After trying to find a nail salon in town that was open, my mom and I found this one and I am so happy we did! Such friendly service! Our nail technicians took their time and gave us each a very nice experience. The salon was very clean as well. We are both very happy with the end results and we will definitely be back! Read Less

I go here regularly.  I even bring my daughter.  They are reasonably priced, accommodating and very pleasant.  I've tried a lot of other nail salons on the Seacoast and this one is, by far, the cleanest.  Helen does a fantastic job on pedicures and hair waxing services.  Lee is the best at acrylics and fills. Read Less

Went during the week and after 2pm...just two other customers in salon at the time, Was greeted with "what do you want" after asking to "pick color" I was motioned to an empty chair....water luke warm. No smile, ...not friendly at all. She began to remove old polish, asked if I wanted them cut, At this point there was nothing relaxing about my pedicure. Everything was rushed....hardly any massage, lotion was slapped on and quickly rubbed in, the not one minute later a scalding hot towel was wiping it off. This was the quickest pedi I have ever had in my life 30 min from start to finish. Only 2 nail techs working. I am all about in and out, but do not go if you want to relax and enjoy yourself.  I was sitting at the dryer for maybe 7 min when she came over and sprayed a quick dry spray on my toes and handed me my purse hanging from my chair! I took the hint that it was time to go! $27 for a pedi....which I had to ask because no pricing list was posted. Go elsewhere! Read Less

Not impressed at all! So rushed!!! My nails weren't shaped or filed enough. Left nail polish all over my fingers, when I asked her to remove it, she started huffing and puffing and being very cold. And she was going so fast she cut me and it bled and didn't even offer to help clean it up or clot it. Would not suggest going here, it was not relaxing or enjoyable. Read Less

I've been a handful of times-never dissatisfied. The Price is right, staff is always friendly, I've  found the place to be clean and I've witnessed them takeThe time to clean each tub throughly after each client. And I like that they ask you if you're happy with the colour after they paint a few toes and make sure you like it. Works for me! Read Less

The women there were very kind and friendly. The lady doing my nails sort of ignored me. But on the other hand, they have a $20 dollar charge minimum and they let my debit card slide with a $12 purchase. So customer service wasn't so bad, I'd give it 3 stars. However, I got a very simple manicure and the end result was terrible. I give the results 1 star. The lady just completely missed the sides of my nail, the brush strokes didn't even reach the base of my nail. She trimmed my cuticles, but badly, leaving little edges and unclipped bits just hanging. I could have done a much better job myself. I left feeling like my money would have been better spent on a bag of rocks. Read Less

Made a last minute appointment on July 3rd I believe.. It was during the storm and I had originally made an appointment at the walmart in Portsmouth at that nail salon (do not go there). I called and they made an appointment for me last minute. I got a man named Lee. He was really nice and did a great job on filling my acrylics. Thanks! Read Less

California Nail Salon is the only nail salon in the area that actually had a good selection of nail colors. They had the new OPI Brazilian line which I have not seen anywhere else.  They also have a large selection of Essie colors as well. I wasn't a huge fan of the acrylic fill I got. I asked for my nails squared and they came out more rounded and uneven. It was also disappointing that the nail polish application was rushed so that the next customer could get started. The top coat came out with bubbles in it.From far away my nails look good. I'm just used to getting them done perfectly at my home salon in Ipswich, MA. Read Less

This nail salon is right down the street from my house, so ive been there multiple times merely out of convenience. I dont know why i keep going there. Its awful. There are a few friendly people working there, but mostly they rush through everything. My last pedicure took 14 minutes. Not even kidding and they charged me full price. There is one woman there who just yells at everyone, employees and customers, and makes you feel like she's herding cattle. It isnt sanitary, I was yelled at by owner, im assuming? multiple times to move from table to table, and they were out of every gel color I picked. Never again. Read Less

Very unsanitary. I went in with a friend for pedicures and we waited 15 minutes after our appointment time on their dilapidated couch. It took another 20 minutes before they started working on me. The women working on us traded places twice with out either of them washing their hands once. One of the men used an acrylic nail drill on the woman next to me to remove the cuticle on her toe nails. They were beyond substandard. Do not go there unless you want an infection. Read Less

California Nails is a definite win in my book. I was looking for a place to get a pedicure on Mother's Day (a Sunday), but couldn't find anywhere that was open. I called California Nails on Saturday asking about their hours and they made a Sunday appointment for me! I am very pleased with my pedicure. It lasted about 25 minutes, and my toes came out looking great! I will absolutely be going back here. Read Less

