Top Reviews about 19 Nail Salons in Santa Cruz, CA

Jacqueline Jones Every time Ive been there the technicians have been very friendly. The person who worked on my nails took their time and I love how they turned out. And they let my dad just sit in one of their massage chairs to wait for me, even after his pedicure was done.

Natali Buri Wong Is the first time I have been there ! And It was good and fast! They were super Kind, the man who did my hand nails was amazing and my pedicure really did a good massage! I love how my pedicure are done !

Maria Kint I came here for the first time today. I got acrylic nails removed and gel polish put on my natural nails. They look great and there was no pain from drilling or anything! I’m very happy and will definitely be back.

Bella Swan Nail technician was nice and took her time with decent attention to polish application. Foot bath turned cold really quick. Purchased a pedicure for me and my child of which came out to $138 before tip… which is way more than I wanted to for a kids pedicure. I really wish the foot massage had been good and lasted more than a couple minutes! It’s really my favorite part of getting a pedicure. Also, the chairs suck.

Me e First time here and I love it already. Thania is AMAZING! She has an amazing attention to detail and my nails look great! Defintely plan on going back. She put so much care into doing a quality job, and was really kind too! The place is super cute and clean with a good vibe. Love love love!

Ella Simpatico The whole neighborhood lost power and Thania still managed to give me an amazing manicure under the light of our cell phones. Would highly recommend.

Andrea Aura Larasati Me and my husband stayed her for our Anniversary, we had a good time here. The service is top tier! we love the restaurant also. The only thing is the room has lots of ants which is understandable cause of the location. I spoke to the front desk lady about the issue we experienced in our room but we have not heard anything from the management. Some guy knocked our door at midnight and calling my husbands name asking if we are inside, obviously we did not open the door. Im expecting someone to call me and explain what happened that night i just wanted to make sure if something happened.

M. B. What a beautiful experience! My wife, two dogs and I stayed here for two nights and we had a wonderful time. The pool area is spectacular, the grounds are well kept and beautiful and the room was very comfortable. Since we travel with our pups, its wonderful to find a place that is truly accommodating to our furry family (our dogs felt very welcome here)! An added bonus, The View restaurant is wonderful, we enjoyed two meals...both of them were top-notch and the service was wonderful. We highly recommend the Chaminade!

Pegah Esmaili My husband and I stayed at Chaminade in October to celebrate my birthday and the exciting news of baby #3, and it was truly an unforgettable experience! From the moment we arrived, the serene setting took our breath away. The sweeping views of the Santa Cruz mountains paired with the tranquil vibe made it the perfect escape. The View Restaurant was a highlight of our trip—delicious food, impeccable service, and, of course, those incredible panoramic vistas. Dining there felt like a celebration in itself! The spa was another standout. It was exactly what I needed to unwind and recharge. The treatments were luxurious, the ambiance peaceful, and the staff warm and welcoming. Chaminade truly exceeded our expectations in every way. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just looking for a serene retreat, this is the place to be. We can’t wait to return!

Michelle L. Moreno Gorgeous nails and she really pampers you the whole time. Wonderful experience!!

Carol Mills i just had my first appointment withg Lien and it was delightful. lovely, private space and great ambiance. She did a great job and i am thrilled to have found her. This is my new go-to spot.

Faith Chaffee Lien is one of THE best in the Santa Cruz area. Ive been seeing her for years. Ive tried other salons in Santa Cruz and they are not the same. Lien actually honors appointments, her attention to detail is exceptional and her salon is super cute and meticulously clean. I really value that. She completely pampers you with her wonderful products. Plus she is a cool person who I look forward to seeing every few weeks.

Joleen Cuellar Elisa gave me the best hydro facial I’ve ever had! I swear I left glowing! Can’t say enough good this about this spa or Elisa!

sue Elisa has been my go-to for years. She is the absolute best at tuning into my unique needs, and leaving me feeling radiant, relaxed and so beautiful! I receive her hydrafacials and many additional services --- she is literally better then anyone I have found in the area. Her skincare & hair products are amazing too. She does it all - give her a call!

