Utopia Salon - CLOSED

Expect the unexpected! I can't recall how many times I've stepped into a salon hoping the person "knows" how to cut and style my hair, and leaving disappointed with the same haircut - but shorter. That's why I was AMAZED by Shirley's technique and eye for style!! She performed a unique method of using a razor blade instead of ordinary scissors to create more texture and volume to my hair. I couldn't believe how much better it looked! Definitely ask for Shirley if you want more than your average haircut!!! Pros: razor blade technique, professional, unique Cons: closed on sunday and mondays more

I will definitely return, Kendra gave me an excellent haircut! I am always nervous about finding a new stylist, but she put me at ease by listening attentively to what I wanted, and giving me good feedback. Kendra is a junior stylist, so the cut took a bit longer than usual, but the end result was exactly what I wanted. Pros: great service, good value Cons: none more

I just returned from Utopia salon. I'm from the Washington DC area, I travel for a living and I needed a haircut. I found Utopia on line and read the reviews and thought I'd try it. I scheduled the appointment with KENNY and I'm so glad I did. I love my haircut!!!! He kept my style but made it 100% better. He gave me a haircut that framed my face. He designed the haircut for ME...He isn't a haircutter...He is a hair artist. He even taught me how to dry it so I can get the same 'just out of the salon look'. I'm so happy with the style. My haircuts just became very expensive because now I'll have to fly from DC to San Fran. so I can go to KENNY. He is great!!!!! Thanks so much, Kenny!!! Pros: Friendly and Professional Cons: none more

My wife and I just relocated here from the East Coast and we used CitySearch while in New York, and decided it was time to put CitySearch to the test on the West Coast as well. While trying to find all of the important things you need to find in a new city(doctor,dentist, and above all a good stylist!) My wife and I happened to find Utopia Salon on line. After reading the almost endless reviews I was the test project for both of us(my wife made me see Len first) He did a great job on my hair!(better than our old stylist back in New York!) so then my wife saw Len as well. He gave her a great cut, and amazing blond highlights(the color looks so natural no one knows what she had done, but she gets compliments almost on a daily basis!) Len made me and my wife feel welcome and comfortable in his salon, he listened to what we both wanted, made haircare product suggestions and overall it was a GREAT experience! We both LOVE the vibe of the salon(comfortable, yet upscale) cool music, great artwork(I almost thought of buying a piece, but it is a bit on the pricey side!) so, if you are new to the city, or just need a change from your old stylist, don't walk, run to go see Len, he is GREAT! Pros: Talented Stylists! Nice artwork, cool music, friendly people! Evening appointments available! Cons: NOTHING! more

After looking at many salon web sites I happened onto Utopia's web site(and after having read the reviews listed on CitySearch) I decided to give this salon a try. I am a student, so I have to be careful with my money(there's not a lot of it!) so I was also budget conscience. I asked what the master and senior stylists at this salon charge and it simply was over my budget. The receptionist(who was very patient and helpful) told me about Kendra, who is a junior stylist(still in training and charges less than the other stylists) I decided to give her a try. Kendra was amazing! She listened to what I wanted(long layers) and gave me a GREAT cut! She took her time with my haircut(I went in on a Saturday so I had more time to spare) and dryed and styled my hair all for.....here's the best part...$50.00! So all I can say is, Thanks Kendra, and Thanks Utopia! I love the salon, warm, friendly people, nice artwork, I will be back and will tell ALL my friends to rush to see Kendra! Pros: Great cut! GREAT PRICE!(for Junior stylists!) Nice atmosphere,nice people! Cons: Not a single one! more

I just got a hair cut from Billy, and my hair looks great and I feel great!! I really enjoyed his friendly and fun personality too. more

Len you are truly a miracle worker! Thank you! You and your salon live up to your name! I know I have found a truly talented, friendly stylist and a warm inviting,friendly, unpretentious salon! I love the color you did for me(the warm ....not brassy) coppery brown color, which goes with my olive complected skin wonderfully! You cut my hair to precision with long layers that are not choppy(after I told you I did not want that much length removed) you respected that and I appreciate that! I found myself surrounded by friendly,smiling, people at the salon who alll seemed to be happy to be there(unlike some salons I have been to where they appear to be miserable or unhappy, which makes me ...the client unhappy) I love the music, I love the artwork, the scented candles and your warm and friendly assistants as well. Thank you Len! You gave me a total transformation! I will be back! Pros: Warm, friendly atmosphere, nice artwork, skillful stylist(in cutting & coloring!) great haircare products! Cons: Can't think of anything more

