Chronic Tattoo

Unilocaling around Pacific Beach tattoo shops and stumbled upon this gem. Saw Chris B’s photos and had to come in. Called and made a walk in appt. He drew up what I wanted and reassured that I loved it. Shop was super clean, felt really comfortable and everyone was really nice. Thanks for the great tattoo. Will be back soon!

I always wanted a naval piercing but never got it for various reasons but spontaneously, I told myself I was going to get it today. I called many shops in San Diego including Chronic to find out times of availability and prices. Bryan is the one who answered the phone and later on pierced my belly. I came in extremely nervous but his service was very reassuring and calming. I mean it still hurt, but what can you do? He was very helpful and I am in love with my results. I paid about $ 25 for my piercing and a little more for my jewelry… Probably around $ 60 because I chose the prettier looking one. But overall, he was super nice and I am so so so happy with my results! I will definitely be coming back here for more piercings & even a tattoo piece!

I came here for the first time in July 2015 for my very first tattoo. I got it on a whim, did absolutely no research on the shop (I don’t recommend that, but I got lucky); my friend and I were just walking down Garnet and a girl standing outside overheard me talking about wanting a tattoo so she invited us in. I got an ohm symbol on my ribs done by Chris Von Bong, he was super cool, laid back, and never made me feel uncomfortable. His Star Wars art work is really cool by the way.
I went back in November 2015 for my Braille tattoo and Brandon took care of me. While my tattoo only took less than 5 minutes, Brandon’s work and style is amazing. We were talking and I told him I loved the look of mandalas, it just so happens that he specializes in mandalas and while looking at his portfolio I asked him if he wanted to do a mandala for me, to which he said yes.
In December I went to see Brandon for my mandala. I told him to do whatever he wanted, I let him have complete freedom on this one. He didn’t disappoint AT ALL. It was my first big tattoo, it took about 3 – 4 hours. I took my best friend with me and the three of us just hung out while Brandon did my tattoo. The environment is so laid back, staff is knowledgeable and filled with just really cool people.
So in March I stopped by again to see Brandon and asked him to do my foot piece. I wanted «Stay Gold» (from The Outsiders) but had no idea what I wanted to go with it. Again, Brandon took the wheel and told me «let’s do an Autumn leaf that’s changing colors!,» and so we did. It is my only piece in color. At first I didn’t want color, but after we discussed it I realized that color was the way to go. I was by myself for this tattoo (first time getting a tattoo alone) and was NEVER uncomfortable. Brandon has a way of making everyone feel comfortable and the guys in the shop kept stopping by to check on me to see if I was doing good. The foot was definitely not an easy spot, but it was SO worth it.
Personally, I will always go to Brandon for my tattoos but the other artists are super talented and really cool too. My best friend has been tattooed by Karin and her artwork is definitely amazing.
I will never go to another place for a tattoo!

First time being out in California and my friend and I decided to get tatted over here. Quality work over here and I always get complemented for my tattoo.

AWESOME! I was on vacation with friends, this shop got all of us in with no problem. The shop was organized, clean, and very friendly. KC Chris ROCKS!!! He

This shop is AMAZING! All of the portfolios are excellent and the people are professional, easy going, and very talented. Karin did my thigh piece I’ve been waiting over a year for looking for the right artist. I could not have asked for anything better! The color is on point, the lines are perfect, and t turned out better than I imagined! She helped me make my idea into reality and listened to every suggestion/​request I had and found the best way to make it look gorgeous! Also I have never had a tattoo done by someone who was so clean! I never worry when I leave. I also healed better and faster than any of my other tattoos, and this ones the biggest!
All in all, Karin rocks, the shop is amazing, go here!

Shop itself is awesome. Tattoos are great. And the artists are seriously talented. You’ll get a clean awesome tattoo here.
They also work well within a time frame!

Called for a chest dermal and was pierced by Bryan same day as a walk in. He was very professional and super sweet! Lookin forward to getting more done. Thanks for the tip on how to making my own solution !

I came to San Diego to visit my son and decided I wanted a tattoo. After searching local reviews I decided to go to Chronic Tattoo. I had been on the internet for 2 days and picked out several tattoos that I liked. I was sent to Pirate Paul to do my tat. He took the designs I had brought in and designed a tattoo combining all of the ideas I had. He was very professional and enjoyable to sit and talk with for the 3 hour tattoo. I am very happy with the tattoo that I received and will definitely go back to this shop next time I’m in Cali. THANKS PAUL!

