Montgomery’s Barber Shop

Absolutely the best barbershop I’ve been to. Almost every barber there has a good taste of fashion and hairstyle. And they are very skillful barbers. They pay very close attention to details, make sure the fade on the side is good. They use razors to shape your sideburn and the back. Then use a nice warm towel to soothe the skin. The lady there is really nice and she can see how your hair would look in the long run, so she will heal you gradually shape your hair into the style you want.
After all, it’s just a great place if you have very high standard for your hair and don’t want to spend more than 20 bucks. The service is nice, given that they provide donuts and magazines. They have their own parking lot right next to it. So if you are ever in Santa Cruz, go there to get a haircut.

Got a cut here by Ramona about a month ago. There were about six people waiting when I got there and only she was working. After about an hour of waiting I got some chair time. She was about to go straight to work without even asking how I want my hair cut, an d I had to chime in. She really hacked away quickly and didnt part my hair at all, also the taper was very inconsistent. The lather for the clean up was cold, also, which led to a rushed and uncomfortable shave.
All in all the whole process was done in under 10 minutes and I was left with a really mediocre haircut. Also whoever picked up the phone and when I called to ask bout wait times was very rude. I get that they are trying to maintain the punky dont-​give-​a-​fuck barber shop image, but plenty of places do that while being friendly.

Quick. Very professional. Skilled haircut given with a straight razor shave and clean-​up for a very reasonable price. I went on a weekday morning… No wait at all. Good music, great atmosphere. Very happy with the haircut from Ramona. I think I’ll bring my son in next. We’ll be regulars, I’m hoping. Highly recommend.

Victim of its own success — glad Ramona’s able to ramp it up but the guys she’s added are uneven at best and the wait is still out of hand. I’ll probably still play the Russian roulette because it’s still better than anywhere in town and the crusty old dude who cut my hair back when I lived in San Jose is no longer with us (RIP, Carlos) but a tougher pill to swallow, to wait that long and then not even get Ramona.
Five stars if you get Ramona tho.

A friend of mine told me this was the best barbershop in town, and it’s proven itself to me. I’m definitely coming back for future haircuts. When you want an authentic cut come no further. The barbers use a straight edge to keep everything real sharp. Not many places do it anymore, and it makes a huge difference to new cut. I came out looking looking dapper and feeling good. I’m so glad I came because of the quality and the friendly and quick experience. Highly suggest coming here.

Great service and great haircuts. The wait is short and the price is perfect. I’m a freshman in college and plan on coming here for the next 4 years

Ramona not only custom cut my hair — with multiple specifications from me — but also applied an old-​fashioned straight-​edged razor to the neckline to give me a cleaner cut, which will last longer. Talk about stretching your buck — this place does it, and is friendly and fast to boot. I would have been charged $ 90 for this cut in San Francisco, and about $ 60-​$ 75 bucks for this in Oakland/​Berkeley, that too with a lazy clipper job around the back and sides. The very reasonable price — $ 16 for walk-​ins; $ 25 for appointments — means that I am able to leave a bigger tip, which I did. Two thumbs up for Montgomery’s and Ramona — I’ll be coming back.

Only in Santa Cruz for a few more hours, and in dire need of a shave and haircut after backpacking for a week, I had to check this place out, based on the great reviews. Ramona’s so busy that she’s got a couple other barbers working in the shop now, and I got one of them for a haircut and a straight razor shave.
The fade I asked for was alright.
The shave was sort of a nightmare. I mean, I’ve had worse — I was cut up pretty badly by a lady in Cuba using an old rusty razor — but this was bad enough to be worth mentioning. He was a pretty young kid, and I could tell right away that he didn’t have much experience with a razor. The shaving cream was cold, the shave took quite a long time, and in the end I had a few cuts on my face, some pretty bad razor burn, and a few small random patches of hair that he missed around my face.
He was nice, and I was really rooting for him. I would have ignored the ordeal if I hadn’t been left with so many embarrassing signs of an inept shave. It doesn’t seem right to pay full price for a shave in a place that has such a great reputation only to get cut by someone who’s still learning. I really do want this kid to do well, but he’s got a lot of work to do before he gets there. He’s got the potential to be top notch, but with a razor he’s not yet ready.
I didn’t have time to go back to get this fixed before I left town, which left me shaving in a gas station bathroom to clean up. When I called, Ramona apologized profusely and sincerely. I think she would’ve fixed this if I could have lingered in Santa Fe.

