Tattoo Shop Serving University City, San Diego
Walk-ins welcome · Free consultations · Tattooing Pacific Beach for almost 20 years
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 takes walk-ins, offers free consultations, and tattoos in fine line, realism, neo-traditional, black and grey and custom styles.
Why University City clients walk into Sideshow
University City sits between La Jolla and Clairemont, with UC San Diego next door and a lot of students, researchers and office workers living and working within a few miles. A 15 to 20 minute drive makes a tattoo easy to fit between classes, work and everything else.
- Free consultations. Stop by, talk through your idea, and get an honest read on size, placement and style before you commit to anything.
- Walk in when it suits you. Walk-ins are welcome every day, with later hours on Friday and Saturday.
- Designs drawn for you. Your idea, fitted to your body rather than copied off a wall.
- Five styles and more. Fine line, realism, neo-traditional, black and grey and minimalist.
Tattoo styles we do for University City clients
Browse the styles below for a feel of our work. If your idea does not fit one, bring it in anyway.
Realism Tattoos
Realistic work for faces, animals and finely detailed subjects.
Neo-Traditional Tattoos
Traditional roots with richer color and more detail.
Black and Grey Tattoos
Black ink and grey wash work, from single pieces to full sleeves.
Getting here from University City
Pacific Beach is roughly 9 miles from University City.
- Get on I-5 South from La Jolla Village Drive, Nobel Drive or Genesee Avenue.
- Stay on I-5 South through Rose Canyon, passing the SR-52 and Clairemont Drive interchanges.
- Take the Grand Avenue / Garnet Avenue exit and head west on Garnet to 1062 Garnet Ave.
Drive time, parking and timing
Outside rush hour, expect 15 to 20 minutes. 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.
Parking: you will find street parking on Garnet Avenue and around it. Weekday afternoons are usually the easiest time to park.
Whether you start near Westfield UTC, Costa Verde or Nobel Drive, or at UC San Diego next door, it is the same short route down I-5.
Parking: you will find street parking on Garnet Avenue and around it. Weekday afternoons are usually the easiest time to park.
Whether you start near Westfield UTC, Costa Verde or Nobel Drive, or at UC San Diego next door, it is the same short route down I-5.
Around University City
University City is a hub between La Jolla and Clairemont: Westfield UTC and Costa Verde Center for shopping, University City High School, Rose Canyon open space, the biotech and tech offices along Nobel Drive and Towne Centre Drive, and UC San Diego just to the west.
If you are a student or you work somewhere with a dress code, tell us up front if you need a tattoo that stays covered. Size and placement can be chosen to suit, and a free consultation is the right time to work that out.
If you are a student or you work somewhere with a dress code, tell us up front if you need a tattoo that stays covered. Size and placement can be chosen to suit, and a free consultation is the right time to work that out.
Planning your University City tattoo
University City is close enough for a consultation on your way home. Bring a rough idea of the subject, the size and the placement, and we will talk it through with no commitment.
If you would like to read first, these guides cover the basics: our guide to walk-in tattoo shops in San Diego, how to book a custom tattoo consultation, tattoo ideas and tiny tattoos.
If you would like to read first, these guides cover the basics: our guide to walk-in tattoo shops in San Diego, how to book a custom tattoo consultation, tattoo ideas and tiny tattoos.
University City tattoo FAQs
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.
Yes. Pacific Beach is a short drive down I-5 from campus and University City, and we are open until 8pm Sunday to Thursday and until 10pm on Friday and Saturday. Walk-ins are welcome.
Yes. Tell us during the consultation, and we will help you choose a size and placement that works for your situation.
A consultation can fit between classes: it is free, walk-ins are welcome, and I-5 South gets you here in roughly 15 to 20 minutes. A larger tattoo needs more time, so plan that for a day off.
Yes. Fine line and minimalist tattoos suit small first pieces, and our style pages show examples. Tell us the size and placement you have in mind.
It is better to choose a calmer time. Stress and lack of sleep can make a session harder, and you will want time to look after the tattoo while it heals.
There is street parking along Garnet and the side streets around it. Weekday afternoons are usually the easiest time to find a space.
Avoid heavy sweating and friction on the area while it heals, and follow your artist’s aftercare instructions. Your artist can advise on timing for your placement.
Other areas we serve
Not coming from here? We serve all of these neighborhoods:
Come see us
Sunday to Thursday: 11am to 8pm
Friday and Saturday: 11am to 10pm
Walk-ins welcome
Friday and Saturday: 11am to 10pm
Walk-ins welcome