70 Best Shopping in San Diego, California

Sunny and spirited Fresh Produce sells beach-inspired clothing made with comfy fabrics. The boutique's easy-to-wear pieces are perfect for vacations and weekend getaways.

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.

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.

This store can be a bit overwhelming with thousands of pieces of swimwear lining the walls from floor to ceiling. To make shopping a bit easier, swimsuits have been arranged by color. Browse through mix-and-match pieces from the most fashion-forward swimwear designers like Luli Fama and Indah. It's worth taking the time to peruse what is simply San Diego's best swimwear selection.

Established in Pittsburgh in 1895, this company has helped make hats hip again with its stylish takes on fedoras, bowlers, and Panama hats. The San Diego location occupies the first floor of the historic Yuma building, a former brothel in the red light district.

Before taking a brisk dip into the Pacific Ocean, swing by this local swimwear boutique where all the suits are designed in-house. A wide variety of styles are available from one-piece wonders to string bikinis for every body type. And in case of occasional clouds, peruse their selection of sweatshirts and shorts as well. The shop is open every weekend, but they also do shopping by appointment throughout the week as well.

Located one block from the ocean, this gift shop sells T-shirts, souvenirs, seashells, jewelry, and nautical items.

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.

One block from La Jolla Shores beach, this local institution stocks hip beach and resort wear, plus top-brand surfboards, bodyboards, and wet suits. The shop also rents surf and stand-up paddleboards, beach chairs, umbrellas, kayaks, and snorkel gear.

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.

This locally owned record store in Mission Hills carries new and used vinyl and CDs. They regularly host in-store performances.

Grab your hipster plaid flannels, cleverly named candles, linen jumpsuits, plant-dyed bandanas, and canvas backpacks at this Instagram-worthy shop where you can stock up on clothing, home goods, and accessories, all while sipping on a craft cocktail or coffee.

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.

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.

San Diego's largest weekend artisan market presents live music and local artists selling jewelry, paintings, photography, handblown glass, apparel, pottery, and decorative items. The San Diego Trolley's Old Town stop is two blocks north of the market.

The atmosphere is colorful, upbeat, and Mexico-centric at this eclectic market. Local artisans create some of the wares for sale, including everything from dolls and silver jewelry to gourmet foods, home-decor items, and apparel.

In La Jolla for nearly 40 years, Pomegranate pairs contemporary and antique jewelry with edgy and artistic fashions by American, European, and Asian designers.

The shoe shop carries its own house brand of Valentina Rangoni footwear, as well as handbags.

This luxurious boutique sells sexy and sophisticated swimsuits, beachwear, jewelry, and accessories for women, as well as swim trunks, surf shorts, and workout gear for men.

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 San Pasqual wine bar and bamboo clothing–maker Cariloha. While there, keep an eye out for Urban Girl Accessories to find an eclectic mix of clothing and gifts from name brands and local artisans, and stop by Village Hat Shop to browse their collection of 50,000 fedoras, bowlers, cowboy, and custom-embroidered hats. In addition to shopping, the village has views of the bay, fresh breezes, and great strolling paths. A hand-carved historic carousel and frequent public entertainment are among the attractions. Seaport Village is within walking distance of hotels, the San Diego Convention Center, and the San Diego Trolley.

Women seeking high-end European designer fashions and accessories love this shop's fine cashmere from Scotland, stylish classics from Italy and France, and sportswear from Herno.

Simón Limón doesn't have a large footprint, but what it lacks in square footage it more than makes up for with unique, colorful wares, showcasing independent, local Latinx artists from both San Diego and Tijuana. Humorous cards, stylish jewelry and t-shirts, skincare products and scented candles featuring printed affirmations are just some of the items on its shelves. 

This spacious warehouse bears the James Coffee logo on the front and the intoxicating scent of its pour-over brews inside, but the building houses considerably more than just the local coffee roaster. Its tenants include Home Ec, which sells kitchen goods and cookbooks; Specs Optometry; games-and-puzzles boutique Art of Play; and jewelry and housewares at Often Wander.

This indie boutique in South Park’s historic 30th & Fern building is filled with quirky art, jewelry, gifts, and clothing from emerging designers and artists using recycled or repurposed materials. This is a great place to pick up souvenirs if you’re into supporting local: 75% of the designers are from California.

This quaint little gallery brings a little edge to otherwise sleepy La Jolla, showing off some of the best lowbrow and street artists in the city. This is a great place to purchase something truly unique for a low price.

This festive "store of the kings" stocks Old Town's largest selection of Day of the Dead art, and carries sculpture, handbags, and glassware from Mexico and Peru.