Don’t try to tie that hair tinsel yourself—take it to the professionals! We’ve combed through lists of Bay Area kids salons to find some top picks (factoring in overall parent experiences and pricing) for basic cuts, tinsels, feathers and more. From over-the-top amazing to simply a great place to get a haircut, this list of salons will have the kiddos shining on their first day of school.
San Francisco
Prep
Dolling out hip dos and styles for your little urbanite, this is one of the coolest hair salon for kids. With a modern, posh interior and sleek furniture, you’d never guess this Pacific Heights spot houses a hair salon for the 18-and-under set. Prep prides themselves on their unique and fresh hairstyles, as well as their line of Prep hair products with funky names like Get Rich Quick Conditioner to Oh La Light Hair Polish. Book your kiddo’s appointment online at prepcuts.com or give their studio a call. Prep also offers special preschooler hours Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m.–2 p.m., and all day Saturday.
3235 Sacramento St.
San Francisco, Ca
Hours: 11 a.m.–7 p.m. T-F and 9 a.m.–5 p.m. on Saturday
Phone: 415-763-7737
Online: prepcuts.com
Credit: Melissa H. via Yelp
Kids Cuts
The car-themed chairs are bound to distract your little one while the scissors are doing their job (not to mention the two play areas, video games, and lollipops). One visit here and the kids will be begging to get their hair trimmed again and again. Juts make sure to hit the ATM on the way, as this place is cash only.
85 29th St.
San Francisco, Ca
Hours: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. M-F and 9 a.m.–5 p.m. on Saturday
Phone: 415-643-8582
Photo: Little Clipper Kids Salon by Thuyvi M. Via Yelp
East Bay
Little Clipper Kids Salon
With cute chair choices like a Hello Kitty, Garfield or frog chair for older kids and a vintage car, taxi or Hummer for toddlers and younger, this salon is equipped for all ages under 15.
36476 Fremont Blvd.
Fremont, Ca
Hours: Wednesday-Friday 1-6:30 p.m. and Saturday & Sunday 11 a.m. -4 p.m.
Phone: 510-791-1812
Ms. Karen’s Place
Ms. Karen herself will be the one touching up your child’s hair, and she’s got the gift! Be sure to call ahead to book an appointment, as they don’t accept walk-ins. This is a tiny place but filled with tons of awesome distractions.
3561 Mt. Diablo Ave.
Lafayette, Ca
Hours: By Appointment Only
Phone: 925-283-2855
Online: mskarensplace.com
Kid’s Choice Hair Salon
This mobile hair salon is a hidden gem to some locals. Bridgette comes to your home for a comfortable, attention-detailed hair appointment.
Hours: By Appointment Only
Phone: 510-522-5437
Snippety Crickets
This Berkeley salon and toy store is a parent’s dream! Children can get some time in with Thomas’ train tracks and hang out with Elmo while waiting for a haircut. Coolest part? They sell a variety of toys and gifts, including books, Thomas the Train items and little golf sets for kiddos.
1753 Solano Ave.
Berkeley, Ca
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m M-F, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. every Sunday
Phone: 510-527-3987
Snips Children’s Hair Salon
As their business hours are Thursday through Sunday, working parents may find this spot to be a perfect fit. Brightly colored walls adorned with the ABCs is a nice touch, and it doesn’t hurt to have DVDs available for viewing while sitting in the chair! Kids get to take a lollipop and balloon home after their haircut, too, so everyone leaves happy.
5335 College Ave. #4
Oakland, Ca
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. on Sunday
Phone: 510-547-7277
Online: snipsforkids.com
Photo via Purple Monkey Hair
Marin County
Purple Monkey Hair
Owned and operated by a Marin mom, Purple Monkey Hair is a full service kid salon. With a bright, cheery space, welcoming staff, plus iPads and toys galore to keep your little ones occupied, it’s easy to see why this spot is popular with Tiburon locals. Book an appointment online or call ahead, and if it’s your little guy or gal’s first haircut, they’ll celebrate the special moment with a certificate and your little one’s lock of hair. Best of all, included with every service is an organic lollipop or a small prize, which will surely bring a smile to your tike’s face!
1550 Tiburon Blvd., Suite N.
Tiburon, CA
Hours: 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Monday-Saturday
Phone: 415-789-KIDS
Online: purplemonkeyhair.com
Children’s Hair Club
This family-owned business is headed by “hair guy” Eddie, who will work his magic with squirmy worms. Hair products used on little customers are from Original Sprout and are sulfate-free and super kid-friendly. Baskets of toys and foosball tables will keep everyone occupied. Be sure to ask about the “Baby’s First Haircut” package. It comes with a photo and clip of hair for the memory book.
4176 Redwood Highway
San Rafael, CA
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, By Appointment Only
415-492-1000
Online: childrenshairclub.com
Photo Courtesy of Snip-its
South Bay
Kids Salon
Whether your child is a car fanatic or dreams about riding a horse, they’ll love the abundant seating options at Kids Salon. Complete with an attentive staff and TVs at each station, this might be the new salon for your family.
