I wish I could recall the name of my artist, as he's probably not at this location anymore. Â Who knows, maybe he is?
In 2005, I had just returned from my first deployment overseas and wanted--you guessed it--a tattoo! Â Imagine that. Â I knew what I wanted, and where, but not exactly how to place it. Â The artist was patient with me and we moved the outline around three times before settling on the final location. Â I will say, that out of all my tats, this one is probably my favorite. Â Why? Â Because the artist was patient, professional, and wanted ME to be happy with the outcome. Â (This has not always been the case at other tat shops I've gone to--I've walked out of those.)
I imagine that even if my artist isn't still there, that the mentality is the same in the shop? Â When I get back from my third deployment (here now), I'll find the itty bitty business card I've held onto and see if his name is on it. Â Will update review if so.... but I want to say his name was Dave?
I can't say enough great things about this shop. I have about 15 tattoos, with almost all of my back and ribs covered, as well as some other little random ones.
For the larger pieces I have, I made sure to go to well respected artists in the area I was currently living. I have been tattooed in New Jersey, New York, and Arizona. After moving to San Diego and being ready for my next tattoo, I knew I needed the best.
Having lots of friends with serious tattoos, I asked all of them where they got their work done and everyone said Guru. I immediately did some research and it was clear that they were the best in San Diego, and possibly all of Southern Cali.
I looked through portfolios and really liked Champ's work. I set up a consult and we discussed doing a huge lower back piece for me of a deconstructed version of my family's coat of arms with a lion statue.
i had an idea in my head, and Champ transformed it into something better that I could've pictured - which is exactly what a talented artist does. The tattoo ended up looking like nothing like I had pictured in my head, instead he had showed me all the ways to change my design to elevate it to a better tattoo.
I trusted his word and I couldn't be happier with the result. It looks incredible and I always try and send people his way when they ask where I got it. If you're looking for a quality tattoo and Champ doesn't really do your style, every artist in that shop is the best at what they do and regardless of who, you're in good hands.
I highly recommend the shop in general, but especially Champ for rockin out a sick lower back piece for me. I can't wait to go see him for more.
Took me a very VERY long time to look for a tattoo shop that had a great reputation and is a tad friendly with a student budget. I don't live in SD but I was told by a couple people that this establishment is full of flawless artists, all with a different style to bring to the table. I ended up looking at the work of Kyle Walker and decided to go for it. Not only was he enthusiastic about creating the piece that I wanted, he kept an organized schedule, gave me a personal contact for any concerns or adjustments and most of all, absolutely nailed my tattoo (outline for now) . Put it this way, I wouldn't be surprised that I would get the rest of my ink done by each and every artist at guru. Friendly front desk staff, cool area to walk around if you're not local. You won't be disappointed.
"If you don't get a tattoo by Guru...something is wrong with you"
Me and my roommate both went to Guru for our first tattoos. We both knew what phrase we wanted and Champ drew them out beautifully! We both got rib pieces done and each tattoo took no more than 20 minutes! It's a year and a half later and they both look fantastic! The shop is really really clean and nice and everyone I met was very friendly. A tad biased about my artist because Champ is my epic uncle, but I'd recommend this shop to anyone and everyone!
Review Source:I can't say enough good things about Guru Tattoo. My last review was almost four years ago and since then I had moved to Los Angeles and STILL drove down here to get work done. This round was done with Cooper for my stunning half sleeve. I'm almost jealous of the beautiful woman Coop drew for my arm since she gets so much attention.
Cooper's portfolio is ridiculous. And I mean that in the best way possible. He is worth the price and the waitlist. He's so talented and easy to work with. He had my best interest and took the time to draw on me and deal with my stubborn and undecisive personality. We went over a lot of the different elements in my sleeve, and by doing so, with his input, we finished with an end result I'll be satisfied with for the rest of my life. And that brings me to another thing I should mention and that is how awesome the staff is. Ron continues to be the warmest and funniest shop manager (I'm assuming that's his title.) I met Aaron the owner during one of my sessions as well. You just wouldn't expect these tatted up tough guys to be teddy bears, but they're all great to be around and have always made my sessions comfortable and quick through conversations and accommodating nature.
I'll definitely be loyal to this shop for any future work I get. You really can't go wrong with any artist here as you can see by looking through any of their portfolios. Guru, me love you long time.
I didn't think I'd ever get a tattoo. Â
Life changes a person and the reason why people get them vary - and we know, they're going to be on the body FOREVERRRRRR. It's a commitment. It's ART.
Do you want FLASH or do you want something authentic and original? I chose the latter.
I perused the portfolios looking carefully at the details of each artist's work, and was so impressed with the team at Guru. Out of all of them, I was charmed by Cooper's art so I chose for him to inject me. I had this awesome idea of what I wanted and he reminded me that getting a Porky Pig slobbering while holding a scythe and chasing a goat tattooed on my left bicep may not be a good idea - firstly the subject, as well as the location of the tattoo and how my skin may take certain tones of ink. No bueno.
So we went with his rendition of an oriental lily and a peacock feather on my right shoulder, and man - it's amazing. I get compliments all the time, especially from others who've had work done. They know what they're looking at when they see this work. Cooper's been my artist for a few years now, and I hope he doesn't go anywhere. Guru is an excellent inkwell - and collectively the artists are beyond amazing. They care about their customers and work, and how it may turn out so they'll sit with you and take their time consulting.
