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North Park
Browse the colorful selection of Mexican gifts, cooking supplies, and decor at this inviting local boutique.
3803 Ray St., San Diego, California, 92104, USA
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Mission Valley
San Diego's most upscale mall has a contemporary Mission theme, lush landscaping, and nearly 200 shops and restaurants. Acclaimed retailers like Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, and Tiffany & Co. are here, along with boutiques from fashion darlings like Michael Kors, Tory Burch, and Ted Baker. H&M is a favorite of fashionistas in search of edgy and affordable styles. Free wireless Internet service is available throughout the mall. Select "Simon WiFi" from any Wi-Fi–enabled device to log onto the network.
If you're visiting from out of state, are a member of the military, or have a AAA membership, you can pick up a complimentary Style Pass at Simon Guest Services (located on the lower level beneath AMC Theaters near Banana Republic), which can get you savings at more than 70 of Fashion Valley's stores and restaurants.
7007 Friars Rd., San Diego, California, 92108, USA
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South Park
This home-decor shop is run by a husband-and-wife duo. There's furniture, kitchenware, jewelry, greeting cards, and a kids' section.
2225 30th St., San Diego, California, 92104, USA
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At the gift shops within the peninsula's main historic attraction, you can purchase sportswear, designer handbags, jewelry, and antiques. Spreckels Sweets & Treats offers old-time candies, freshly made fudge, and decadent truffles. Monroe has designer fashions and accessories, inspired by its Hollywood namesake, while Brady's for Men, with its shirts and sport coats, caters to well-dressed men. S.R.F. is the spot to hit up for outdoor and action sports accessories. En Route is a haven for travelers, offering a selection of top-quality luggage and leather goods.
1500 Orange Ave., San Diego, California, 92118, USA
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Pacific Beach
This collective houses dozens of local shops under one roof and is a great place to pick up beachy clothing and decor or unique gifts for everyone on your list.
909 Garnet Ave., San Diego, California, 92109, USA
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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North Park
This beautifully styled shop carries a wide variety of design-conscious goods for the home, including geometric print pillows, outdoor bistro chairs, and home bar accessories. In Pigment's plant lab, you can build your own terrariums, which make great souvenirs.
3801 30th St., San Diego, California, 92104, USA
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Customize your correspondence with products from Seaside Papery, including high-end wedding invitations, greeting cards, luxury personal stationery, and wrapping papers.
1162 Orange Ave., San Diego, California, 92118, USA
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South Park
This exceptional bookstore offers well-curated local interest materials, best sellers, and an excellent children's section. Puzzle enthusiasts will appreciate the unique jigsaw selection, guaranteed to keep you challenged. Don't miss the back room with its selection of local clothing and gifts.
3010-B Juniper St., San Diego, California, 92104, USA
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This new upscale shopping and dining center is in the city's former police headquarters, a beautiful and historic Mission-style building featuring an open courtyard with fountains. Restaurants and shops, many locally owned, occupy former jail facilities and offices. Pop into Urban Beach House for coastal-inspired fashion from popular surf brands for men and women, including accessories and home decor. Perfume Gallery offers more than 1,000 different scents in its extensive collection. Madison San Diego offers a great selection of leather goods and accessories, from apparel and handbags to belts and travel accessories.
789 W. Harbor Dr., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
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North Park
Visible from blocks away, thanks to its large mural paying homage to Stephen King, Verbatim Books boasts an inventory of more than 35,000 books in its wide-open wonderland of the printed word. Visually stunning inside and out—decked with chandeliers and the store's name spelled out in books on its back wall (which also has a mysterious, colorful door)—the shop carries everything from classics to cookbooks to supernatural and metaphysical volumes, in addition to maintaining a zine library for those interested in DIY publishers.
3793 30th St., San Diego, California, 92104, USA
Shop Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues.
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Ocean Beach
Expect a pleasant culture shock when you step from the bohemian Newport Avenue into this French-inspired antiques shop with timeworn pieces with a rich history. More than 30 vendors showcase vintage and antique collectibles and fascinating oddities.
4828 Newport Ave., San Diego, California, 92107, USA
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If you have any interest in home design and renovation, this shop that specializes in reusing old materials should be top of your list. The warehouse space is filled with unusual building and decorative materials, as well as items that come from various time periods throughout the 1900s. Products range from stained-glass windows and light fixtures to cabinets and doors in styles ranging from Victorian to Craftsman.
2401 Kettner Blvd., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
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La Jolla
The classic Ivy League look is king in this traditional haberdashery that sells menswear by Saxx, Hagen, and Peter Miller. In-house same-day tailoring is available.
7750 Girard Ave., San Diego, California, 92037, USA
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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.
1007 Orange Ave., San Diego, California, 92118, USA
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Old Town
With a Mexican villa theme, the Bazaar hosts riotously colorful gift shops such as Ariana, for ethnic and artsy women's fashions; Artes de Mexico, which sells handmade Latin American crafts and Guatemalan weavings; and The Gallery, which carries handmade jewelry, Native American crafts, collectible glass, and original silk-screen prints. The Laurel Burch Gallerita carries the complete collection of its namesake artist's signature jewelry, accessories, and totes.
4133 Taylor St., San Diego, California, 92110, USA
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Minimalist decor provides a perfect backdrop for the wild colors and patterns featured on original sneakers from Adidas, Nike, Vans, and other in-demand brands. Prices are steep, but many of the urban styles are unique.
919 6th Ave., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
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Besides supplying local artists with their tools, Blick also carries art books, fine stationery and pens, ornate gift wrap, and beautiful leather-bound journals.
1844 India St., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
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This boutique beer shop and tasting room stocks the best craft beer from San Diego and around the world, from double IPAs and pale ales to saisons and wheat beers. Owner Brian Jensen offers a wealth of knowledge on the local craft beer scene. Bottlecraft now has additional locations in North Park and Liberty Station.
2252 India St., San Diego, California, 92101, USA
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Outlet
A 40-minute drive north of Downtown San Diego, this outdoor shopping center contains more than 90 outlet stores, including designer brands like Coach, Cole Haan, Kate Spade New York, and Michael Kors.
5620 Paseo del Norte, Ste. 100, Carlsbad, California, 92008, USA
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Little Italy | Household Items/Furniture
This colorful shop specializing in Mexican gifts and art started as a booth at a farmers' market by a father-daughter team, but has since evolved into a large retail space with its own art gallery and event space. Products—handpicked and imported from different parts of Mexico—include hand-blown glassware, Sacred Heart wall hangings, books and paintings depicting Frida Kahlo, and Dia de Los Muertos-themed items. Casa Artelexia also offers weekly art classes, and has a second store located in North Park.
2400 Kettner Blvd., No. 102, San Diego, California, 92101, USA
Shop Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
