I desperately needed to get my nails done while visiting San Diego. The ladies here were so nice and did a fantastic job. Great value and they did exactly what I asked for. Friendly and I think it's great that they do by appointment only during COVID-19 era. Everything was clean and the shop is centrally located. read more

Came to get my gel polish removed and get a regular polish mani. Tammy was fabulous and suggested buffing down the grown out gel polish to make it blend evenly with the natural nail, cutting/filing my nail length down, and painting regular polish on top (after the regular cuticle clean up of the mani). She said that this would help the regular polish stay better and longer. The mani turned out amazingly! What a great recommendation from Tammy. Plus I didn't even have to pay for gel polish removal or anything extra - just the $12 base for a regular manicure. This place is fabulous! Make sure to give an above and beyond tip. Will definitely be back! read more

Essential Nails - Mani with Tammy! Great! - Nail Salons Near Me - San Diego, California

Small place, but these ladies do an excellent job. They don't have the typical pedicure chair, but I actually really enjoyed their old school method. Oh and the warmed lotion massage was excellent! read more

Essential Nails - Nail Salons Near Me - San Diego, California

Tammy is my go-to girl for gel fills and pedicures! She is incredibly thorough each session and I have never left this salon feeling rushed. All around, these ladies are so friendly and fun to be around after a long day from work. You ladies are awesome! Can't wait to come in next time. read more

I love love this place! I really can't believe how little reviews they have because everyone in this nail shop does such a QUALITY job for a great price! I've definitely been to other salons that charge much more and do half the job that they do here. Shout out to Tammy for always making my hands and nails look great again! She really does take her time to make sure that you're getting the best. She takes her time and is super friendly too so don't be shy to start a conversation with her! I got a gel manicure with tips since my nail bed is so short... I told Tammy that I wanted them to look as "natural" as possible and not too long and she did EXACTLY just that! It can be challenging to find a nail salon that you like, but trust me, look no more! This place is one the of the best in San Diego :) read more

Essential Nails - I got a neutral gel manicure (I believe the number was 42 or 41) - Nail Salons Near Me - San Diego, California

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- Quaint little place off of Grand in Pacific Beach - Beautiful acrylic set ($29) and acrylic fill with gel polish ($30) done recently, love them! - Marked down 1 star because I did not receive massages and the pedicures are not in tubs as I'm used to at other salons Otherwise, great spot with great prices!!! read more

I cannot say anything bad about this place. I initially came here based on the reviews saying they do good work for a good price. And after several visits I can say those reviews were dead on. I've been seeing Tammy regularly for acrylic and gel nails for several months now and she does a fantastic job! She keeps them thin and natural looking. I also get pedicures from different ladies, and they always look great and last for at least 3-4 weeks. The place is small, and they don't have the big fancy spa chairs, but the quality of their work makes up for that. They use comfy swiveling chairs with added cushions, and a warm foot soak tub for pedicures. They're also really great about accommodating my schedule when I call for appointments. Note: if you pay with a credit card, they charge an extra $1. read more

So essential nails excepted me yesterday after a long period of time I haven't done my nails I couldn't recommend this place more I had such a nice experience and it was so pleasant for me to get back to doing my nails the place is clean the women are very nice and welcoming they're doing beautiful work they really put a lot of effort to take all the dead and dry skin out and I appreciated that all the best and keep rising do you have a great place read more

Essential Nails - My brand new gel thanks god - Nail Salons Near Me - San Diego, California

These women are incredibly kind and detail oriented. They all do a great job of making you feel welcome and comfortable. I came to them with very weak and thin nails after having dip for so long and they have been exceptionally careful in making sure they don't damage them. Couldn't recommend this place more. read more

I had a great experience here on Friday. It was my friend's birthday and I was trying to schedule a last minute mani/pedi for us. I emailed the shop and they responded right away. They don't have the big spa pedicure chairs, but because of that, their prices are really low. I got a gel mani/pedi for $65 and they did a great job. Very meticulous. I'll definitely be making an appointment to go back again. read more

I came in here as a walk in one Saturday afternoon when I was in the area. The good Yelp reviews brought me in and I'm glad they did! Hannah was super sweet and gave me the best foot massage!! I'm very happy with the pedicure she gave me and wish I had time to stay for a manicure but I had to be somewhere. I'll definitely be coming back for a gel manicure and of course another awesome pedicure. Thanks Hannah! read more

