Top Best 15 Nail Salons in San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo

Jill Cook Ashley is *the* greatest. Once youve had the one-on-one service she offers at The Queens Court, you wont be satisfied with any mass nail spa again. I went in for a gel manicure and she took the time to really spruce up the rest of my hands- it was as if I hadnt gone for months with unkempt nail beds. Make sure to pre-book!

Marilee Leon Ashley is such a sweetheart! I am visiting the area for a friend’s 40th birthday and gave her full creative control for some minimalist, wine-themed nails. She took her time and the set turned out so cute and better than I imagined! I will be back to visit her if I’m in the area again!

Anne Schneider I couldnt survive without Ashley. She takes great care of me. My nails always look fabulous and I really enjoy my visits.

Carrie Keegan I don’t live in the area, but a while back ago I was in SLO because I was getting married at the Madonna Inn and I needed to get my nails done for my wedding. A few weeks ahead of time I began searching reviews and photos from nearly every nail salon in SLO… and when I came across The Queen’s Court, it was exactly what I’d been looking for. Ashley is unbelievably skilled, she was able to give me exactly the nails I was picturing in my head and even helped me perfectly match the color to the lipstick I would be wearing on my wedding day. Plus, I had such a great time talking with her while she worked! Usually, small talk when getting my nails or hair done feels awkward and is an added challenge, but the time flew by as we chatted. If you are lucky enough to live/be in SLO and want beautiful, high quality nails that you will love… The Queen’s Court will deliver. (Ashley, if you see this: I saw you last May and I could’ve sworn I wrote a review way back then but now I don’t see it. So this review may be LONG overdue but it’s still absolutely deserved. Thank you so much for giving me the wedding nails of my dreams! You’re the best!)

Emmi Seiler Ashley Kantner is THE - BEST - NAIL - PROFESSIONAL - PERIOD. First, I am jealous SLO area locals all have access to Ashley Kantner at The Queen’s Court Nail Studio in SLO, CA. As a visitor from the CLE area in OH-IO, Ashley’s number has been added as a go-to for pampering when I am in town. She is a true nail professional who is so detail oriented and takes genuine pride in quality manicures and pedicures. She KNOWS her business! Second, I’ve had “spa” manicure and pedicure experiences at highly recommended places throughout the US and NONE OF THEM compare to Ashley’s quality. She is worth every penny, plus you now get a personalized experience at The Queen’s Court and her customer service is second to none! Lastly, I know I intend to book with her every time I will be in town to visit family...locals, you are lucky to be able to book with her any time. You should seize the opportunity and treasure her skills!

Victoria Wobermin Great!

Arlene S Susan is the best!

Elemental Serenity Bliss was an amazing guide! She open the Poem Facial with an amazing meditation that allowed me to drop into my body. I had come in very sad , eyes inflamed from crying. Bliss guided me through this experience with living soft touch & care to my energy. I loved it so much, I signed up for their monthly facial subscription. My face feels SO SOFT and has a lasting glow. I highly recommend getting a facial from Bliss!! I cannot wait to book my best session!! Thank you so much!

Heather M I had the harmony facial with Bliss and omg amazing!!! Bliss puts her heart & beautiful energy into this facial. She has a natural soothing vibe & very good at massage techniques on both the face and body. She spent the first 20ish minutes putting me into a deep meditative state. She uses several essential oils and flower essences to enhance the experience. She also placed gemstones on my chakras. I loved all of the feels and smells of the products used. The room and ambiance is so relaxing and clean. The bed was nice and warm and I was greeted with a glass of sparkling wine, which was a nice treat. I felt welcomed and everyone is very kind. My skin feels great today as well. I highly recommend Beauty poet as well as Bliss for the harmony facial.

Joy Wilkins I’ve been going to Beauty Poet for about 6 months. I was gifted a facial in January & feel in love with Katia. I have seen her as a monthly membership client ever since. Nice relaxing environment. Lovely checkout staff. I love the holistic approach and skin care lines they offer. Also… enjoy the option of Saturday & Sunday services!

