The Nail File · San Francisco · Updated July 2026
The 10 best nail salons in San Francisco
A shortlist of the San Francisco salons that come up again and again in public reviews and local coverage — what each is known for, and where it sits on the map.
Pacific Heights
Look At Me
Russian manicures and lash extensions.
2434 California St, San Francisco, CA 94115
NOPA
Ritual Nail Bar
organic, plant-based products; manicures, pedicures and facials.
340 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94117
Laurel Heights / Inner Richmond
Spectrum Nails Spa
well-reviewed neighborhood nail spa.
4438 California St, San Francisco, CA 94118
Pacific Heights / Van Ness
Pearly Nails
manicures and pedicures.
2105 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94109
Inner Sunset
Gentle Nails Salon
builder gel and hard gel specialists.
1414 9th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122
Outer Richmond
Glitz N Glam Nail & Lash Spa
dip, Gel-X and nail art plus lash services.
5847 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94121
Cow Hollow
Bamboo Spa
non-toxic and vegan polishes and products.
2286 Union St, San Francisco, CA 94123
Hayes Valley
LUX SF
sustainable and vegan polishes with detailed designs.
490 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Dogpatch / Potrero
Modern Nail Bar
neighborhood nail bar.
803 22nd St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Excelsior / Outer Mission
Golden Nails Salon
long-running neighborhood nail salon.
5817 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94112
How to choose between them
A list gets you candidates, not a decision. The fastest way to narrow it: pick the service first, because the best custom-art studio and the best fast-gel shop are rarely the same business. Then check the salon's own photos for consistency across all ten nails, and ask how they remove a set — the full method is in our guide to finding a salon.
What you should expect to pay
Before you book, know the going rate so an upcharge doesn't surprise you at the register. Our San Francisco price guide lists 2026 ranges for gel manicures, Russian manicures, extensions, pedicures and art — plus what moves the price across the metro.
Where these salons sit on the map
San Francisco isn't one nail market, and neighborhood usually predicts both specialty and price. The San Francisco neighborhood guide breaks the city into pockets with $–$$$ signals, and the city overview ties it together.