*I am looking forward for their art book to come out!
i've never had a tatoo before and i was so nervous about getting one. Â went to guru just walk in to see if i can get in but of course they were all booked. Â however, they were nice enough to take the number down and would call us back if there was any opening. Â but i really wanted to get one soon so we went to check out "flying panther" in downtown SD. Â we walked in, they weren't friendly and the tatoo artist didn't get what i want. Â so we walked out and waited another day for guru. Â next day we got in and i was so excited! Â my artist was mateo and he knew exactly what i wanted and took his time to sketch my tatoo out. Â it was painless and the tatoo came out amazing!!! if i were to get another tatoo, i would def. go with these guys and i luv mateo! Â :D
Review Source:Best shop in town.
Rates typical for high-end shop.
Brought an idea to Chris, after an hour or two he changed it up and came back with an awesome design. My brother and I got the same tatt inside our right arm, and Chris executed them both perfectly. Design, color, location, art, all done well. I get a lot of compliments on the tatt and I am quick to recommend Guru.
As others have said, this is not a quick stop shop, not for ten minute cheesy tattoos or belly buttons. Call ahead and expect a few months wait. It is worth it. Then save your cash cuz it won't be cheap.
Shop is clean, well lit, well appointed, has bathroom and water station.
Will be back!
When in to have a tattoo drawn up I spoke with Chris, he told me he would have it done on the 18th of march, to do the tattoo . I told him I needed to see it first and maybe make some changes, he said that we will do it the same day, I was not really wanting to to that, I wanted to see it and see if it needed modified. My work took me out of town at the last min so I did not make it to see Chris, I when in today and he some arrogant attitude, telling me that he did not have it there and I have to pay another deposit to see it, I wonder who is the customer????? Guru tattoo sucks in customer service.
Review Source:No, no. Let's not get ahead of ourselves here. I did not get a tattoo this past weekend.
However, my boss was celebrating her 60th birthday and wanted to commemorate it with a rose tattoo on her wrist. I have to say, the customer service is pretty awesome here. We probably had a posse of 15 who wanted to come witness the event. With all the ruckus and commotion, they still were very nice to us. They even allowed us to sit around and witness the tattoo despite the rooms being really small. Very fun vibe here. The rose came out beautiful!
Wouldn't go to this place or recommend it.
Everyone seemed nice at first, but really its all just a front.
I put down a $50 deposit fee to reserve my appointment. I got there a little early to look at some fonts they had. The person I had an appointment with, Chris, said he's finishing up someone which will take about 20 more minutes. That was totally fine, no rush. But then 40 minutes later he finally finishes, and doesn't come out to see my cousin and I. He just stays at the back. I ask the guy at the front desk, Ron, when he'll be done, just to keep track of time. Chris didn't come out to see us till almost an hour and a half after our appointment time. He minimally asked us questions about what we wanted. Almost 45 minutes pass by and he finally comes out with the most ugliest designs that weren't even complicated enough to take 45 minutes. Then we tell him how we wanted it and he gets pissed off at us. Why the hell would we spend money to get artwork done on our bodies if its not what we want?! Ron and Chris were just being rude and Chris was taking forever for the most simplest designs ever. A waste of my $50 for a time slot that wasn't even given to me.
best in the business! extremely professional and great atmosphere in the shop. Â aaron della vedova did most of my right sleeve and side of my chest. blended it in perfectly with the existing tattoo i had on my forearm. I've had about 60+ hours of tattoo work done and this was by far the best experience i've ever had.. and his work is incredible! worth every penny!
Review Source:This place is by far one of the best I have been too. The atmosphere is amazing and the artists have outstanding skills!! I took my friend in there for his first tattoo and he was impressed with how much it didn't hurt! Ron was absolutely fantastic and so was my artist Chad! You can bet that once I relocate, i will be making this my permanant stop for ink!
Review Source:I first came to the shop in September to see if I can catch Rory for a few minutes to discuss my tattoo idea. Everyone there was really cool in helping me out and Rory was more than happy to accommodate my inquiry. The little nervousness that I had was quickly washed away with Rory's really relaxed manner and inviting atmosphere.
My 2nd trip here was in December to finally figure out the elements that will go into my tattoo which was a bit hard to do other than the main piece in the center. What I really liked about Rory is he left it all up to me on what I wanted on it. He didn't  try to push any particular designs on me and allowed me to look through his books to help me come up with what I want whenever I suggested a certain type of look.
My 3rd trip here was to finally get tattooed. This was my very first tattoo and I can say that it is the best experience I've ever had for something so personal. As a first-timer I was barely nervous because the environment and people including Rory were very friendly and helped me feel relaxed the entire time. Rory was very informative and walked me through each step so that I knew what would happen next. He was very professional, courteous, and laid back. I really couldn't have asked for a more perfect experience. The end result was my absolutely amazing tattoo that I'm very proud of. Rory created perfection on my arm and I certainly plan on coming back to add more to it.
If you're looking into getting any kind of tribal work done, Rory is definitely the BEST.
I have spent about 15-20 hours under Champ's needle with about 5 left to go. The tattoo is absolutely coming to life and looks better than I could have imagined. I was referred to Guru by a friend and couldn't be more satisfied with the outcome; first off, the professionalism in this shop stands alone. Any and all questions are respectfully answered, and all concerns are are handled with ease. Mind you, if you are getting work done on areas of your body you rather not show the world, you are comfortably hidden behind closed curtains. A few other perks, the artists that work at Guru are by appointment only, so if you are the type of person who wants to pick a tat off a wall and get it stamped on you, San Diego is full of  many amateur shops that would happily accommodate you, don't waste your time here.  Ron at the front desk is wicked awesome, he's the one with the warm welcoming smile (Ron, I'll be right back!) so just stop in and say hello to him, it will brighten up your day! The shop is kept immaculate, with bright lights, and is probably one of the cleanest buildings in PB. No joke :). I have only had work done by Champ, and I would give him ten stars if I could. So all you serious people looking to get some serious work done, look no further. Give them a call, check out their website (with artist's profiles),  and make a freakin' appointment.  Like them on FB and you can see lots of fresh new tats, with new pics being posted all the time.