Nevada Gibson My skin was needing HELP and I was in a wedding last October and in need of a facial, I had just moved to the area and didn’t have a favorite spot so I searched on google and found this spot. It’s just a few streets over from the Downtown area of slo. I had no idea what to expect when I first went but have been going consistently since October 2022 and LOVE this place. My first facial was with Daní and I haven’t had one from anyone else since because she’s THE best. She’s very kind, and knows a lot about skin. She has revived my skin for months and I always leave GLOWING. I was having really bad acne before I came and it’s been wayyy more manageable and under control since seeing her. It’s a very cozy experience and the customer service is some of the best I’ve personally experienced in a facial spa. They also offer massages. The prices of the products that they sell are expensive because the quality is high but it’s out of my price range. The prices of the facials I believe are very great for what you get. If you’re in need of a facial, I highly recommend! I used to live in OC and had my facial spot but now that I live here I’m so happy to have found a new spot.

Camille Winslow Indulging in the serene ambiance of Beauty Port is an experience worth savoring. From the moment you step inside, friendly smiles greet you, adding to the warmth of the atmosphere. Youre welcomed into a tranquil space that instantly melts away stress. The attention to detail is impeccable, from the plush furnishings to the soft, ambient lighting. The facials offered here are nothing short of transformative, tailored to your individual needs with luxurious products that leave your skin glowing and rejuvenated. What truly sets Beauty Poet apart is its commitment to creating a personalized experience for each client, ensuring that every visit feels like a bespoke pampering session. If youre seeking a retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, look no further than Beauty Poet for an indulgent escape. I look forward to going back for another rejuvenating experience, especially with my esthetician, Selah, who skillfully combines expertise with genuine care, leaving me feeling pampered and refreshed every time.

A C J We loved our manicures here! They were very accommodating and got us in quickly (we had an appointment). Their prices are reasonable, but it would be great if the cost of each service was listed in a more visible location (online and in the store).

Ruby Allen I came here for a last minute holiday manicure and I couldn’t be happier. Super friendly staff and high quality work! This was my first time getting gel x nails and I love the results. Also got a matching gel pedicure. I will definitely be back!

sophia I went to get acrylics and a pedicure! Everyone who worked there was so nice, and even as it got busier I noticed they still took the time to take care of other customers! The pedicure was a little too short (but that’s my fault as I have a tendency to clip my nails on my feet short). I was in desperate need of a pedicure anyway, and they recommended a slightly higher cost for a better pedicure, which I didn’t regret! I’m so happy with my nails, and I will be back!

Marin Michaelson Ben was amazing, they did a great job and worked hard to make sure my nails looked good. I’ve been to a few nail salons in SLO county and this is by far the best!

Kelly Mendoza Christine does an amazing job with my nails every time! She’s so sweet and easy to talk to and her space is always so clean and cute! Highly recommend!

Hannah Gentry I have been a client of Christine’s for over two years now. She is the absolute BEST nail tech here on the central coast. She has never once cut my cuticle or been rough, she always does the cutest designs 100% Deserves the 5/5 stars. Much love for Christine!!

Ann Reilly Christine is awesome! I took my bridesmaids to Polished over memorial weekend to get our nails done for my wedding. Although the space is somewhat small for 5 girls, we all had a great time getting pampered. Christine gave awesome gel manicures on myself and two other bridesmaids and a regular polish on another friend of mine. She was efficient and professional! Thanks Christine!

Melissa Zak Christine is literally the best nail tech I have EVER been too (and Ive been to a lot). She executes what I have in mind every time and I have never had acrylic nails that have lasted so long and stayed looking new even up to when I get my next fill. On top of everything she is super sweet, and patient with her clients. I never feel like I cannot say if I dont like something or want to change something etc. Overall I highly recommend Polished Nail Studio, no one else in SLO does it like she does!

cambria grimm Great service and quality! I do dip manicure and I love that they do not use UV light. My nails are healthy and the manicure lasts a long time. Super nice people! Would recommend

Stephanie Anderson Im so happy with my nails! Ive been to a couple nail salons in SLO, but I dont usually get acrylics. Kim was wonderful; she was efficient and artful, and I was in and out in under an hour. They are truly shaped to perfection, im so impressed!

