Artelexia
North Park
Fodor's choice
Browse the colorful selection of Mexican gifts, cooking supplies, and decor at this inviting local boutique.
13 Best Shopping in San Diego, California
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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.
Pangaea Outpost
Pacific Beach
Fodor's choice
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.
Pigment
North Park
Fodor's choice
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.
Recommended Fodor's Video
Casa Artelexia
Little Italy
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.
Central Library Library Shop
East Village
One of the highlights of San Diego's new nine-story Central Library in the East Village neighborhood is the well-curated gift shop, which carries gourmet cookbooks, jewelry, home accessories, and children's items. Mementos like shirts, totes, magnets, and note cards make great souvenirs. The shop, which is open daily, supports San Diego- or California-based vendors whenever possible.
Cousin's Candy Shop
Old Town
Sample homemade fudge and taffy that's been cooked, stretched, and wrapped on-site at this old-fashioned confectionery shop. The old-time candies in nostalgic tins make thoughtful gifts.
Gaslamp Garage
Gaslamp Quarter
Crammed floor to ceiling with merchandise and decorated to look like a 1950s auto repair shop, the city's largest souvenir shop is the place to head for Padre's gear and San Diego mementos. The store also stocks a wide variety of sportswear and sandals from brands like Reef, Roxy, and Volcom, and the Kidz Garage has toys, electronics, and apparel from infant to size 12.
La Jolla Cove Gifts
La Jolla
Located one block from the ocean, this gift shop sells T-shirts, souvenirs, seashells, jewelry, and nautical items.
Ocean Gifts & Shells
Ocean Beach
This huge beach-theme store is filled with seashells of every size and shape, nautical decor items, wind chimes, T-shirts, swimwear, accessories, and toys. For the ultimate "OB" souvenir, grab a sticker or shirt featuring the OB seagull logo, representing the notorious beach town for nearly 50 years.
Often Wander at NOON
Ocean Beach
Affordable handmade jewelry and American-made home accessories like tea towels, candles, and glassware fill the shelves at this whimsical boutique and design studio in Ocean Beach. NOON also stocks fresh-smelling soaps, lotions, and perfumes, as well as letterpress greeting cards.
Teeter
Ocean Beach
Products made by local artisans are featured at this modern shop. Browse home decor and artwork, jewelry, plants, greeting cards, unique gifts, and children's toys.
Vitreum
The Japanese artist Takao owns this gallery-like shop that sells beautifully handcrafted home-decor items—tableware, glass vases, tea sets, and decorative gifts.
Wine A Bit
Part store and part wine bar, the popular Wine A Bit carries hundreds of boutique wines, along with craft beers, appetizers, and decadent desserts. Cigars, gifts, and wine-related accessories are also for sale.
