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.

Safety Stanards

Our tattoo artists and piercers maintain up to date certifications and licensing for CalOSHA - Bloodborne Pathogens, San Diego DEH - Body Art Practitioner License, which are renewed annually. Client safety is always our top priority at Locally Famous Tattoo.

Our shop utilizes the highest standards for site, equipment, and procedure hygiene, including two-stage system, that includes enzymatic ultrasonic and autoclave sterilization, to ensure our clients and practitioners are always safe and protected. We also undergo an annual health department inspection, to maintain our permit to operate a body art facility.

Aftercare Products

Clients are always given detailed instructions on how to properly care for a new tattoo or piercing when done in our shop. While we do give guidance on acceptable over the counter products that are available at most general retailers, Locally Famous Tattoo offers a product line that covers complete aftercare for both tattoos and piercings.

Ollie the Impaler's antimicrobial lotion soap is a hospital grade, unscented cleanser that is safe and gentle for use on fresh tattoos and piercings. Redemption Organic Tattoo Ointment keeps new tattoos moisturized during the healing process. Priced at only $10 each, these products help make proper aftercare easy and affordable for all our clients.

Tattoo Aftercare Information

Piercing Aftercare Information

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.

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

Tattoo of a coiled snake with an aggressive expression

Tattoo of an abstract starburst pattern on the elbow

Tattoo of a skeleton riding a motorcycle

Tattoo of a grim reaper holding a scythe, American Traditional style

Tattoo of an anatomically correct skeletal overlay of the hand and fingers

Tattoo of a "Glasgow Smile" incision across the cheek

Tattoo of custom lettering that reads "Slipknot people = shit"

Tattoo of a fish underwater, black and grey realism

Tattoo of an abstract mandala, in full color

Tattoo of two different Luna moths, black and grey realism

Tattoo of a Celtic style cemetery cross, black and grey realism

Tattoo of a wine glass, with red wine being poured into it

Tattoo of a wine glass with white wine being poured into it

Tattoo of a mixed bouquet of flowers, full color

Tattoo of the character Bullet Bill from the video game series Super Mario Bros

Tattoo of two cartoon penguins holding white surfboards

Tattoo of a woman's face, black and grey realism

Tattoo of a decapitated robot head, full color

Tattoo of a golden eagle , clutching arrows and laurel in its talons, full color

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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

Tattoo of the Anarchist symbol, with a Kalashnikov rifle in the crossbar

Tattoo of a barbed wire heart, with custom lettering in the center that reads "Fuck Off"

Tattoo of a full color bat hanging upside down on a spooky tree, against the backdrop of a full blood moon

Tattoo of a military style saber in microrealism

Tattoo of a red butterfly perched atop a red raspberry on the vine

Tattoo of a kitchen knife adorned with red valentine's hearts

Tattoo of a realistic portrait comprised of 50/50 split of a woman and a lioness

Tattoo of a realistic black widow spider with a red hourglass marking on the abdomen

Tattoo of a full color tiger in the American Traditional style

Tattoo of a full color four leaf clover, with the name a departed loved one across the petals

Tattoo of a full color bear's head in the American Traditional style

Tattoo of a crescent moon and flowers, with chandelier beads and crystals dangling underneath

Tattoo of an anime wolf character in full color

Tattoo of the mask of Jason Voorhies from the Friday the 13th horror film series

Tattoo of the character Ghost Face from the Scream horror film series

Tattoo portrait in full color of the character The Terrifier from the horror film series

Tattoo of a full color death's head moth, in the Alphonse Mucha style of Art Noveau

Tattoo of a feathered arrow with watercolor background

Tattoo of a cartoon heart with creatures escaping in full color

Tattoo of an Edwardian style rosary with large amethyst gem in the center

Tattoo of a cartoon stuffed bear with the words "Hug Life" written across the tummy

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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.