I went in for the first time today. The place is interesting and eclectic, with plenty of room and very comfortable.
I saw Ramona for a haircut, shave and beard trim. I’ve had many good cuts & shaves, but I’ve never had anyone be as thorough as Ramona was about making sure she knew exactly what I wanted. She did a great job of delivering exactly what I wanted with a little of her own flair — which is also something I like (as long as it doesn’t conflict with what I asked for). Then, incredibly, she charged $ 35! The barber shop I went to last month was $ 70 and I left pissed off with the work they did.
I hate to rate this place «Inexpensive» because someone browsing the reviews might think that means they do a ‘cheap’ job, and that’s not the case at all.
It seems like everyone is opening a barber shop these days. Most people think if they have a straight razor and a chair they’re all set. In this field of amateurs, Ramona stands out as a true pro.
I live in San Jose, but I think I’ll probably be back over the hill regularly to go to Montgomery’s.

Recently moved out here and finally found a barbershop that’s genuine with what they do. Got a haircut at Westside first and it just doesn’t compare to the quality of haircuts that Ramona gives. She’s quick and my cut came out great.

I’ve been going to this place now for almost 3 years. I have a job in the Bay Area now, but still visit Santa Cruz to visit friends, and I always make a stop at Montgomery’s to get cleaned up.
Great environment, awesome haircuts and value.

Ramona gets 5 stars for sure. She has consistently been giving me the best hair cuts I’ve ever had for a while now. Step up your hair game and go give her a try.

Best haircut of all time hands down. First time I walked in telling her I wanted a specific number on the sides and she said I don’t do that. Initially I was thrown off but I just trusted her and let her do her thing and have never looked back. She is super fast and it’s super cheap. I live in LA now and am yet to find a barber like Ramona. When I visit SC you can be damn sure I’ll be stopping by.

I just can’t give this place a good review because they don’t cut hair well or listen to their customers. The woman who cut my hair was too busy talking with her coworker to focus on doing a good job. She cut it too short when I asked her to leave the length on top and she gave it a strange shape that looks like a girl’s haircut to me. Overall she spent less than ten minutes butchering my hair and then asked for $ 16. I don’t know if the other barbers are any good but this was a bad enough experience to ensure I never find out. I’m pretty much done with Unilocal because this place has no business being listed as almost five stars. Yeah right.

Yes. This is the best barber you will ever find. Ramona is the ideal barber for male or female. Show up early because there will be a line.

My first hair cut in Santa Cruz was one of the best I’ve had. Ramona was great. She asked what I was looking for and she executed seamlessly. She was very chill and above all, a professional. Thanks again Ramona! Joey, Dee Dee, Johnny and Marky would be proud too!

Today marks my fourth, and final failed attempt to even try getting a haircut at Montgomery’s.
It’s currently 1:30 on a Saturday, a day they should be open until 2, but Montgomery’s is inexplicably closed.
Last Wednesday I came in, and with two people ahead of me, I asked about the wait time. Ms Montgomery kindly responded «c’mon man, this is a «barbershop», and lectured me, visibly annoyed, on how everyone was an individual. Frankly I didn’t care, and I just wanted an estimate.
The time before that, I got outdated information online saying the barbershop closed at 6, and showed up at 5:15 to a closed barbershop.
The time before that I showed up at 11, to a sign that said «will return at: 1pm». Two hour lunch break…
Frankly at this point, I don’t care how good the haircuts here might be; they should never be this hard to get.
No thanks

Not customer service when someone calls requesting an appointment is refused one in a rude manner and informed walk in. Then when you arrive to «walk in» its a one WOman” show.
I don’t need an old school vibe with «punk ass culture» attitude to get a good cut. Ill keep my dollars and spend them where I’m treated with respect, which means I am going to travel OUT OF TOWN to see someone because YOUR LACK of PROFESSIONALISM.
This was also removed once* if you provide bad customer service this is a free country in which I’m allowed to say this. I used no profanity or vulgar language nor did I personally name the individual who provided such poor service.
One would only hope this would be inspirational to step up the game a notch rather than take it down…

Ramona is simply awesome and this has become my CHOICE place for getting a quality cut!

The first thing I heard when I walked in for my haircut today was some old school Johnny Cash — popping and hissing from old vinyl.
This sums up what is all about the excellence of Montgomery’s — it is old school barber shop. Granted, I am new to the party and only have two cuts done — that being said, I’m happy with what she’s done.
There is usually a wait; but, it goes fast — just relax and grab a magazine.
Ramona is quick. The first time I sat in her chair she shook my hand and introduced herself, then asked me how I wanted things done. Everything gets finished off with a straight razor clean up and a hot towel to clean up.
Let’s sum it up — cool atmosphere, you get a great cut and super reasonable. She’ll ring you up for $ 16 on an ancient cash register — just kick her down a $ 20 and tell her you’ll see her in a couple weeks.