Barbers, hot shaves and men’s waxing in San Diego. Hillcrest, North Park and Downtown, with prices.
Short answer: shops that publish prices list a men’s cut at about $40–50 and a hot towel shave at $40–55. Monarch (Downtown), Vince’s (Little Italy) and Top Cutts (Mission Hills) post full menus. Idle Hand lists gender-neutral and gender-affirming cuts on its own site, and Parlor on Fifth promises an all-inclusive culture on its site.
San Diego has weather that makes everyone look good until the sides grow out. Here’s who to book, what it costs and who actually answers the phone.
$40
haircut at Vince’s and Dinks; Top Cutts lists $40+
$40–55
hot towel shave Monarch $40, Dinks $50, Vince’s $55
$125
full back wax at Wax Haus and Skin, which says it specializes in men’s waxing
At a glance
Compare in 10 seconds
From each business’s own page or license record, checked November 2, 2026. Prices and hours change, so confirm before you go.
Grooming in San Diego compared
Place
Known for
Cut from
Walk-in
State license
Monarch BarbershopDowntown
Cuts, hot towel shave, razor head shave
$50
—
—
Vince’s BarbershopLittle Italy
Straight-razor shave, scissor cuts
$40
—
—
Idle Hand BarbershopDowntown
Gender-affirming cuts, fades, hot towel shaves
—
Welcome
—
Parlor on FifthFifth Ave
Fades, beard work, razor cleanups
—
—
—
Top Cutts Barber ShopMission Hills
Cuts, hot towel razor shave
$40+
—
—
Gold Comb BarbershopNorth Park
Fades, razor shaves, beard trims
—
When available
—
Dinks Barbershop & SupplyAdams Ave
Skin fades, hot towel shave
$40
—
—
Floyd’s 99 BarbershopMission Hills
Fades, shaves, waxing
—
—
—
Wax Haus and SkinRobinson Ave
Men’s waxing
Back wax $125
—
—
“—” means the source we checked doesn’t list it, not that the place never offers it.
Where to go
Grooming in San Diego
No paid placements. Each place is here for a stated reason, with the source we checked on November 2, 2026.
Monarch Barbershop
Downtown
Hot towel shave
Itemized prices
Book online
Downtown barbershop with a full services menu and online booking.
Why it’s here. Every service and price is public, and the menu has the razor options most shops make you ask about.
Downtown barbershop offering gender-neutral and gender-affirming haircuts, clipper fades and hot-towel straight-razor shaves.
Why it’s here. The shop’s own site lists gender-neutral and gender-affirming cuts and says it’s a place to feel “comfortable, seen, and confident”; we found no other source adding to that.
Price
Prices not published on the pages we could open. Check the Squire booking page or ask when you book.
Hours
Tue 9 AM–7 PM · Wed–Fri 10 AM–7 PM Sat 9 AM–4 PM. Closed Sun and Mon (listing).
How
Appointments preferred, walk-ins welcome (per its site). Book through Squire from the shop’s site.
Fifth Avenue barbershop for men’s cuts, fades, beard trims and straight-razor cleanups, sharing its space with a zero-proof coffee bar.
Why it’s here. The shop’s site promises an “all-inclusive culture,” and a local listing places it in an LGBTQ+-friendly grooming network along with Evolv Hair Parlor.
Price
Prices not published on the pages we could open. See the Vagaro booking page.
How
Book through Vagaro or email the shop. A local listing (San Diego Lineup) says walk-ins are also taken.
North Park barbershop, founded in 2015, with seven chairs for fades, razor shaves and beard trims.
Why it’s here. Its FAQ says it serves anyone regardless of gender, and the site lists a cut-and-beard package with hot lather, a razor line-up and a hot towel.
Price
Prices not published on the pages we could open. Ask when you book.
Waxing studio that says it specializes in men’s waxing, with a public menu.
Why it’s here. A men’s wax menu with prices on its own site, plus plain rules about what it does and doesn’t wax.
Price
Full back $125 · chest and stomach $145. Under arms $30, ears or nostrils $26, brow shaping $35, lip and chin $53. Full face and beard waxing aren’t offered to male clients; full legs and arms aren’t offered.
How
Book online or call. A short phone consultation is recommended for first-time Brazilian clients; none is mentioned for men’s services.
Paraphrased from public discussions, with links. Not endorsements.
Is there a cheaper way to get a cut in San Diego?In a 2024 r/sandiego thread, a newcomer said the shops they found charged over $50. Commenters pointed to barber colleges at about $10 (student barbers, slower) and independents at roughly $25–45, with prices that may be outdated. Published menus above show about $40–50. r/sandiego thread ↗
How do I find a barber who’ll actually listen to what I want?An r/sandiego poster who’d tried about ten shops asked for a barber who consults first. Replies named several shops (none of them listed here), and commenters suggested looking at barbers’ work before booking and using Booksy. Book a named barber and bring photos. r/sandiego thread ↗
Can I just walk in?Some shops do, but many run on appointments. Gold Comb says it mainly runs on appointments and takes walk-ins when it has availability; Idle Hand says appointments are preferred and walk-ins are welcome. Gold Comb site ↗
Before you book
Make the first visit easy
Check the license in 30 seconds
Search the shop or barber name at search.dca.ca.gov (Board of Barbering and Cosmetology). We didn’t run these checks for this guide, so verify before your first visit.
Call for the missing prices
Floyd’s 99, Gold Comb, Idle Hand and Parlor on Fifth didn’t show prices on the pages we opened. Ask when you book so the total isn’t a surprise.
Bring a photo
Front and side photos of a cut you like save ten minutes of “a little shorter on the sides.” It helps most with a new barber.
On NOCTI
Independent professionals in San Diego
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Quick answers
FAQ
How much is a men’s haircut in San Diego?
Published prices we checked: $40 at Vince’s Barbershop and Dinks Barbershop & Supply, from $40 at Top Cutts and $50 at Monarch Barbershop.
Where can I get a hot towel shave in San Diego?
Monarch lists a hot towel shave at $40, Dinks at $50 and Vince’s a hot straight-razor shave at $55. Idle Hand’s site lists hot-towel straight-razor shaves without prices.
Which San Diego barbers describe themselves as inclusive?
Idle Hand Barbershop lists gender-neutral and gender-affirming haircuts on its site. Parlor on Fifth’s site promises an all-inclusive culture, and a local listing places it in an LGBTQ+-friendly grooming network.
How much is men’s back or chest waxing in San Diego?
Wax Haus and Skin lists a full back wax at $125 and chest and stomach at $145. Full face and beard waxing aren’t offered to male clients.
Listings checked November 2, 2026. NOCTI is not affiliated with the businesses listed and receives nothing for listing them. Ratings and reviews belong to their platforms; follow the links to read them. This guide is general information, not medical advice.
No NOCTI professional lists this service in San Diego yet.