Body Piercing Serving University City, San Diego

Walk in, ask questions, and decide · Open late Friday and Saturday

University City and the rest of 92122 are roughly 9 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.

Why University City clients choose Sideshow for body piercing

University City sits between La Jolla and Clairemont, with UC San Diego next door. A 15 to 20 minute drive makes a piercing easy to fit between classes, work and everything else, and you can book online or walk in.

Anatomy first. Not every placement suits every ear or nose, and we will tell you honestly.
Nickel-free options. See our nickel-free jewelry guide if your skin reacts to metals.
Aftercare you keep. Written instructions plus our aftercare page.
Downsizing available. Book it when your piercing is ready.

Piercings we do for University City clients

The common placements, with pages for each.

Ear piercings

Start with a lobe or go straight to a curated ear.

Nose and septum

Nose piercings placed to sit naturally on your face.

Lip piercings

Lip piercings with jewelry sized for healing.

Navel piercings

Navel piercings with jewelry choices to suit you.

Getting here from University City

From University City, get on I-5 South from La Jolla Village Drive, Nobel Drive or Genesee Avenue. Stay on it past the SR-52 and Clairemont Drive interchanges, exit at Grand Avenue / Garnet Avenue, and head west to 1062 Garnet Ave.

Parking: plan on street parking along Garnet Avenue and the nearby side streets, and give yourself a few minutes to find a space.

Drive time and timing

Outside rush hour, plan on 15 to 20 minutes from University City. I-5 South is one of the busiest freeways in San Diego, so allow extra time at weekday rush hour. We are open until 8pm Sunday to Thursday and until 10pm on Friday and Saturday.

Online booking saves you waiting once you arrive.

Around University City

Westfield UTC, Costa Verde Center, University City High School, Rose Canyon and the offices along Nobel Drive and Towne Centre Drive are the local landmarks, with UC San Diego just to the west. If you are choosing a piercing around a dress code or a lab or office job, ask about placements and jewelry that are easy to wear quietly.

Planning the piercing itself

Come in with a rough idea of the piercing and the jewelry you like. Check the price chart first so you know what to expect.

If you would like to read first, these guides cover the basics: what implant-grade titanium jewelry costs, how to tell if jewelry is nickel free, whether you can wear sterling silver in piercings and whether it is worth paying more for professional piercing.

University City piercing FAQs

How far is Sideshow from University City for a piercing?

Roughly 9 miles. Take I-5 South from La Jolla Village Drive, Nobel Drive or Genesee Avenue, and exit at Grand Avenue / Garnet Avenue in Pacific Beach. Outside rush hour the drive is usually 15 to 20 minutes.

I am a UC San Diego student. Is Sideshow an easy trip?

Yes. Pacific Beach is a short drive down I-5, and we are open until 8pm Sunday to Thursday and until 10pm on Friday and Saturday. Walk-ins are welcome, and you can also book online.

Can I plan a piercing that is easy to wear at work or in class?

Often, yes. Tell your piercer about your situation at the appointment, and we will help you choose placement and jewelry to suit it.

Can I get a piercing between classes?

A quick visit is possible if you book online, but leave time to talk through placement and jewelry. We are about 15 to 20 minutes from University City.

Is there a student-friendly way to check prices?

Our price chart and deals page show current prices and specials, so you can plan before you come in.

Which piercings are easy to wear at work or in class?

It depends on your situation. Tell your piercer, and we will suggest placements and jewelry that are easy to wear quietly.

What should I do if my piercing gets irritated?

Contact your piercer, and see our aftercare page for guidance. Do not remove or change jewelry without advice.

How long does an ear piercing take to heal?

Healing time varies by piercing and by person, so ask your piercer. Our aftercare page explains what to do while it heals.

Other areas we serve

We see clients from across these neighborhoods:

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