Tattoo has been completed. Â Probably the best looking tat I've ever seen. Â (Maybe a little biased). Â I would recommend Guru to anyone and everyone who loves permanent artwork.
I have heard rave reviews about this place, until I went in an experienced it myself - I would have agreed, by appearance alone...
Clean atmosphere.
Sanitary in appearance.
Tattoo Rooms are open to the public. (Rad)
Art work is up & books are available to view.
My experience= Â
I was excited to enter and speak with an artist, wanted to schedule to have at least 3 pieces done (goodness knows 800+ $$ worth of work ...), with help in the right direction, and after reading another YELP review here telling about someone went in unprepared and with a vague idea of what they wanted, were helped to figure out what worked for them. - has me realizing that when I entered unprepared, the crude & abrasive attitude I was given was just rude.
(*I had been Emailing 2 artists before I went into the shop, BOTH asked me to stop in during working hours to discuss what I'd wanted, styles, specifics, likes. Etc. So I did not enter unprompted.)
I understand that you speak with 'ignorant' people asking stupid questions all day  but to the ignorant person, their questions aren't stupid.
What you may consider common knowledge, isn't to me.
I work in the customer service industry, and get PLENTY of stupid people in my area of work, and still don't act condescending toward potential customers.
I left feeling defeated, and quite honestly, upset. Â
The man practically had me in tears from embarrassment when I left. Â He berated me in front of my husband, another artist, and 5-6 patrons that were in the waiting room.
Kyle was my artist, by choice of course.
My friend got a tattoo here by Aaron and it looked amazing. So I drove by one day and though to myself that I need to get my tattoo fixed so I can in.
Front desk was extremely helpful and nice. I took a look at some port's and I really liked Kyle's. So I picked him to be my artist.
I had him fix my tattoo that was "finished" at some other shop and I hated it. Kyle fixed it and it looks FAAab! I love it and I get so many compliments.
He was really cool to talk to while getting my tattoo. He introduced me to "floating" and I have yet to try it out! His friend came by and was hanging out with him, he didn't leave me out in their conversation. Like a lot of people would.I will never forget cuz that guy had a t bone steak tattooed on him. Pretty cools
This shop is super legit and I would so pay to come back here. Like seriously when we were done, instead of wrapping my arm up with plastic wrap and tape. I got pads to suck up the blood and wrapped in pretty green foamy ribbon!!! Ha ha. They ask for I.D, you actually sign paperwork cuz I've been to shops that wouldn't even ask!!!
I really like the Neo-Japanese kinda work that Kyle's into. I would definitely get another tattoo by him!
I got a Circus Elephant tattoo from Jeremy in Guru Tattoo.
I was recommended from a friend who got an awesome Shark tattoo from him, with one picture I was pretty convinced, but I honestly wanted someone super excited about it, so I emailed him about my idea & the reasoning behind it, & he was totally down.
The tattoo has all the specific details that I wanted, over all a great tattoo.
The customer service though, is kind of stuffy. When I first went in to visit, just check things out, it took a while for someone to even acknowledge my presents, & there were a few people in the front, who did see me.
Jeremy himself, is kind of quite, I guess that may be his personality? Very monotone & not really into small talk, but I guess you don't really go there to chat, but it guess made it a little awkward.
But, my tattoo is great. Totally what I wanted.
Jeremy does have a light & fast hand though. I was in the chair for maybe 30 minuets, & it wasn't too painful, besides the typical needle scratching into skin pain.
I recommend the place! Everyone there does great work, just check out their website.
Oh I love you Guru! I got my biggest tattoo here (half sleeve) from the awesome Nate Banuelos, who I highly recommend. It took me about 6 months to get in, but it was worth the wait entirely and I would never see another artist now. Everyone is really nice, etc, but the main point is they all do amazing work and it's worth the wait and every penny!
Review Source:I don't know what to say about Guru Tattoo that hasn't already been said. Aaron is my artist and the shop owner. Let me put it this way- I waited about twenty months to be able to sit with him and happy I did.
I had wanted a whole sleeve of vegetables for about ten years. I always told all my buddies I was going to get it, and I'd been searching high and low for the right artist. I live in Dallas, so naturally I went to Dallas artists first. Most of them flat out said, "I don't do that type of work," and I couldn't get one person excited about it. I decided to broaden my search. I guess it was about 2003 when I finally stumbled upon the Guru website. I absolutely fell in love with the nature pieces Aaron had done- flowing vines, falling leaves, vibrant flowers, etc. I decided I'd love to go to him when time and money allowed.
I emailed him my idea and got back an enthusiastic response. 'Great idea' and 'exactly the kind of art I like to do' were thrown around. This was precisely what I'd been looking for- someone highly artisic who appreciated, respected, and was maybe even a little jazzed about my idea. SCORE.
I told him my idea, and was completely blown away with the artistic direction he took it in- for weeks I carried around a color printout of the concept art he'd sent me so I could show friends. It took a long time for all the stars to align to make it possible, but after I was on the waiting list for a while (and was able to afford it), I finally got started.
One of the things about Guru that I hadn't encountered before was just a wealth of friendly employees, knowledgeable artists, and a high level of professionalism. I appreciate the prompt responses to emails, showing up in a timely manner for appointments, and general non-flakiness of everyone there. I'm sure you've dealt with a tattoo artist who makes it seem as though he or she is doing YOU a favor by deigning to tattoo you. Not even remotely at Guru- they really understand customer service. From the little things like pillows and agreeable music to bigger things like making sure every single surface and instrument is clean and sterile or brand spanking new. Â (I don't think my physician's office is as clean as this shop.) They even brought me a smoothie once when I merely mentioned in passing that I wanted one!
