Swans of Aptos

I started getting manicures last year because my nails were splitting, shredding & generally disintegrating. I knew nothing about manicures. After a few gel polishes (at other salons) — which made my nails strong and allowed them to grow — I realized that the removal process was further weakening the nails. Then I met Kera at Swans. She is actively working with me to strengthen my nails, using less harsh polish to protect them and allow them to grow, while also educating me on products to help the growth & strengthening.
Thank you Kera!

I made an appointment and was fortunate to get in the next day. The minute I walked in the door, I felt welcomed and comfortable. Michelle was an absolute doll and she took very good care of me. The most telling thing for me that this mani /​pedi salon was a great find is they are heavily booked with repeat customers. I am going to become on of those regulars! I am thrilled to have pretty feet and am glad I scheduled more of the same for the next couple of months!

I have been going to Swans of Aptos for over 4 years. The service and attention to detail are amazing and the clientele like family. Scheduling has also been very good as my work schedule has necessitated some revisions over time.
Kera, Kirk, and Michelle work well together and have been together for years.
Cleanliness is impeccable, and product lines are updated frequently. I always know I can get the answers I need when I have questions.
I highly recommend Swans of Aptos!

I have been coming to Swans for over 10 years now. I have fiberglass services with Kirk — a true gem. I ALWAYS get complements on how great my nails and hands look. Swans is the only place for fiberglass, and a superior product to gels, silks or acrylic. Very serious about cleanliness and keeping feet happy — no worries about fungus for those pedicure people. I gladly keep coming back.

I have had the pleasure of getting my nails done at Swans of Aptos for many years!
Besides having nails that are always looking great, the boutique– like salon is pleasant and peaceful! Kirk and Kera are the BEST.

Great nail salon, love this place! Only gone once, but will definitely go back again. I met with Kirk, and got gel nails. He spent a lot of time on my nails and made sure I was happy with my nails before I left. He was not rushed, especially since each appointment is made ahead of time. My nails lasted forever too before they began to chip, which I often have a habit of doing within a week of getting my nails done.
He and his sister Kera have such a cute and charming location in Aptos, will definitely be telling others of them! Their prices are a deal since their quality is nothing but top notch!

I love leaving Swans with my nails beautiful, professional AND best of all — they last for a couple of weeks! Kera is nice, experienced and really, really good at what she does.
Thanks!

This review is long over due! I’ve been a client at the salon, with Kirk, since 1996. On the rare occasion Kirk takes a vacation Kera and Michelle take care of my nails. Their service is fabulous, their skills are superior and the environment of the salon is welcoming and fun. In addition to the nail services they have a gift store with merchandise that rotates and includes jewelry, art, bath & body products, accessories and more. They even have a «honor» library; take a book, bring a book and everyone wins! The BEST part of all… after just one visit, you’ll feel like this is a place to come and see your friends not just a place to get the best mani, pedi, Shellac or fiberglass nails in Santa Cruz County. Hands down, no pun intended, the best nail treatments you can get in our area.

What a great salon. My nails have never looked this good. Kirk is so very detail orientated. I used to have to touch up my nails in between pedicure’s, but no more. The color lasts and lasts! I love all the little touches they have for holidays and inspiration for design idea’s or even ordering cactus arrangements! It’s a sweet place to spend some quality time

Michelle is SUPER cool and does a great job keeping my nails beautiful. She takes a lot of time and has lots of beautiful colors for my ever-​changing tastes. I went to her for Shellac because I always bit my nails and needed to be weaned from this dirty habit. It worked! I highly recommend her. Yeah!

Love this place!
I had acrylic nails for decades until I got a bad infection at another shop. I was also tired of the brusque, assembly line treatment in other salons.
I found Swans and Kirk gave me fiberglass nails. He is meticulous and they look fabulous. They wear really well. He takes time to tend to my cuticles every time. Everything is done by hand, no harmful drilling and I feel like a valued person, not just another set of hands passing through.
The place is scrupulously clean and sanitary with new files for each client.
Thanks, Kirk!

Swan’s of Aptos is THE place to pamper your paws! I have been a client of Kera’s for years and continually get compliments on my nails and toes. She’s the best!
The salon is inviting and comfortable. I enter and immediately feel at home. The toxic acrylic smell that haunts so many nail places is replaced by the scent of cider in the fall/​winter, or fresh flowers in the spring/​summer. Rotating art keeps the walls interesting.
As for the services, prepared to be pampered! Kera uses Shellac nail polish that stays on natural nails for two weeks– I’m not joking! And I’ve had the fiberglass nails before– they’re flexible, flawless and fun.
It’s the pedicures that I love the best. The foot-​soaking tubs are always clean (because at Swan’s they don’t use those cheesy massage chairs with connected tubs!). I’m told the Swan standard is to discard all files after ONE use, too— now that’s clean! No worries of infections and fungus here.
Kera’s leg and foot massages are divine. It’s like sending my tootsies on a spa-​getaway! If only I could remember to stop chatting and instead sink into the experience…
Visit Swan’s of Aptos. If you can’t book an appointment with Kera, don’t hesitate to try her brother, Kirk, or Michelle– both are fabulous professionals as well. One appointment and you’ll be a client for good!

I was a client of Kera’s (and I’m still a friend) for over fifteen years until I moved from Santa Cruz to Montana. Words cannot describe how much I miss Kera and the salon. It is such a warm, nurturing atmosphere and sort of like a little social club as well. I made several good friends that I met while getting my nails done. It is cozy and comfy and Kera, being a perfectionist, does awesome manicures. Her pedicures are great and her foot massages are therapeutic. The salon has a full selection of products as well as fabulous pearl and gemstone jewelery and an art display that rotates in and out so the shop is never boring. I would highly recommend the salon and all three of the highly-​trained and experienced manicurists. If you take my word and go in for an appointment ~ please give Kera a hug from me!

Some days I’m a duckling. A really tired, haggard, ugly duckling. And then I come to Swans, and well… you get it.
In my not so humble opinion, this is probably THE place in Santa Cruz county to get your nails did. Please, don’t believe me? Read on.
I won’t claim that Swans is conveniently located, cause it really isn’t. You have to get off in Aptos or in Freedom, and then backtrack on the frontage road part of Soquel. It’s kind of a hassle if you’re in a rush. On the other hand, you should be taking some time out of your day to relax and take care of yourself, so slow down and enjoy the drive. There is ample parking once you find the driveway.
Kirk does my nails here, and he is great. Really. From Manila to Montauk, my favorite nail technician is here at Swans. He is so thorough. He doesn’t tear at my cuticles. He scolds me for nibbling on my little hang nails (why oh why does he always notice?) He does my french tips by hand, and doesn’t go back to «clean» the line. Nails it every time (ya, I got jokes today). My mini-​mani usually takes 45 minutes. Given the attention to detail, a steal at $ 25.
Pedicures are equality fabulous here. It’s a bit old skool, since they don’t keep spa chairs here, but again, with the attention my toes get I can live without the vibrating chair. An hour and $ 40 later, my toes look like little sea shells of perfection.
OPI color, like, all of them. Huge selection of color. For those germ-​a-​phobs, this establishment is very sanitary. I don’t get that icky feeling I might be sharing someones toe fungus here.
Ugly ducklings unite. There is Swans of Aptos to save us!