I got a nose piercing last night here. B did it, and he was AMAZING! He walked me through the whole thing. Even marked the spot and made sure I liked it. And even moved it so I can see it in a different spot. He was extremely patient. And calmed me down because I was so nervous. Going here for all my piercings!

I love Chronic Tattoo! I just got my nose pierced and Eddie was absolutely AMAZING. I haven’t gotten a piercing since I was 12 so I was a little apprehensive but Eddie was there every step of the way to answers my questions and reassure me. He was not only professional and kind but he went out of his way to make me laugh and feel comfortable. I would recommend going to see Eddie any day of the week, I got a piercing and I had a great time doing it! Thank you to the wonderful staff of Chronic Tattoo, I will be back soon :)

I have had three great experiences with the guys at Chronic. First, Paul is a hell of an artist. He has done two cover-​up tats for old haggard ones and made them look as if the old never happened. He will also listen to the customer while adding his own touch.
Second, Ronnie pierced my GF which ended up getting pulled out while working. Ronnie re-​pierced and gave her the new hardware. This place rocks.

This has been my second time walking into this shop, and also the second tattoo that I’ve acquired since moving to San Diego. When walking into the shop there will always be a laid back guy or girl who will talk to you and assist with any questions you might have. This place is intricate, but you will always feel welcome.

I went in to the shop a little over a week ago to get my second tattoo. I had called ahead and set up an appointment with Karin because of a personal recommendation. She was absolutely amazing! She knew exactly what she was doing. I don’t think my experience could have been any better! Highly recommended!!!

Pirate Paul does amazing color work. He came up with an original design. I love my tattoo and get stoked every time I look down at my arm, The shop is a fun atmosphere, clean and right in the middle of Garnet St.

Chris added onto my thigh tattoo and I love how it turned out! He has a great artistic eye for placing tattoos in the right spot and I love the composition of the tattoo. Nice line work and shading too!
While I love my tattoo, I feel like I kind of got lucky. The shop itself isn’t quite as professional as others I’ve been in (didn’t photocopy my ID or shave the area my tattoo was going on, and asked if I had cash when I pulled out my credit card to pay. weird) and I did see a bit of shoddy work going on. I saw another girl’s tattoo as she was leaving and she got a morse code piece so it was just lines and dots. Well, crooked lines and dots.
It also kind of sketched me out that they weren’t very busy both times I went in. I scheduled an appointment with a different artist at a different shop for a very special tattoo that I wanted in his specific style, and everyone in their shop was booked for months. Not trying to be mean because I do love my tattoo, but it says a lot to me that there are other places that aren’t even doing consultations because they’re booked so much, but Chris was able to do my tattoo right away.
Anyway, like I said, I feel like I got lucky with how my tattoo turned out. I feel like things could’ve gone in a different direction.

Chris did such an amazing job the other night! I came in as a walk-​in with a rough sketch of what I wanted done. After speaking to a few people and getting an estimate, I was seated in Chris’s chair. I must admit I was nervous when he didn’t sketch out what he was going to do– he simply took my design and transferred it onto my arm. But then he made magic happen. It looks better than I ever could have expected or hoped for and I am so so grateful. Definitely will be back and telling all my friends about this shop

I’m back! I love my piece of serenity. Brandon did another superb job and made it an easy experience. The environment is so relaxed and all the tattoo artists are very nice.

This is the second time I’ve been here, the first time was to have my septum changed out to a captive ball hoop by Mateo and he was super helpful.
This last time I got a nose stud done by Ronnie and he was sooo sweet and helpful. The piercing was quick and painless, he even helped me relax. He also gave me a lot of tips for aftercare that the place where I got my septum done didn’t even suggest.
I’ll definitely be back again (: they definitely care about what they’re doing here.

Friday the 13 is going to be a busy hectic day in general so I can only imagine how busy it was in this shop. 13 – 21 $ tattoo for the festive friday the 13^th
Kc was my artist and even though he had been tattooing for the past 8 hours all friday13th work, he was energetic and happy to finish his night off with doing my tattoo. His work is clean, fast, beautiful and he’s good Conversation, funny and loves what he does.
I’ll be going back to chronic tattoo to get more art work done by KC.
All smiles!