Body Piercing Serving Carmel Valley, San Diego

Walk-ins welcome · Online booking · Professional piercing in Pacific Beach

Carmel Valley and the rest of 92130 are about 15 miles from our studio at 1062 Garnet Ave in Pacific Beach, almost all of it on I-5 South. Sideshow Tattoo and Piercing is a walk-in piercing studio with a dedicated piercer, quality jewelry, and online booking for piercings, downsizes and jewelry changes.

Why Carmel Valley clients choose Sideshow for body piercing

Around One Paseo and Del Mar Highlands Town Center you can find plenty of shops, but a body piercing is a different kind of decision. Placement, jewelry and healing all matter, and a short drive to a studio with a dedicated piercer gives you time to talk each one through.

A dedicated piercer. Isaac pierces at Sideshow. Read his story and see his portfolio on his piercer page.
Quality jewelry. Our selection includes titanium and gold options. See what makes high-quality piercing jewelry.
Walk in or book. Walk-ins are welcome, and you can book online for a piercing, a downsize or a jewelry change.
Prices you can check. Our piercing price chart is on the site.

Piercings we do for Carmel Valley clients

Here are the piercings we do most. For anything else, ask us at your appointment.

Ear piercings

Lobes, helixes and curated ears, with jewelry chosen to suit your anatomy.

Nose and septum

Nostril and septum piercings, with jewelry that suits healing.

Lip piercings

Labret and other lip piercings, placed to suit your face and your smile.

Navel piercings

Navel piercings with current pricing on our price chart.

Getting here from Carmel Valley

From Carmel Valley, take I-5 South (or SR-56 West, then I-5 South) roughly 12 miles to the Grand Avenue / Garnet Avenue exit in Pacific Beach, then head west on Garnet to 1062 Garnet Ave.

Parking: you will find street parking on Garnet Avenue and around it. Weekday afternoons are usually the easiest time to park.

Drive time and timing

Outside rush hour, plan on 20 to 25 minutes from Carmel Valley. On weekday afternoons from about 4pm to 6pm, I-5 South through Sorrento Valley slows down, so leave extra time. We are open until 8pm Sunday to Thursday and until 10pm on Friday and Saturday.

You can also book online if you would rather have your time set before you drive.

Around Carmel Valley

Carmel Valley is organized around Torrey Pines High School, Canyon Crest Academy, One Paseo and the trails and beaches of Torrey Pines. If you are choosing a piercing around a school dress code or an office, ask at your appointment which placements and jewelry are easy to wear quietly. If you swim or run at Torrey Pines State Beach, plan around saltwater and sweat while a piercing heals, and follow the instructions on our piercing aftercare page.

Planning your piercing visit

Before you come in, think about which piercing you want, where, and what jewelry style you like. If you are not sure, that is what the appointment is for: we will talk through placement for your anatomy.

If you would like to read first, these guides cover the basics: how to verify a piercer is certified, 7 signs of a professional piercing studio, piercing aftercare and the best jewelry for sensitive ears.

Carmel Valley piercing FAQs

How far is Sideshow from Carmel Valley for a piercing?

About 15 miles. Take I-5 South to the Grand Avenue / Garnet Avenue exit in Pacific Beach and head west to 1062 Garnet Ave. Outside rush hour the drive is usually 20 to 25 minutes.

Do I need to book a piercing in advance from Carmel Valley?

You can walk in, and you can also book online so your time is set before you drive. Call (858) 274-8282 with any questions.

Can I get several piercings in one visit?

It depends on the piercings and your anatomy. Tell us what you want, and we will talk through placement and what makes sense to do at once.

Can I swim at Torrey Pines with a new piercing?

While it heals, avoid pools, hot tubs and the ocean, and follow your piercer’s instructions. Plan your piercing around beach days if you can. Our piercing aftercare page has the basics.

What jewelry is best for a new ear piercing?

Material and fit matter for healing. Our selection includes titanium and gold options, and our guide to jewelry for sensitive ears explains what to look for.

Do you do septum and nostril piercings?

Yes. Nose and septum piercings are part of our work. See our septum and nose piercing guide and ask at your appointment about jewelry and placement.

Can I see prices before I drive over?

Yes. Our piercing price chart and deals page are on the site, so you can check before you make the trip.

Who will pierce me?

Isaac is our piercer, and his piercer page has his story and portfolio.

Other areas we serve

Clients visit us from across north San Diego. These are the neighborhoods we serve:

Rancho Bernardo and 4S Ranch · Rancho Peñasquitos · Carmel Mountain Ranch and Sabre Springs · Mira Mesa · Scripps Ranch · Miramar · University City · Tierrasanta · Clairemont

Come see us

Sideshow Tattoo and Piercing San Diego
1062 Garnet Ave., San Diego, CA 92109
(858) 274-8282

Sunday to Thursday: 11am to 8pm
Friday and Saturday: 11am to 10pm
Walk-ins welcome

Also looking for a tattoo? See our tattoo shop serving Carmel Valley →