I've spent many hours of my life inside Guru and I can honestly say every one was enjoyable, even the ones that hurt like a mofo. I will definitely be back (after all, I'm not finished yet!), but more than that I will and have recommended any of their artists.
Disclaimer: Guru is not a casual shop where you just drop in for a cheap, fast tattoo. You might not know that there are different types of tattoo shops, so don't be churlish when Guru isn't the shop for your spring break tattoo or belly button piercing. That said, that doesn't mean they can't accomodate a short notice tattoo, but I would call before you come down.
The best in southern California, hands down! One of the better shops in CA and really up there for all of the US. I've been in hundreds of tattoo shops and have traveled around the country to get work from some of the greats in my book. Guru has the most amazing range of artists and diverse styles under one roof!
Everyone is super nice, professional with zero ego's or BS here. One of the most professional shops I've been in. This is a great shop for the most serious collector to the person getting their first tattoo. If you're getting your first tattoo, I can't recommend any other shop over Guru. Hat's off to Aaron to really making something special.
I rarely see a rating of less than 5 stars and now I know why. Â I am big on customer service because I have worked in that type of industry and I am also super big on being timely and follow through. Â Both of these were perfectly executed by Nate Banuelos. Â I haven't even met him yet, but just through his email correspondence I am impressed.
Nate considered my ideas and gave me honest feedback and invited me in for a consult to see if what could be done. Â I find this to be refeshing and comforting. Â I definitely reccommend visiting Guru if you are interested in getting personalized and custom work.
I love the Guru crew! Â I've been getting tattooed by Kyle for at least seven years and I've never been disappointed. Â He has a great range of styles and adds a personal touch to every piece he does. Â We even won first place at a tattoo convention for the large color tattoo he put on my ribs and hip. Â More recently he was gracious enough to fit my dad, myself and two of my brothers in for a family tattoo. Â All in all Kyle Walker comes highly recommended!
Review Source:Finally, after 20 years of needle fear, I decided to get that peony tattoo.
At the suggestion of a friend I went to Shannon Bundy, guest tattooing at Guru, and was super happy and very very relieved to find the experience not at all scary and even sort of pleasant.
Seriously, I'm AFRAID of needles.
Shannon worked with me on the tattoo design, patiently accommodating all my vague ideas, and he finished the tattoo (delicate, as requested) in what seemed to be a reasonable amount of time.
Ultimately, though, the end product is what really matters, and in this case it is absolutely perfect.  I LOVE it, LOVE it, LOVE it.  Will probably go back soon to get an older tattoo fixed... and who  knows what else.
Awesome place. Read many reviews on tattoo shops and this one by far had the best reviews. Made my appointment at night then went in he next day and got my tattoo. My husband and I both got matching tattoos by Kevin, awesome artist. The colors were brilliant and they blended so well together. Â I will be going back to him for any more tattoos as long as I am in San Diego.
Review Source:I went to guru with my sister because we both had old tattoos that needed to be fixed. We chose the shop because my mom had done some research and recomended it. I was impressed by the apperance of the shop and by how quickly they were able to get us in as walk-ins. Eno was able to help me move from nervous to totally at ease while in the chair and my tattoo turned out great. He freehanded a big bow on my sister to cover an ugly shrivled heart and I thought a bow sounded lame but i was stunned by how great Eno made it look. I plan to add on to this tattoo very soon and I plan on going back to Eno. Everyone is laid back and its clear they all love their jobs. Highly recommended.
Review Source:I had an absolutely wonderful experience at Guru Tattoo. They place is completely spotless and the staff are all friendly and helpful. I went to see Cooper who was able to fit me in on short notice and drew up my tattoo even better than what I imagined. He did an awesome job, I am more than satisfied with my new tattoo! I thought it was totally cool that they even send you a thank you letter vie e-mail after your visit. You can tell this shop goes above and beyond to make sure they are helping you the best they can. I highly recommened them and if I ever decided to go for more tats this is the place I'll be going!
Review Source:Eno is amazing!
When I was 18, I was stupid and I got my first tattoo done at some random tattoo shop in San Francisco without doing any research about my tattoo artist and without much of a consultation beforehand. It was just some lettering that I had done, but it wasn't good... one of the letters ended up looking like an "F" instead of a "T" and over the years it faded from black into navy blue. Ugly.
Years later... I was keeping a friend company at Guru sitting around with her while Eno was working on her tattoo and was totally impressed. She brought in this tiny ornament to show him her tattoo inspiration and even just from that, he drew out a customized version in the most amazing, intricate, colorful design! So I was sold, I asked if he could help me out and made an appointment.
I told him I wanted the look of it to be delicate and girly, but wasn't sure if he'd really understand what I wanted since this guy looks kind of rough, I mean, he's got a cobra tattoo on his neck... but he understood. He free-handed my entire tattoo by drawing it on me to fit around my old tattoo and was able to re-do all of my lettering so you could actually read it and incorporated my lettering into the new design so perfectly.
This is the only place I think I'll ever go for tattoos. It is a bit expensive, but sooo worth it. Do yourself a favor and get an amazing quality tattoo done right the first time at Guru.
