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Essential Nails

4.6 (339 reviews)
InexpensiveNail Salons
Closed 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

By appointment only

Updated 2 months ago

Services - Essential Nails

Nail fill-in

Toe nail fill-in

Hand nail fill-in

13 More Services

Hand and toe nail fill-in

Manicure

Manicure and pedicure

Pedicure

Nail polish change

Toe polish change

Hand polish change

Hand and toe polish change

Nail polish removal

Toe polish removal

Hand polish removal

Hand and toe polish removal

Nail repair

Essential Nails Photos

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Recommended Reviews - Essential Nails

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Reviews With Photos

Over a month old
Alyssa F.

Best quality and price in San Diego. These ladies are hard working and friendly and do a very good gel mani/pedi. Usually last me without any chips up to 6 weeks seriously. Here are mine now that I got done for my graduation at Essential Nails on May 10, 2024!

Gel manicure

I got a gel Manicure done by Lana and it was amazing she did such a great job and is very good at what she does. My nails look absolutely perfect! She is so friendly and attentive to detail. All the ladies that work here are so friendly and welcoming it is such a good environment. Would definitely recommend coming here 10/10.

Fingernail color
Jeffrey J.

Amy was ready for my appointment and took the time to take great care of me. Very attentive and kind!

On vacation and accidentally stumbled across this nail salon.
Patricia R.

Very luxurious treatment I wouldn't mind doing every now and then. I didn't get the gals name who did my nails but she spoke great English and listened to me when I said I was picky and particular. She was amazing! Even got to enjoy some wine and my mother in law got to enjoy some champagne!

gel manicure
Natalie C.

Shoutout almost 2 years later to my favorite nail salon in San Diego! I love you guys. Such good quality gel, a very simple gel experience but amazing company by your nail techs and always an entertaining show on the tv. They do such a good job on your nails and are always willing to help if you ever need a fix. Be sure to call and schedule an appointment in advance :)

Acrylic set
Emily W.

This is now my go to place. I have been here several times, typically for gel manicures. I drive half an hour to PB just to go here. Today I got an acrylic set. I was so happy with the results. Amy took her time and did an amazing job and was super sweet. We were actually late for our appointment and they were still happy to take the two of us. I would definitely recommend this place. The prices are also cheaper than anywhere else I've been. I also would recommend making an appointment instead of walk in.

Full acrylic set with gold French tip

This was my first time getting my nails done at Essential Nails. When I initially came in for my appointment to get a pink fill, my manicurist Amy started to work on my nails (done by a different company) and told me that they might fall off due to the poor quality of the nails that the other company had put on. Amy said she didn't want to waste my money and offered me to come back another time and she would put on a fresh acrylic set for me, at the same price as a pink fill. When I came back and got a fresh set with the gold French tip, Amy honored the original price and did a meticulous job, paying detailed attention to each step and stroke. When I asked her to add a 25% tip to the total bill, she looked at me and asked "are you sure?" It was so special and unique to have a manicurist genuinely care about helping you save money while also doing a fantastic job and being so kind along the way. I will be back again. Thank you Amy!!

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4 years ago

Best nail salon in PB! Amazing attention to detail and my nails turn out perfect every time.

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6 years ago

Love this spot. They do such a great job oh manicure and pedicures. Highly recommended!

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Essential Nails Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Essential Nails

Will you be opening back up?

Yes

Will you be opening back up on Friday?

Yes

Anybody know how to get ahold of them during Quarantine crisis? Would love to pay them through Venmo or mail a check or something for manicures I would have gotten!

Hi Kelly, Thank you for thinking of us! My email is below, I look forward to speaking with you, sincerely Jessica. Jess.duong12@gmail.com

How much for a gel manicure + regular pedicure?

Hi! Gel manicure is $29.00 and regular pedicure is $18

Is the price still $28 for a regular mani and pedi?

Yes

How much for a regular mani/pedi? Thanks!

How much for acrylics?

Hi! &28.00 for a full set with regular nails polish

What is the price of a gel manicure at Essential Nail?

It’s $29:00.

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Review Highlights - Essential Nails

This is a no-frills nail salon, but Jessica, Tammy, Amy, and Hong will always do you right!

Mentioned in 56 reviews

Read more highlights

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Sky Nails & Spa - Nails designs

Sky Nails & Spa

4.2(66 reviews)
0.1 miPacific Beach

Highly Recommend Sky Nails!…read more I've been coming to Sky Nails for about six months now, and they truly do an amazing job every single time. The entire team pays close attention to detail and never rushes their work--you can really tell they care about their clients and their craft. I get my manicures from Thao and Shelly, and my pedicures from Chi, and I couldn't be happier. Shelly is incredibly artistic and talented. If you're looking for small flowers or detailed nail designs, she is your person! She's also super sweet, friendly, and always makes the experience enjoyable. Chi gives the best pedicures. She has strong hands and gives a deep, relaxing leg and foot massage. I always choose the signature pedicure because it includes a 10-minute massage and paraffin wax for your feet--so worth it! Sky Nails has been open for about a year now, and they are always busy, which says a lot about their quality and service. I definitely recommend making an appointment ahead of time. They have nice massage chairs when you get a pedicure and have 12 of them on both sides with another 10 manicure stations. If you're looking for a clean, friendly, and professional nail salon with talented technicians, this is the place to go. I wouldn't go anywhere else!