K C The drains smell really bad, very moldy. You can tell there is mold when you look up at the ceiling and see the ducts are also blowing out dirt. The owner is very sweet though. They do a good job. But if you’re sensitive to smells and mold skip it

Carrie Guarino I received a wonderful pedicure this week from TL Nails. The salon was spotless and it was such a relaxing atmosphere. My pedicure was expertly done and I loved the hot stone massage. Everyone there was kind and they made sure I was fully satisfied.

Danielle Halverson The owner here is very kind and really cares about their service. I had a dip manicure and it cracked after a day and I returned and they got me in quickly. I am rough with my hands: gardening, cleaning, etc.) I appreciate how present the owner is, but I do think this place is better at pedicures. I’ll be updating later to comment on how long they last. *Update* Cracked 48 hours later...again and now have yellowing. Not sure what’s happening but sad to say I’m trying a different place soon.

Sarah Biklen They fit me in past closing on a Saturday. I left with a long-lasting well done pedicure for just $30, hot stones and all! They were kind and didnt pressure me to leave once theyd polished the last toenail. I sat comfortably in a slightly worn massage chair for 15 minutes until my nails had fully dried. The remaining staff cleaned and smiled as I contemplated my life choices and resisted the urge to check Instagram. I left on my own accord, filled with joy and satisfaction.

Dianna Beck My favorite shop in town! Really enjoyed my royal pedicure today, so relaxing and my toes look fantastic now!

Tianna Smith My nails looked awful. They were lumpy and very thick. I can’t believe I even paid for them. The only reason I didn’t complain while I was there is because the nail technician was already being short with me. I kindly asked him to file my nails a little shorter, since I can’t wear them long for work. He told me I should’ve told him at the beginning that I wanted short nails (which I did). I gave them 2 stars because I didn’t have to wait. That was literally the only plus.

K Stolps A few places in town I won’t go back to but I come to Happy Toe for consistently good nails. Sharing a photo today of 1 week old gels. My technician applied a nice finish of OPI and no scuffs or chipping. Just $25 + tip makes it a regular must-do treat. My pedicures are always very nice too.

Creative Woman This review is specifically for the rude nail guy that works here. Im a local business owner and many of my customers have recommended me this place, which is why I am so shocked to have left here UNHAPPY and in tears due to to how stressful and uncomfortable the experience of getting my nails done was. As soon as walked in (early for my appointment) he barked at me to pick out my color at the wall without even a hello. After sitting down he immediately started gluing acrylic tips to my nails, without doing any preparation at all. I had just come from work and had visible dirt under my nails, not a lot but Ive ALWAYS had nail salons clean & prep nails and surface before proceeding. As he continued to glue I asked him if he was going to fix the nails first, and he told me "No, thats a different service," and "dont worry it will be covered up." I was in shock and told him I wasnt going to proceed sealing dirt into my nails and he said fine, stood up and threw down a wooden stick in front of me to clean my own nails, and then left to go eat a snack in the back room. Ive had my nails done like this a million times, all over CA and the US. Never in my life have I experienced anything like this. I should have gotten up and left, but I already had tips glued to my nails and I didnt want to make a scene or ruin anyone elses experience who came here seeking a relaxing treatment. After I cleaned my own nails and he ate his snack in the back room, he eventually came back and proceeded to work on my nails, and boy did he make me pay for it. He almost glued two of my fingers together (still cant get the glue off) and spent two hours of extremely uncomfortable silence, squeezing my fingers way too hard, twisting them and clearly trying to hurt me or at least make me uncomfortable. I had planned on getting a pedicure too, but the manicure was so torturous that I decided against it. Almost $100 later I was overcharged and left with my nails applied crookedly with a super messy gel job. I think he intentionally made my nails as bad as possible. This was the worst experience Ive ever had at a nail salon in my entire life. The women working on customers around me seemed so sweet and attentive to all of their customers, which really seemed to amplify his bad attitude, carelessness, and lack of customer service. I really regret coming here and wont be back as long as he works there.