I have been wanting a tattoo for many, many years but just didn't have the courage to do it. I was worried more about the pain than I was about the permanency of it. I FINALLY got the nerve to do it last Monday and I am SOOOOO HAPPY that I chose Guru to do my tattoo. First of all I had no idea where I was going to get it done so I came to Yelp to look for the best tattoo shops in San Diego. Guru was one of many that came up. I called Guru first and spoke to Peep on the phone. He was patient, informative, and was honest about the whole process. I wanted a silver dollar sized Celtic peace knot on my neck and Peep was straight up front telling me that it would have to be bigger in order to show details and for it to stay looking fresh longer. I knew exactly what he meant and agreed. I wanted to call a few more places before I made my final decision and I ended going right back to Guru's because first of all Peep was so nice on the phone and gave me tons of info. And 2nd, because of the other places I called they seemed cocky and arrogant. (Hmmm... wow just because you have a ton of tats and work at a salon, it doesn't automatically make you cool enough to be a jerk to potential clients!) So I cruised over to Guru, met with Peep (who btw has theeee coolest stache!) and I showed him what I wanted. He said that he had a guest artist from Chicago (named Matthew Mark) that could do it for me then and there. Which was perfect since I finally had the cajones to do it that day. Matt was a friggin ROCKSTAR! Loveeeeeed him!!! He made me feel at ease, which was great since I was a tattoo virgin. I gotta be honest, it didn't even hurt AT ALL!!! We laughed, and joked, and it was the best experience I could have asked for. My tattoo is absolutely 1000% exactly what I wanted. Matt was so patient with me while I picked out the perfect Celtic font and he didn't make me feel rushed or uncomfortable in the least. Now I am happy to say that I have 4 people that I am for sure sending your way, and I will be stopping in to pick up some more of your cards to pass out. I am also happy to say that because of my awesome experience, I am ready for my next tattoo. I loved Matt so much that I am willing to wait until he comes back from Chicago! Thanks guys for everything. And thinks for being REAL and not a bunch of posers thinking you're too cool for newbies like me!!! Muuuahhh!! Thanks a bunch!!! Â P.s. Check out my profile to see my knot.
Review Source:I got an awwesome tattoo on my wrist of a Buddha from a guest artist named Matt. His work was impeccable and clean. The shading of my tattoo is one that people notice immediately when they see it. I couldn't be more happy with my tattoo. Guru made me feel at ease and they were very personable. And pretty reasonably priced. Thanks Guru, I've already been recommending you guys to friends.
Review Source:I recently got a half sleeve done by Nick Alvarez, every one in this shop is a professional and each has their own unique style. I wanted something Japanese style and Nick hooked it up right. It is expensive to get tattooed here but trust me, your money is well spent here. Both i and my wife have both been tattooed here and plan on coming back in the future.
Review Source:I loved Guru Tattoo, the place was clean, super chill environment. I had been searching an artist forever and came across Paul D'huey. He was quick to respond to my inquiry, I liked his work and went for it. I'm going to post a pic, please feel free to let me know if it's to revealing for this sight. I loved the experience. Paul was super cool, and everyone was accommodating even friendly. There is lots of art up by the artist which I liked. San Diego is quite a long, drive for me, but well worth it. 3 to 4 hrs. at a time was all I could take. Tattoo's are intimate and forever. It's good to do the research. I am pleased. Besides having them removed hurts a whole lot more then getting them! I highly recommend Guru Tattoo.
Review Source:After posting my review, the owner of Guru took the time to contact me. I was pleasantly surprised that she would take the time to apologize and make an offer for me to try them out again. Since I was prego at the time I couldn't take her up on her offer right away. I look forward to speaking with her again soon so that I can give a much better review for the shop. Can't wait to see how everything turns out!
Review Source:If there was a group of tattoo gods, this would be them!
I hate PB and cannot stand the grungy shops there. But the second I walked into this place I was blown away. The guys in the shop are extremely friendly, Anthony (I think) helped me out right away and I talked to Eno about  getting a rib tattoo. He told me to come back in a few hours so he can draw it out, he called me up early and I came down there that day.
This is a custom tattoo shop, don't bring your crappy flash art that you found on google. I brought Eno pictures, he didn't even need them, I basically told him what I wanted and he drew out the most amazing drawing. It blew my old overpriced tattoo out of the water (I got it at Six feet under which is Corey Miller's shop, not worth it). Price is really good, I got a rib outline done for only $150, and it's a decent size. (I paid $350 at Six Feet, rip off)
We started at 7 and shop closed at 8, he finished quickly and the detail was incomparable. Super nice and we joked and talked the whole time.
The shop is very inviting and the artists prints are all over, as you look at the other sketches, paintings, prints, they are overwhelming with how beautiful they are.
I think this is the only place I will ever come back to now.
Got my first tattoo here a few months ago. After spending a long time walking into all the shops in PB and being continually  told that what I wanted (a petite, non-flourishy, cursive font) was not possible, I stopped into Guru as a last ditch effort.
Not only did Ron make me feel totally welcome, Eno drew up a custom version of what I was looking for, and had me in the chair and done 20 minutes later. The place is CLEAN, has really cool artwork everywhere.
Shop minimum was $80, that's what I was charged.
Getting the work done hurt like a b*tch, but there's not much to be done about that... otherwise, the experience was awesome. I'll definitely return if I get anything else done.
I absolutely agree with all the positive reviews. Â Guru Tattoo is the best. Â
I had a concept for a tattoo that I took to two other highly reviewed shops. Â One was booked solid for four months and their customer service was sub par. Â The other I repeatedly went to for a month and the artist procrastinated completing the sketch, and what little was done was of very poor quality.
I went to Guru and immediately felt welcomed. Â The shop is exceptionally clean and the staff are very friendly. Â I picked ENO to be my artist and discussed what I wanted. Â He listened to me and when I came back to see the sketches, they were amazing. Â I initially thought he did them on a computer because they were so good, until I saw him draw. Â He took my ideas and came up with a design much better than I could have imagined.
ENO is a gifted artist, very easy going, experienced, and professional. Â After 8 hours in his chair I was ecstatic and amazed at his work. Â He initially used the sketches as a template, but the majority of the drawing he did free handed, and it looks awesome. Â
San Diego has tons of tattoo shops, and you run the risk poor quality work if you don't choose the right shop, but you will not go wrong, and will not be disappointed at Guru Tattoo. Â My highest recommendation.
