Riviera Tanning Salon
968 Bush Street
(between Jones St & Taylor St)
San Francisco, CA 94109 (415) 292-7225
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- By Appointment Only: No
15 reviews
Neighborhood: Western Addition/NOPA
"I love this place. the staff is very friendly and will help you if you are a tanning virgin or if you are just trying to become your most…" read more »
23 Reviews for Riviera Tanning Salon
OMG...tanning is so expensive here. I'm from the South. In Alabama I was getting tanning packages from 24.99-29.99 per month for unlimited tanning. I can't believe how much tanning cost here. Even for San Francisco what every one is paying for 6 visits which is 52-66 from what I've seen. You should be able to get unlimited here for 45 bucks easy. I wonder if anyone realizes that you can buy one of these beds and a month payment on the bed wouldn't cost as much as this.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
The owners are fantastic - so friendly and helpful! I recommend the salon. Always clean, and rates are reasonable as well.
I love this place and the friendly brothers that own it! I started going here about 2 years ago and have been maybe 20 times. Yikes! But if you break that down people, we are talking less than once a month, right? Anyway, Yelp forces me to give away all my secrets...
This tanning salon is the equivalent to a dive bar, where you go because the drinks are cheap but made with the same stuff as in the lousy marina (no offense) and everybody knows your name.
I justify tanning if you live in SF and have an office job because these tall building block me from getting a tan and are also the cause of my Vitamin B deficiency (see osteomalacia - sounds horrible, well it is! Ok, I am being dramatic).
So, for $28 you can get a set of 3 tans that you can use at your convenience (or a single for $12), and use can also use there garage to park...I think that is a little-known secret because they like me.
If you don't look like Something About Mary and are just going tanning every now and then to get that "glow" then go here and support my fav small business. ;)
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Really friendly staff working here (makes such a difference!), we felt immediately at ease walking in for the first time. Very cute quaint space. The best part is it's walkable from my house. We found that all the other Nob Hill tanning salons have a few sketchy reviews, Riviera is exactly what we needed, tanning bed for a nice price.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
O.K., O.K. O.K I've heard about skin cancer and melanoma and kind. But I was feeling vain and a bit narcissistic. So....I visited a tanning salon. In fact, I visited two within the past two weeks. I have basically cut and copied the my review with essentially the same ratings for both Electric Beach and Riviera. So, here are my impressions:
Informative? Both very informative. At Electric, she gave me A LOT of information. Almost too much information. In fact, it was an annoying sales pitch. Despite the beautiful face and smile, I stayed strong and avoided paying for the 'shells.' At Riviera, not a whole lot other than "What are you looking for" type of questions. Slight Advantage...Riviera. No sales pitch, no problem
Tanning Booth? This was sort of a 'push.' The medium pressure bed at Electric was really new and clean. The one at Riviera didn't seem as new. BUT Electric utilized a fan at the edge of the bed. Riviera had a fan that encompassed the whole booth. I felt like I was frying in the Electric Beach booth. Much more comfortable at Riviera.
The actual tan? I seemed to have gotten a better tan at Electric. Not sure if it was my imagination or not. But 8 minutes in both. I was disappointed in not getting a better tan at Riviera. Hempz bronzer does rock though. Was available at both places. Also, I did not burn at either place. So, it was a positive.
Price? Very expensive at Electric. Very reasonable at Riviera.
Intangibles? Both places didn't seem to blow my mind in terms of ambiance. But Electric pulled ahead because it seemed slightly cleaner, they gave you water, a robe to use, a towel, baby wipes, and moisturizing lotion! Thus, the price difference. Electric also had one advantage..some SERIOUS eye candy. The two women who were there were stunning. I wanted them to join me in the room and spread......the lotion on my back. You guys are sick!
In the end, I probably wouldn't do this again. To re-iterate, I was probably going through this 'me' phase. I hope I don't have to pay for this down the line. If you must, I'd probably go back to Electric based on the fact, that you're trying to get a nice tan, right? And Electric gave me just what I needed.
This crappy weather has turned my complection from a toasty golden latte to a ghostly albino. Intervention needed STAT. Thank you Riviera for bringing my Italian back!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (3)
Cool (1)
Mystic Tanning is the most hellacious experience I have ever willed myself to do for the sake of "beauty".
Imagine being stuck in a box, naked, wearing a shower cap and being asked to stand like a scarecrow.
Are you with me? Feel free to act this out at home if needs be.
Now, take that awkward feeling/stance, and turn it, 90 degrees and stop, wait, hold your breath (make sure you hold your breath!!!).
DO NOT BREATHE AT ALL. FOR TWO MINUTES. YOU CAN HANDLE THAT, RIGHT?
While you get blasted with paint and try desperately not to inhale the noxious fumes being sprayed all over your shivering flesh, do not let ANY of your body parts touch other body parts!!! You need to be painted ALL OVER!
Do that 4 times, each time turning 90 degrees and voila, you are now streaky orange colored and toxic flavored, from head to toe -- literally.
