My go-to tanning salon. The salon is clean. Staff is efficient friendly and helpful. They offer tanning beds and spray tans.

I don't recommend going here for a spray tan. Something is wrong with the machine and I always come out looking like a leopard. I love the staff they're amazing. I let them know something is wrong with the machine and they said it was fixed the problem still persists. I live in seaside and it's really inconvenient for me to drive all way to lighthouse to get my sprays. I come often seeing as I have a membership so I'm really hoping the machine can get fixed properly. read more

Sahara Sun - Tanning Near Me - Monterey, California

The best tanning place in Monterey County, yes I said it! Trust me I've been to a few... this is by far in a different league. The location is easy to get to. I called in advance to get a feel for the personnel and let me tell you Gina was awesome. Was very professional and explained my options and answered all my questions. Let's get to the beds... I bought the buy 2 get 1 free in the medium grade bed. It was perfect.. I definitely got some major color! The salon is clean and well kept. The rooms are clean, they have a full size mirror which I love. The have a towel and a cute tanning lotion bottle that lets you know your bed has been sanitized. Great idea! There's a chair to set your stuff and help you get dressed. Gina and another young lady helped me pick out a lotion and I'm so happy with it. Thank you Sahara Sun! I'll be back! read more

Sahara Sun - Medium Grade bed .. towel and cute bottle that says your bed has been sanitized - Tanning Near Me - Monterey, California

Clean space. Cute clothes. Fun employees. Consistent Results! They are always so accommodating to my needs. Thanks gals

Spray tan has changed this pasty Monterey body! And they have great service. love their boutique too

I've never been in a tanning bed this big. It's bigger than a coffin. LOL Great atmosphere and service. I like that you can call ahead and reserve a spot. read more

First let me start off by saying I love the girls that work here, they get to know you by name which is always welcoming. Beds are great abs can almost always get in without an appointment. One negative thing I have to say is the floors could use some cleaning, on multiple occasions I have seen someone else's hair on the carpet which is a real turn off . Would have left 5 stars if they could work in the cleanliness! read more

This place is great. The only down fall is two of the beds are from 1980. Those need to be updated. Other than that .... it's a good place read more

The workers here are amazing They're very welcoming and have all the tanning beds cleaned immediately after each use -jenna read more

There aren't enough words for me to describe the integrity this business operates on. THEY ARE INCREDIBLE! Since Covid and the freezes on "memberships", Gina is STILL THERE FOR YOU to honor your rate no matter if it's changed or not! She offers so many incredible services in her salon with the most FUN employees. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!! read more

The lady at the front desk was SO RUDE she didn't even hand me back my change. I called for an appointment and specifically asked for the cheapest spray tan. Keep in mind, I am a broke college student and I just wanted a glow for my birthday. She insists the 45 dollar spray tan, and I nearly panicked. I reminded her I was interested in the cheapest one, and that's when she started throwing me attitude. I never got this lady's name but she has bug eyes and looks scary. Never going back she makes customers feel terrible. read more

I recently went in to see what Mystic was all about (I've spray tanned a handful of times but never "Mystic") ... it worked okay for what I was trying to do which was tan before my ski trip to Colorado (a month ago)... I ended up boarding a flight that stopped in LA where my friend got on and he too had just Mystic-fied himself so we both wreaked of tanning spray... it wasn't that bad but it was pretty funny. I didn't care for the utilities here or the small clothing "boutique" where everything was on sale (but still pricey for the quality) but the lady who took care of me has worked for Sahara Sun for several years and is good at what she does. She is easy to talk to and is very detail oriented and great at naturally up-selling customers... good for them not lovely for me. Oh well, at least I will have about 8 more sessions to my name which is 8 less session in a fake and bake bed (or standing capsule) so I guess that is a good thing. Convenient location since I live a few blocks away. I recommend the one on Lighthouse. read more

The Lady at the desk is so sweet and does a great job. I like this place I just start going a couple weeks ago and I'm happy I found it.

Best place ever. Has everything you need for your tanning anf the cutest clothes ever. I love how nice and friendly Brittnry and Gina are. They know exactly what i need before i do. All the girls that work there are best. Cindy read more

I posted my original review to the wrong location. Fremont is nicer, the staff is friendlier and more honest about their broken beds. Cute boutique. read more

Cute boutique clothing where some come with free tans with purchase that I've gifted to friends. Staff is very friendly and love their communication in time waits and all the useful information educating clients on the tanning process, products, benefits and precautions. I'm in good hands here. If you're on a time crunch, make an appointment, it's worth it when the seasons busy. read more

I've had a mostly good experience there. But Jackie is extremely rude and unprofessional.

