Canyon Beachwear

I came by here last week on my way to Mexico for Thanksgiving. I highly regret giving them by business. I walked in planning to spend good $$ on a few new bathing suits, cover ups, and hats and was appalled by how horribly I was treated by the manager Kelly.
It was around 2pm on a cold, gray Monday. There was one other customer in a dressing room when I entered, and Kelly was at the register poking around. Kelly did not acknowledge my entry, despite that it’s a very small, empty store. I wandered around for several minutes, looking at the different options (and feeling quite overwhelmed as the store is not particularly organized), and still was not acknowledged by Kelly. A simple «hi, how are you?» or «can I help with you?» goes a long way. $ 400+ later, I was probably one of Kelly’s largest sales all day, if not all week. She is walking proof customer service is dead, which is why I will never come back here.

I love Canyon Beachwear and let me tell you why…
The bath suits are amazing but the staff, Sam and Kelly are
.
They are super patient and very thoughtful.
Because let’s face it ladies, buying a bath suit is no walk in the park. But with these ladies, buying a swimsuit or two is as easy as pie.
Great selection, great staff, can’t say enough.

Great location on Union Street. They have a wonderful selection of swimsuits in all shapes and sizes. If you are looking for a high waisted bottom, don’t waste your time in the store, just order online. The salesperson said they sold out a long time ago.
My 20 year old daughter asked to leave sooner than I wanted because the music was so LOUD and some kind of heavy metal alternative. Play some mellow Beach Boys or Jimmy Buffet, to keep it light and beachy?

Terrible customer service — stay away. I used to be a fan of Canyon Beachwear. I lived near the original store in Santa Monica, and when I moved to SF a few years ago I had a great experience buying several bikinis at the store on Union Street. However, I have gone in the store twice in the last few weeks, and the customer service was so bad both times that I feel compelled to warn people away from this place until the owner/​manager makes some serious changes in personnel selection and training. Neither of the two sales girls is particularly competent or helpful, and one of them is … how to put this? She does not fit well with the concept of a high-​end, high-​service boutique with premium designers and pricing. Their overall attitude is borderline rude and unhelpful, but here’s some more detail: there is a line of bikinis (SwimSystems) with mix and match top and bottoms. I was trying to find a top in a particular size. Some tags had bra sizing (e.g. 34D, which is my size — not an unusual one for this line) and some — even of the exact same style — only had the cup size. The sales girl was totally unable to explain this and guide me to the right size. I kind of figured out my right size, which was not in stock but was available in the store in San Jose. I asked if they could order it and was told that I had to buy it in advance in order to get it in the store. Since there are no returns, this is a gamble. Also, there is no advantage in buying in-​store over online (prices are the same), and online vendors typically offer free shipping and returns for items at this price. Anyway, while I was talking with the sales girl about this, my mother (who had been completely ignored for the 20 minutes before this) waited to pay for a sarong. The phone rang and the sales girl picked up the phone, turned her back to us at the register, and started talking with whoever was calling. My mother dropped her purchase on the counter and we walked out. The total sale for us both would have been about $ 250, and I had every intention of buying that bikini assuming the sizing was correct (there was apparently no top of that size in another color available to try on, but I can’t be sure of that because I don’t think the other sales girl really understood the line). It’s kind of hard to explain bad service, but the saying is true: you know it when you see it.

The best store in the bay to get bathing suits. Good quality, they carry nice brands, and the staff is super helpful. If you are looking for something cheap, then I will suggest you to go Ross, Target, Burlington. If you are going to your honeymoon, traveling to some exiting place and want to look gorgeous then… this is your place to go. 100% recommended

Cute suits, nice selection but sales girls could use some polishing of their customer service skills. It felt distinctly unfriendly when I walked in up until the point when I actually purchased the suit, then it was all smiles. I work on Union Street and try to support local business when I can but I wont be back.