Thanks again,
Ash
I got my second tattoo here by Eno, who did a GREAT job and was super patient and accommodating. Â He drew it out for me, and spent a long time trying to get it just perfect. Â I probably made him change little details like 6 or 7 times, but he was happy and friendly the entire time (even though I was being so difficult!) I loved the atmosphere, it was so relaxed and friendly. Â All of the people working were really open and welcoming, and I felt right at home the entire time. Â I will definitely be getting my next tattoo here, because now I don't want to go anywhere else!! Thanks Eno! :)
Review Source:really great experience all around. I had been looking for a good tattoo shop for my first tattoo, but am VERY picky - I work in medical, so I have some idea how important cleanliness is in tattooing, and I didn't want to go to some fly by night tattoo parlor on the spur of the moment and end up with more than I had paid for. asked for recommendations from several heavily tattooed friends as to places which are clean and do good work, was given recommendations for three, guru being one of them. went and checked all three out, guru was definitely the cleanest and the most professional appearing. not only does guru keep an organized and well kempt shop, the people working the counter both times I was there were genuinely pleasant, helpful and well spoken, and the tattoo artists appeared to be exactly the opposite of the stereotyped old school tattoo artists - the artists at guru were well scrubbed, well put together, and looked to be generally well maintained - they could have been working in any industry where proper appearance to the customer is a requirement for success. (if all this sounds a little obsessive, I spend a good part of my workday in operating rooms, so checking to make sure things are as they should be is second nature)
so, on to the tattoo. I had been hedging as to what I was going to get, woke up on a sunday morning and thought "now or never". called over on the off chance that they'd have some sort of opening or cancellation, and luckily they did. showed up an hour later, was introduced to kevin dickinson. kevin appeared to be just the guy for the job - professional, clear eyed, articulate. the space he was tattooing from was the best organized and most well scrubbed tattooing space I had seen - well lit, comfortable, well arranged, obviously the workspace of someone who cares about what he does. every attention was paid to sanitary detail (gloves for the artist, saran wrap on the support - I hate to admit this but his workspace puts the workspaces of many hospitals I've worked in to shame in terms of cleanliness and organization). kevin himself was very friendly and professional, extremely efficient and clearly knew what he was doing, and the tattoo was completed much more quickly that I would have thought possible.
overall, the experience was much more positive than I possibly could have hoped for, especially on such short notice, and I would not hesitate to recommend kevin dickinson (and judging by what I saw of the shop, guru tattoo itself) to friends, coworkers, or even to my patients (if it wasn't completely outside of hospital policy to do so). the experience was so overwhelmingly positive, in fact, that I've gone from someone who was thinking they'd just get the one tattoo and stop there, to wondering what I could have done next - probably something much larger - when I do, I will absolutely return to them, and I wish kevin and guru the best of luck
Guru Tattoo is an amazing place and Aaron Della Vedova is an artistic genius!!!
In fact, I was so pleased with the tattoo he gave me that I cried tears of joy. Literally.
I basically told Aaron the idea I had for the tattoo and the details I wanted included but had no real vision of what I wanted it to look like. After reviewing my notes and adding his natural artistic abilities and knowledge gained from experience- he produced an image that surpassed anything I could have imagined. Â Not only did he give me the coolest tat ever, he created an amazing environment for me and my friend. Everyone in the shop was friendly and professional and welcoming and wonderful (I could go on).
I could not have asked for a better tattoo or a better experience. I cannot say enough good things about this place or the people who work there, as artists and all around cool human beings.
I got my first tattoo in July at the age of 43 and I am addicted. I decided I wanted another tattoo and after checking out several websites, I came upon Guru Tattoo and I immediately knew this is where I wanted to go. Not only was their website impressive, but it was easy to navigate and showcased all the artists' work. A few days later, I went in and met with Kevin Dickenson. I immediately felt at ease with him and he seemed to really understand what I wanted. A week later (today) I went in and Kevin's lotus design came to life!!! He is truly an artist and his work speaks for itself!! I LOVE the final outcome and once it heals, I will be adding to it. This is the only place to go if you want a truly special work of art on your body. The people that work there are cool, easy-going and very friendly!! The shop is clean, cool and very relaxing from the moment you step in. Kevin's work is fast but very detail oriented and crisp. His design pops and looks 3 dimensional. He made me feel completely at ease and I actually fell asleep for a little bit. This is the only place I will go to and I HIGHLY recommend anyone wanting to get something extraordinary to go to Guru Tattoo!!!!
Review Source:Got my third tattoo here recently after hearing amazing things about this shop. Â They weren't lying - the artists are phenomenal and so friendly, the shop is clean and welcoming, the art is gorgeous. Â The atmosphere in the shop is very relaxed. Â I had a leg piece done by Eno who was able to see me just a few days after my initial walk in. Â I appreciated that the dude at the front desk came back to talk to me during my visit, everyone asked a lot of questions and it felt like hanging out with a bunch of friends.
The only reason why I won't give Guru a full five stars is that Eno was working on the client ahead of me at my appointment time and it wasn't until over an hour later that I was finally seen. Â Eno repeatedly thanked me for being patient and seemed genuinely concerned about how long I had waited and as much as I appreciated this, what I really would have appreciated was a phone call ahead of time that he was running late. Â
Other than that mixup, the whole experience was super enjoyable. Â Getting tattooed can be as important as the tattoo itself and it's a relief to know that a great shop filled with talented and friendly artists is just a few blocks away from my job. Â Will definitely go back next time I feel like permanently scarring myself.