Shawna Ristic I really enjoyed my time with Elisa. Great connection, like how she explains the process and what is going on. Felt like she listened to me and with the concerns I have for my skin. And I totally love the beautiful eyebrows she did! I’ll definitely be back.

melialvarez23 Great experience. We did the hot tub and tea experience. One hr to soak in a private room with tea. Sauna also an option. Loved the private shower and the hot towels. With a view of a beautiful garden with lots of plants. service was great, room was quiet and private. Tea was delicious. Perfect thing to soak our sore muscles from walking all day. I highly recommend and cant wait to visit again

Carrie Duncan My husband and I recently visited The Tea House in Santa Cruz, and it was an absolutely magical experience from start to finish. We started our visit by enjoying a selection of calming teas, which set the perfect tone for relaxation. Afterward, we were led to a private hot tub that offered breathtaking views of lush gardens, complete with a peaceful water feature and tall bamboo swaying gently in the breeze. The ambiance was pure tranquility—hummingbirds fluttered around while calming music played softly in the background, making it feel like we had entered our own serene oasis. The warm, soothing waters of the hot tub allowed us to fully unwind as we took in the beautiful surroundings. The entire experience was a perfect blend of relaxation and natural beauty. The Tea House is truly a hidden gem, and I cant recommend it enough if youre looking for a peaceful retreat. The combination of delightful tea and the stunning hot tub experience made for an unforgettable day. I’m already looking forward to my next visit!

Jess Fitzpatrick Its been a long time since Ive been back to the tea house, and I have to say that the experience has only improved with age. The garden is even more lush and green and Serene then I remember. The private rooms are immaculately kept, the t is absolutely out of this world, and the hour and a half disconnecting from the electronics and the world outside continues to be a magical experience. Absolutely worth the money and time and booking process!

Jaine Tabrett I go here for my regular sugar wax. I’m for fortunate enough to have Jess as my specialist and she’s the best! She always does an amazing job with her technique and keen eye for detail. She makes it as painless as possible and never misses a spot! Shes also so friendly and makes me feel super comfortable

collin walbe OC Verdan is absolutely great! I’ve always had anxiety of doing my eyebrows and she made them absolutely gorgeous! We also spoke French together which made me really comfortable with French being my first language.

Marlena Deleeuw I got a Brazilian sugaring with Claudia and I was not impressed. She seemed pretty judgmental and annoyed by my small squeals to the pain, making faces and rolling her eyes. It also seemed like she didn’t know what she was doing, as I’ve gotten a sugar wax before and they did not have to go over the same spot as many times as she did. Overall, pretty unprofessional. I would not recommend coming to this place.

Laura M Oh my goodness, my daughter and I had the best experience! If I could give it 10 stars I would. My daughter has pretty long nails and her 12th birthday is coming up and she wanted to have the characters Bluey and Bingo painted on her nails with some puppy accents on the other nails. Fatima was her artist and not only was she incredibly sweet, she made my young daughter feel really comfortable, and made the whole experience really fun. My daughter could not stop smiling. Thank you Nash nails and Fatima for making my daughter‘s birthday extra special. She’s soooo happy.

Sarah Pulley Ashlie is the very best!! She is creative, technical and makes me feel so welcomed every visit. I appreciate her in every way and will not go to anyone else. So thankful to find someone I can trust and make me feel so pretty!! Check her out she’s the best!!

Katie Haldeman Reached out to them to fix a manicure I got back east, they declined as they didnt want to work on nails someone else started - totally fine!!! Fully understood. I was however surprised and disappointed when they ghosted me after telling me they cant help. I responded completely kind and understanding about them not taking me. I even asked if they had an alternate suggestion! But got nothing. Completely ghosted. I feel disappointed. I understand the reasoning behind not doing my fix but they did now lose a customer since they didnt respond and just told me no. I even shared that I wanted to become a long term customer, and nothing. Its a shame since theyre one of the most highly suggested place on Reddit! A major bummer.

Danielle Bell Love Tiffany’s nails! Recently moved and needed a new place. I’m so happy I found this place. Amy did my nails today and did such an amazing job! Beautiful and fun Holiday nails! They also look so natural! So grateful! Danielle

Mackenzie Murphy Amy is amazing and so good at what she does! I got a fill and shortened my nails. Also got chrome and I love how they turned out! I will definitely be requesting her next time I need to get my nails done.

laura palmer Tina wasnt 100g familiar with how I liked the cat eye nails and she worked with me carefully making sure I got what I wanted, really hard to do on my very short work busted nails. Loved it, so nice to be able to feel like my nails look pretty and classy

eliza batsheva Old tools and mediocre service. The owner was eating smelly food and then vacuumed in front of me, during my pedicure. The only good thing about this place - always empty so you can just drop in without an appointment.