Why 4 stars for that horrifying experience? Cause like 2 days later the streakyness faded, and I was hellza TAN, with not one ounce of skin cancer!
Cancer the Mystic Tan fumes cause has yet to be discovered.
People thought this was:
Useful (5)
Funny (12)
Cool (6)
This place rocks! The young guy that works here is really helpful and very nice. They have tanning prices that start from $12 for 20 minutes on up depending on which bed you want to use. If you buy mulitiple session packages you will save a lot more money. For the basic bed it's $12 for one session, if you buy 3 of this same session it's only $28. And it goes up from there. Next time I'm going to use the standup which is my personal favorite anyway. I just needed to get a basic foundation going again. This bay area weather was really turning me ghostly. It works wonders for my complexion. I personally only use the regular UV beds, I would never do the spray tanning. That stuff is toxic, there is no doubt that it seeps into your pores and becomes a part of you. Yuck! You could make an argument that tanning beds may not be good for your health, but it all depends on your level of health and wether you take care of it. The skin ages and wrinkles because of free radicals generated (whether through sun, stress, eating poorly etc). If you're eating close to nature and stay away from artificial preservatives, man-made chemicals and and additives, eat more vegetables, fruits and a balanced diet, your body will have the ammo to keep your immune system in tip top shape. It's all about the anti-oxidants. They are the key to staying young and healthy looking. And obviously you have to use some common sense and not burn yourself. The sun isn't bad for you, it's good for you. Just use common sense and take care of your body and your health. Getting a tan isn't bad for your health, but ignorance is. =)
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (2)
Until today I was a tanning bed virgin.
I did not do the "fake bake" - as my preference has been (and will remain) to get my sun while outside... being a sucker for a sunny day such as I am.
However, this is San Francisco and those days (or, at least the ones warm enough to put on clothing which allow you to get a tan) are few and far between.
Then there is the "Kate has contact allergies" issue. That's right - I am (or, should be) the girl in the plastic bubble... I get hives, baybee... sooooooo sexy. And, stress exacerbates them. Which sucks. Because I am often stressed...
So - my doctor says "in addition to all the allergy medications you're on, do you know what would help your hives? Tanning."
Okay - less of the stupid-anti-sexy hives, nice rosy glow to my cheeks... I'm in.
I have nothing to judge my experience at Riviera against - but, I will say that I called on a Sunday morning, they got me in that afternoon. The owner took the time to talk me through the process and gave me a recommendation of how long/frequently I should tan so as to gain the maximum benefits for my hive issue and so as not to burn myself.
The facility was clean and pleasant... the price has gone up to $12/20minutes from the previously quoted $9/20 in another Yelper's review... But, I consider a package of six tanning sessions for under $50 a good deal.
I am glad that I chose Riviera Tanning to deflower me in my tanning bed experience... they were kind, gentle and I'm going to see them again on Tuesday night. Who knows, it could turn into a real relationship...
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (5)
Cool (5)
Hypothetically speaking, if I were to walk home from work, Riviera would be on my route. Which would make it easy for me to stop off, bake for 20 minutes, and then continue on my merry way, hardly missing a step. Hypothetically speaking.
The multi-tan package deals at Riviera make this practice in vanity less expensive than at other San Francisco tanning salons. The place isn't upscale and luxurious by any stretch of the imagination, but it gets the job done.
And as Jason D mentioned, the guys who work at Riviera seem to remember my name---if I were to actually go there, that is---which adds a nice personal touch.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
I went to Riviera based on other reviews from Yelp. Everyone was right, the staff is very helpful. I had never been tanning before, and they walked me through the entire process. I have been back 3 times since, and they are always as nice and accommodating.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Alright, let's get a few things out of the way: Yes, I know tanning is bad for you. Yes, I know that I am probably on my way to skin cancer. Bad. Bad. Bad.
However, I'm going to Florida in 1 week and I know that if I don't get some sort of basee tan going, I'm going to burn myself crispy in the hot south Florida sun. Thus, I trekked over to Riviera for some cancer in a box. I really like the guys that work here. They are friendly, knowledgeable, and they don't make you pay until after you try the facility for the first time. Plus, there is absolutely zero pressure to buy expensive packages, lotions, etc. It may not be the most glamorous place in San Fran, but it gets the job done.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Okay, I made an appointment last minute and they TOTALLY accomidated me. The prices of mystic is a little more expensive then I have paid (there ARE some places in the city that only charge an even $30) but the beds are the cheapest in town!
I have an important event to attend tonight, so I went with the mystic. Standing naked in a small space being sprayd in the face with orange chemicals is NOT fun and Im sure I inhaled a little bit of my tan! I was told to put the lotion provided on my hands and feet to avoid looking like Lindsey Lohan. I did just that. And VOILE! I woke up this morning and my hands look like they belong to an umpa loompa. And im not even that tan anywhere else! My hands stole my tan!
I am going to have to explain why my hands look like they are dipped in bronze all night...FUN.
