Discover San Diego in 5 Shops: Mid-Century Decor, Locally Made Gifts, and More

In our series featuring 5 Shops, we’ll guide you to our favorite independent retailers in some of the world's most vibrant cities. From bustling food markets and charming bookshops to vintage finds and unique design stores, we’ve curated a diverse selection of local shops where you can discover one-of-a-kind treasures.

San Diego is synonymous with sunshine, stunning coastlines, and abundant palm trees.

The city’s allure has also given rise to a talented community of creators, producers, and designers who offer an array of vintage and contemporary items. Here are my top picks for unique souvenirs, gifts, and original finds throughout the city, based on my years as a San Diego local.

Top Souvenir Spot: Sea Hive Station

Located in Liberty Station, Sea Hive Station boasts over 150 vendors offering a variety of vintage and handmade items. Many products come from local artisans, such as single-origin honey varieties from the San Diego Honey Company, including orange and avocado blossom, along with artisanal infusions like habanero and lavender. You can also find upcycled picture frames and planters from Reclaimed Goodness, stunning turquoise jewelry from La Huera Designs, and fashionable wool and straw hats from Laura Vega Millinery. I'm especially attracted to the vibrant kimonos and caftans from Sarong Social Club, featuring tropical prints perfect for brunch or the beach.

Best for Vintage Finds: Bad Madge & Co.

Visit Bad Madge & Co. in the South Park neighborhood of San Diego for a treasure trove of mid-century items, as well as select pieces from the '80s and '90s. The store features an array of products, including glassware, ceramic lamps, dresses, scarves, and the occasional lava lamp. Owner Tanya McAnear, with her background in fashion education and runway production, expertly curates a collection of vintage lifestyle goods for both home and wardrobe. I'm always captivated by the vintage dressers and consoles that seamlessly blend style and timelessness.

While exploring South Park, enjoy a design-focused stroll; admiring the charming craftsman-style homes in the area is as rewarding as the finds at Bad Madge. Make a day of it by checking out neighboring contemporary shops like Thread + Seed for maxi dresses and denim jackets, and Gold Leaf for swimwear, children’s apparel, accessories, paper products, and more.

Top Design Spot: Moniker General

At Moniker General, discover flowy rompers from Rhythm, stylish basics from Banks Journal, Raen sunglasses, and the store's signature soy-wax candles in irresistible scents like coconut and amber, or palm leaves and sea salt. They also offer art prints and notepads crafted from sustainable paper by Wilde House Paper, perfect for gifting.

In addition to shopping, this space doubles as a coffee shop and cocktail bar, with ample seating making it ideal for working on a laptop. In the evenings, Moniker General hosts live music, comedy acts, and other community events. You can find it at Liberty Station (just next to Sea Hive Station), a former naval training center now bustling with shops, dining, and performing arts.

Top Food Market: Little Italy Mercato

Claimed to be the largest farmers market in San Diego, the six-block-long Little Italy Mercato on Saturdays is a vibrant event. Arrive early (before 11 am) to explore and select a colorful array of fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms such as Gilbert and Lee Farm, Gaytan Family Farm, and Indian Summer Farms. Additionally, the Mercato offers fresh flowers, eggs, nuts, olive oil, and ready-to-eat items, including dips and spreads from Brothers Products and baked goods like cinnamon rolls from Milk & Honey Bakery.

Seasonally, I’m on the hunt for sweet, delicate figs at one stall, looking for goat cheese at another, and picking up fresh bread from local artisans like Hommage Bakehouse. And if I happen to stroll by Maya’s vegan cookies, I can't resist grabbing a chocolate chip one.

Top Bookshop: Home Ec

Although Home Ec isn’t exclusively a bookstore, it boasts one of the largest collections of cookbooks in San Diego, nestled within a vibrant culinary wonderland. The cookbooks share space with kitchen and garden supplies, including eco-friendly products like beeswax food wraps, versatile cleaning cloths, bento boxes, and market totes.

During a recent visit to escape an unusual rain shower in San Diego, I was thrilled to spot many familiar titles, such as Samin Nosrat’s Salt Fat Acid Heat and local author Nicole Ponseca’s I Am a Filipino. Home Ec also acts as a hub for local edible treats, offering everything from empanadas to cakes. Established in 2019, Home Ec is located within the warehouse-like setting of James Coffee Co. in Little Italy.