How do you pick a hair salon?

Look at stylists' portfolios for the cut or colour you want, read recent reviews, and book a consultation. Confirm that stylists hold a current California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology licence.

How to tell if a hair salon is good?

Good salons do a proper consultation, explain pricing before starting, keep a clean station, and will fix a result you are unhappy with. Consistent recent reviews that mention specific stylists are a useful signal.

Do you wash your hair before a salon appointment?

For most cuts and colour, arrive with clean, dry hair styled as you usually wear it, but ask your stylist. Some colourists prefer hair not washed that day.

How much to tip a hairdresser in 2026?

In the U.S., 15 to 20 percent of the service price is the usual tip at salons. Some owner-operated studios include gratuity or do not expect tips, so check the salon's policy.

Best hair salons in Encinitas, CA

At a glance

Hair salons

Listings	5
Inside city limits	5
Combined reviews	2,253
Data source	Google Maps^[1]
Boundary	Census place 0622678^[2]
Checked	November 9, 2026

Map: Headlines The Salon (listing 1) (map data: Google)

This page lists five hair salons in Encinitas, California, chosen by a published method from public Google Maps data checked on November 9, 2026.^[1] 5 of the five have addresses inside the city limits.^[2] Ratings and review counts are shown as published on Google; this wiki does not write or edit reviews.

Selection rule: Businesses needed an address inside the Encinitas city boundary, a Google rating of 4.5 or higher from at least 25 reviews, and a matching business category. They are ordered by a review-weighted score that balances rating against the number of reviews. Full details are in the methodology.

Listings

1. Headlines The Salon

Full-service hair salon on North El Camino Real offering cuts, colour and styling.

Address: 121 N El Camino Real C, Encinitas, CA
Phone: (760) 436-1812
Website: phorest.com
Google rating: 4.9 from 750 reviews^[1]
Map: Google Maps listing

2. Station Salon & Boutique

Eco-conscious hair salon on South Coast Highway 101 specialising in balayage and lived-in colour, per its website.

Address: 594 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA
Phone: (760) 217-7990
Website: phorest.com
Google rating: 4.9 from 344 reviews^[1]
Map: Google Maps listing

3. Stainless Salon

Hair salon on South Rancho Santa Fe Road (Google category: hair salon).

Address: 162 S Rancho Santa Fe Rd suite b-20, Encinitas, CA
Phone: (760) 942-8311
Website: stainlesssalon.com
Google rating: 4.9 from 223 reviews^[1]
Map: Google Maps listing

4. Zen Den Salon and Boutique

Private studio salon offering blonding and Brazilian Blowouts.

Address: 1053 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA
Phone: (808) 868-7152
Website: vagaro.com
Google rating: 5.0 from 84 reviews^[1]
Map: Google Maps listing

5. Supercuts

Walk-in haircut salon on North El Camino Real, part of a national chain.

Address: 1044 N El Camino Real A, Encinitas, CA
Phone: (760) 203-6077
Website: supercuts.com
Google rating: 4.8 from 852 reviews^[1]
Map: Google Maps listing

Comparison

At-a-glance comparison
Business	Located in	Rating	Reviews	Phone
Headlines The Salon	Encinitas	4.9	750	(760) 436-1812
Station Salon & Boutique	Encinitas	4.9	344	(760) 217-7990
Stainless Salon	Encinitas	4.9	223	(760) 942-8311
Zen Den Salon and Boutique	Encinitas	5.0	84	(808) 868-7152
Supercuts	Encinitas	4.8	852	(760) 203-6077

Together the five listings have 2,253 Google reviews, with an average rating of 4.90.^[1]

Of the five listings, 5 have Encinitas addresses.^[3] Listed addresses cluster on El Camino Real, Coast Hwy 101. The most-reviewed listing is Supercuts, with 852 Google reviews; the least-reviewed has 84.^[1] Review counts reflect how long a business has been listed and how actively it asks customers for reviews, as well as customer satisfaction. Treat them as one signal among several.

Choosing a hair salon in Encinitas

Salons in Encinitas range from large full-service salons to private one-chair studios on Coast Highway 101. When choosing:

Licence. Cosmetologists and barbers are licensed by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology; licences can be checked through the Department of Consumer Affairs search.^[4]
Specialty. Blonding, balayage, curly cuts and extensions are specialist skills; look at the stylist's portfolio.
Consultation. Many colourists offer free consultations and patch tests.
Pricing. Colour is often priced by time or by stylist level; ask for an estimate.

Common questions

How do you pick a hair salon?: Look at stylists' portfolios for the cut or colour you want, read recent reviews, and book a consultation. Confirm that stylists hold a current California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology licence.
How to tell if a hair salon is good?: Good salons do a proper consultation, explain pricing before starting, keep a clean station, and will fix a result you are unhappy with. Consistent recent reviews that mention specific stylists are a useful signal.
Do you wash your hair before a salon appointment?: For most cuts and colour, arrive with clean, dry hair styled as you usually wear it, but ask your stylist. Some colourists prefer hair not washed that day.
How much to tip a hairdresser in 2026?: In the U.S., 15 to 20 percent of the service price is the usual tip at salons. Some owner-operated studios include gratuity or do not expect tips, so check the salon's policy.

Notes and sources

Google Maps business profiles (ratings, review counts, addresses, phones). Google Maps, retrieved November 9, 2026.
TIGERweb: Encinitas city (GEOID 0622678). U.S. Census Bureau.
Census Geocoder (coordinates to incorporated place). U.S. Census Bureau.
License Search. California Department of Consumer Affairs.