Hair Salon in Santa Barbara
Right on State Street, right in the heart of town. Matson & Co. is where Santa Barbara comes for haircuts, color, extensions, and stylists who treat you like a neighbor, not a number.
A State Street Studio Built for People Who Care About Their Hair
Matson & Co. sits at 1213 State Street, Suite F, in downtown Santa Barbara. It's a six chair boutique studio with a contemporary look and a laid back feel. Jeff and Nada Matson opened the doors in 2017 after years of working together at another local salon, and they brought their favorite stylists with them. The result is a tight knit team that's been working side by side for years, not a revolving door of new faces.
If you're looking for a hair salon in Santa Barbara that's small enough to know your name but skilled enough to handle anything, this is it. We're easy to get to, street parking is right outside, and you can grab a coffee before or after your appointment without moving your car. It's one of the perks of being on State Street.
Everything You Need, One Salon
Precision Haircuts
Men's and women's cuts tailored to your face, your texture, and your life. Cuts that grow out well, not cuts that look good for a week and then get weird.
Custom Hair Color
All over color, base touch ups, and gray coverage. Every formula is mixed from scratch for your specific shade. Nancy is our color expert. Victoria offers organic, ammonia free options.
Hair Extensions
Length, volume, or both. Nada and Ariel specialize in extensions for fine and thin hair, using methods that blend seamlessly and protect your natural strands.
Highlighting and Balayage
From subtle sun kissed dimension to bold, bright blonde. Jeff is our blonding specialist and he's been perfecting this for over two decades.
Smoothing Treatments
Keratin and smoothing treatments that tame frizz and cut your morning routine in half. Great for Santa Barbara's coastal humidity.
Curly Hair
Erin Olson is our curl specialist. She cuts curly hair curly, not straightened. If you've struggled to find someone who actually understands your texture, book with Erin.
Scalp Micropigmentation
A non surgical solution for thinning hair. Jeff is our trained SMP specialist. Free consultations available.
Why People in Santa Barbara Keep Coming Back
We're Your Neighbors
Jeff and Nada aren't transplants who opened a salon last year. Jeff grew up in Southern California surfing and skating. They've been part of this community for years. You might see them at the farmers market on Saturday morning.
20,000 Clients and Counting
We've been in Santa Barbara since 2017 and behind the chair since the late '90s. That's a lot of hair, a lot of conversations, and a lot of people who keep coming back.
Walk Ins Welcome
We know sometimes you just need a trim and you need it today. We're appointment first, but we always try to fit in walk ins when we can. Give us a call or just stop by.
Prices That Respect Your Budget
We're not the cheapest salon on State Street and we're not the most expensive. We're the one where you feel like you got your money's worth every time.
Visit Matson & Co. on State Street
Matson & Co. is one of the top rated hair salons in Santa Barbara, located at 1213 State Street, Suite F. We're in the heart of downtown, surrounded by restaurants, coffee shops, and boutiques. Street parking is available right outside, and there are public lots within a block.
Our studio is open [hours TBD] and serves clients from across Santa Barbara and the surrounding areas. Whether you live in the Mesa, the Riviera, Funk Zone, the Eastside, or downtown, we're easy to get to from anywhere in town.
We offer the full range of hair services: precision cuts, custom color and highlights, curly hair cuts, hair extensions, smoothing treatments, and scalp micropigmentation. All under one roof, all from specialists with over a decade of experience. Walk ins welcome when availability allows. Book online through Vagaro for the best selection of times.
Serving Every Corner of Santa Barbara
Downtown and State Street: We're right here. Walk over on your lunch break. Grab a haircut and a taco on the same block.
The Mesa: A quick drive over the freeway. Mesa residents love our laid back vibe because it matches the neighborhood.
The Riviera: Come down the hill for a color appointment and enjoy the State Street stroll while your color processes.
The Eastside: Ten minutes across town. Several of our long time regulars live on the Eastside and have been coming since day one.
Funk Zone: Steps from the Funk Zone. Come for a cut, stay for wine tasting. We won't judge.
Goleta: Technically not Santa Barbara, but close enough. Goleta clients come to us for specialists they can't find closer to home.
Santa Barbara Salon Questions
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime. If you’re feeling ready, go ahead and apply.
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We think it's us, but we're biased. Matson & Co. has been on State Street since 2017, our stylists have 20+ years of experience, and we've served around 20,000 happy clients. Check our Google reviews and decide for yourself.
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1213 State Street, Suite F, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. We're in downtown Santa Barbara with street parking right outside.
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Yes. Street parking is available directly in front of the salon, and there are public parking lots within a block. Parking on State Street is usually pretty easy to find, especially during weekday hours.
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We keep our prices fair and transparent. Haircuts start at [price] and color starts at [price]. You'll know what you're paying before you sit down. No hidden fees, no surprise charges.
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Yes—it’s one of our specialties. Nada Matson and Ariel Tamar both specialize in extensions and styling for fine and thin hair. If someone told you extensions won’t work for your hair, come get a second opinion.
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Yes. Click Book Now anywhere on the site to go to our Vagaro page. Pick your stylist, pick your service, pick your time. Takes about a minute.
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Yes. Erin Olson is our curly hair specialist. She cuts curls in their natural state and is trained to work with all curl types, from loose waves to tight coils.
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Absolutely. We do fades, tapers, textured cuts, classic cuts, and everything in between. All of our stylists work with men and women.
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Six chairs, not sixty. Every stylist is a specialist in something specific. We're owned by a husband and wife team who've been in the industry for over 25 years. And people consistently describe us as professional and sweet, which we think is the best compliment a salon can get.
Hear From Our Clients
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Ariel did a great job cutting and layering my hair. She totally understood what I was asking for. The shop is beautiful and the people who work there are friendly and helpful!
Cindy Grainey
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Jeff is amazing. Even when I don't know what I want he always comes through. He's a terrific guy and a great hairstylist.
Christine Oropallo
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This place is top-notch! It’s a beautiful space with beautiful people and when I get done there I’m looking beautiful! But seriously, the owners and stylists are not only excellent but also fun to talk with during the process. I highly recommend Matson and Co.!!
Nicholas Araza
