Tattoo Shops in San Rafael, CA

3 studios in and around San Rafael, California — call ahead even for walk-ins — a shop with five artists can still be booked solid on a Saturday, and piercing hours often differ from tattoo hours.

San Rafael has about 59,961 residents, which works out to 5.0 tattoo shops per 100,000 people. Population: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 estimate.

Lucky Drive Tattoo Parlour

2228 4th St, San Rafael, CA 94901-2658

+14154575825 Directions

Nomad Body Piercing Walk-ins welcomePiercingAppointment only

2056 4th St, San Rafael, CA 94901-2600

🕒 Thursday 12:00- 7:00 PM

+14155537771 Website Directions

Spider Murphy's Tattoo Walk-ins welcome

1006 Lincoln Ave, San Rafael, CA 94901-3226

🕒 Open 7 days 12pm–7pm

+14154606979 Website Directions

More studios within 30 miles of San Rafael

Only 3 studios listed in San Rafael itself, so here are the closest ones in nearby towns. Distance is straight-line from San Rafael.

The Forge Tattoo

📍 2.8 mi · 1906 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Fairfax, CA 94930-1221

+14154195362 Website Directions

Cerda Art Studio Card accepted

📍 9.0 mi · 217 W Richmond Ave, Richmond, CA 94801-4020

+15102333342 Website Directions

Mi Tintta

📍 10.7 mi · 758 23rd St, Richmond, CA 94804-1449

Directions

Nunez Tattoo PiercingAppointment only

📍 11.7 mi · 12718 San Pablo Ave, Richmond, CA 94805-1303

🕒 mond, CA 94805, US (510) 233-1262 Hours Open today 12:00 pm

💲 $60, $10

+15102331262 Website Directions

The Plug Tattoo and Piercing Piercing

📍 11.8 mi · 12592 San Pablo Ave, Richmond, CA 94805

(855) 752-6179 Website Directions

The Plug Jewelry & Gold Teeth Grillz

📍 11.8 mi · 12592 San Pablo Ave, Richmond, CA 94805

(510) 778-1804 Website Directions

Eclectic Tattoo

📍 12.0 mi · 4500 Barrett Ave, Richmond, CA 94805

(510) 778-9266 Directions

Twin Flames Tattoo

📍 12.0 mi · 3550 San Pablo Dam Rd, San Pablo, CA 94803-2700

+15108041413 Website Directions

Tip: weekday afternoons are the easiest time to get a walk-in seat — Friday and Saturday fill with appointments by noon. For custom work, message the artist a week ahead with reference images; a deposit of $50–100 that counts toward the final price is standard practice, not a red flag.

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Good to know about tattoo shops in San Rafael

How many tattoo shops are there in San Rafael?
We list 3 tattoo shops in San Rafael with addresses, and 3 of them with a phone number.

What's the surest way to check hours in San Rafael?
Call ahead — 3 of the 3 tattoo shops here list a number. Hours at independent tattoo shops shift with seasons and staffing, so a phone call beats any listing, including ours.

Which tattoo shops in San Rafael show their opening hours?
2 of the 3 tattoo shops we list in San Rafael publish their hours — the rest are best reached by phone before you go.

Can I get a tattoo in San Rafael without an appointment?
2 of the 3 studios in San Rafael take walk-ins; the others work by appointment.