People thought this was:
Funny (1)
The guys that run this place are nice. I went this afternoon at the behest of my girlfriend who thinks I'm too pale and they put me straight into a room. They had me spend 12 minutes in the tanning bed and I walked away a nice, ripe shade of pink. I probably could've used about 5 minutes less.
I don't think I'm really made for being tan, but should I need to do it without the assistance of our friend, Mr. Sun, I'll probably go back to see Riviera. Next time I'll just make sure I set my own goddamn time.
Oh yeah, I was gonna say their prices are pretty good ($12 for 20 minutes), but I have no idea what the going rate is, so I'm just guessing.
People thought this was:
Funny (1)
Nice service and clean rooms. This was the first and only place I have been tanning at, so I was a bit uncomfortable going in for the first time. Of course, only until I got there. The man at the front desk was very helpful and patient.
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
In your FACE, ye legions of people who have been giving me grief for my fakin bakin ways lo these many years! :D
Google THIS: recent studies have shown that lack of vitamin D - not pollution, not the standard crap American diet, not stress, not space rays - is the culprit for the vertiginous rise in cancer rates over the last several decades. Good ol' Vitamin D - you know, that stuff one's skin produces when one emerges from one's cave into the sunshine. In fact, getting a reasonable (not Magda-in-Something-About-Mary-ish) amount of Vitamin D has been shown to actually curb existing cancers!
Our species evolved naked in the sunshine, biotches, and it's good for us.
Go ahead, tell me I'm gonna look like tree bark in 6 months or so. But y'know what? In addition to the happy side effect of warding off the purpley-white raw turkey leg hue that is my natural state and keeping my skin from breaking out (much), I'm warding off colorectal cancer and not self-inducing the modern form of rickets.
I'm convinced that getting some UV also enhances my personal groove, what with the Seasonal Affective Disorderizing SF weather we've got goin most of the year.
This is a big shout out to the supastars in the body-rotisserie business over at Riviera Tanning Salon!
Super nice staff so that my sweaty little habit is actually kinda pleasant in which to indulge, and they have good strong beds --- they're quick, so I don't have to deglaze my hide after a visit.
Five stars!!
People thought this was:
Funny (2)
Cool (2)
Granted, my perpetual tan line is natural, and I would never say otherwise...but, a friend of a friend goes tanning..and he says that this is the cleanest tanning salon that I have (I mean he has) ever been to. The guys that run it are great, friendly and always greet me (him) by name. They have regular beds and super beds (which are quicker) as well as a spray tanning machine (mystic tan) and a brand new stand up bed..
Highly recommended.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (4)
Cool (1)
I'm visiting SF and asked my hotel (The Clift) for a recommendation for a tanning salon.
They recommended Riviera because of it's proximity to the hotel.
It is a very quaint, little place with great beds (they just had new bulbs put in when I visited), but the price was right ($9 for a 20 min bed, $20 for a 10 min bed).
The staff was super helpful and friendly.
I'd recommend this place to anyone visiting or living near Union Square or Nob Hill.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
I went there this morning at 10 to tan, that is there opening time. well, nobody was there. in went for a coffee for half an hour to wait, came back - nobody was there.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Love this place. Love the guys who run it who are always watching sports - any sports - on the TV. Love to see the old rich guys coming out of the tanning booths with their ascots and blue blazers. Love how clean it is and love the dim lighting in the bathroom that make you look fabulous.
The mystic tan booth was scary at first, like being in a small room as someone throws in a gas bomb, but its only 30 seconds and I would ask for the nose filter things just incase you panic your first time. ;) $34 for one mystic tan. Nice guys that run the place. Very close to home. The tan lasted about 4 days and looks somewhat natural. Overall, good and worth the money for staying young looking without the sun damage!
Love this place.
The two gentlemen who run it are always polite, well mannered, kind and remember my name.
It's a no hassle non-phoney interaction everytime I go and they keep records of your stuff (i.e how many tans you have left or what level of spary, 1-3, you had done last time.
As a pale girl in the city, I LOVE this place for spray tans.
Good job guys. I'll be back, again.
cheap tanning! free parking!
not a deluxe place, but nice guys and good beds.
ask for the ginie, and you can park for free in the garage around the cornor
go early during the week and park across the street
my new tanning place
worth it.
People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...
Related Lists
-
I'm just naturally tan.
OK, so maybe I used to go tanning. Once in a… -
Hey, it's not like it's…
...or whalebone corsets, already! Being a modern… -
I feel Pretty, Oh So…
Here's a list of the places that help me look my…
Hot and New
- yoCup
145 reviews
Neighborhood: SOMA
- Asuka Ramen
18 reviews
Neighborhood: Union Square
- Bi-Rite Creamery
897 reviews
Neighborhood: Mission
- Burma SuperStar
1156 reviews
Neighborhood: Inner Richmond
- Jubili Frozen Yogurt and…
260 reviews
Neighborhood: Western Addition/NOPA