Katherine Parada is the absolute best! I've had 4 sessions with her in as many months, and have…read morebrought several family and friends back with me. We all LOVE the pieces that she's done for us! In addition to being creative and highly skilled, she's also really fun and easy to talk to. Every session has been enjoyable, and I always feel excited and proud to bring another loved one in to get tattooed by her. Kat takes the time to really understand the vision and heart behind each request, then works hard to bring that request to life! My tattoos are beautiful and have all healed well. They turned out even better than I was envisioning! I get compliments on them all the time. I'm already dreaming up my next tattoos and can't wait to work with Kat again! As far as the shop itself, Golden Child is clean, professional, and friendly. Every time I've come in, the owner and multiple other artist swing by throughout the session to check on Kat and on me, see if we need anything, and compliment the tattoo. Golden Child has built a little family, and it resonates in everything they do. Highly recommend!

I was not satisfied with my visit to Golden Child today because I believe the experience should…read morehave been handled better. This will be a detailed review of what I observed and experienced. Short version: Better time management is needed with appointments and clients who have placed deposits. There is no reason for clients to be scheduled for specific appointment times if they are then left waiting 30+ minutes past that time to be seen. Also blood around the piercing site should be properly cleaned before allowing the client to leave. Longer version: I made an appointment for my baby's earlobe piercing at 1:30 PM. We arrived at 1:20 PM to check in and were greeted and asked to complete the waiver online. While we were waiting, there were multiple clients in the foyer, it seemed like a busy part of the day but I was relived to have made an appointment for our visit . During this time, another client was visibly upset and speaking with Birdie. That interaction escalated to the point where they moved the conversation outside. Our appointment was with Birdie, we waited patiently while this was handled. However, this interaction extended into our appointment time. Birdie finished the conversation around or shortly after 1:30 PM, at which point she appeared visibly flustered and behind schedule. Another client who had been waiting before us was taken back, and we continued to wait. We were not called back until close to 2:00 PM, approximately 30 minutes past our scheduled appointment time. At that point, our baby was understandably fussy from the extended wait. When we were finally brought back, Birdie explained the process and how she wanted us to hold the baby. However, the entire interaction felt rushed. I understand that infant piercings require efficiency, but that does not justify a rushed appointment process. No piercing should be rushed, regardless of the client's age. Additionally, directly after the piercing, we noticed visible blood left on and around my daughter's earlobe. I will include photos for reference. I thought based on standard infection control practices and the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, any visible blood should be properly cleaned and the area disinfected before the client leaves. I personally have a good amount of body piercings that were done at reputable piercing shops and have never left without the piercing sight being cleaned and inspected. Final concern: My main concerns are the lack of time management with scheduled appointments, the rushed nature of the procedure, and the inadequate cleaning after the piercing. I believe these are important areas that should be addressed for client safety and overall service quality.

Steven killed it! I sent him a concept and explained what I was thinking. He asked me some…read morequestions about realism and took over. His artistic instincts were exactly what I was looking for! He nailed the shading, depth, "skin damage", everything! I have 3 ideas for my next ink and I'll definitely go back to Steven. Also, the shop is amazing. They've really got a whole vibe going there. I really could've just hung out for the day.

Jesse Larkin! Thank you for making my tattoo experiences so inviting and positive! I could not be…read morehappier with the entire experience x 2! I had thought about tattoos for decades and finally decided to start the process. This tattoo studio is unlike anything I've ever seen in San Diego County! I feel this beautiful place elevated my expectations . This is the only upscale tattoo boutique around that brings smokin' talent from several well trained and experienced artists. I had 4 tattoos done within a 2 week period, because I enjoyed it so much! Jesse responded right away to my request for service and was helpful in being realistic about the process of choosing the designs and time. Super efficient online and texting communications, comfortable, safe, and friendly! Highly recommend for high end quality tattoos that you will absolutely love!

Shannon was absolutely amazing. I went in to get my rook pierced and she was explaining to me why…read moreshe is going to pierce the exact spot. She was so kind and you could just tell she loves what she does and is so passionate. I was able to walk right in without an appointment and I was seen immediately. I will definitely be coming back to get pierced by her again soon!