Mayra Alejandra Solano This way to take off the acrylic nails is so dumb and really painful. I have never experienced something like this. They were tear my nails and of course made my natural nails hurts. The pictures I am sending is after I had to cut all of them but you can still notice the rest of the nails how they look like

ana hunter-nickels I really enjoy magic nails. The staff is kind, professional, and funny. They do a good job and are great at explaining how I can keep my nails healthy. They upgraded their massage chairs and even rub my back. Really like this place!

Michelle B Wonderful staff. 4th time there. Tiffany always does a gread job. I had bows added on the first photo and the look was beautiful and polished. Very reasonable rates. Loyal customer. Five stars.

Haley Seifert Very sweet ladies! 3 of them smiled and asked how we were doing- one sweet lady handed us orange infused water! They asked about our days & made conversation instead of making you feel kinda weird like the typical nail place- was impressed for once. And they have 20% off going on! I don’t think gel was even an extra fee might be wrong but definitely try here.

Wendy Lewis Love this spot. Clean. Beautiful work. Beautiful people. So kind and so quiet there and not as crowded as other spots. LOVE Helen and Lee for sure but all are great.

K C When I first started coming here about 7 months ago, it was a nice experience. But my last 4 visits were very disappointing. The front desk employees are VERY UNFRIENDLY and act very annoyed. I realized they werent giving me the correct amount of stamps on my stamp card, it clearly states 1 stamp for every $15 or more, so for 1 pedicure ($30) I should get 2 stamps. I didnt always have a chance to double check the stamps they were giving me because I was with my friend who has dementia so I was kind of babysitting. Also, I rarely have cash so I asked if they could add a tip to my card and the front desk woman rolled her eyes and then proceeded to scold me as if I was an idiot asking her to do something unspeakable! The front desk people ARE VERY RUDE & PUSHY. We are not cattle, we are humans in need of a service, be nice! When you first walk in they ask you what you want and then tell you to go pick a color. But they say it all so unfriendly, the level of their rudness is so unnecessary. They are the first faces of the business when you walk in, so you would think the owner would want pleasant and kind employees welcoming in customers. Were there to spend our money, treat us better. I always feel pressured to tip there, which I find very rude. Im gonna be looking for a new salon to go to.

Shadaye Cruz-Nortey -“…Monopolizing, impersonal operation” I am a local Santa Cruz business owner and have been coming to Tracy’s for a couple of years, visiting at least twice a month. Unfortunately, my experience has been consistently inconsistent—very hit or miss. While Tracy initially comes across as sweet, her approach to customer service and accountability leaves much to be desired. Recently, I brought my three-year-old for their first nail salon experience. We spent over $200 as a family, including $45 for their manicure/pedicure, and I left a $15 tip for the technician. However, within an hour of leaving, their nail polish completely peeled off—not chipped, but peeled off like a sticker. When I returned to discuss a solution, the only option offered was to bring my toddler back for the nails to be redone. I suggested a fair alternative: a $25 refund for the pedicure only, allowing the business to keep the tip and payment for the pedicure, which was fine. However, Tracy refused and went so far as to blame the issue on my child. This lack of accountability and unwillingness to address a legitimate concern was incredibly disappointing. As someone who has referred many people to this salon over the years, I cannot in good conscience recommend Tracy’s anymore. This business prioritizes profit over customer satisfaction and community care. If you’re looking for a salon that values quality and customer service, I suggest exploring other options in Santa Cruz County. There are other businesses that genuinely care about their clients, unlike this monopolizing, impersonal operation.

Crystal Lane So far so good! All the girls seem to know what to do and did a great job making my loose nail art ideas work

Noora It’s honestly outdated and not very clean. The tubs were scraped, the tiles were gross, there were ants everywhere, and mold was growing under the wooden handles entering the tub. I even found a giant pube on the wall, and it felt more like being in a public hot tub at a condo or something. I went to Tea House Spa down the street a few months ago, and while it was much more expensive, the cleanliness was great, and it was much more up to date. The customer service was okay. I wouldn’t return here. The pictures on the website don’t align with what you actually get. Maybe we just had a bad room, but we were in room #3. Even the teacups were plastic—something made from clay or any higher-quality material would have been nice. There’s even a water cooler that looks like it’s from the ‘90s. Not worth the money imo.