E M Overview: I went to TL Nails on a Monday morning and made an appointment for later that afternoon. I will start by saying I have been traveling a lot for work, which means I have had my nails done at different salons across the country and they all have different techniques. The technician who helped me at TL started by covering my nails with cotton and nail polish remover, then wrapping in foil. I was happy with this because I don’t like when drills are the primary means for removal. However, a VERY tiny amount of cotton and nail polish remover was used. They barely felt damp. Unfortunately, the salon I went to previously applied the dip powder very thickly, which meant that when the tech went to remove the foil about 5 minutes later, the removal was far from done. Rather than put more nail polish remover on, he kept impatiently checking back and then continued to drill and put the same small amount of cotton and nail polish remover on. After about 15 minutes, he gave up and just started using a drill. He often had to stop because it was getting too hot (as he was hitting my natural nails) and also because he was so aggressive that he snagged my skin and made me bleed four times. I understand that he wasn’t expecting me to have such a thick coating of dip powder on, but the solution was to just let me soak longer. Instead, he was clearly in a hurry and the result was definitely sub-par. Once he finally forcefully removed the previous color, he went straight to putting on the new color without trimming cuticles. The result was a set of very bumpy nails with dip color lodged into my cuticles. It looked very sloppy, and the paint began chipping after 4 days. Pros: Kind owner/technicians (despite the issues, he kept checking to see if I was ok), provided water, clean and comfortable salon, lots of colors to choose from. Cons: Four instances of hurting me by catching my skin past the cuticle with the heavy duty metal drill, making my skin bleed and scab. Very poor quality dip powder application which didn’t look great to begin with and began chipping after 4 days. High price $55, considering there was no manicure, nor even a trim for the cuticles (they all turned colors from the dip powder and made the nails look very sloppy). Photos: First four are from the day after my appointment (took several hand washings to get my skin and cuticles clean) and last photo shows chipping after 6 days. FYI: Be aware this salon only takes appointments- no walk ins. Also, they only accept cash, check, or Venmo as payment- no credit or debit cards.

Suzie Bauer Philip is a perfectionist and my nails look lovely. I wish I lived in SLO so I could come here all the time. The vibe is clean, quiet and relaxing.

Adriana Nedelcu Derdiyok Michelle(the owner) only sees $ signs when she looks at her most loyal customers. She would tell you she just does what’s best for her business, but should know better by now that respecting and valuing customers is more important for her own success. The reason it doesn’t matter to her at all that for 2 years I contributed to her business twice a month(also personally bringing new customers and giving out her business cards to multiple people in my attempt to support her business that I so much respected), is because she can replace you immediately with any other 45$+ tips. Any decent business owner knows that a regular generates more $ than a walk in. Since it’s all about the money here, it’s disappointing to have been spending hundreds of dollars here and be refused service indefinitely for running late once, wasn’t even about a cancellation.

Theresa Anderson If you’re looking for exquisite nails and toesies, high quality treatments, and a very fair pricing, Philip and Michelle are going to provide all of it at their salon. Day Nails & Spa has a lovely relaxing vibe and I can’t wait to need another treatment. Philip applied my dip nails with great attention to detail and this is the first time people have just randomly complimented my nails and asked where I had them done. Thank you, Philip, I’ll be back!

Megan Hunt So nice, such lovely people!! Will definitely be back with my girls again :)

Ch3lz88 L. Come here every few weeks like clock work. Larry always does an amazing job. I normally break my nail, but not when he does them. He always does it exactly how i like them. Judy is great also!

Rhyaan Bouie The owners were very kind and personable. It was a bit cluttered but Im sure if you get to know the couple it could become cozy.

Dominique Samario My husband and I went on our first weekend getaway without the baby and a manicure pedicure sounded like the perfect start to the weekend...except it was getting late on a Friday evening. Not only did they accept our business, the owner did a thorough job on my nails and even filed and buffed my husbands nails too. It was an awesome start to our weekend and our nails looked great for the trip and beyond. Thankful for their great service!

John DerGarabedian I went in to Cici Nails for a pedicure and ended up with more than a year of problems with my toenails. They were not trained properly on how much nail to cut and cutting along the sides of the toenails caused many issues. I had never had any problems with my toenails until I went to this salon. I would never go back or recommend them. There are many other salons to choose from that have experience.

leeann marie she does nails so amazingly! they come out great each and every time. she definitely takes her time and make sure you are completely satisfied and you love your nails by the time you finish. i definitely recommend her to do your nails!!