Came in last minute for a quick walk in to get a conch ear piercing and was immediately helped by…read moreShannon! I filled out some standard paper work, and was immediately taken back to pick out my jewelry. I was very impressed my the selection they had! I picked the one shown in the picture (which was a brand new piece they got in yesterday!) , so honestly after everything it came out to $100 flat which is honestly such a good deal when you know you're getting a clean, sterile piercing with amazing service. Shannon was very sweet, made me feel very comfortable and talked me through every single little thing she did. My boyfriend tagged along with me and was looking into getting a new tattoo, and talked to Mike who was also very nice! I am definitely going to come back for another piercing to get from here. 10/10 service. :)

Sev did my latest tattoo and I couldn't be happier! Everything in the shop is super clean. Music…read moreselection was on point. She was very careful and methodical and was constantly checking on me to make sure I was doing okay, which I was, but it is always nice to know that your tattoo artist isn't just stuck in their own head when they are working on you. I will definitely be back!

Sev did an awesome job with my cute little bee. The shop is clean, people are chill, and great…read morecustomer service.... not to mention great music selection playing

Took my (underage) daughter and some of her friends in today for piercings. We waited over an hour…read more(the piercer's were really busy that day - not the tattoo artist ) and they wouldn't let me use the restroom. The owner said it was for customers only. Even tho I was the one paying and I was there as a minors adult guardian. I was about to drop $300 on piercings at a place that values and respects its customers so well that they wouldn't even let them use the restroom. After waiting over an hour! Pathetic. Don't waste your time or money. There are over 1 million tattoo shops in San Diego that do just as good of a job, but actually treat their customers with respect. Fucking joke of a shop.

I got 2 new tattoos this week and both are excellent. One is a banjo. Friends are amazed at the…read moreclean strait lines and perfect round drum. The rosary beads on my arm appear 3D. Arianna did focused beautiful art and Josh showed subtle mentoring with suggestions on placement so that the final product is better than my original vision.

Quality, excellent customer service!!! Doesn't matter if you want an new Tatt or piercing they got…read moreu!!! Prices are great given the quality of work I go no where else!!!

Highly recommend Ollie the Impaler if you're wanting a piercing. He's got a great personality and…read morereally knows what he's doing. He was very friendly and answered all my questions, even though I wasn't the one who got pierced. My friend was nervous and he was very patient with her, and was able to set her at ease. He very thoroughly explained the process to her and did the piercing without causing her any pain. He's also fair priced. He has a very clean space that is nicely decorated all around. Definitely a cool dude, while being very professional. My only complaint would be how hot the place was. It was even humid in there.

Got my first tattoo here the other night, great experience! Cassandra was my artist, incredibly…read moreprofessional and charismatic . Comfortable environment. 10/10 experience.

I got my first tattoo by Ivan and he did a great job! He did exactly what I wanted. He was patient,…read moregentle and meticulous with his work. I love my tattoo and would absolutely recommend this artist to anyone. Thank you Ivan.

I got my tattoo on Monday courtesy of Bris and I couldn't be happier with the tattoo and the…read moreexperience. I originally called the shop and spoke with Jose who was super helpful. My schedule isn't the most open so he passed my info onto Bris who contacted me right away, which was a Friday. She was able to schedule an appointment with me in 3 days for Monday(appointment only, shop is closed that day). We both discussed what I'd like the tattoo to look like and the location. I'm so pumped on the tattoo, especially with the sentimental value to me. The experience was fantastic, super chill and comfortable. I recommend Bris and this shop to anyone and can't wait to get additions to what she already did. Thanks Bris!

We were interested in a tribal tattoo and have been looking for a while but most places we have…read morebeen to did not feel welcoming or they voice their negative opinions of what we want to put on our body. They made us feel stupid for wanting something on our bodies that represented something important to us. As soon as we walked into Tribal Roots we were greeted and welcomed as if we were returned customers. Gabe listened to what we wanted and we told him he had free reign with his artistic interpretation. There was no judgment from anyone. The place is clean, all the artist sanitize their area before their appointments arrive, and everyone is chillaxed there. As we spent our time there we felt as if we were part of their tattoo family. The work that Gabe did was amazing. He is talented and art is unique. If you looking for tribal art, he is your guy. His care and attention are impeccable. His schedule is booked in advance, so if you want a piece of art from him will need to be patient. You will not regret it.