40 local shops in San Diego County to visit for holiday gifts

by Abby Hamblin, Carlos Rico, Michael James Rocha, Jayne Yutig

Looking to find some holiday gifts without the endless scrolling?

Sometimes it takes looking around in person to find the perfect thing. These local shops provide so many ideas for gifts that they should help with even the most difficult person to shop for.

And because they’re neighborhood stores, many of them are near coffee shops, restaurants and bars that can turn any shopping trip into a lovely morning or afternoon.

Here are some options for holiday shopping from across San Diego County.

Barrio Logan

Art Hub: What is so distinctive about the Art Hub is that it’s a building filled with small studio spaces where over a dozen local artists create art pieces and sell their products and services. 2151 Logan Ave., San Diego. instagram.com/arthubmakers

Beat Box Records: Beat Box Records is a music lover’s paradise. This music shop contains numerous rows of organized new and used vinyl records, cassette tapes and compact discs that can most likely please any music aficionado. 2148 Logan Ave., San Diego. 619-306-4493, instagram.com/beatbox_records

Libélula Books & Co: A community hub filled with walls of books from Black, Indigenous, People of Color and LGBTQ+ authors can be found at Libélula Books & Co. 950 South 26th St., San Diego. 619-775-4040, libelulabooksandco.com

Sand Sandals: For those looking for women’s and children’s clothes and shoes from Mexican artists, there is Sand Sandals. The shop says it works closely with Mexican clothing and shoe makers and carries their artwork in the store for purchase. 2229 Logan Ave., San Diego. 619-829-4074, sandsandals.net

Chula Vista

El Cholos Kid: El Cholos Kid is a bright, colorful gift shop filled with handmade goods from Mexico and local artists and products imported from Japan. 282 Third Ave., Suite A, Chula Vista. 619-500-3685, elcholoskid.com

My Cup of Tea Unique Gifts: For shoppers of home decor and distinctive handmade gifts, there is My Cup of Tea Unique Gifts. As you walk into the shop, it feels like a cottage in a rural neighborhood in Europe. 242 Third Ave., Chula Vista. 619-691-1347, instagram.com/mycupofteauniquegifts

Tender Hooligan: This business has a record shop inside with a decent selection of vinyl records, with most under $20, and new music, with some selling closer to $50. 221 Third Ave. Suite 101, Chula Vista. 619-816-3556, instagram.com/tenderhooligancv

Upright Citizen: A second-hand store with treasured throwback clothes, shoes, hats and accessories, Upright Citizen is well-organized and divided by clothing styles. 257 Third Ave., Chula Vista. 619-857-3770, instagram.com/uprightcitizen_vtg

Coronado

Small Batch: It’s just a fun store, with a colorful, festive and sometimes-kitschy inventory — everything from candles and soaps to jewelry and books. 8332 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa. 619-467-7429, smallbatchstore.com

Amethyst Moon: Whether you’re looking for tarot cards, smudge sticks, dream catchers or crystals, Amethyst Moon more than likely will have what you’re looking for. 8329 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa. (619) 464-6666, shopamethystmoon.com

Escondido

CoLabCrafts: Creatives and creators will love CoLabCrafts, which celebrates local craftspeople by selling their work, as well as hosting workshops for newbies who want to learn various artistic pursuits. Most of what’s sold here is from local makers and there are signs and cards displayed to share the story behind each person or company. 143 W. Grand Ave., Escondido. colabcrafts.com

Daydream: This shop doesn’t look like much from the outside, with a temporary-looking sign over the door, but inside it’s bursting with gift options from dozens of local businesses. If there’s only time for one shopping spot, Daydream provides some of the most variety of any store in the area. 227 E. Grand Ave., Escondido. daydreamhere.com

Nomad Adventures: Outdoors enthusiasts can find everything they can dream of using on their next trip at Nomad Adventures. A stop inside feels like an adventure of its own, with even a tiny rock wall available for climbers to test out shoes. 405 W. Grand Ave., Escondido. nomadventures.com