With so many tattoo shops in San Diego and even right on Garnet, how do you choose? It's easy. Don't go anywhere else -- Just go here, to Guru Tattoo. The shop itself is clean and beautiful.
I've gotten 2 smaller tattoos done by Cooper + he did a bigger cover-up  piece on my back. He is amazing and has a light touch ... which is wonderful for a wimp like me! I have friends who have gone to him and to others at Guru and all come back, happy I recommended this shop to them :)
If you have to book your appt far in advance -- see that as a GOOD thing. They're so good, they sometimes do get booked. It is 110% worth any waiting you may have to do.
I've gotten two tattoos here, both very custom, and both very good. This is a great shop filled with nice people who are not pretentious in any way. The artists are good, honest, and nice. Both Turk, and Adam Hathorne did justice to my idea, and knocked the shit out of the park. My hands down, favorite shop in SD.
Review Source:So I met these guys at Musink and was pleasantly surprised. Adam couldn't speak to me because he was hard at work on someone's tattoo but one of their shop managers was SUPER friendly. Every time I walked by he said hello, and even though Adam couldn't do my tattoo at the festival, he assured me that someone at Guru could do a future piece for me and told me to email him when I was ready. I would DEFINITELY drive all the way down there just to get work done at their shop because they were more friendly then almost any artist/shop I have ever spoken to.
Review Source:Guru Tattoo is one of the better tattoo parlors in Pacific Beach. There are a lot of tattoo parlors in Pacific Beach, but most of them are shit. Black Rose and Guru probably do the best ink. However, I had an experience at Guru that made them less favorable in my opinion. I made an appointment with one of the artists to get my tattoo done a few days ahead of time, but when I went in to get it done, the artist told me that he wouldn't have time to do mine because he was still working on his previous client's tattoo. He asked me if I wanted to reschedule, but I declined. This, to me, was bad business. This guy told me that he would do my tattoo at a specific time on a specific date. I was looking forward to that date and I had my heart set on getting my tattoo that day. When he told me that he wouldn't have time, that was unprofessional on his part. Any credible place, would have better time management than that. He could have called me before I went all the way down there to tell me that he wouldn't have time. Businesses should not make appointments with their clients and cancel on them without warning. It's unprofessional and irresponsible, and it turned me away for good.
Review Source:For my 4th piece, I wanted something larger and unique. A friend had recently been to Guru to get a half sleeve and I was impressed. I stopped by the shop with some ideas and one of the artists working suggested Paul Dhuey. This was all very pro mind you. Everyone was helpful and knowledgeable. The artists knew the strengths of each other and I feel that pairing me with Paul was a good fit for my first large piece.
The first meeting w/ Paul was a bit of a brainstorming session. I had some ideas he wasn't too keen on and he suggested some things that could work better. I felt that he was on the same page in terms of ideas and the final design turned out great.
There was close to a 3 month wait, but that gave me time to decide if I was ready for the commitment and mull over my design. The first outline session was pretty quick and all in all, I was only under the needle for ~ 12-13 hours. Paul is an interesting and creative guy and we got along well. The piece has turned out just as I hoped and I am definitely going back to him for any more work.
I have gotten all of my work done here, as has my brother. I go to Turk, and can't think of going anywhere else. Love his style, personality when under the "knife", and music selections on those early mornings when nobody else is in there. You can go somewhere else, but nobody will respond to the work like they do when you go to Guru.
Review Source:What is there to say about Guru tattoo..... well, if your planning on getting a quality piece of artwork, then this the place you want to go! Whether your intending to get a small or large tattoo, you can surely find an artist here that suits your needs.
When I was searching for the right tattoo place I knew that first impressions were everything. I also knew that I was going to have to get a great vibe, where they had a clean, professional shop.
And when I walked into Guru & spoke with the shop boy, I knew that this was thee place.
My artist was Adam Hathorn, and he has been working on my 3-Quarter sleeve since October 08'. (this is my 3rd tattoo) I gave him some references and he was able to come up with a great piece of art. By the way, he is the one with the crazy beard! But he keeps it real, that's the best part! He jokes around, and it's entertaining with your getting tattooed for 3 hours. I highly recommend Adam, he's hella fabulous.
The average time you could get an appointment with him is probably about a month or a little less. If its a smaller tattoo that you want, you might be able to catch him as a walk in. He only there on certain days, call for details.
All the artist there are skilled, so drop in a take a look at there portfolio's, see who fits your style tattoo your looking to get.
Take a peak at my tattoo piece under the photo's.
The entire shop is friendly and if you are generally a happy person, enjoy talking while your getting tattoo, or just easily amused you will laugh a lot while you there and have a pleasant tattoo experience!
Worth the wait, the price and anything else that might be a roadblock between you and your new ink! Â Friggin amazing work and I'm damn proud to show off my day of the dead skull and tell people where i got the work! Â Turk is AWESOME! Â He's an amazing artist and has a pretty cool/funny personality that certainly makes it easier to sit for 6+ hours! Â After I got my back piece, my boyfriend was so impressed that it finally motivated him to get his next piece done which is freakin amazing also! Â
I would never consider going anywhere else again for my work!
After getting my last tattoo from here it almost boggles my mind that people go to any other shop. Â I wish I had gotten all of my tattoos.