I wanted to like this place. I walked in the store earlier today and asked if they had bandeau tops with a removable neck strap. The woman helping me said of course and she started grabbing a few as a lingered around. I walk into the dressing room and the only suit that wasn’t a triangle top was the one I grabbed! So as I entered the dressing room I could hear the two employees talking about the customers/​their boss loudly! Since I really didn’t see the point of buying a bikini top in black for 100 bucks I decided not to buy one, which was met with an eye roll and sigh. Ummmm what!!! If rather go elsewhere!

Bikini shopping in the Bay Area is tough. It’s not quite the place to find tiny little showy numbers but this place does a great job at putting them out there. If you’re looking for more conservative pieces they don’t disappoint. You can find a lot here. Small little place but has some of the best brands on the market for those hot pool parties. Lulifama, Vit A, Melissa Obadash, Aqua Bendita, Phily Q… Plus they have an amazing selection of coverups. I wasn’t even looking for those and ended up with 3! Prices aren’t out of the norm for brands like this. No attitude what so ever from the sales staff which is great when you’re trying on a ton of items which they painstakingly have to put back on the hanger. Great place.

Best bathing suit shopping experience ever! I asked for help and she found me an awesome suit in 15 minutes. I will be going back there! Great customer service and quick to help!

I love Canyon Beachwear. The selection of suits, high quality customer service and location make it my favorite place for suits in the Bay Area. I particularly was pleased with Sam, the Store Manager, who helped me pick out a suit for my Honeymoon. After trying on what seemed like dozens of suits, she remained positive, and listened to exactly what I was looking for, and sure enough there the my suit of my dreams. She was extremely patient and caring, and with such grace. She made me feel comfortable. I would go back in a heart beat! Now, I just need another exotic vacation…

Do not shop here. Even though they accept returns on their website they do not accept returns in their store, even with the tags and original packaging intact.
And given how ridiculously expensive their bathing suits are, you are better off at Bloomingdales!

This place is awesome, they have everything you need before you go on vacation. Both of the girls that helped me were outstanding, friendly, knowledgable and right there to give opinion and encouragement. The lighting in the dressing room doesn’t point out all of your flaws, like (macys, nordstrom etc.) I am extremely happy with my purchases. I went in the night before going to Maui. Thank you for being there!

I came here looking for a bathing suit for a November cruise. They provided excellent customer service. As a woman who needs larger bikini tops than are available at department stores or surf shops, I found a good selection in two piece and mix and match bathing suits. The staff member (sorry, I can’t remember her name, perhaps the manager) worked really hard in assisting me, aided me in the dressing room, got me numerous sizes, styles, with great suggestions, and gave useful feedback, without a hint of pushiness to buy. I ended up buying a bandeau and a matching bikini top and bottom. I have never enjoyed bathing suit shopping but truly had a great time there. (even after spending 80 – 90 per suit piece). They sell high quality garments and accessories.

Many options, helpful and friendly staff. Unfortunately, shopping for a bathing suit in winter means options are limited. In the end, I only had 2 options to choose from — I was looking for a specific type of suit. I did get one of those two, so not too shabby… I wish they had it in a different color though.
If you do shop here, do be prepared to spend a pretty penny. A bikini will easily run you +$ 160, since you need to buy bikini parts separately — the top being ~$ 80 (at least) and the bottoms being ~$ 80 (at least).

Reponse and my reply to business:
Thank you for your comment. I care greatly about your experience, considering I remember helping you the previous year. Sad to hear how you felt the second time around. However, when you and your friend were in the dressing room, we had a customer come out and tell us that you guys were looking up items on your phone to see where you could find suits cheaper. That is awkward and against our policy. We have to protect our designers. Since we never experience that, it was hard for my assistant to continue to help you. And it did make the experience un comfortable. Feel free to calk me at the store if you would like to discuss further. Just wanted you to know our side. Thank you, Sam
Hi Sam — thanks for the message. I understand that looking up prices could be awkward but it is a business and free market. I also didn’t feel like we were treated by the assistant well from the moment we walked into the door. My friend was willing to buy several suits from the boutique even if they were cheaper online had we received better service. It is a competitive market out there and if the prices at a boutique aren’t going to be as competitive, the store has to offer high quality service on a consistent basis. I hope you can understand that. I enjoyed working with you and I know you are a great salesperson, but I hope the company takes my feedback constructively. Have a great weekend.