Dana Smith Not a client but if youre looking for improvement feedback and what you can do better here it is. The nails look a bit toooo dry and rough. Some nails seem to be thicker than one another or crooked or theres to much polish on one nail. I love the creativity you put in the nails but keep practicing over and over until the nails look like the ones from Pinterest!

Robert Behl The only person Id let ever do my pedicures! She was gentle, respectful, and professional. Id recommend her to anyone!

Christina Gardner Would 100% Recommend ! Lindsey was Very Professional & Accommodating . I Have Had Several Services Done Here & Have Been More Than Satisfyed Each Time . I Will Continue To Return .

Jaime Freiler Not a good experience. I was waxed and completely broke out. The woman was so rough and smashed my face as she waxed me. I have bumps all over my face. Horrible service Pedi was the same way. The guy rushed as fast as he could and was very rough. I will never return to this place for anything.

Maxine Enabe I went in to Sky Nails to get acrylics for the first time! Tim was so lovely to chat with and did an amazing job on my nails. He was, quick, precise, and funny! I will definitely be coming back for future nail appointments. I’m so happy with my nails and my cat is loving the scratches :) FYI they only take cash and there is an ATM in the salon! Thanks so much Tim!

Glenn Wallace TJ is great. Does an excellent job on manicures and pedicures. He treats his customers with respect and is attentive, friendly, and interesting, which makes for a very nice experience.

S. McGowan Literally still in my car in the parking lot.. no WORDS WOULD DESCRIBE how I’m feeling right now.. they are bumpy and unbelievably uneven, he asked me if they are okay I just said “ I’m not happy i don’t want a design anymore” so the woman next to him spoke in Vietnamese to just put a coat on.. THERE IS GEL STUCK UNDER MY NAILS. Paid $58.50 for these. Pictures and videos included.

Kylee Russell The guy who did my pedicure was nice in the beginning but then started insulting my feet while doing the service. He also did a very sloppy job, barely covering my nails with the polish. He seemed really rushed even though there was no one waiting to get their nails done.

Marian Mitchell My friend and I got matching sets and Ocean Nails did an AMAZING job. Best manicure I’ve ever had, they don’t hurt you like some local places have hurt my fingers in the past and they’re all surprisingly symmetrical. They make sure to get out the acrylic left underneath the nail and the thickness of the nails is perfect. You most likely will have to wait for services even with an appointment because there’s only 2 people working there it seems but it really is worth the wait!!! My nails were $80 and worth every penny in my opinion.

Amanda Grieshop Randy and Angel were very kind and sweet and very skilled! I had the best experience and my nails are absolutely beautiful!

J Employees were very nice. However, for the two pedicures we received, toenails were cut way too short. Almost no nail left!

1UpAfghan My first time at this location my sister recommended it as Im visiting from Austin, Texas. I came with my mom and my sister and had an amazing time where the owners helped us decide on color and style and gave great recommendations. We had an amazing experience and would definitely come back when we visit San Luis Obispo again. I highly recommend this place.

Bijou Burns They had the same annoying song on repeat for over an hour. I asked for short acrylics and she kept making snide remarks that I didn’t want any nail- she also was being rude about what shape I had before and what shape I wanted now. She made it very clear that I was incorrect about what shape I was asking for. The nails were so thick and fake looking… probably the worst set I’ve ever had and the rudest nail tech I’ve ever experienced. She was older and seemed pissed off to be there. Not to mention on the back wall behind a counter is a chair with a sleeping bag where they sleep on breaks… unprofessional.

Langdon Miller Fast, sloppy, too much polish. Went in with my friend for a regular manicure, we both came out needing them immediately redone. Didn’t cover the whole nail with polish, trimmed the cuticles very aggressively. Ended up with unevenly cut nails that dried with many bubbles. Tip is included, which I can understand given the quality issue here. Unclear how a 4.4 star average review is possible for this place :/

Elizabeth Denny I made a same-day appointment for two of my gal pals and I to get pedicures. We showed up at 1pm for our appointment and I wish I were joking, we were being rushed out at 1:30pm. We observed several other women get offered hot drinks and even some helped themselves to the drink cooler. We didn’t get offered anything of the sort. The guy who did my pedicure put little effort into my gel pedicure, didn’t do the cuticle treatment that was included, and finished in 20 minutes. I didn’t realize after he was finished that my right toenail was cut drastically down for zero reason. Cooool. My two friends got regular pedicures and were given 10 minutes for their nails to dry before they were pushed out of their chairs. Even better, when they started putting my friends sandals on, they continued painting one of her nails! I got a gel pedicure, which should have been $52 - $37 for a classic pedicure and $15 for gel. They told me it was $55. I told them their posted prices were wrong on the sheet and they showed me a different price sheet from what they originally gave me. Stay away from this place. It’s not a surprise that they change owners every 6-12 months. I don’t recommend this place at all.

