Markets and independent shops in San Diego

24 markets, bookshops, record shops and makers in San Diego.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

BuyBalboa Park-Hillcrest
Blue Stocking Books & Bindery
An excellent independent bookstore specializing in rare and out-of-print books.
Fri-Mon 11AM-9:30PM, Tue Thu 11AM-7PM
BuyPoint Loma-Ocean Beach
Downwind Marine
Boating materials, supplies, and equipment are available here.
BuyOld Town-Mission Valley
Fashion Valley
Nearly 200 stores and restaurants, including several department stores and a movie theater.
Mon-Sat 10AM-9PM, Sun 11AM-7PM
BuyOld Town-Mission Valley
Fiesta de Reyes
A group of shops and restaurants operated by Delaware North, which runs concessions in other National Parks. Strolling musicians and beautiful flowers greet guests and there are often special (free) activities for children.
BuyMid-City
Folk Arts Rare Records
Established in 1967, Folk Arts Rare Records specializes in folk and country, but has a great variety of styles and genres in stock (from Surf to Pop, Blues to Metal, Zydeco to Rock).
Tue-Sat 10AM-6PM
BuyOld Town-Mission Valley
Hazard Center
Much smaller than the big centers in the valley, but with a nice assortment of shops nevertheless.
BuyOld Town-Mission Valley
Johnson House
Victorian hats, related books, and jewelry in a 1869 style house.
BuyPoint Loma-Ocean Beach
Karen’s Consignment Gallery
The place to go for silver, crystal, china, oriental rugs and lamps, and has been highly rated since opening day.
BuyPoint Loma-Ocean Beach
Newport Avenue Antiques
Well known amongst antique collectors for the range of antique lighting and cigar and smoking accessories.
BuyMission Beach-Pacific Beach
Pangea Outpost
Boutique and gift shop filled with shirts, books, home decorations, and art. The store is organized into small sections that have their own theme and specialties featuring local San Diego artists.
BuyOld Town-Mission Valley
Racine and Laramie
Gorgeous reconstruction of San Diego's first tobacco store. Offers a variety of historically related gifts, gentlemen's accessories, marbles and harmonicas for children, historic photos, knives, and of course tobacco, pipes, and cigars.
BuyPoint Loma-Ocean Beach
Seabreeze Nautical Books
A lot of boating products here, like navigational charts, sailing guides, plotting tools, and nautical-themed books and gifts.
Mon-Sat 10AM-6PM, Sun 10AM-4PM
BuyDowntown
Seaport Fudge Factory
Gorgeous shop with very well priced and excellent chocolates. All candies are made fresh daily on premises.
BuyDowntown
Seaport Village
A shopping and dining complex overlooking the bay, with a recreated historic "seaside village" look. Nearly 70 shops and restaurants and an antique carousel.
Daily 10AM-9PM
BuyMid-City
Verbatim Books
Beautiful used bookstore with a great selection. Highlights include many vintage series and magazines, ornamental books, political zines, a large collection of classic children's chapter books and YA novels, and a large and eclectic foreign-language section.
Sun Mon Wed Thu 10AM-6PM, Tue 12-6PM, Fri Sat 10AM-7PMOn the expensive side for a used bookstore - many books are $6-20; more for rare or high-end books
BuyLa Jolla
Warwick's Books
Independent bookstore with books, gifts, stationary, and author events.
BuyOld Town-Mission Valley
Westfield Mission Valley
Over 150 stores and restaurants, including a movie theater and the large Seau's sports restaurant.
Mon-Sat 10AM-9PM, Sun 11AM-6PM
BuyLa Jolla
Westfield UTC
formerly University Towne Center
An outdoor shopping mall just outside of La Jolla, in the University City area. Basically anything you'd find in your average suburban shopping mall with the addition of an ice skating rink, called Ice Town.
Mon-Fri 10AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-8PM, Sun 11AM-7PM (individual store hours vary)
BuyOld Town-Mission Valley
Cousin's Candy Shop
Taffy made on the premises.
BuyBalboa Park-Hillcrest
Footnote Books
Premium out-of-print books and ephemera.
Mon Wed-Sat 10:30AM-8PM, Sun 11AM-5PM, Tue closed
BuySan Ysidro
Las Americas Premium Outlets
An outlet center with around 125 stores and restaurants.
BuyOld Town-Mission Valley
Lowery's Hot Glass
Hand blown glass art made on premises.
BuyMid-City
Replay Toys Boutique
Huge range of new, used, and vintage toys.
10AM–10PM daily
BuyMid-City
The Book Catapult
Small but very well curated bookstore.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to San Diego (CC BY-SA 4.0).