was so good with her. Love it, will totally be back. My aunt also loved her new ear piercing. read more

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came in to get a simple tattoo, not even a quarter size. Hector was there too "help" us but instead made us feel bad for coming in, even though they still took walk ins till 7. "i'm just trying to go home, don't you work and understand that". that is crazy to say lol, yes i do work and i serve every guest down to the last minute whether i like it or not Hector. Find passion in your job or quit. happy not to have a tattoo by a miserable artist. no wonder he said he had no business all day. the lady at reception was lovely tho read more

Chelstine is AMAZING! I've been coming to her for tattoos for a little more than 3 years now. If you are looking for someone who is amazing at tattooing & is light handed, she's your girl. I've gotten 6 tattoos by her so far and I'm coming back for 4 more at the end of the month. She is always so nice, knowledgeable, professional and she never made me feel weird or uncomfortable. read more

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Great experience! I walked in and I talked about what I wanted. They worked with me until I found the right font and size for my tattoo. It turned out great! read more

454 Tattoo and Body Piercing - Piercing rules during Covid. No under the mask piercings. - Tattoo Near Me - Encinitas, California

My piercer was amazing! They walked me through everything and were super nice. Very happy with my septum piercing.

I've had several tattoos from smaller ones to a full double headed on the back. All work was excellent and artist fast, which alleviated shortness of pain read more

Great artist and patient getting the design just right. 3 tattoos and 2 piercings, only praises for the employee team.

I LOVE & recommend 454! The piercing team is so sweet and AMAZING! I took my 6 year old daughter to get her ears pierced and shorter post and she was very emotional and nervous about it all. Each visit they did not rush the process and were super kind and patient with my girl. They were encouraging and understanding! HIGHLY RECOMMEND 1,000X OVER! read more

Came here for some piercing and jewelry help. The team is extremely friendly and professional from the front desk staff to the piercers. Very approachable place for first time piercings and very knowledgeable for us hole-y people. Great tunes, clean and quaint. I've already made my next appointment! read more

Stopped in to ask about walk-ins and piercings. They were not taking walk-ins at the time, and it was a pretty busy Saturday, so I had no expectations. We parked in the back, and accidentally entered the second building instead of the main building, but a man kindly guided us to go to the front building for piercings. Once in the front building, I told them their phone might be down because I tried to call, but no one answered, and without looking up, the guy sitting behind the counter said, "The phone didn't ring." However, another employee, sitting next to him, Jordyn, promptly thanked me for telling them, apologized, and asked how she could help us. She made us an appointment and told us about the necessary IDs to bring. She was very professional and kind. You guys should thank her for saving the day on that one, or I would have walked, and this review would have been different. I also had to call back and cancel later, and again, Jordyn took care of it. I will be back because of Jordyn's customer service and professionalism. TIP: Anyone under 18 needs 2 forms of ID and so does the parent/guardian accompanying them. read more

Felt straight robbed yesterday....$70 to change out one piercing and purchase one not great looking "white gold" nose hoop. Customer service, skill set, and knowledge all receive a 0. The piercer seriously struggled with changing a 14 year healed nostril piercing and was dropping things all over (yikes). I'm in the medical profession and that was super uncomfortable..All I wanted was a silver hoop....went with surgical steel on Amazon for 10$ instead and hate the $40 jewelry I purchased there...sad experience. Weird energy in there all 3 times I've been. I can't speak for the tattoo side...but the piercing side is pretentious and has no right to be. After returning to speak with them and a few phone calls they made zero effort to help or make it right. Boo. I've worked in customer service for over 15 years- have a heart and gain some knowledge on your services and products. read more

Fantastic Piercing experience! Apprentice Jordyn did my daith piercing last week. It looks great and I am SHOCKED at how easy the healing has been so far. No pain, no swelling, no redness. I am not constantly thinking about the piercing. Follow their directions EXACTLY afterwards. The quality of a piercer definitely makes a difference--this is my first time in a really professional place and I think that's why my ear is doing so well. Highly recommend. read more

Not only do they make you make an appointment for a simple walk in piercing but the prices are nuts. I called other shops and got a quote for the same work at a fraction of the cost (same jewelry). They kept me waiting past my appt time and took someone else back before me when I was waiting which was annoying. I would save money and go elsewhere for piercing needs. read more