I love this place. It is the best on the coast. They have lay down, stand up, mystic and versa pro for those of you who are sunless tanners. They even just added a red light machine. Red light therapy helps with collagen production, hair loss, chronic joint pain, increased immunity, and a range of other benefits. I would highly recommend this place and I'm surprised there aren't more 5 star reviews. Being in the customer service industry, I know how hard some people can be to please. If you want a place that actually replaces their bulbs, this is the place. Fair skin maidens beware, if this is your first time tanning here, I'd recommend starting with a 7-10 minutes. read more

I was once very pale. Very insecure. Very vitamin-D deficient. Then I stepped through the doors at Sahara Sun. I have to admit that I had never been tanning, and honestly just thought the girl working looked cute through the window. Luckily, she looked cuter up close (glare gets tricky, as you all know). Unreal customer service, she was cute - but even more friendly than I had assumed she would be. She walked me through the entire process and assured me that I would not get cancer after 5 minutes of their top-of-the-line bed. (Thank you, Google- failed me again). Definitely recommend this place to anyone looking to be greeted with a smile and wanting a golden god/godess type tan. read more

I'll be finding a new place. Haven't been here since last summer, went in today and the lady working, who I believe is the owner, was not too pleasant. She was miffed that I didn't want to buy a package and kept asking me if I was sure, because its SUCH a bad deal to purchase just one tan. Well if its such a bad deal for me, it should be a good deal for you, so just stop pushing me! read more

Being a past empolyee, seeing the ins & outs of the place really made me reconsider even tanning, ever. The beds may not even be "sanitized" when you get in them. At one point we were trained to clean the towels with the towel the customers used. We busted our butts but like other comments saying, not knowing when things will be fixed or things just breaking and not being able to get ahold of anyone was really frustrating. I loved some of the woman i worked with but i also saw HORRIBLE customer service. I hope if you come here you do have a great experience, and if you dont, im sorry. Lighthouses beds are almost ALWAYS sanitized just to throw that out there, but the customer service isnt the best. Its like a game of catch 21 with this salon, it is either going to be all good or all wrong. read more

I've been coming here for years. Great customer service and very clean. Definitely a great place to get a tan.

I don't tan nearly as much as I used to but I stumbled upon Sahara Sun a couple years ago after searching for a tanning salon that was in close proximity to my work. The beds are on the older side however the bulbs are updated often and tend to give me pretty good color in a short time. Most of the beds have air circulation but it's pretty poor which is unfortunate since the beds can get pretty warm during the summer time. The staff is always friendly and they tend to offer special deals pretty frequently which is nice. My only big complaint is that I've noticed the shop isnt as clean as it used to be. The last time I tanned there were dust bunnies flying all over the floor in the room I was placed in. Kinda gross. I always see the staff clean the rooms after I leave but just wish they'd give the floor a quick swifter so that I dont have to dodge dust bunnies and random hair on the ground while barefoot. read more

Old beds, small place, crusty customer service, overpriced goods, tiny and awkward parking lot, and the price is not worth it... The woman at the front desk was not only complaining about her job, she was upset that I was putting her out by coming in. WARNING: The hours posted on line are NOT the hours they are available for tanning. The woman said she couldn't let me tan because I came at the wrong time in spite of the fact they were open saying that their regular customers knew the tanning times. She went on and on and on and then told me she was going to be taking out of her own personal time if she let me tan (even though they were still open for another half hour). It took her longer to complain than it would have to just let me tan as I only wanted four minutes. Every time I've interacted with her, she's been crunchy and cantankerous...to put it the best way I can. The owner was almost as bad...talking with her led me to believe that she's doesn't really care about people. I'd rather spend more money and actually get what I paid for than have to go through that mess...not worth the trouble to say the least. read more

I wish this counted for both locations I go to! I love the the beds and mystic of this location, but the convenience of the other location (right down the street from work). Anyone concerned with the price should sign up for the email list! Great deals! Love all the super friendly staff and cute clothes too! Awesome local business! read more

I am a regular customer, and have been for quite some time now. It seems that this "K.J." character (from a previous review) is solely on yelp to complain and bash businesses, as I have seen similar negative reviews from "K.J." for other businesses as well. I must say, I have gotten to know all of the girls who work there, and they are all very kind and helpful, so if any of them are reading this... Thank you for being so friendly and always welcoming me with a smile! I also would like to recommend the new mystic booth to anyone who is needing an even tan for an event, vacation getaway, or just just to have a nice glow on a daily basis. I visit the salon once a week just for the mystic, I LOVE it. Thanks for everything Sahara Sun! read more

I never got a phone call. I tried to stick it out, but I canceled my membership. I wouldn't recommend anyone to tan here. The rooms are tiny, it's hot, and the customer service is horrible. If you decide to go here, make sure to get a tour first. You will not be impressed.... read more

Terrifically personable staff. Extremely knowledgeable on all phases of tanning and ready to answer your questions or concerns. Also well read on red light therapy. read more

Love Sahara Sun, the staff is awesome and the beds are excellent. Of course the Ultra Bronze is thee best as well as the stand up.

