You in all probability already know this historic district as a enjoyable vacation spot for day journeys and culturally immersive experiences. Nonetheless, for those who haven’t but explored the eclectic assortment Previous City San Diego retailers, you’re in for a deal with.
Distinctive presents with type. Meals gadgets to fulfill any palate. Kids’s toys, dwelling decor, blown glass, and colourful, one-of-a-kind presents to carry somebody cheer. Books that carry historical past alive. Attire that’s as elegant as it’s snug. You’ll discover these things and extra if you spend time sightseeing and procuring in what’s considered California’s birthplace.
Many of the Previous City San Diego shops listed under have concession agreements with the state-run Previous City State Historic Park. This implies you may see workers members wearing interval clothes and making concerted efforts to offer consumers a glimpse of life within the Mexican and early American durations of 1821 – 1872.
Because of this procuring in Previous City San Diego generally is a enjoyable a journey—a visit throughout cultures and time—and a possibility to search out the right treasures you’ll cherish nicely into the long run.
1. Sincere Thrift Studio
- 2609 Congress St, San Diego, CA 92110
- (619) 485-4674
- Wednesday – Saturday: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m
- Closed Sunday by way of Tuesday
- honestthrift.com
The store’s tagline, “Boutique finds at thrift store costs,” describes this place completely. Sincere Thrift Studio brings you stunning antiques and different nice finds inside a beautiful little nook that’s alive with an abundance of indoor crops, making a welcoming area.
To maximise the searching expertise, only some clients can are available in at one time. Inside, you’ll discover plant equipment (lots of the vibrant crops surrounding you’re additionally on the market), furnishings, décor, and extra. You’ll by no means know precisely what you’ll discover, however that’s simply a part of the enjoyable of this store.
Sincere Thrift Studio stands out as the coziest, cutest, and most eclectic thrift store ever. Cease in for a singular, intimate procuring expertise and chat with house owners who love what they do. Whenever you’re carried out procuring, go across the nook to the store house owners’ sister enterprise, Backyard Espresso, which is simply as vibrant.
2. Cousin’s Sweet Store
- 2711 San Diego Ave, San Diego, CA 92110
- (619) 297-2000
- Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Friday – Sunday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- cousinscandyshop.com
Housed inside certainly one of Previous City’s many historic buildings, Cousin’s Sweet Store is a paradise for each candy tooth in your loved ones. Inside you’ll discover candies of all shapes and flavors piled excessive in barrels, baskets, jars, bins, and instances. Strolling in, it feels such as you’ve stepped again in time to the 1800s, with workers wearing clothes typical of that period.
In case you love tender, creamy fudge, you’ll discover scrumptious varieties right here. Craving jelly beans? A self-serve station permits you to take pleasure in 49 totally different flavors.
Different tasty delights embody saltwater taffy, licorice, goodies, rock sweet, and nostalgic specialty candies you’ll be able to’t discover in common shops. Sugar-free candies are additionally offered, and the store makes a speciality of huckleberry merchandise, together with jams, syrups, fudge, and taffy.
The treats at Cousin’s Sweet Store are high-quality, with recent batches made every day. Baskets can be found for gift-giving, or you’ll be able to create your personal.
3. Toby’s Candles
- 2645 San Diego Ave, San Diego, CA 92110
- (619) 297-5426
- Monday – Sunday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- tobyscandles.com
Greater than a candle store, Toby’s Candles is a sensory expertise providing fragrant candles and scented soaps. This family-owned and operated store sells high quality candles handmade with love. The unique enterprise co-owner, Toby, was a college professor when she started practising the artwork of candle carving. This new ardour grew right into a full-time enterprise for her, with the remainder of the household becoming a member of in.
As one of many Previous City San Diego shops since 1992, Toby’s Candles immerses you in a peaceable, inventive ambiance as quickly as you enter. The workers is welcoming and useful whereas letting you browse freely at your personal tempo.
The store makes a speciality of kaleidoscope candle kits you’ll be able to take dwelling to make your self and handcrafted specialty candles that make great presents. Their bathe steamers are well-liked alternate options to tub bombs, offering an at-home spa expertise everytime you take a bathe.
4. El Centro Artesano
As Previous City’s largest pottery store, El Centro Artesano brings you nice concepts for including vibrant colours to your yard areas. With nice indoor and outside areas to browse, this store consists of a big outside courtyard with rows upon rows of Mexican pots of various sizes.
These things have distinctive, eye-catching designs painted by hand. To personalize your yard, you’ll additionally discover terracotta pots and numerous décor, together with solar faces, wind chimes, and eccentric sculptures.
Inside, the massive present store is brimming with worldwide merchandise for all ages. You’ll discover Día de los Muertos collectible figurines, wall décor, colourful gems, hanging chimes and suncatchers, jewellery, magnets, and extra. It’s an important place to search out distinctive, themed presents for pals and family.
El Centro Artesano supplies a singular procuring expertise for the entire household. Simply preserve little ones from operating by way of the courtyard and present store to keep away from breaking any fragile gadgets.
5. Rust Basic Retailer
- 2720 Calhoun St, San Diego, CA 92110
- (619) 295-7878
- Monday and Thursday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Friday – Sunday: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Closed Tuesday and Wednesday
- fb.com/RustGeneral
Rust Basic Retailer is a quaint, one-of-a-kind store with an old school really feel. Promoting gourmand meals and specialty gadgets, it serves as a normal retailer and a espresso store with an 1860s ambiance. I like this retailer for presents.
