Shop hours:
12pm-10pm Sun-Thu
12pm-12am (midnight) Fri-Sat

Piercing Hours:
12pm-8pm Tue-THU
12pm-9pm Fri-SAT

Walk-Ins Always Welcome
Shop minimum for tattoos: $100

About Us

Established in 2018 by owner and artist Gordo Smeed, a 25 year veteran of the local tattoo community, Locally Famous Tattoo boasts a huge team of artists, featuring both up and comers in the industry, and long time experts of the trade. Our artists specialize in a wide array of styles, from portraiture, to black and grey realism, American/Japanese traditional, and full color Neotraditional and New Skool. Delivering quality tattoos for the whole family, Locally Famous strives to provide a safe, clean, welcoming environment for all our clients. Come see us today, and let us help bring your tattoo ideas to life. Walk-Ins are always welcome.

Tattoo Artists

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Gordo Smeed (owner)

Tattooing Since: 1996

Mentors: John Lloyd (Orange County)

Influences: Robert Williams, Ralph Bakshi, Leo Zulueta, Corey Miller, Bill Canales, Ron Earhart, Joe Capobianco

From: North County, San Diego

Gordo has an appreciation for all tattoo styles, and does not limit himself to a single specialty or narrow range of artistry. His books are always open for both new and returning clients, and Gordo prides himself being accessible to everyone, so that clients don't have to wait for months just to get work from him. As the shop owner, Gordo's humble approach to tattooing keeps him sharp and fresh for every client project that comes through the door. X

Tattoo of the wolf's head crest from the book/tv series Game of Thrones

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Arne Hansen

Tattooing Since: 2006

Mentors: Gordo Smeed

Influences: Nate Banuelos, Mike Debbie, Nikko Hurtado,

Carlos Rojas, Myke Chambers

From: Whittier, CA

Arne Hansen is a tattoo artist with over fifteen years of experience, who has worked alongside many other talented artists throughout his career, becoming proficient in a wide range of tattoo styles. Arne loves to get down with realism, biomechanical, comic characters, or bold American Traditional pieces, and prefers to take a collaborative approach to tattooing, so that clients are able to give their input with ease. He also keeps a balanced schedule, so that no client is ever shut out, or forced to wait months to book an appointment.

Tattoo in full color of the character Popeye squeezing a can of spinach into his open mouth

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Mike "Hot Rod" Manley

Tattooing Since: 2017

Mentors: Bob Downie

Influences: Gordo Smeed, Arne Hansen

From: North County, San Diego

Manley specializes in American and Japanese Traditional, Neo Traditional, and many styles of flora and fauna tattoos. As a lifelong enthusiast of classic hot rods and vintage bicycles, Manley brings a wealth of artistic influences and life experiences to his ink work. He has a true flare for embodying the history and culture of SoCal in both his personal style and tattooing.

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Oscar Gudino

Tattooing Since: 2017

Mentors: Self Taught

Influences: Hard Workers

From: North County, San Diego

A native of San Diego, Oscar Gudino credits the industry's hardest working artists, those who dedicate themselves to the professionalism of the craft, as his greatest influence. He appreciates all genres of the trade, with a comfortable mastery of black and grey realism and fine line styles, and is especially drawn to bold and dramatic floral tattoo projects. Oscar prides himself on attention to detail in his tattoo work.

Tattoo of a viper snake in full color, American Traditional style

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Haley Rogers

Tattooing Since: 2018

Mentors: Ray Burciaga, Arne Hansen

Influences: Maud Wagner, Jessie Knight, Kate Hellenbrand, Nell Brinkley, Don Bluth, James O'Barr, Alphonse Mucha, Gustav Klimt

From: Los Angeles, CA

Haley Rogers has the good fortune of working alongside some of the best and most talented artists in the local tattoo community. Haley's specialty is bright and bold full-color saturation, across a variety of styles, with an emphasis on cartoon and comic panel art. Clients looking for pieces in pop-culture themes, especially movie and video game subject matter, will appreciate Haley's ability to bring these pieces to life! She also strives to create a safe, welcoming environment for anyone getting tattooed in her chair.

Tattoo of Medusa in full color, Neotraditional style

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Gus "The Plug" Casillas

Tattooing Since: 2020

Mentors: Sunny Granados

Influences: Big Sleeps, Case One, David Vega

From: Indio, CA

The Plug came up in the tradition of California street art, where his love of graffiti work translated into a foundation in black and grey, and his unique brand of custom lettering tattoos. His portfolio is a testament to the finer details of applying ink to skin, whether it be in larger designs, or microscale applications. The Plug is also still active in graffiti art, and is available for professional art commissions.

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Bob Downie (R.I.P.)

1982-2023

Bob Downie was a tattoo artist for over 20 years, a lifelong native of San Diego, a skilled fisherman, and a beloved friend of Locally Famous Tattoo. His legacy is still felt by the artists and staff who knew him best, and his memory lives on at the shop. We are grateful to have known and worked with Bob, and for the great times we were blessed to spend with him. May he rest in peace.

Piercers

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Mike "Ironhead" Walliser (R.I.P.)

1946-2023

"Ironhead" Mike was a professional body piercer for over 30 years, who loved Harley-Davidson motorcycles, once worked as a professional drummer during the heyday of Rock N' Roll, and was an all around great guy. He was a member of the Locally Famous Tattoo family from day one, bringing smiles to all our faces here at LFT for many years. Mike is dearly missed, and will be remembered fondly by many who loved him.