265 hair salons competing in Santa Monica Ca. Here's what the data shows.
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265
69%
265 hair salons compete for customers in Santa Monica โ a high density for a city of roughly 93,000 residents. That means roughly one salon for every 350 people, making this one of the more competitive personal care markets on the Westside of Los Angeles. The mix ranges from legacy shops like Lloyd's Barbershop Brentwood and Dean's Barber Shop to upscale operations like Allen Edwards Salon & Serenity Spa and Gillian Bissett Colour Salon. Of those 265 salons, 182 โ about 69% โ have a website. That leaves 83 businesses without any web presence at all. In a city where tourists, tech workers, and affluent locals search online before booking, that 31% gap represents a real competitive disadvantage for nearly a third of the market. New entrants face stiff competition but also a clear opening: the bar for digital visibility is not uniformly high.
Walkability to Main Street or Montana Ave
Santa Monica residents expect their salon to be near where they already shop and eat โ a location on a busy pedestrian corridor like Main Street or Montana Avenue matters more than parking lot size.
Stylists Who Know Beach Hair
With salt air and sun exposure year-round, customers want stylists who can handle sun-damaged, color-faded hair and recommend cuts that actually work with ocean humidity.
Same-Day or Walk-In Availability
The mix of tourists and remote workers means many clients book last-minute, so salons that keep open slots or accept walk-ins fill chairs that appointment-only shops leave empty.
Reputation on Local Review Sites
With 265 salons to choose from, Santa Monica customers rely heavily on Google and Yelp reviews to narrow options โ a salon with fewer than 50 reviews gets skipped over quickly.
Transparent Service Menus Online
Because 69% of local salons have a website, customers expect to see a full menu and pricing before they call โ salons that hide pricing behind a phone call lose bookings to competitors who don't.
A sample of real hair salons in this area. Want ratings, reviews, and exactly where you rank against them? Run a free report on your business.
| Business | Type |
|---|---|
| Lloyd's Barbershop Brentwood | Hair Salon |
| Allen Edwards Salon & Serenity Spa | Hair Salon |
| Gillian Bissett Colour Salon | Hair Salon |
| Tabb & Sparks Salon | Hair Salon |
| El Nails & Spa | Hair Salon |
| Sechoir Plus | Hair Salon |
| Vic's Barber Shop | Hair Salon |
| Dean's Barber Shop | Hair Salon |
| Veronica Skin Care | Hair Salon |
| Ouidad Salon | Hair Salon |
| El Salon of Beverly Hills | Hair Salon |
| Veda Aveda Hair Salon | Hair Salon |
Business listings from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Claim the 31% Gap
83 salons in Santa Monica have no website at all. If you're one of them, even a simple one-page site with your hours, services, and a booking link puts you ahead of nearly a third of your competition. If you already have a site, make sure it loads fast on mobile โ most local searches happen on phones.
Differentiate by Neighborhood
Santa Monica is not one market โ it's several. A salon near the Pier competes for tourists and walk-ins, while one on Montana Ave targets loyal locals willing to pay premium prices. Know which micro-market you serve and tailor your branding, pricing, and hours to that audience rather than trying to appeal to everyone.
Build Reviews Before You Need Them
With 265 salons in the city, review volume is a ranking signal on Google Maps and a trust signal for new customers. Ask every satisfied client to leave a review while they're still in the chair โ a salon with 100+ reviews stands out in a market where many shops have under 20.
Santa Monica's hair salon market is crowded. 265 salons serve a city of about 93,000 people, and the Westside's affluent customer base attracts operators from across Los Angeles. The market is oversaturated with mid-range blow-dry bars and generic walk-in shops. What's underserved: specialized services like textured hair, grey blending, and kid-focused salons. Standing out requires more than a good cut โ it takes a clear niche, strong online reviews, and a location on a high-foot-traffic corridor. The 31% of salons without a website are leaving money on the table, but for everyone else, digital presence alone won't be enough.
See your exact rank against nearby competitors, what customers say about them, and where you can win.