I've passed this little salon so many times over the years. Always wanting to try it but never being on foot in the area, today was the first day that I actually was and also in need of a manicure. I was asked to wait a few minutes, which turned out to be nice since I grabbed some tasty tacos for dinner next door. The salon always seem to be busy, which is a good sign to me! Tammy did my gel manicure and I am so pleased. She did an amazing job and was so kind and professional. We chatted about our lives and it was a relaxing experience. Prices are fair as well - I honestly expected them to be fairly expensive based on their location. But their prices are competitive and actually lower than most around town. And Tammy's work is amazing and therefore an incredible deal. Thank you, Tammy, I look forward to seeing you again! read more

I recently moved to Mission Beach and was afraid I would have a hard time replacing my nail people. After reading the YELP reviews, I came here. Tammy does an excellent job! I tend to get ingrown toenails and she makes sure that doesn't happen. She has a gentle touch when she massages your calves and has great technique massaging your feet. Pure heaven! Best of all, she is a perfectionist when it comes to shaping and polishing your nails. They don't use the big massage chairs, just vibrating buckets, but you don't get charged for their overhead either. I'm good with that. read more

I had a very pleasant experience at first. The woman who started my pedi was very nice, took her time on massage and nails, talked to me, and really got my nails perfect. As for the woman who did my hands, I did not like her work as much. She missed part of the side on my pinky right hand and was not nearly as meticulous with using acetone to clean up her mistakes. She also did not put the second layer of polish as directly on as the first one, leaving for some uneven edges. As someone who does her own manicures regularly, I have to say she did a messy half-a**ed job. She didn't seal any of the nail tips even. This work of the first women (older, had her hair in a bun, very nice) was much much cleaner than the work of the second woman (little larger than her, drawn on eye brows, not as genial as the first). I would ask for the first woman to do all if I came here. The whole process took an hour and the price was reasonable too ($28 but that is only if you pay cash). read more

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LOVE my new set from Jessica:-) she does a fabulous job every time, been going to her for 6+ years now, super affordable & super friendly shop! read more

Essential Nails - Nail Salons Near Me - San Diego, California

Wow, this place is great. Friendly staff, affordable, and wonderful work. I will say that parking can be difficult to find, but that's because it's in PB, but I'll definitely be back again. read more

Essential Nails - Nail Salons Near Me - San Diego, California

My new favorite spot ! Daisy did a really nice job! They got me in last minute and are full service for those quick fixes xoxo read more

Essential Nails - Perfect Gels by Daisy ! Thank you !!! - Nail Salons Near Me - San Diego, California

Went to get a mani pedi and to get gels removed from my hands...she charged me extra for that but it was still only $33 for a decent manicure. Called ahead the morning of. read more

Essential Nails - Nail Salons Near Me - San Diego, California

I've been coming here for years and I love them and their work. They all remember you and are incredibly sweet. They have such great color options whether you're looking for regular or gel. I'm giving this a 4 star because there are just 1 or 2 ladies that I often have problems with my nails after they've done it (such as fast chipping, messy work, or crooked acrylics). With that said, they do such a great job with acrylic nails in general and the prices are low. read more

I wish I lived here. I would come her all the time. Great price. Great service! I had a nail that really needed trimming and they did great. I was surprised that I didn't mind the no spa chair. It was fine. read more

Essential Nails - $22 for a pedicure with nail art. Hard to beat - Nail Salons Near Me - San Diego, California

My friend I came here to get a pedicure (me) and gel manicure (friend) and it was a wonderful experience! My feet looked completely different after the pedicure. She massaged my feet and part of my legs and got rid all the dead skin and painted very carefully. They also did a great job with my friends gel manicure. The prices were wonderful! Mine was only $18. Also a mani and pedi is only $28 so I might try that next time! Will be back. read more

The simple fix! Price is Just right and the girls are lovely and kind. I called in for a pedicure on a Sunday as was able to be seen immediately. Not a seat was empty and people consistently call and walk in. I'm defiantly coming back to see Tammy and get monthly pedis with her. Good selection of colo, they do gel and other stuff but I'm a simple one so just a pedi with color for me. Give it a try you won't regret it! read more

Essential Nails - Just what I needed - Nail Salons Near Me - San Diego, California

My go to for nails. The women have all worked here forever. They do a great job! My manicures last a full week and my pedicures last close to a month. I get the gel for special occassions and it will last a month easily. I typcially go midweek in the afternoon which allows me to walk in without an appointment. But I recommend an appointment on the weekends and evenings. read more

