California Ralph began his tattooing career at West Coast Tattoo with Tennessee Dave and Captain Jim. He started his first business in the early 70’s in San Fernando Valley, CA. In 1975 Ralph was offered a job at the Long Beach Pike, the most prestine place in the U.S. to work as a tattooer. After the Pike Ralph opened shops in San Fernando Valley and Canyon Country.

In 1992 Ralph moved to Asheville to retire. Instead, he decided to open shop in a town with great potential and, more importantly, a great need for a professional tattoo parlour. California Emporium of Tattoos was established. Over the next 19 years California Emporium thrived and produced some of the best tattoos and tattooers in the area.

In March of 2011 our mentor, California Ralph, passed away. In July of 2011 California Emporium of Tattoos closed its doors and Victory Blvd Tattoo was established. We are in the same location as California Emporium and provide the same friendly, professional service that Ralph built his shop on back in 1992. California Ralph seemed most content reminiscing about his time spent at the World Famous Tattoo Emporium, which was located on Victory Blvd. in Van Nuys, CA. For this reason the name Victory Blvd Tattoo was chosen in homage to our friend and mentor California Ralph.