This is the best place to go for a spray tan. The versa gave me a beautiful natural glow I'm so happy with the results. I'm officially hooked and will be getting my spray tans regularly read more

Great prices with great tanning package deals! They vary from individual tanning sessions, to monthly. Sign up for the email list to be in the loop with more great deals. They also sell clothes so you can shop and tan! read more

Great beds great service and awesome package deals...high pressure bed is a must if you want a quicker tan that lasts.

I have been a Sahara Sun regular for years. Their staff is always super helpful and friendly, (especially Carly and Debbie). I don't tan in the tanning beds very often anymore but kept my membership for their Versa Pro and Red Light Therapy. I've tried other tanning salons in the past but nothing compares!! read more

I love Sahara sun! They have so many great package options, plus multiple locations, and clothes! I frequent them all. I absolutely loooove the Versa spray, it gives me the best tan that lasts a solid week every time. Can't beat that! Not only do I get a fabulous glow each time, I feel rejuvenated after the red light therapy bed and stylish in all the cute apparel! read more

I usually go to the Sahara on Fremont St in Monterey. It is always clean and employees/owner are friendly. I mostly have interacted with Lauren she is so sweet and very knowledgeable and helpful. read more

I love sahara sun love all there packages have the best deals out there three awesome locations the best beds and most awesome service ever. All the girls are so wonderful super helpful awesome attitudes always ready to help with anything... Love how cute and chic all three locations are love Sahara Sun loyal to all three locations ;) read more

I had signed up for a package deal, which was unlimited tanning, and four spray tans a month, while I wasn't going to use the spray tans, the lady told me that my girlfriend coyuld use them, but not the tanning beds. WHen she came in to use them, they told her no, and it was a misunderstanding. I asked them to down grade my package to tanning only, and they never did. I was billed for the big package for another month, so I cancelled my membership. Now I have been billed for three months total since I canelled with the OWNER, GIna, and she is refusing to refund the months the billed me, that I had cancelled. She has been very rude, and will not return phone calls. I have been n this area for a long time, and NEVER, seen an owner of a business here ever treat their customers like this. Very disappointed with their customer service, and will not refer anyone to their locations. read more

This place is awful! Do not go there. The owner, Gina, is rude and condescending and the customer service is atrocious. I have been tanning for years and have recently moved to Monterey and needed a new tanning salon, so since this was the closest to my house I decided to go here. Bad idea! I bought an unlimited package which only covers the cheap, bottom of the barrel beds (something I wasn't told until later) and after using only one tan I realized how horrible the beds actually were. I burned terribly, something that rarely happens to me, and so I tried to talk to the owner about changing my package to something that includes better beds. Not only did she not let me do that, she talked down to me like I was a child that didn't know shit about tanning, exclaiming that her beds are the best out there and anyone would burn going in for the amount if time I did. I went in for ten minutes. What a joke. A truly horrible experience! read more

If you want anything that Sahara Sun has to offer, DO NOT COME TO THIS LOCATION. The girls at the front are incredibly rude. They always seem to be on their cell phone, flipping through a magazine or having their own set of friends in the store, paying more attention to them then their customers. I cannot wait to get out of my contract, (Soon) so I can explore other areas in Monterey to tan. If their is one thing these local business' should learn, customer service is KEY. The more you lack that, you'll begin to see that slowly your business is dying read more

Helpful staff and easy experience. I got a versa spray tan and it was perfectly even on my body and lasted for about a week. The whole thing was so quick too which is a plus for me. I'm super fair skinned and the attendant had me get shade 3 and although I was terrified it would be too dark, she was totally right - it was definitely the right shade and looked like a natural tan shade (definitely not orange at all). It also didn't wear off weirdly like other spray tans I have had in the past from other places. It looked natural when fading no peel or abnormal dark spots for days - and again my skin is super fair so that's awesome. My only complaint was that I put the lotion on my hands and feet just like the attendant said (she said to leave it kind of goopy on my hands and top of my feet and not rub it in at all) and I wish I just left the lotion off or rubbed the lotion fully in prior to the spray, because the only parts on my body that were streaky were the spots where the lotion was goopy on my hands and tops of my feet. Regardless, I'd still definitely return if I ever need a spray tan again and just do something different with the lotion. read more