I got my side done by Adam. Â He is friend's with my brother and does his tattoos. Â He is almost done with both sleeves on my brother, they are amazing. Â I gave Adam a vague idea of what I wanted and gave him the artistic license to do whatever he wanted. Â He is so talented so I had complete faith in him. Â When I came in for my first session and saw the drawing I was shocked with how perfect it was. Â It was a little larger than I had anticipated but I thought why the fuck not. Â I drank a 40 while he started to drill away. Â The only downside is that he does not have the lightest hand and getting my sides done is not too pleasant. Â But he made the experience so fun! Â
Everyone in the shop is so nice and welcoming. Â The shop is extremely clean and professional, but yet not stuffy or pretentious. Â Adam is of course my favorite but all of the artists do amazing work. Â I know some people are complaining about being on a waiting list but isn't that a great sign? Â That just means that their work is so good and they have so many happy customers coming back. Be patient, once the tattoo is there it is there forever so I think you can wait a month or two for quality.
I am actually looking forward to my third session on my side... pain and all. Â I love this place!!
I don't have much basis for comparison, as I've only ever gotten one tattoo. But I can say that I will probably never have basis for comparison, because after coming here I don't think I could possibly go anywhere else.
Ron, the guy at the front desk, is super cheerful, well-informed, and has a sort of reassuring presence for first-timers such as my friend and I. The whole shop has a nice vibe to it that helped put us both at ease. Way schway.
Looking through portfolios and seeing artists' works on the walls, you can tell that Guru plays host to an extremely talented and tasteful bunch. I'd be so down for a back piece if I weren't so broke and I wasn't so afraid of my mother's wrath.
Our artist, Nick, was very professional, and made a few suggestions to my friend pertaining to text size that turned out very well. I'm also very happy with his work. So happy that I can assert with complete confidence that I will be back.
I didn't get a tattoo here, but I went in to look at artist portfolios. Â The receptionist guy was REALLY nice and REALLY helpful. Â I really liked that it felt laid-back, no pressure, and friendly. Â I decided not to get a tattoo here and went to Chronic instead because the guy they recommended is out of town indefinitely. But nice place, really helpful people.
Review Source:I did not get a tattoo here. Â
However, BF and I were checking out shops for possible artwork. Â The owner was extremely informative and accommodating to all our questions - gave us a tour of the artists' stalls, showed us artwork, etc. Â There was never once pressure to book an appointment; there was no attitude, no judgement. Â I felt like a respected individual with individual tattoo needs. Â And I give the respect back.
Living in a city with about as many tattoo shops as Mc Donald's can be a tad overwhelming if you have to choose. Good news is you dont, go to Guru. I wont lie, I get the hook up from Hathorn but I'd eat top romein to get tattoed here.
Mr Della Vedova has taken the time to find some of the best tattoers (for sure in SD, bar none) Â and the shop is spotlessly clean and for lack of a better word swanky.
No skeez, no flash, no "tattitude". Good clean fun, ARTIST tattoers for all style-preferences  and besides the ocean and sushi Ota the only reason to go to PB.
This place is amazing. Seriously. Each time I went in (to get an artist recommendation, to talk to the artist, and to get the tattoo) I felt completely comfortable and welcome. Everyone was friendly and helpful. My artist, Turk, was freaking amazing. It was absolutely the best tattoo experience I could have hoped for.
If you're looking for a cheap shop to get something quick, this isn't your place. The artistry is amazing and it's worth every extra penny that you'll pay. I waited 3 months to get an appointment and I'm so glad I did. My tattoo is perfect.
Looking over these other reviews, I feel a little bad about giving Guru only 3 stars... but hey, tattoos are FOREVER.
I went here to get my first tattoo because 1) Chronic was booked and 2) the shop looked legit--really clean and appealing. Â I think my artist's name was Brian. Â Anyway, I asked for a small star on the inside of my left wrist and I wanted it really small. Â He pulled out some stencils and I picked a small one, but he said he couldn't do it that small or else it would bleed. Â So he picked out the smallest one he could do and went to work.
It lasted about five minutes.. a very painful five minutes.. and then it was over. Â I was officially inked. Â Once my little star was fully healed, I saw that the lines weren't even; some were thicker, some thinner.. and it wasn't my fault.. I took care of that tattoo like it was my life.
When I went to the place where I got my 3rd tattoo (BODY MARK'S--GO THERE), I showed them my star and explained to them how Guru said they couldn't go smaller. Â The guy at Body Mark's examined it and said that they could have made it smaller, and that the guy who did it pushed down too hard and made it bleed.. that was why the lines were so uneven.
Blah blah blah.. the point of this is do your research, don't be attracted by the way the parlor looks.. talk to an artist or two before you get your ink done.
**EDIT**
i meant to add this a couple months ago: the owner of the tattoo shop contacted me through yelp and apologized for the bad artistry. Â she said some other things and offered to make up for it, and i really appreciated it. Â that's a good business owner right there :) If i could give 3.5 stars i would
this is the tattoo shop on garnet ave. with the big Buddha head on the front. Â its' got this refined vibe and stylish decor which sets itself apart from the other tattoo parlors in the area. Â not to take anything away from the other shops either because san diego is a mecca of great tattoo shops and artists. Â as far as tribal tattoos are concerned, this place gets 5 stars simply on the fact that Rory Keating is there. Â
i highly recommend going down to to the shop and checking out his portfolio if you are someone interested in getting tribal work done. Â he is the protoge of Leo Zulueta and is highly regarded in the tattoo community. Rory is one of the top tribal tattoo artists in the world.
you will love your tattoo
Guru Tattoo is located in the heart of Pacific Beach strip. With an emphasis on true artistry, all of the talent take pride in their works and take their jobs seriously. The studio is known for representing some of the best talent in this somewhat obscure art form. In addition to tattoo art, each artists posts works via other mediums. Unlike other tattoo studios, this place has a rather sleek and sophisticated air about it.
You can check out each of their works on the Website under their names...just click on the Gallery Link. <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gurutattoo.com&s=cba4da2d3fbd5e0776143865836bc31239ad601d3f9b323ec89e58f25601fbff" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.gurutattoo.com</a>
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