I've tried so many nail spas in PB and sky nails is my favorite by far! I've only ever had amazing…read moreexperiences here. First off, it's beautifully decorated-- very spacious, bright, and luxurious. They offer you a beverage of your choice which is a really nice touch. It is also super convenient that you can book appointments via their website, I've never had to wait when I booked in advance and they usually have many slots open for same-day appointments. Most importantly the quality of work here is excellent!! I have gotten multiple Gel X sets with designs + pedicures, and they always exceed my expectations and I'm in love with my nails afterwards. All of the staff I've met are super friendly and really take their time + pay attention to detail which I appreciate. (Special shoutout to Shelly and Mimi - they are the sweetest nail techs ever and they made me feel right at home!!) I've always had such a great experience here and can't wait to come back and see them next time I need a new set. Trust me when I say Sky nails is the best in PB and you should absolutely go. I would give it 6 stars if I could! you can thank me later! :)

Photos
Sky Nails & Spa - Just say thank you to everyone. My daughters regular manicure still good now  I think it's been 10 days

Just say thank you to everyone. My daughters regular manicure still good now I think it's been 10 days

Sky Nails & Spa - TIME TO TREAT YOURSELF AT SKY NAILS & SPA!

TIME TO TREAT YOURSELF AT SKY NAILS & SPA!

Sky Nails & Spa - Just say thank you to everyone. My daughters regular manicure still good now  I think it's been 10 days

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Just say thank you to everyone. My daughters regular manicure still good now I think it's been 10 days

Pacific Beach Nails & Spa - Acrylic nails

Pacific Beach Nails & Spa

4.6(322 reviews)
0.4 miPacific Beach
$$

Nice Employees, clean atmosphere, great quality work. I…read morecalled 30 mins before closing for a gel mani , pedi and eye brow waxing. They stayed late to assist me, Again thank you guys so much!!

I have been a loyal customer to this salon for over a year. I consistently tip $40 on a basic…read morepedicure and have referred multiple people here because I genuinely thought they valued their customers. Apparently not. Today I walked in without an appointment and was told they were fully booked and to come back in 45 minutes. No problem. I spent the next 40 minutes walking around with my dog nearby and returned exactly as instructed. When I walked back in, they acted like they had no idea who I was and asked how they could help me. After explaining the situation, they told me they "didn't think I was coming back" so they gave my spot away to other walk-ins. That is unbelievably disrespectful and unprofessional. If you tell a customer to come back in 45 minutes, common sense would say you hold the spot you told them to return for -- especially for someone who has been loyal, tips generously, and actively sends business your way. The complete lack of recognition, accountability, and customer appreciation was honestly insulting. I left immediately and took my business elsewhere. After today, I will never return, and I definitely won't be recommending this place anymore.

Photos
Pacific Beach Nails & Spa - Dipping powder

Dipping powder

Pacific Beach Nails & Spa - Acrylic and gel nails with the design

Acrylic and gel nails with the design

Pacific Beach Nails & Spa - Gel X with design

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Gel X with design

Four Seasons Nails & Spa - Our New Spa Chairs, the Latest Model of 2022 #WalkIn

Four Seasons Nails & Spa

4.4(209 reviews)
0.6 miPacific Beach
$$
Eco-friendly
Locally owned & operated

Update 2026: Still going strong, still my favorite. Thanks Tina for caring about your customers so…read moremuch and putting your all into customer experience and satisfaction. It shows! This salon is my fave! Tina and her team are always so very kind and go above every time to make sure I'm happy with my nails . It's relaxing, and their color selection is unbelievable. Literally I'd estimate 1000 colors () each in both gel and normal; it's the whole wall. I'm a repeat customer; it's my treat to myself. Look good feel good! I might not have brushed my hair that day (yet), life might feel overwhelming, but my nails look GREAT and that makes me feel good . I'm so pleased to have found them.

I absolutely love this place. Everyone here was so sweet and took really good care of me, I will…read moredefinitely be coming back. My nails look great. One of the nail techs helped me pick out the perfect color and I absolutely love the work that was done. The signature pedi was so nice, the massage was everything. My techs pressure was perfect and she kept checking in with me. The vibe of the place was so calming and it was overall a great experience. The only reason I am giving them 4 stars is because I received two cuts on my big toe from the callus remover device, I know it's not intentional. Also, I signed up for regular polish and got gel. I very rarely get my nails done so I wouldn't have know the difference and probably would have gotten gel anyways after I thought about it because of its durability but I just wish they asked because I didn't originally budget for it and it was a surprise at the end.

Photos
Four Seasons Nails & Spa - Our Color Center with more than 1000 Colors to choose from.

Our Color Center with more than 1000 Colors to choose from.

Four Seasons Nails & Spa
Four Seasons Nails & Spa

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Essential Nails - othersalons - Updated May 2026

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