I found this place on yelp and happened to be in the area and far away from my normal nail salon so I decided to give it a try. I hate to give bad reviews, but here is my take on the experience...I went to Amy due to the great reviews on here... Pros: -Very friendly women that dont "talk" about you in Vietnamese and then smile at you when you look at them -$26 for a manicure & pedicure...great for those on a tight budget that want to pamper themselves for less -The nail polish lasts a pretty long time Cons: -Amys foot massage (in my opinion) was much too hard for my taste and it felt like I was going to have bruises on my shin the next day...I tried hard to enjoy it, but I couldnt -There were numerous flies (at least 10) flying around the room -There are lots of sanitation issues that I just wasnt used to seeing, like Im pretty sure that after doing my pedicure, I saw them throw some of the used tools into their bucket (foot pumice, nail file, etc.) and then used the same bucket to do the next girl! They also dumped all the dead, shaved skin from my foot exfoliation onto the floor. I have to admit that this sounds like Im making it up, but I was pretty shocked and kept thinking to myself, "omg, did that really just happen?!?" I even called my friend afterwards to talk to her about it since I was still tripping at what I saw. read more

I drive all the way to PB from Southpark to get my nails done here, even though there are a zillion little hole in the wall nail shops that are much closer. Heck Lulu's is right around the corner from me, but I can't afford that place on a regular basis. It's only for special occasions. Nothing fancy about the place, Essential Nails is clean, and their pedicures last forever. Usually 3-3 1/2 weeks minimum. I swear some have lasted 5. The technicians all do a wonderful job and they are very friendly. Call for an appt, because they only have about 5 spots so if you try to walk-in, you will often get shut out. Cash only but if you forget, the WaMu ATM is right across the street. Extra bonus--TV! Today I got to watch repeats of Friends. It was hysterical because everyone in the place was cracking up. It was the one where Monica puts the turkey on her head and Chandler tells her that he loves her. HA HA! And don't judge me for laughing at Friends. It's some fuuny shit if you are white. tee hee read more

I come here every time I need a mani or a pedi! The polish lasts a long time and the prices are great. I highly recommend making an appointment; I walked-in once and they accommodated me but were unable to give me the complimentary hand/foot massage due to time restraints. read more

This is one of my very favorite places for a mani pedi ( yes, its only $26), in pacific beach. Pros: ~ budget friendly ~ very friendly staff! ~ long massages :) They don't speed through anything just to get the next person in the door. ~ TV to entertain customers while their hands are occupied. ~ Polish lasts longer than other manicures that I've had done around town Cons: ~ Sometimes lack of street parking deters me to go elsewhere. There is a a pay lot next door, but I refuse to pay for parking in PB. ~ Usually they are able to accommodate me when I walk in, but sometimes I'm told to come back up to an hour later. reservations are a good idea read more

Great job on crappy nails... I was a "walk-in" and taken care of by Jessica in under 10 minutes. Jessica speaks very good English, no communication issues with her. My hands were a wreck, but walked out under an hour with a Gel Manicure and hands that look great. For not having any length to work with, Jessica shaped my nails nicely and was meticulous with red glittery polish. There were no smudges or streaks along my cuticles which always seems to be an issue with red polishes. I will definitely be back to see Jessica again, probably regularly in the future, now that I know I can get a good manicure for not too much $$$, and is within walking distance of my house. I will call and make a reservation in the future though as I will only want to have Jessica do my nails. No sense in changing when you find someone that does it the way you want. ps: So far, 5 days later, my hands still look great even with some significant house cleaning this past week. Thank you Jessica! read more

I got a manicure and pedicure ($26). Amy did my pedicure and she gives extremely long foot and calf massages. I got solid colors and it looks amazing. They put two coats of I don't know what under, then the regular coat, then a coat on top of that. So whatever this combination is...makes your nails look saweeet. I also like the way they shaped my nails. They make it more "rectangular" instead of "pointy". Now, if you are very particular about being sanitary. You probably don't want to go here. She answered the phone with the same glove she used to massage my feet. And another lady just dumped my skin shavings off the towel onto the desk/ground. lol. So.. quality is very good. Sanitary-ness... not so much. read more

Dropped into Essential Nail last Saturday for a mani/pedi without an appointment, and they were able to take me with in about 15 mins. The ladies who work there are really friendly. Amy did my nails and she was so sweet, seemed genuinely interested in what I was saying and made sure that I liked my nail color before proceeding. The polish was perfect! The massage was great, and a lot of the clients who came in appeared to be return customers, which I think says a lot. I am now definitely going to be one now too! The atmosphere is a little lack-luster, but who cares because you receive a perfect mani/pedi for $27. I'll definitely sacrifice trendy decor for quality. read more

Thank GOD for Tammy! I have been to 3 different nail salons in la jolla & pb but was never fully satisfied until today! Don't be fooled by the small shop. This place is a hidden gem! Tammy is the best in the west (so corny I know). Seriously she did a fantastic job and is just the sweetest lady. So happy I finally found my nail shop & it's right down the street from me so that's an added bonus! Thanks Tammy & I'll cya next month :) read more

