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San Diego’s retail landscape has changed radically in recent years with the opening of several new shopping centers—some in historic buildings—that are focused more on locally owned boutiques than national retailers. Where once the Gaslamp was the place to go for urban apparel and unique home decor, many independently owned boutiques have decided to set up shop in the charming neighborhoods east of Balboa Park known as North Park and South Park. Although Downtown is still thriving, any shopping trip to San Diego should include venturing out to the city’s diverse and vibrant neighborhoods. Not far from Downtown, Little Italy is the place to find contemporary art, modern furniture, and home accessories.
Old Town is a must for pottery, ceramics, jewelry, and handcrafted baskets. Uptown is known for its mélange of funky bookstores, offbeat gift shops, and nostalgic collectibles and vintage stores. The beach towns offer the best swimwear and sandals. La Jolla’s chic boutiques offer a more intimate shopping experience, along with some of the classiest clothes, jewelry, and shoes in the county. The new La Plaza La Jolla is an open-air shopping center with boutiques and galleries in a Spanish-style building overlooking the cove. Point Loma’s Liberty Station shopping area in the former Naval Training Center has art galleries, restaurants, and home stores. Trendsetters will have no trouble finding must-have handbags and designer apparel at the world-class Fashion Valley mall in Mission Valley, a haven for luxury brands such as Hermès, Gucci, and Jimmy Choo.
Enjoy near-perfect weather year-round as you explore shops along the scenic waterfront. The Headquarters at Seaport is a new open-air shopping and dining center in the city’s former Police Headquarters building. Here there are some big names, but mostly locally owned boutiques selling everything from gourmet cheese to coastal-inspired home accessories. Just next door, Seaport Village is still the place to go for trinkets and souvenirs. If you don’t discover what you’re looking for in the boutiques, head to Westfield Horton Plaza, the Downtown mall with more than 120 stores. The sprawling mall completed a major restoration project in 2016 to include a new public plaza, amphitheater, and fountains.
Most malls have free parking in a lot or garage, and parking is not usually a problem. Westfield Horton Plaza and some of the shops in the Gaslamp Quarter offer validated parking or valet parking.
This independent bookstore is the spot to sit, read, and sip coffee on an overcast day by the sea. Great for international travelers, there's a large selection of foreign-language magazines and newspapers, and for youngsters, there's a section in the back devoted to children's books and games. Because of its close proximity to the Navy bases on Coronado, the shop has a large stock of books dedicated to military history. Bay Books also has regular book-signing events; it has hosted a wide array of authors, from Newt Gingrich to Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger. While you're there, grab an espresso or a pastry from the sidewalk-facing Buona Forchetta café within the bookstore.
For more than 30 years, Emerald City has provided Orange Avenue shoppers with a broad selection of swimwear, clothing, sunglasses, and hats from beachy brands like Billabong, Roxy, Vans, and O'Neill. The shop also offers surfboard, bodyboard, and swim fin rentals.
This family-run toy shop has been in business for more than 40 years. With nine locations throughout San Diego, the store offers classic toys and games as well as the newest must-haves. It's a great place to wander with kids or pick up something to take home.
With a county-fair atmosphere and proceeds benefiting La Jolla Elementary, this large market features not only fresh produce and flowers, but also paintings from local artists, handmade clothing and jewelry, and a tempting food court serving everything from crepes and tacos to gyros and roasted corn on the cob. The market is open Sunday 9–1 pm.
San Diego's former Naval Training Center is now a mixed-use development with shops, restaurants, and art galleries. With its large grassy areas and Spanish colonial revival–style architecture, it's a great place to take a stroll. The section on Truxton Road between Womble and Roosevelt includes a Trader Joe's, Vons, and restaurants like Pisco Rotisserie & Cevicheria. To the north are more locally owned businesses lining the arcades in the area known as the Arts District. Moniker General sells homewares, custom furniture, and craft beer and coffee; and Banyan Kitchen carries handmade Chi Chocolates and truffles. New in 2016, Liberty Public Market is San Diego's only food hall, open daily with over 30 eclectic vendors selling artisanal goods. If you're in town on the first Friday of the month, check out Liberty Station's Friday Night Liberty (5 to 9 pm), a free art walk featuring refreshments and entertainment.
If you're looking for trinkets and souvenirs, this is the place. This complex of kitschy shops and waterfront restaurants has upped its hip factor with boutiques like
About 30 miles east of the city on Viejas Indian Reservation, this outlet mall in the community of Alpine is situated across from the Viejas Casino & Resort. Major brands represented here include Coach, Guess, Levi's, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Wilsons Leather. Free entertainment is offered year-round at the ShowCourt. Kids enjoy the FunZone Arcade, bowling, and ice rink (open late October through January).
This popular outdoor mall on the east side of I–5 has more than 150 shops and 40 eateries, plus an ArcLight Cinemas and a children's play area.
This popular outdoor mall on the east side of I–5 has more than 150 shops and 40 eateries, plus an ArcLight Cinemas and a children's play area. Nordstrom and Macy's anchor the center, and specialty stores of note include Madewell ( 858/458–0012) for high-quality basics; Pottery Barn Kids ( 858/824–9079) for children's bedding and accessories; Crate & Barrel ( 858/558–4545) for kitchenware, china, and furniture; and an Apple Store (858/795–6870) for the latest gadgets. One of the country's greenest shopping centers, UTC has lush gardens, open-air plazas, and pedestrian-friendly walkways. Additional eco-friendly cred: Tesla Motors shows off its latest electric vehicles here.
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