Community Gift Guide: 4 must-shop places in Chula Vista this holiday season

For an afternoon of shopping in the South Bay, with choices for lunch or dinner, there is Chula Vista’s downtown scene on Third Avenue.

From E Street to H Street, there are clothing stores, jewelry shops, artists’ handmade goods, a record store and a home decor shop. Plus shoppers can stop at a variety of Mexican restaurants, breweries and sports bars to grab lunch or dinner, after a few hours of walking and snatching up gifts.

Here are four small businesses to visit.

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. The shop sells woven bags, tote bags, backpacks, puzzles, board games, stickers, greeting cards and piñatas. There is also wearable gear, including hats, shirts, necklaces and bracelets. For book lovers, there are numerous options for children and young adults on a wide range of subjects from Hispanic heritage and feminism, to Japanese animation and romance novels. Plus, for Monchhichi fans, there are toys in various sizes of the Japanese monkey character. There is even a mural at the front of El Cholos Kid, for selfies and group pictures while customers shop. 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. There are small tables with different styles of handmade table covers for sale. There are also wooden cabinet displays with tea sets, plates and mugs. On shelves around the walls, find aprons, oven mitts and chair covers. In addition, customers can find unique gifts to decorate their home, such as miniature statues, baskets and vases. 242 Third Ave., Chula Vista. 619-691-1347, instagram.com/mycupofteauniquegifts

Tender Hooligan

Listening bars and cafes have grown in popularity around the county, and one example is 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. There are all types of genres of music for sale: hip-hop, pop, Latin, electronic and other styles imported from overseas. Tender Hooligans also sells coffee and specialty drinks, craft beer, wine and serves sandwiches and rice bowls, with seating at the bar or at lounge tables. 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. There is an area for sporting goods, including jerseys and caps, leather and jean jackets, baggy pants, screen-printed shirts and shoes. Plus, there is a small section where customers can find rare tapes, compact discs and records. Upright Citizen is small and dark, but without the smell of an old, dusty traditional thrift store. The staff is super helpful, and most of the merchandise for sale is clean and well-maintained, ready to wear right out of the store. 257 Third Ave., Chula Vista. 619-857-3770, instagram.com/uprightcitizen_vtg