Welcome to Broken Heart Tattoo - Hillcrest, San Diego
Broken Heart Tattoo is a veteran-owned custom tattoo studio on 6th Avenue in the heart of central San Diego, near downtown. Walk in any day of the week, or book a free 15-minute consultation and we’ll design something that actually looks like you.
Recent Projects at the Broken Heart studio
Healed and in-progress work by the team at Broken Heart Tattoo. See more day-to-day work on Instagram.
Baphomet full back piece - black & grey
Japanese samurai back piece
Full-body oni suit
Geisha & hannya back piece, just finished
A tattoo shop built for people who care what it looks like in ten years
We are not a walk-in flash mill and we are not a by-appointment-only studio you can never reach. Broken Heart Tattoo sits on 6th Ave between Robinson and Pennsylvania, right in the middle of Hillcrest - close enough to walk to from University Ave, Bankers Hill, North Park and Balboa Park.
Four resident artists cover black & grey, American traditional, fine line, blackwork, colour realism, lettering and freehand. Every piece is drawn for you, sized to your body, and quoted up front.
Walk in, or book ahead
The shop is open 12pm–10pm, seven days a week. Same-day walk-in requests are genuinely possible here - message or call and we’ll tell you what is open today.
Quoted before you commit
Free 15-minute consultations, in person or on the phone. You leave with a firm price, a deposit amount and a clear plan for size, placement and number of sessions.
Custom, not copy-paste
Bring a rough idea, a photo, or nothing at all. Our artists design custom work daily, including freehand pieces drawn straight onto skin and cover-ups that need real planning.
Cristopher “Sky” Skiver
Cristopher “Sky” Skiver served in the U.S. Army before opening Broken Heart Tattoo, and he has been working out of 6th Avenue ever since. The studio’s reputation is built on two things that are harder to find than they should be: work that still reads clearly a decade later, and a shop that treats everybody who walks in with respect.
He is known for heavy black & grey, large-scale custom pieces and cover-ups that actually cover. If you have an old piece you regret, bring it in and he will tell you honestly what is possible - including whether laser lightening first would give you a better result.
Who you’ll be working with in Hillcrest
All four resident artists work out of the 3704 6th Ave studio.
Cris "Sky" Skiver
U.S. Army veteran, founder of Broken Heart Tattoo, and Hillcrest's go-to artist for bold black & grey and custom large-scale work.
- Black & Grey
- American Traditional
- Color Realism
- Custom Large-Scale Work
Jorge "Soda Pop" Barajas
San Diego's freehand specialist - famous for lettering, black & grey portraits and one-of-a-kind pieces drawn straight onto skin.
- Freehand Lettering
- Black & Grey
- Portraits & Pop Culture
- American Traditional
Philip Leslie
Fine line, blackwork and neo-traditional artist at Broken Heart Tattoo in Hillcrest, San Diego.
- Fine Line
- Blackwork
- Neo-Traditional
- Custom Design
Alyssa Klinshaw
Fine line, minimalist and floral tattoo artist in Hillcrest, San Diego.
- Fine Line
- Minimalist
- Floral & Botanical
- Script & Lettering
Tattoo styles and services in Hillcrest, San Diego
Black & Grey
Smooth gradients, heavy contrast and portraits that age well. The studio’s signature style.
American Traditional
Bold lines, saturated colour, timeless iconography - done the way it should be.
Fine Line & Minimalist
Delicate linework, script and small pieces. Ideal for a first tattoo.
Blackwork & Neo-Traditional
High-contrast blackwork and modern line quality on traditional structure.
Cover-Ups
Old names, faded pieces and scarring. We plan cover-ups properly instead of covering them up twice.
Sleeves & Large-Scale
Full sleeves, back pieces, chest panels and leg sleeves, broken into planned sessions.
4.8 stars on Google · 5 stars on Yelp
Real reviews from the studio’s Google Business Profile and Yelp listing.
“Wow! From the moment I walked in, Sky made me feel right at home. He welcomed me warmly and listened while I spoke about my reason for my tattoo, a paw print of my pug I lost a month ago. The parlor itself is super clean, loaded with cool artwork.”
“Love my "Ozzy" tattoo! Sky is the best. He squeezed me in at the last minute knowing how passionate I am about heavy metal. I came in with an idea and a photo. We collaborated and I am so happy with my tattoo and that he made time for me. His art is incredible! His shop is immaculate and everyone is professional but fun. 10 stars!!”
“Emailed pictures to their website. I got a quick response and an appointment with the deposit amount and total cost. He was easily able to make my pictures come alive on my calf.”
From idea to ink in four steps
- Book a free 15-minute consultation Grab a slot on the calendar or call the shop on (619) 237-0058. No cost, no obligation.
- Talk through the idea Reference images, placement, size, budget and timeline. You get a firm quote and deposit amount.
- Your artist draws it Custom design prepared before your session, with room for revisions on the day.
- Get tattooed in Hillcrest Come to 3704 6th Ave, San Diego, CA 92103. Walk-ins welcome daily 12–10pm.
Tattoo shop in Hillcrest, San Diego
We are on 6th Avenue between Robinson Ave and Pennsylvania Ave - a short walk from University Ave, the Hillcrest farmers market, Balboa Park and Bankers Hill. Street parking and paid lots are within a block, and we are on major bus lines along University and 6th.
- Address3704 6th Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
- HoursMonday–Sunday, 12:00pm – 10:00pm (open 7 days)
- Phone(619) 237-0058
- NeighbourhoodHillcrest, San Diego
- PaymentCash · Credit Card · Zelle
Tattoos for Hillcrest and greater San Diego
Clients travel to the studio from across the city. If you are searching for a tattoo shop near any of these neighbourhoods, you are a short drive or bus ride from 6th Ave.
- Hillcrest
- Bankers Hill
- North Park
- University Heights
- Mission Hills
- Downtown San Diego
- Little Italy
- Normal Heights
- South Park
- Balboa Park
Tattoo questions, answered
Do I need an appointment to get a tattoo at Broken Heart Tattoo?
No. Walk-ins are welcome 7 days a week from 12pm to 10pm at 3704 6th Ave in Hillcrest. If you want a specific artist or a large custom piece, book a free 15-minute consultation so the design can be planned before your session.
How much does a tattoo cost in San Diego?
Pricing depends on size, detail, placement and the artist. There is a shop minimum, and larger work is quoted hourly. The fastest way to a firm number is a free 15-minute consultation - you will get an exact quote and deposit amount before anything is booked.
What tattoo styles do you specialise in?
Custom work across black & grey, American traditional, neo-traditional, fine line, blackwork, colour realism, lettering and freehand, plus cover-ups, full sleeves and large-scale pieces.
How old do you have to be to get a tattoo in California?
You must be at least 18. California does not allow tattoos for minors, even with a parent or guardian present. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
Is this a good studio for a first tattoo?
Yes. We walk first-timers through placement, size, aftercare and pain expectations, and several of our artists specialise in small, fine line and minimalist pieces that suit a first tattoo.