Tony jones is the man. it is my first time seeing him and i gotta say he is the best i seen in the city so far. When he greeted me first thing i noticed of him was his good manor and kindaness. Then later on when it came to the hair cutting he knew what i wanted and knew what was best that would fit my looks which was a modifield mohock. also when he was cutting campare to others i have saw in the city he took his time each and every second of it to make each and every spot look perfect. no mistakes! he would keep looking at each spot and feeling it if it has to be extra perfect. thanks tony what high standreds you have of yourself and im going back! Pros: took his time no rushing at all made each spot he cutted his best. Cons: none more

I like the salon. I've been to a few around town and I am happy to see this place as my regular. Billy is the man. He'll work with you to get what you want and then make the time fly with conversation and anecdote from a varied life. Good fun. Good cut! I like to spend money on my hair and I won't trust anywhere too inexpensive. Utopia is just right, good price for great product. My advice -- check it out! more

Wow! I have gotten more complements on my hair since I got my hair color at this charming salon. Great down-to-earth people, I had a really lovely and relaxing experience. But best of all were the results! I got a super glorious color from Maritza. I love what she did with my hair color!! Pros: GREAT GREAT HAIR COLOR! more

For YEARS, I have been dreading to go to a salon for fear that I might end up with a horrible haircut and a bucket full of regrets. In fact, I waited 5 years to take the plunge and just "go for it" (not to mention I was going through a heavy-duty emotional phase in my life which requires something big...like a drastic haircut!). However, in order to have this drastic change be a positive experience (and not ANOTHER nightmare I need to cry about) I knew I needed a professional, and not just any professional...a HAIR GOD! THANK HEAVENS for LEN at UTOPIA. Out of all the stylists that I researched, there was something about him--his reviews, his professional background, that gave me the assurance that everything will be OK (at least where my hair is concerned). The ambiance in UTOPIA is relaxed, modern, and calming. Music plays in the background and multiple art pieces are displayed throughout the space. The front desk is friendly and accommodating. When Len approached me, he had a confident, professional, and down-to-earth vibe about him. When I showed him a picture of what I wanted (yes, I brought a picture), he explained and showed me how he plans to achieve the look that I wanted. He is a very knowledgeable person. But WAIT! It gets better, Len is not only a great hair expert, he's also a great listener and a very thoughtful and insightful person. I felt comfortable enough to tell him what was going on, and what made me go looking for a change in the first place. He is so easy to talk to. Not only that, he offers thought-provoking perspectives on the situation. WOW! Anyway, back to my hair... The end result was AMAZING! Not only that, I achieved my own look--not someone else's look on a cut-out picture of a magazine. It was MY look, made possible by THE HAIR GOD--LEN at Utopia. I was so happy with the outcome that I am now officially a Utopia regular! I come in every few weeks for hair maintenance. THANK YOU LEN !!! Pros: Ambiance, Friendly Service, Expertise, Location, Quality of Service Cons: Nothing I can think of. more

My wife and I just moved here from Chicago. We had been looking for a stylist here in the city for quite some time, tried a few other salons(wasn't really that satisfied) than we found Len at Utopia. He gives great cuts(to both myself and my wife) he makes my wife look 10 years younger(that's saying a lot!) whenever she sees him for highlights(which look very natural!) We both love the atmosphere of the salon(relaxed, comfortable, hip music playing, and nice artwork!) We have finally found a stylist here in San Francisco and it is Len at Utopia! We will both be back! Thanks! Pros: Great cuts,Great color, nice atmosphere, nice artwork! Cons: Didn't encounter a single negative experience(have no negative comments to say!) more

Clean and very artistically decorated. Staff was very friendly and helpful. I plan to return for another appointment. This is my first time using City Search. more

Until I read Bill's other reviews I thought he was a secret treasure. I found Bill at the beginning of his career (it's too painfull to say how many years) and have been going to him ever since. He gave my very -fine-hair cuts that actually looked stylish. As the cuts grew out I had a hard time convincing myself it was time for a new one, because my hair kept finding a new, longer style. Bill just couldn't help cutting it well to the detriment of his own pocket. He now gives me perms that leave my hair feeling soft & silky as well. Bill's personality was one of the reasons I went back to have my hair done by him in the beginning. He doesn't do "hairdressery" chit chat & flattery. He tells (sometimes terrible) jokes but mostly it's just talk that makes a real connection. We're friends now, and talk about our lives & feelings, and our families and problems- which aren't necessarily the same thing. Thsi is the storey of a person who used to cry coming home from the hairdresser to one who comfortable with the process and thrilled with the results. Utopia is a great salon. It's a real lift to look down it's length and see the vases with a flower reflected in all the mirrors. Cons: Well, if it were closer and cheaper I'd be in heaven but ......... more

