25 Best Shopping in North County and Around, California

Home of San Diego's largest pumpkin patch each fall, this family farm is where you might find a 200-pound pumpkin. It also sells locally grown pecans, macadamia nuts, and almonds. On the 100 acres, there's a farm zoo, a picnic area, and a gift shop.

Candles, quilts, cushions, cookbooks, and other cozy items to put the finishing touches on your home are available at this sweet cottage-turned-shop. They even offer interior design services if you happen to fall in love with San Diego and never want to leave. For even more treasures, walk across the street to their second location.

Dating back to 1872, this former homestead of baking legend Betty Crocker opens its gates monthly for antique shows hosted in a massive white barn. Step inside for theme events, unveiling a range of inventory including mid-century, industrial, vintage, rustic, primitive, and French country items. Ten local artisans, food trucks, craft workshops, and gardens with free-range birds make this a family-friendly outing. You'll often find homemade baked goods and gourmet coffee to enjoy on the manicured grounds. Check their website for show dates and other events.

This outdoor shopping center contains more than 90 outlet stores, including designer brands like Coach, Kate Spade, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, and Nike.

This is the place to buy the same premium (and very expensive) fruits, micro greens, edible flowers, and rare vegetables that the farm grows for many of San Diego's upscale restaurants, and for such famed California eateries as Chez Panisse in Berkeley and George's in La Jolla.

Soak in the Balinese beauty of this gallery-like store where North County’s wealthy come to shop for Indonesian art, wooden furniture, clothing, jewelry, pottery, antiques, artifacts, and other international imports.

Developed in 1989 by Del Mar residents Ivan Gayler and David Winkler, this plaza is worth a side trip if you're visiting the racetrack. Along with its collection of high-end shops, the tiered plaza contains outstanding restaurants and fountain courtyards with Pacific views. Some businesses validate parking, which is underground.

Inside this tiny 1920s cottage (open only on the weekends) are funky, handmade treasures including repurposed furniture and craft kits for DIY projects. The owner also hosts monthly on-site art classes like furniture painting 101 and DIY paint class. 

At first glance, this open-air shopping center anchored by a Whole Foods Market ( 858/436–9800) might look like your typical upscale SoCal mall, but take a closer look, because there's way more to it than meets the eye. There's not only some great shopping—much of it locally owned and eco-minded—but also some of San Diego's best restaurateurs like Tracy Borkum and Steven Molina have opened restaurants here (CUCINA enoteca and Flower Child, respectively). Sweetpea ( 858/481–0683) stocks children's clothing from brands like Magnetic Me and Petit Bateau. Van de Vort ( 858/925–7676) sells the latest curated fashion from around the world.

One of San Diego's oldest surfboard manufacturers is owned by Don Hansen, surfboard shaper extraordinaire, who came here from Hawaii in 1962. The store stocks a full line of surf, snowboard, and ski gear and apparel. They also have entire departments dedicated to wet suits and footwear. Local "groms" love their Goods for Grades program that earns $4 store credit for every "A" on their school report card (max up to $24). 

With brands like Brighton jewelry, UNOde50, and Mud Pie, this gift shop is packed with crafts, carvings, soaps, jewelry, leather, and other imports from Bali, Mexico, Brazil, Spain, and Ecuador.

Reminiscent of a Wild West saloon, this antiques mall in the heart of Old Town Temecula has one-of-a-kind collectibles from 30 local vendors including jewelry, furniture, glassware, linens, tools, and books.

On display here are works of fine art, including paintings, stained glass, sculptures, and other creations by local artists, including James Hubbell and Joe Garcia. Many of the rotating works focus heavily on traditional and contemporary art.

Owner Jan Schneider offers an inspiring collection of the herb that fosters peace, purification, sleep, and longevity. Bath salts, hand soaps, essential oil, even dryer bags to freshen up the laundry—she's got it all.

Ranch tours and complimentary tastings of locally pressed olive oil are offered at the Temecula Olive Oil Company, where you can find a selection of oils seasoned with garlic, herbs, and citrus. This Old Town shop has dipping and cooking oils, locally crafted oil-based soaps and bath products, a selection of preserved and stuffed olives, and house-made wines.

Family-owned and -operated for more than 45 years, this small cider-pressing factory sells honey, nuts, candy, apples, preserves, and, of course, fresh local cider. Don't ask how they make their pumpkin butter and homemade fudge—both are crafted from a secret recipe.

Operated by a nonprofit foundation, the Country Friends carries collectibles, silver, furniture, and antiques donated or consigned by community residents.

This shop is popular for its extensive collection of jewelry, apparel, and shoes for men and women.