The Grand Tea Room: What better place is there for buying gifts for tea lovers than a gift shop that doubles as a tea room? Find specialized gifts for tea drinkers, including tea towels, tea cups and tea sets, salt and pepper shakers, jewelry and decor. There’s even tea kettles and loose leaf tea for sale, and everything looks like it’s made for a garden party. 145 W. Grand Ave., Escondido. thegrandtearoom.com

Customers could spend hours in the Warm Hearth, 2125 Main St., and still not see everything in its multiple rooms and levels full of gifts. (Abby Hamblin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Julian

Julian Pie Company: One of the biggest appeals of the Julian Pie Company, besides its delicious desserts, is a special to-go window for take-home pies. While there’s often a line for pie-lovers who want to sit and enjoy a piece, visiting shoppers can cut straight to the side of the building to a grab-and-go window just for them. 2225 Main Street, Julian. 760-765-2449, julianpie.com

The Olde Goat: Anyone looking to wow their friends and family with the uniqueness of their gifts could consider The Olde Goat. Sourced from a farm in Ramona, products for sale include lotion, laundry soap, fudge and butter made from goat milk. 2106 Main St., Julian. 858-204-4085, instagram.com/theoldegoatjulianca

The Old Julian Garage: This store is packed with so many items that it’s almost to the point of overwhelming, but that only increases the odds that shoppers will find what they need this holiday season. Inside, find options for music-lovers, people who go camping, fans of Tiki culture, friends and family members with beards and kids who are obsessed with cars, among other people on this year’s list. 2126 Main St., Julian. 760-765-0665, oldjuliangarage.weebly.com

The Warm Hearth: It’s not an exaggeration to say that shoppers can spend hours in The Warm Hearth. After looking around the main level, they will find that the shop expands to multiple levels and rooms and is more like the size of an antique mall. There is an astounding amount of merchandise at The Warm Hearth, but it is still a pleasant place to peruse. 2125 Main St., Julian. 760-765-1022, warmhearthgifts.com

La Jolla

Au Savon De Provence: This is your destination for handmade and authentically French bath and home goods. Here you’ll find walls lined with vibrantly colored and scented bars of soap, with aromas ranging from vetiver to crushed lemon. 935 Prospect St., La Jolla. ausavondeprovence.com

Sweet Paper: Inside this store, known for its custom stationery and invitations, you’ll find gifts perfectly curated for the more aesthetically inclined loved ones in your life. The large store sells neutral-colored, scented candles labeled “Botanical Garden” and “La Jolla,” monogrammed tote bags and an entire collection of creative planners and office supplies. 7660 Fay Ave., La Jolla. sweet-paper.com

Oh Goodies: If you’re visiting San Diego, La Jolla is one of the region’s tourist destinations that can’t be missed. This souvenir shop is the perfect place to find an affordable gift and keepsake for your out-of-town visitor. 955 Prospect St., La Jolla.

Warwick’s: One of San Diego County’s favorite bookshops for generations, Warwick’s remains the go-to store in La Jolla for the bookworm in your life. Warwick’s is a place where you can check off multiple people on your holiday shopping list, from calendars and bestsellers to cookbooks and children’s books. 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. warwicks.com

La Mesa

Maxwell’s House of Books: Home to tens of thousands of books, this small shop has a mighty collection that will make bibliophiles wonder if they’d died and gone to book heaven. Offering obscure titles, first editions and everything in between, Maxwell’s has been a popular destination for book lovers since 2003. 8285 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa. 619-462-3387, maxwellshouseofbooks.com

Small Batch: You know you’ve found something special when you walk into a store, and it makes you smile. Small Batch, a fun little store in the middle of town, does exactly that. It’s just a fun store, with a colorful, festive and sometimes-kitschy inventory — everything from candles and soaps to jewelry and books. 8332 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa. 619-467-7429, smallbatchstore.com

Re-Animated Records: Just a few doors down is Re-Animated Records, which bills itself as a “mom-and-pop shop” that specializes in used records and horror movies in all formats. For music lovers, the store is bursting at the seams with vinyl records, CDs, cassette tapes and more, with genres ranging from jazz, rock and pop to blues, reggae and classical. 8320 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa. 619-825-8363, reanimatedrecords.com