I love this place. The saleswoman I met was extremely helpful– she answered my questions when I asked, but was also happy to let me take my time. I love that I was able to buy separates, as I wear pretty different sizes for top and bottom.

So my friends and I came in one Wednesday evening looking to buy cute bikinis for our respective beach vacations. I was looking forward to getting some expert advice from a specialty bathing suit store for my body type (Alas I was not blessed with a supermodel’s body). The associate glared up at us and didn’t really bother to greet us. I started looking through the racks and was somewhat overwhelmed by the selection. Mind you, I get slightly irked by overly enthusiastic salespeople but do find it useful when I am informed of orienting myself within the store «FYI: sets are on the left and separates are on the right…» «i can help you start a fitting room or let me know if you need a specific size» or «Brazilian bottoms would offer the least coverage» (yes, I am a rookie)
She eventually warmed up slightly when she realized (gasp!) we were planning on buying. Seriously for the $$ one drops for an average bikini you would expect a little more courtesy.
3 stars for the selection and I would not have given her the commission had I not fallen for the suit I eventually bought.

I was ready to drop some serious cash and buy multiple pairs of bikinis due to a super helpful associate named Lourdes. I unfortunately had to put them on hold because I knew it was an All Sales Final store. I came back the next day to buy the bikinis
and was «helped» by Kelly. Kelly basically lost the sale that Lourdes had worked so hard for because she had serious attitude.
It’s too bad because I actually really like the store. It is about the only bathing suit store in the city with a decent selection. Funny, the only obstacle between me and the perfect suit is a crappy attitude — Kelly’s. I’ll only come in and buy something if someone other than Kelly is working.

LOVE LOVE LOVE The staff @ Canyon Beach Wear!!!
Buying a swim suit is not the funest thing for me, this store made it so fun the only thing that was hard was deciding which great bikini to buy here was so many great ones!!!

The boyfriend wanted to treat me to a new barely there bikini for our upcoming trip to Cabo San Lucas. He doesn’t approve of my Target or Old Navy brand solid colored ones. And I wanted to buy a fresh new one for our first semi-​vacation away. I tend to like solid colors that blend in and do not draw attention, while he likes barely there, Brazilian cut bottoms with loud skimpy bikini tops. So to make him happy, I let him pick out what he thought was nice and skimpy enough for me to wear.
We went to Canyon to see if they had any Brazilian cut bikinis. We were told that they had just sent back a shipment in order to get a new shipment. Weird. So they did not have many choices nor did they have the sizes that would fit me. This super nice girl helped us pick a few out while I let my bf pick his choices out. The girl picked out a few that I liked; black, normal and fit well. And of course bf picks out loud, colorful and bright. Something I’d wear once just to please him and then throw back in my closet never to wear again. We put one on hold since we were still shopping around. I was eyeing a black one w/​gold detail that made my boobs look pretty damn nice. Of course, bf would flip his lid if I got it.
A few days later, after finding a suit elsewhere I returned to Canyon to get the black suit I was eyeing. I came in and the sales associate recognized me. I told her I wanted the black suit I had tried on. She remembered what it looked like and had it ready for me to try on. She also threw in the loud, colorful and bright one that bf and I had put on hold previously. I tried on the black suit and was happy with it again. Neglected to try on the other because I would rather wear nothing than where that crazy suit.
5 stars to the super nice sales associate that helped us pick out suits and helped in the fitting room. She was super patient and was very helpful. 3 stars for lack of Brazilian style suits. 3 stars for lack of sizes. Average all that out = 4 stars. Canyon is a bit pricy so be prepared to toss your Target or Old Navy suits for more expensive designer ones. You can tell the difference a designer suit adds to your body and for the price, its definitely worth it to make your bf happy while he’s eyeing your bum.