I moved to the bay area in June, and had my hair done (at a Palo Alto salon which will remain unnamed) and the result was so bad that I spent 5 months researching salons before scheduling another haircut & color. I had decided to cut my lifeless shoulder length hair short (above my ears short) and I knew I had to go to an expert. Well, thank god for citysearch because it directed me to LEN & UTOPIA, and I got the best haircut & color I have ever received in my life. Len took the time to really listen to what I wanted and also took the time to offer his expert opinion on my hairstyle--making sure that the end result was perfect for my faceshape & that the color was perfect for my complexion--I've never had that kind of attention from a stylist before! The style turned out so great other customers & stylists at Utopia were complimenting my hair while it was still wet and undone! I left the salon that day feeling like a new person, one with confidence and style and knowing that I wouldn't go anywhere else ever again! 3 months later, I'm growing my hair out again (for a wedding in June, not because I don't love my short hair)--but the "transition" cuts also look so good, that I'm never in that awkward growing out phase and I love my hair each time! Even better, I'm still getting complments on my hair, at least once a week! Even if I didn't love my hair each time, I think I would still go to Utopia for the individual attention and the friendly customer service I get from the stylists & reception, it really makes getting my hair done a great experience. Pros: individual attention, customer service, skill, atmosphere more

I had my haircut by Tony Jones and he did such a great job I still get compliments on it's been since my first cut. He cut it at the right angle. He also knew how to work with my hair texture as its not easiest. He was able to give me an honest opinion. Before my cut, I asked if the style would fit my face. with his honest opinion he said it would and it did! Now that I am letting it grow out (cause I love to change my hairstyle) it's going out so nicely. The service was fantastic, everyone else in the shop was pleasant and friendly. I was offered wine,water, etc... I will without doubt recommond Tony Pros: listen to my needs as a client, honest, welcoming Cons: parking. no online portfolios of stylist work more

Thanks for all the great haircuts LEN! I love what you do! I would recommend Len to everyone! He is pleasant, can hold an intelligent conversation, and REALLY listens to exactly what people want!(a rare experience in the salon world, or at least that was my experience until I found LEN at Utopia!) He is also extremely knowledgable about hair care products(he introduced the perfect product for my hair, and showed me how to ....as closely as possible...achieve the same look at home, as in the salon!) I have referred a TON of friends, co-workers to LEN, and will continue to do so! The salon is nice as well, very pleasant, with friendly SMILING people working there! Pros: SMILING people working there! Friendly! Nice artwork, evening appointments available, on line scheduling! SKILL! Cons: N/A more

I have found two stylists that are out of this world! Kenny and Maritza at Utopia Salon. I found out about Utopia from some neighbor of mine who see's another stylist at Utopia, at first I attempted to get an appointment with that stylist, but he was unavailable. Then I scheduled an appointment (conveniently on line!) with Kenny and Maritza. Kenny cut my hair better than it has EVER been cut before, and Maritza worked her magic to create beautiful (what looked like caramel!) highlights on top of a beautiful rich warm chocolate brown! I have received MANY,MANY compliments! So thank you Kenny and Maritza I have FINALLY found a place to go for my hair and it is at UTOPIA! Pros: Talented Stylists! On line scheduling, Friendly people, relaxed setting Cons: N/A more

I have been seeing Hang Nguyen for a while(at her other salon Cinta for about 3 years) and now at Utopia for over 4 years. She has always given me the best cuts and the best color jobs(it looks so natural NO one suspects that I color it!) I would highly recommend Hang at Utopia! I love the salon as well, everyone is friendly, they laugh and seem to really enjoy working there. The changing artwork on the walls is always interesting and beautiful. Unlike some other salons where the front desk person looks you up and down(to check out your outfit) or totally ignores you when you walk in, this front desk person is personable and acknowledges a person right when they walk in, making a person feel comfortable and WELCOME to be there! THANKS Hang! and thank you Utopia! Pros: SKILL, Friendly atmosphere! Nice artwork at the salon, Plenty of parking, evening appts available! Cons: Can't think of one! more

My wife and I have been fans of Len Handeland's at Utopia for years(I guess we should have written a review sooner?!) Anyway, the guy simply knows his stuff! He cuts my hair better than any barber(that is where I was going before my wife convinced me to try Len) and he has always done an incredible job on her hair(she sees Len for haircuts and for highlights) The salon has a nice feel to it, and Zenda always makes my wife and I feel welcome! So the formula for success is really quite simple: Have pride in what you do, do it well! Create an atmosphere that is relaxing,inviting and welcoming! I am proud to say that my stylist(and the owner) ...Len, has achieved all of this at Utopia! Also check out ANN the manicurist she gives my wife the best manicures and pedicures(my wife is still trying to talk me into getting a pedicure, but I haven't yet!) Thanks again Len and Utopia! You rock!!! Pros: Great cuts, color! and nail services! Nice feel to the salon, friendly! Cons: N/A more