Meets my expectations for a no-frills, girl maintenance experience.The place is plain, sparsely decorated and shabby-looking on the outside.  In my experience, the best nail salons always are.  For me, going to the nail salon is about up-keep, not about "relaxation" or whatever.  I need to get my nails done and knowing that the place can get the job done is relaxation enough for me. Seriously.So far, so good with this place.  This is the best place I've been to so far.  I don't have any complaints about the experience.  Price is right.  Employees are actually friendly (major bonus). Quality was fine.  No obvious chipping for a little over a week.  Not bad for a non-gel/shellac service.  I will definitely be back.  And its worth driving here from York.Pros: Price, reasonably friendly, great Essie selection (up-to-date with colors released this year). they still offer the aerosol "quick dry" spray (I love that stuff...)Cons: Closed on Sundays, credit minimum of $20, you cannot add tip to credit/debit payment (bring cash for tip), appointments should be made (they get busy) Read Less

@Kristen1988, I doubt Lee would roll his eyes at you, you're most likely exaggerating and adding fake emphasis to your review, which by the way seems to be FAKE. Maybe your nails aren't meant to hold tips, because my tips hold up just fine. I am a busy person, and I don't treat my nails how they should, but they are good by the end of the day even after four days, California Nails is a Seacoast Hidden Gem. The prices may be on the higher side, but you get what you pay for. Helen and Lee never fail to disappoint me, and I look forward to coming back week after week. Whether to get a pedicure, fills, or even waxing (which by the way, Helen is great at), my money is well spent here, and most of the time, I just walk-in. No need for appointments, since I never know when I'll be in Portsmouth. Read Less

I don't think i have ever gotten worse service in my life. I got tips and had to return every week to get a nail fixed because they kept breaking without any force at all. by the 4th time i had to go back i was getting a little upset, i walked into californial nails with a good attitude and a smile on my face despite the difficulty i was having and the man ROLLED HIS EYES at me when i told him i needed my nail fixed. I decided to suck it up and sit down and wait to get it fixed, after 10 minutes of being ignored i decided to leave. but thats not the only thing that makes this place awful, Yes the inside may look nice and clean BUT the people are not, one of my many broken nail expierences I sat down and the woman presisted to go from doing a pedicure as she was touching someones FEET and then toucing my hands to fix my nail... another time i arrived to get a fill and the man had to wake the woman up to help a customer she was sleeping in one of the pedicure chairs, and was falling asleep the entire time she did my nails. ANYWAYS, sorry for the novel but DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY, WORSE SERVICE EVER. NEVER EVER EVER GOING BACK. =) Read Less

Just moved to NH. After reading reviews posted on city search I made an appt. With Helen or a long overdue pedicure. I was delighted when I arrived, clean & inviting. As Helen was eating the pedicure began. Yes, she did turn the massage chair on which at the start was fabulous. However she instructed me to turn it off as the vibration was too much for her to work on my needy toes. I sat with my magazine which I Gould not read as I need to stick both hands in nail polish remover in so that I could be ready for my shellac nails that would be done thereafter. In 20 minutes time I was done, swish, swish over & out! Sorry gang, I work too but this was hardly what I was looking for :( My 30.00 should get a tad bit of indulgence...sadly none to be found. However, her husband that she was barking at gave me a wonderful shellac nail set. I won't return! Read Less

California Nails offers affordable nail care services in a no-frills environment. The manicure is only $12. The salon is not a fancy-schmancy spa-type nail place, but they have several technicians working during the day and saw me immediately as a walk-in. Overall I was happy with the service, which was quick, but if you are looking for a more relaxing mani-pedi, this probably isn't the right place. Also, the credit card minimum is $20, so if you're just getting a manicure, bring cash. Read Less

Best nail salon in the Portsmouth area, hands down.Lee is the best for acrylics/nails, followed by Helen (Helen is the best for pedicures).   I get an acrylic fill with french tips, but am extremely picky as to how they end up looking.  Lee always gets it right, and reasonably quickly (30 minutes), as well.They are good at getting you into a chair as soon as possible, even as a walk-in; though I do recommend calling to make an appointment.  I know they're closed Sundays, but have reasonable hours otherwise.Highly recommended, especially if your nails keep chipping or if you want a reasonably priced manicure and can't seem to find the right place around. Read Less