Shopping · San Diego · United States
Shopping in San Diego
Shopping streets, markets and souvenirs worth the suitcase space.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
San Diego shopping leans casual: surf shops, open-air malls, vintage stores and farmers' markets rather than luxury streets. Sales tax is added at the register. Best souvenirs: Surf gear and apparel, Craft beer and Mexican crafts.
Key facts
- Shopping areas
- 5
- Markets
- 3
- Top souvenir
- Surf gear and apparel
Where to shop
Little Italy
Design shops, delis and home-goods boutiques on India Street and Kettner Boulevard.
Ocean Beach
Antique malls, surf shops and record stores along Newport Avenue.
La Jolla
Galleries, jewellery and fashion boutiques along Prospect Street and Girard Avenue.
Fashion Valley
A large open-air mall in Mission Valley with department stores and a trolley stop.
Liberty Station
Arts district and shops in the restored Naval Training Center buildings in Point Loma.
Markets
Little Italy Mercato
Large Saturday farmers' market on Date Street with produce, flowers, bread and prepared food.
Tuna Harbor Dockside Market
Saturday-morning fish market where local fishermen sell their catch straight from the boats.
Ocean Beach farmers' market
Wednesday afternoon market on Newport Avenue with food stalls and local crafts.
What to buy
Surf gear and apparel
Local surf shops sell boards, wetsuits and branded T-shirts from San Diego labels.
Craft beer
Cans and bottles from local breweries; many tasting rooms sell to take away.
Mexican crafts
Talavera pottery, papel picado and folk art from the shops around Old Town.
Local hot sauce and salsa
San Diego-made salsas and hot sauces sold at farmers' markets and specialty shops.
Streets and markets worth a wander
Neighbourhood · Little Italy
Little Italy
India Street and its cross streets hold delis, gelato shops and restaurant patios, and the Saturday Little Italy Mercato is one of the city's largest farmers' markets, with local produce, flowers and food stalls stretching along Date Street.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Free
- Shopping
Food and drink to take home
Edible souvenirs travel best when they are dry or sealed: consider Rolled tacos and West Coast IPA. Taco shops citywide and Mexican restaurants around Old Town. Check your home country's rules on bringing food and drink back.
Shopping by neighbourhood
| Area | Price level | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Little Italy | $$$ | Restaurant terraces, a Saturday farmers' market and harbour views along India Street |
| La Jolla | $$$$ | Clifftop village, sea lions on the rocks and boutiques on Prospect Street |
| Coronado | $$$$ | Wide sandy beach, the Hotel del Coronado and a calm small-town main street |
| Pacific Beach | $$ | Boardwalk, surf schools and beach bars along Garnet Avenue |
| Ocean Beach | $$ | Laid-back surf town with a long concrete pier, dog beach and Newport Avenue antiques |
| North Park | $$ | Craft-beer bars, vintage shops and coffee roasters on University Avenue and 30th Street |
| Old Town and Mission Valley | $$ | Historic adobes, Mexican restaurants and the Hotel Circle chain hotels |
Paying and bargaining
Prices are in USD. Tipping is expected: about 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars, about 15–20% for taxis and rideshares, and a few dollars per night for housekeeping.
- Taco shops and happy hours are the best-value meals in the city.
When to shop
Shops and markets are quietest in January–February and November; the busiest months are July–August.
- June: San Diego County Fair at Del Mar (usually June to early July)
Staying near the shops
Questions travellers ask
+What should I buy in San Diego?
Surf gear and apparel, Craft beer, Mexican crafts and Local hot sauce and salsa.
+Where is the best shopping in San Diego?
Little Italy: Design shops, delis and home-goods boutiques on India Street and Kettner Boulevard.
+What are the best markets in San Diego?
Little Italy Mercato, Tuna Harbor Dockside Market and Ocean Beach farmers' market.