I just got a pedicure at Essential Nails...so here's my review: Pro's -quick service (didn't need to make an appointment. I just walked in) -efficient (I got a great pedicure, they listened to me, and 10 days later my toes still look perfect) -nice long massage -they use buckets of water (which I personally prefer...you're less likely to get that super contagious nail fungus often spread through "spa chairs") -adequate selection of colors -my nail technician was sweet and friendly -good price ($21 for solid color and "flower" design) Con's -parking is awful...especially on weekends -I would like to see more nail polish color selection -this is not a deluxe spa nail salon. It's simple and straight forward. However, I would recommend them to anyone looking for a good mani/pedi for a good price. read more

Amazing quality service, even though the place is small. The girls are nice and honest, they have flexible hours, and they always give me great tips and advice about how to treat my nails and my hand and feet skin. I never get the feet and hand massage, but they have that as a plus (for a few more dollars), if really want it, and in need of some relaxation. My nail look really good and i can tell it will last more than from the other places I've been. read more

Always make reservations if you are planning on going on a Friday or weekends. They tend to be super busy on weekends, however, weekdays are great! I always get the mani and pedi combo for $26 (plus $1 if you are using your cc)... They are friendly and they don't talk about you in their language at all (unlike some other places), or if they did, I never noticed. I just hope hope hope they really really clean the foot bath each time before clients..... Super efficient and even though I come from North County, I tend to come here for my manicure and pedicure. read more

I've been there a few times and they do a great job. My gel nails stayed pretty well without chipping, and the staff always seem friendly. When I've called to make an appointment I've been able to get in the same day, and haven't had to wait at all when I arrived for my appointment, so they seem to do a great job keeping everything well scheduled. read more

Essential Nails - Gel nails with a couple rhinestone accents - Nail Salons Near Me - San Diego, California

It has taken me years to find a San Diego nail salon that fits my perfectionist needs without leaving a huge dent in my wallet. Well, this place is the real deal! All of the ladies here do great work and do not miss a detail. There is no pressure up-selling and the leg massages are fantastic. I always leave feeling feminine, done up, and rejuvenated, all at a low cost. This place is a gem. read more

This is the best pedicure in SD! I've lived here for 2 years and finally found a spot I will return to. The spa pedicure is an hour plus of deep massage and my nails look amazing! The ladies are all related and super sweet and easy to talk to. I'll be back for sure. read more

Essential Nails - Nail Salons Near Me - San Diego, California

Best nail salon I've ever been too! I'm extremely particular (OCD) about my nails (if they're even, how close the paint comes to my cuticle, etc.) and I have NEVER been disappointed. My go to gal is Jessica but the other ladies do a wonderful job as well! They all take their time and have great attention to detail and are so kind. You'll never feel rushed or leave disappointed and the prices are very reasonable. read more

Essential Nails - Nail Salons Near Me - San Diego, California

Place is great for a lil hole in the wall salon. You can't really beat $26 for mani and pedi!! If you go on the weekends, def get an appt... I did and there was one girl who got there before me and had to wait until I was done before she got service. I'm big on quality... I got a mani that lasted one week with minor scratches, impressive. I also got a pedicure and I bet it would have lasted up to 3 weeks with no chips if I kept it on... way to go for the nail polish they use here! As far as the massage... the girl I had was very gentle, so it was like she was petting me... no me gusta, BUT they the reviews are true... they massage for a good amount of time... longer than most places. I recommend this place for people on a budget. Although the girls here are nice and the work is quality.. the spa itself is a lil dingy.. nice, but dingy. The Good: 1) Affordable, when you get the combo.. separate is about average 2) Long lasting, no chip nails! 3) Big screen TV you can zone out too The Bad: 1) Flies come in and fly everywhere 2) Small lil place, when it's busy.. you sit very close to the next customer 3) If you don't have an appt, you might have to wait a while read more

This place is unlike any other nail salon I've been to. They are really kind, humble and full of personality. They make conversation with you. By the end of the manicure I really wanted to just stay and talk! x) The actual service was amazing as well! I got a Gel Manicure by Kim. She pushed back and cut my cuticles without me yelping in pain. My nails look beautiful and we both agreed they are FIERCE! The one off thing was the tubs they used for pedis. It is more sanitary that way though. Jets are known to be breeding grounds for bacteria. This place is amazing. It is literally this tiny little gem right smack down in the middle of PB. I'll be coming back soon. :) One star down because there is room for improvement. read more