Amethyst Moon: Whether you’re looking for tarot cards, smudge sticks, dream catchers or crystals, Amethyst Moon more than likely will have what you’re looking for. The 2,200-square-foot gift shop in the heart of downtown La Mesa is a must, especially as you’re checking things off your holiday shopping list. 8329 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa. (619) 464-6666, shopamethystmoon.com

People walk inside of the Liberty Public Market Nov. 9, 2025 in San Diego, Calif. (Photo by Denis Poroy)

Liberty Station

Apricot Yarn & Supply: This is a no-frills shop with just a good selection of yarns and knitting accessories. Apricot Yarn & Supply is a place for those who like to make their own clothes, blankets and accessories. 2690 Historic Decatur Road #101, San Diego. 619-223-3603, apricotyarn.com

Kai & Skye Boutique: Inside the Liberty Public Market, there are a few shops in between the food pop-ups. One is Kai & Skye Boutique. It offers a wide variety of inexpensive jewelry like $24 rings, $28 earrings and $30 necklaces. 2820 Historic Decatur Road, San Diego. kaiandskye.com

Pigment: This boutique-looking home goods store is filled with seasonal items for plant lovers and clothing and accessories for women and children. 2885 Perry Road, San Diego. 619-795-6300, shoppigment.com

Sea Hive Station: Visitors to the Sea Hive Station can shop among 60 independent businesses. Sea Hive is a large warehouse that is divided into small stations and pop-up shops. 2750 Dewey Road #103, San Diego. 619-310-5099, seahivestation.com

North Park

Artelexia: Visitors can get the sense of going to a market in Mexico, without leaving San Diego. This is what Artelexia is painting with Mexican-inspired products for sale and the mural of Frida Kahlo on the wall that makes for a good spot for selfies and group pictures. 3803 Ray St., San Diego. 619-501-6381, artelexia.com

Day to Day Vintage: For a traditional thrift shop vibe with a slight smell of stuffiness and a wide range of used apparel, there is Day to Day Vintage. 3063 University Ave., San Diego. 858-218-6795, daytodayvintage.com

Dexter’s Deli: Dexter’s Deli has many ways to buy a four-legged friend something special, from dog cakes and chew toys to bandanas and collars. 3773 30th St., San Diego, 619-738-8677, dextersdeli.com

Replay Toys Boutique: Some might say shopping at Replay Toys Boutique is like being a kid in a candy store for those who find happiness in vintage toys and action figures. This toy and collectors’ shop is jam-packed with new and used items for sale, from the last 40-plus years. 2948 University Ave., San Diego. 619-294-5904, replaytoysboutique.com

South Park

Bad Madge: Stepping into Bad Madge & Co. feels like stepping inside a house pulled straight out of the 1950s or 60s, in a good way. Where some vintage stores feel overcrowded and overpriced, Bad Madge offers gifts that are thoughtfully displayed and sold in a wide price range. 2205 Fern St., San Diego. jennafergracecollection.com

Moon & Sun: Though this business got its start in Mission Hills, its second location brings a lovely dose of whimsy to South Park. Moon & Sun has such great gift options for kids that even people who don’t spend much time around them should have no problem finding something for the little ones in their lives. 3022 Juniper St., San Diego. moonandsunstudio.com

Vinyl Junkies Record Shack: If shoppers typically feel overwhelmed in record stores, they won’t have to worry about that at Vinyl Junkies Record Shack. Spread out across three different indoor and outdoor spaces, the vinyl here is displayed with impeccable labeling and organization. 2235 Fern St., San Diego. vinyljunkies.net

The Book Catapult: For the readers in the family or friend group, a stop by The Book Catapult is an easy gift solution. Find here the latest releases from the biggest names in writing and publishing, but also puzzles, pens, totes, candles, notebooks and other literary bits and bobs. 3010-b Juniper St., San Diego. thebookcatapult.com

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Andre Hobbs

San Diego Broker | The Hobbs Valor Group | License ID: 01485241

+1(619) 349-5151