Christine C Honestly for the price point, it’s a steal. I reserved an indoor spa - Room 4, which had a sauna and hot tub. They provided hot tea to enjoy and even a eucalyptus water spray to pour on the sauna rocks if you enjoy steam. The view into the Japanese garden is an excellent way to unwind. The place is a bit rundown, but I didn’t find it to be “dirty” like others have mentioned

Christopher Bennem My wife and I came to Santa Cruz to visit my son who recommended Well Within as I was looking for something to do for my wife on Valentines Day. Smart guy. This was a perfect morning—relaxing together in a spa tub followed by massage therapy sessions with Christopher and Amanda. Both therapists were incredible. My wife has neck issues and Christopher did *something* miraculous because she came out of that session floating on air. Amanda was excellent as well, working my lower back with careful attention (which has a tendency to flare up). An exquisite experience. Strongly recommend.

Brian Spear Judy is highly professional and operates a friendly and really clean business. I’ve never had anyone take care of my feet and Judy did an excellent job guiding me through the process and educating me on how to take better care of my feet. She also sells high quality care products to improve home care. Highly recommend! For men as well!

Diana Archerda I’m a big time hiker, walker, biker, yogi, and swimmer. My feet are important to my active lifestyle. Since I’ve been going to Judy’s Pedicare, my feet have stayed healthy and look great. Oh, and Judy and Sue are the best! Five stars.

Teri James Judy is a pleasant, professional who is passionate about her work. She was able to handle my grumpy gus who was apprehensive about having his feet worked on. Well surprise to all of us it worked out GREAT! His feet looked 100% better & he felt 100% better. We cant wait for her get back open. She is essential for healthy feet. Clean & organized solo chair shop.

Jen May I love going to Opal Spa! Lam is wonderful. It’s clean and I feel very comfortable going there. I get pedicures there and they last a long time and she takes her time and does a fantastic job. She is a pleasure to spend an hour with.

Ali Clifford I’ve been passing Opal Spa for years and finally booked an appointment for a pedicure and now I’ll never go anywhere else! I’m currently in a boot for a foot injury and Lam was so gentle and careful with my foot and I still came out of there receiving such a thorough and relaxing pedicure. Lam is so incredibly friendly and the inside of the spa is clean, calming and well decorated. Will certainly be back!

Keaton Marks My wife and I went to this spa to get our nails done and I was blown away by how nice it was inside. Ive been to other spas, but never have I felt so calm and at peace. They have done a great job utilizing the space to ensure it feels comfortable for each visitor. The massage chair was incredible! And I thought the decor was very well done. I recommend taking a look.

goldhomer209 My mom is a cancer patient and I was looking for a same day appointment for her to get her nails done. After a few calls I found Diamond Nails and it was meant to be! Ellis booked us as the last appointment of the day and even spent time with us past closing. She spent a full hour taking care of my mother and picked out the perfect color for her! I cant recommend this place enough! Wonderful person, wonderful small business! And wonderful nail! Plus as a bonus Andy The Nail Salon Dog has a sweater!!!

Janet Johnson My favorite place ! Every time I vacation in Santa Cruz for summer, this is my must stop by place for pedicure! My polish looks so shiny and las along time....They use the disposable liner for pedicures which I feel safe and clean! Highly recommend!!!

Hani Sayegh I love Alice!! Ive been going to her salon for 10 years and she keeps getting better. She is a perfectionist, listens well, and offers suggestions. She gives personal care and she is a friend to most of her clientele. Easy to talk to, very stylish. has good skin products- Id never go anywhere else. 5 stars!!

Suzanne Eddy I absolutely LOVED the Steam Pedicure!! The steam stays hot & is sooo relaxing and wonderful! It even helped my joints and arthritis! I will be getting Steam Pedicures from now on! I’m never going back to a regular pedicure where the water goes cold after just a couple minutes. My feet look refreshed & youthful again! My skin is so soft & hydrated. Thank you so much for introducing me to Steam Pedicures they are Heaven!!!!

