Ranked · Updated May 2026
The 10 Best Tattoo Shops in Santa Monica, CA
Ranked top 10 for Santa Monica, CA — scored by rating, review volume, and distance from Santa Monica. Updated weekly. See the full Los Angeles top 10.
Finding a tattoo artist near Santa Monica usually means weighing two things at once: how good the shop actually is, and how far you're realistically willing to drive for it. This guide solves both. We pulled every verified studio within 15 miles of Santa Monica, then ranked them against the wider Los Angeles market using the same star ratings, review volume, and proximity signals locals already trust — no pay-to-play, no sponsored slots.
Santa Monica sits inside the Los Angeles tattoo scene, which means residents get the benefit of big-city talent without big-city wait times. The shops below range from neighborhood walk-in studios to appointment-only specialists known across CA for custom work. Whether you're booking your first piece or adding to a full sleeve, the list is ordered to put the strongest match for Santa Monica at the top.
What to expect from this list
- Verified ratings only. Every shop has real review history — we exclude studios with no public track record.
- Distance from Santa Monica. Each listing shows exact mileage so you can balance quality against drive time.
- Style tags. Filter by what you actually want inked — fine line, traditional, blackwork, realism, Japanese, and more.
- Booking signals. We flag walk-in availability, price tier, and direct links to each studio's site and Instagram.
- Refreshed weekly. Rankings move as new reviews land — no stale "best of 2019" lists.
- No.1
Surrender Tattoo
4.8(263)In Santa Monica$$Our top pick for Santa Monica — right in Santa Monica, with 263 verified reviews averaging 4.8★.
- No.2
The Apollo Tattoo & Piercing Studio
4.9(584)1.3 mi from Santa Monica$$The Apollo Tattoo & Piercing Studio is a tattoo studio in Santa Monica.
- No.3
Woodoo Tattoo
4.9(67)In Santa Monica$$Woodoo Tattoo is a tattoo studio in Santa Monica.
- No.4
KISS KISS TATTOO
5.0(168)1.2 mi from Santa Monica$$KISS KISS TATTOO is a tattoo studio in Santa Monica.
- No.5
The Sunroom LA
5.0(147)1.1 mi from Santa Monica$$The Sunroom LA is a tattoo studio in Santa Monica.
- No.6
Ink Monkey Tattoo and Piercing
4.9(1,096)2.9 mi from Santa Monica$$Ink Monkey Tattoo and Piercing is a tattoo studio in Los Angeles.
- No.7
Your Dark Story
5.0(19)In Santa Monica$$Your Dark Story is a tattoo studio in Santa Monica.
- No.8
Robot Barbie Doll Tattoos
5.0(14)In Santa Monica$$Robot Barbie Doll Tattoos is a tattoo studio in Santa Monica.
- No.9
Mohave Creative
4.7(474)2.9 mi from Santa Monica$$Mohave Creative is a tattoo studio in Los Angeles.
- No.10
Five Ball Tattoo
5.0(161)2.4 mi from Santa Monica$$Five Ball Tattoo is a tattoo studio in Los Angeles.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best tattoo shop near Santa Monica, CA?+
Based on rating, review count, and proximity, Surrender Tattoo ranks #1 for Santa Monica. The full list is ranked by a combination of star average, review volume, and distance from Santa Monica.
Are these shops actually in Santa Monica?+
We include studios within roughly 15 miles of Santa Monica — the realistic radius most people drive for a tattoo appointment. Each listing shows its distance and neighborhood so you can pick what's convenient.
How much do tattoos cost near Santa Monica?+
Most reputable studios in the Los Angeles area charge $150–$250 per hour for custom work, with shop minimums around $80–$120. Specialists and well-known artists routinely run $300+ per hour. Always confirm pricing during your consultation.
How often is this list updated?+
Our shop data refreshes weekly — ratings, review counts, and rankings reflect the most recent verified data from each studio.
Looking beyond Santa Monica?
See every top-rated shop across the Los Angeles metro — ranked by reviews and verified weekly.
Top 10 in Los Angeles