3665 Union Ave.
San Jose, CA
Hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. T-F, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday
Phone: 408-559-3000
Online: kids-salon.com
Candyland Cuts for Kids
Take a seat in a classic car and buckle up for the most fun haircut of your young life. This colorful spot features a play area where children can read books, keep busy with train sets, play board games and more. Lollypops are a given, and even mom and dad can get spruced up here while the kids keep themselves entertained.
5890 Santa Teresa Blvd.
San Jose, CA
Hours: 9:30 a.m.– 6 p.m. M-F, 9 a.m.– 6 p.m on Saturday, and 10 a.m.– 2 p.m. on Sunday
Phone: 408-225-9989
Cubby Cuts for Kids
If you’re looking for a patient, calm stylist, this is the place to get your child’s hair done. Parents boast about the efficient and friendly service, kids enjoy choosing from sitting in the official Wiggles car, a John Deer tractor, on a horse and more. The play area complete with a house for tots is also a big hit (and great for siblings or wait times).
1734 W El Camino Real
Mountain View, CA
Hours: Open times vary, call for weekly schedule
Phone: 650-964-5437
Online: cubbycutskidshaircuts.com
Chocolate Mousse
Whether your kiddo needs a buzz cut or braids, head to Chocolate Mousse, a charming children’s salon in Los Gatos. With play area, video games, cartoons at each station, and magazines for parents, this is the ideal locale for the whole family.
Insider Tip: Though they sometimes take walk-ins, this salon is by appointment only.
540 N. Santa Cruz Ave.
Los Gatos, CA
Hours: 9 a.m.– 5 p.m. T-F and 9 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. on Saturday
Phone: 408-395-8320
Online: chocolatemoussechildrenssalon.com
Snip-its
This franchised Bay Area location is so fun the kiddos may even forget they’re there for a haircut! Upon check-in, kids receive a Snip-its Adventure Club Card, then meet and interact with Snips and the Gang: Flyer Joe Dryer, Curly Comb, Maranga Mirror, Jean Luc le Spritz, and Marlene & Charlene, the “Clip-ette” sisters in the Snip-its Animated Show. This Snip-its location stays open an extra hour (6-7 p.m.) on the last Tuesday of each month to serve children with Autism (all stylists are trained to provide a comfortable, positive hair cutting experience), and recently added ear piercing to the list of offerings. Visit the Magic Box on your way out, it dispenses a prize in exchange for a swatch of hair after your visit!
Insider Tip: Check out the various themed birthday parties for little girls: Glamour Party, Style-A-Doll Party and Rock Star Party.
855 El Camino Real (in Town and Country Village)
Palo Alto, CA
Hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. M-F, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday
Phone: 650-323-8330
Online: snipits.com
Photo: Just Kids Cuts & Beauty Market by Cay A. via Yelp
Peninsula
Just Kids Cuts & Beauty Market
Boasting an interplanetary theme, this salon and gift shop is filled with kitschy items that make getting cleaned up super fun! Kids can even watch movies while they get their dos done. Moms will enjoy browsing the scented candles and diffusers.
Insider Tip: Just Kids Cuts & Beauty Market takes walk-in appointments but is known to get busy, so call ahead.
1200 Howard Ave.
Burlingame, Ca
Hours: Mon. 10 a.m.–6 p.m., 9:30 a.m.–6 p.m T-F, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturdays, and 10 a.m.–4 p.m. on Sundays
Phone: 650-548-1490
Online: justkidscuts.com
Gary’s Kids Cuts
Foster City locals rave about Gary’s Kids Cuts (formerly Dylan’s Kids Cuts). Kids enjoy a movie in a car-shaped salon chair while Gary snips away.
Insider Tip: Call before you go (and get an appointment). Only complaint found was that Gary isn’t always available during salon hours.
939M Edgewater Blvd.
Foster City, CA
Hours: 11 a.m.–7 p.m., M–F and 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Sat. & Sun.
Phone: 650-341-2887
Lil Couture Salon
Be sure to ask for Cathy, the owner of the salon, who’s ability to execute amazing cuts on screaming toddlers is known up and down the Peninsula (and even around other parts of the Bay Area). Puzzles, games and cartoons are available for the kids, but there are plenty of up-to-date magazines for moms, too. This salon strives to provide “quality at an affordable price” and offers organic, kid-safe products for customers. Want to add a bit of hair tinsel? They do that too!
16 E. Third Ave.
San Mateo, Ca
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. M & W-F, Tues. from 2-6 p.m., 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sat., and 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. on Sunday
Phone: 650-548-4000
Online: lilcouturesalon.com
Where do you go to get your little’s locks trimmed? Share why it rocks in the comments!
—Shari Wargo Stamps & Gabby Cullen