Tessa Miller Went for a normal manicure with my friend. They were incredibly rushed and didnt give time for my nails to dry at all despite it not being busy at the time. My friends nails were close to destroyed by the time we got to the car and mine just werent done well to begin with. This location is a lot more expensive than other nail salons in SLO and not nearly as good, Id recommend going somewhere else.

NC I did a gel French manicure at this place and the next day gel nail polish separated and fell off. The reason was that the young guy who did it, never cleaned my nails after filing them. I guess he did not know what he was doing. He painted on top of the nail dust. I did not know how it supposed to be done because it was my first time doing gel nails. I realized about this mistake after researching how it should be done. The problem is that the lady on the phone blamed me in it and never apologized. So very rude!!! After looking at their work on the pictures, I am sure, I will never be back or recommend it to anybody. Consider yourself warned…

Christina Conover I found this little Gem nail shop when I was on my way to the UPS Store. Right before Thanksgiving this year, And I fell in love. The place very clean and the staff is really nice. They have so many colors to choose from gels to regular nail polish. Plus they do dipping powder and beautiful acrylics nails. Dont look further for a nail place. T nails is the best shop that Ive ever been to. You wont regret coming here.

Corinne Watson I have been coming to T Nails for 2 years now, and Jodie always does a wonderful job. My dip nails last 3-4 weeks, and they stay strong/glossy. I have never experience such consistently good service!

P L every time visiting SLO, I have to come here. Jodie is such a good nail artist. She took good care of my nails and created lovely cherries on it.

Sh destroyed my nails. took 3 hours to get a horrific art work after having to explain over and over and showed example pictures, and the lady who did my nails was shaking the whole time. nails come off within a week. do not recommend, the worst place i’ve ever been to get my nails done.

Madeline Pifer I only went once but left with a terrible dip manicure. Glue all over my fingers, I spent two days pulling it off. In an attempt to dig out some of the glue they cut underneath one of my nails. I also think the powder they used was old, because the color I close was a solid pink and it came out clear. I definitely won’t go back.

Amy Joy Lashmet AMAZING SERVICE!! I came here with my bridal party to get our nails done for our wedding and everything was perfect. We made a reservation for 5 people and they had one employee working on each of us, which made things go by quickly and easily. I am not local so I was nervous to try somewhere new, but the Polishery exceeded all my expectations! I loved the decor, music, and overall ambience of the salon. The massage chairs were really good and my nails look great. In addition to doing a lovely job on all our nails, they were also extremely helpful as well- telling us where we could charge our electric vehicle, advice for making my nails look good on my wedding day, and taking as many photos as we wanted. At the end of our service they even gave us 2 bottles of local wine to celebrate our marriage, which was the cherry on top! One thing to know is they don’t accept credit cards, which surprised me but luckily they accepted Venmo and zelle so it wasn’t an issue, just something to be prepared for. Overall I’m not sure why their reviews are only so-so because we received above and beyond treatment that made our wedding week that much more special. Thank you, The Polishery!

Alisa Mounts I love this place! I’ve been going here for all my mani’s and pedi’s since 2018. I won’t go anywhere else. When I’ve gone with family or friends they are always super happy as well. They do a fantastic job every time!

Lydia Nderitu Amazing work! I got a mani-pedi and they still look great 4 weeks later!

Amy Maggipinto Im thrilled to share my experience with my go-to nail salon The Polishery ! From the moment I walk in, Im greeted with impeccable service. I see Annie and she always turns my nails into beautiful works of art. The salons atmosphere is inviting and relaxing, making each visit a delightful escape. The attention to detail, hygiene, and the vast selection of nail colors and designs keep me coming back. I cant recommend this place enough!