Amanda Moylan I had an amazing experience seeing Dani! She listens to what exactly I wanted and did a great job. She is super nice and extremely detail oriented!

Wyatt Metelman-Alvis I truly cant say enough great things about my experience with Dani at Non-Toxic Nails by Dani! From start to finish, her attention to detail and care for my nails were truly exceptional. I’ve always struggled with extra cuticle growth, and my cuticles tend to bleed and tear easily, but Dani was incredibly gentle and precise. She took the time to understand my concerns and worked carefully to ensure I was comfortable throughout the entire process. Not only did she give my nails the attention they needed, but she also helped me start on a fantastic healthy nail journey. I’ve already seen such a difference in the condition of my nails and cuticles after just a few weeks! Dani’s approach is both professional and thoughtful, and it’s clear that she truly cares about the health of her clients nails. And on top of all that, her pricing is so affordable! It’s hard to find someone who delivers such high-quality, personalized care at such a reasonable price. If you’re looking for someone who goes above and beyond, I highly recommend Dani! You won’t be disappointed!

laurel isbister I was visiting from out of town and wanted a facial and massage. Beth did a wonderful job with my facial. She communicated very well and is a warm person. She even helped me find this great tinted sunscreen moisturizer I had been trying to find! Louisa gave me a great massage, and the way she worked on my neck and head restored a good bit of mobility. Thanks for very nice experience!

Vanessa C. Facial left me glowing with dewy skin. I was completely blissed out during my appointment. Beth was so kind and is excellent and her craft.

Josyane Kelly I was so excited to experience a salon that not only used chemical free polish but used LED lighting for my gel pedicure. The only disappointment was to be on vacation just four days and lose the polish completely off of only one nail. I am not sure I want to go back and pay what I paid to have it not last the entire 10 day vacation.

Alyx Rodriguez A good spot for a no-frills pedicure for $35. I took off 2 stars because it wasnt the cleanest place. They were nice people, and the atmosphere was peaceful. However... Im pretty sure the pumice was reused after seeing how worn down and moldy it was after she threw it in the bowl. She barely used any lotion on me, so I got an uncomfortable massage with too much friction. They need to do a good deep cleaning in the shop and use new tools for each client. Otherwise, I liked the massage chair and walked out with a nice-looking pedicure.

Ann Peters Not sure about the level of cleanliness and sanitation here. Questionable for sure. Super duper quiet in here. No music or anything. “Library quiet.” This place is very no frills. Kind of messy. Makes you wonder, really really wonder about it’s cleanliness. Things I liked: The location Easy parking They were pleasant enough people They seem to have repeat customers Things I did not like: She rescheduled my appointment twice in the same day. She said there were a lot of no shows. Not using gloves to do my pedi One out of two masked Not entirely sure if they were using the same instruments as the last person she was with. Really wondering about that. Totally looks like they reuse. These tools were open on little trays. I’ve seen them open packages of fresh tools at my other place. He scraped under my big toe pretty hard. The nail techs didn’t wash their hands between the last customer and new one. Super duper quiet in here. No music or anything. “Library quiet.” Which is weird because directly next door is a music lessons storefront so someone was practicing piano. There’s also the loud ticking clock. After the nail tech finished, she wanted me to walk across the place barefoot to the drying machine. Nope! Gross! After the nail tech finished my feet, she used the restroom. Heard the toilet flush loud and clear (since it’s to quiet). No sound of hand washing to follow. Then she proceeded to heat up her dinner??? The smelly lotion sucked. So stinky. Cheap and awful. The person getting her hands done who was here when I got here was a regular. Knows their names. Is very friendly and familiar with them. The person that came in while I was in the chair - same thing. Cash or Venmo

Gisele Sasso I’m really happy that I’ve found this place. After trying a few spots in town (never totally happy) Perfect Nails was a great surprise. They are not the typical nail factory place, which I love. The place is calm and no one seems in a rush. Tom and Kelly are really good at what they do. And they are very nice too. Both did an amazing job with my nails. Happy customer for sure. The place is hidden behind Coffetopia, so probably you will miss it driving by. But don’t let the humble facade turn you away and give this spot a try.