Along with searching for distinctive merchandise, you’ll be able to seize a cup of espresso or tea plus a chew to eat whereas taking a break within the enclosed outside seating space beneath massive shade timber.
It’s a enjoyable place to buy for those who get pleasure from discovering hard-to-locate meals stuff you ate if you have been a child, plus stuff you’ve by no means heard of however are recreation to strive not less than as soon as—every thing from lavender sweet to pickled quail eggs.
From the bistro part of Rust Basic Retailer, you’ll be able to order a beverage of your alternative—scorching, iced, or bottled—together with a snack or a candy deal with. Menu gadgets embody café mocha, chai latte, iced tea, Bavarian pretzel, mini panini sandwich, fresh-baked pastries, and ice cream.
6. Miner’s Gems and Minerals
- State Historic Park, 2616 San Diego Ave, San Diego, CA 92110
- (619) 688-1178
- Monday – Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- minersgemsandminerals.com
Whether or not you’re visiting this historic district only for enjoyable otherwise you’re right here to do some bona fide Previous City, San Diego procuring, Miner’s Gems and Minerals is a must-see. This geological treasure home comes with a extremely skilled workers that is aware of its stuff in gemology and mineralogy. It’s a museum and a store multi function.
In case you’re prepared to purchase a gem, you’ll discover top-quality specimens on the market right here. The shop sells polished gems, together with items that may be fitted into jewellery, together with crystals, tough stones, and even fossils.
A visit to Miner’s Gems and Minerals may be academic for the entire household. Whereas the children try wooly mammoth hair and fragments of raptor eggs, the adults can admire stunning bicolor tourmaline extracted from San Diego’s personal Himalaya Mine—do you know our county has a number of energetic gem mines? You’ll be taught much more if you go to this store.
7. Kosay Kumeyaay Market
- 85472 Calhoun St, San Diego, CA 92110
- (442) 899-8051
- Friday – Sunday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Closed Monday – Thursday
- kumeyaaymarket.com
Lengthy earlier than the Spaniards got here to the area, the Kumeyaay lived right here. They have been the primary folks to settle in what’s now San Diego, protecting a large space from Ensenada to Oceanside.
Kosay Kumeyaay Market pays tribute to the unique folks of this space by that includes conventional art work created by expert artists. Kosay Village was the title of what’s now referred to as Previous City, San Diego.
Purchasing right here, you’ll discover genuine arts and crafts made by members of the Yuman teams of Native American origin, together with numerous communities of the Kumeyaay, Cucapah, Kiliwa, Pai Pai, and Cochimi Nations.
Buying from this market helps help artisans in Mexico and the U.S. and teaches you one thing in regards to the cultures that lived right here way back—and proceed to reside within the area at this time.
Carry dwelling an genuine, handmade masterpiece from Kosay Kumeyaay Market—it’ll add a lot to your residing areas whereas serving as a reminder of the cultures which have been right here since lengthy earlier than San Diego was included.
8. Fiesta de Reyes
- 2754 Calhoun St, San Diego, CA 92110
- (619) 297-3100
- Monday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Friday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Saturday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Sunday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- fiestadereyes.com
Previous City, San Diego additionally has a number of bigger procuring zones, every with its personal assortment of retailers value visiting. With 19 domestically owned retailers, Fiesta de Reyes is certainly one of these marketplaces. Whereas perusing right here, remember to cease in these nice shops.
Geppetto’s Toys
Discover traditional toys that encourage creativity: puppets, puzzles, video games, development units, arts and crafts, books, and way more. Geppetto’s is a high quality toy retailer that’s been in San Diego for over 40 years.
Tienda de Reyes
That includes Mexican folks artwork and Day of the Useless merchandise, this thrilling present store presents a big choice of enjoyable souvenirs, festive housewares, and colourful clothes.
The Loopy Pepper
Whether or not you want your salsa scorching or delicate, step into this store for a few of the most flavorful condiments round. Browse the vast choice of salsas, scorching sauces, BBQ sauces, and extra.
9. Previous City Market
With over 40 retailers and eating places in a single place, Previous City Market is a historic indoor and outside market that may draw you in with its colourful choices and vibrant ambiance. Take a look at these retailers.
Better of Previous City
You’ll discover fantastically crafted wares and clothes from Ecuador, Peru, and Guatemala, together with ponchos, blankets, sandals, and purses.
D&O Imports
See the genuine Vietnamese souvenirs offered right here, together with stunning metallic artwork designs, different handmade items, and all kinds of Asian imports.
Mi Casa Es Mi Casa
It’s a veritable fiesta with all of the colourful, genuine Mexican gadgets on show, from maracas and piñatas to festive margarita glasses. Seize a scrumptious Mexican soda when you’re right here.
10. Bazaar del Mundo
- 4133 Taylor St, San Diego, CA 92110
- (619) 296-3161
- Monday – Sunday: 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- bazaardelmundoshops.com
No Previous City, San Diego procuring expertise is full with out a go to to the Bazaar del Mundo. Right here’s the place you’ll discover a few of the greatest one-of-a-kind presents for your self and others. Benefit from the shiny, cheerful setting and nice locations to buy, like these.
Artes de Mexico
Fastidiously chosen gadgets make this retailer a pleasure to buy in. You’ll discover Oaxacan hand-carved wood animals, Huichol beaded artwork, hand-painted Talavera ceramics, and way more.
Guatemala Store
Uncover treasures and exquisite textiles from Guatemala. This store brings you conventional Latin American crafts, together with ceramic figures, rain sticks, Peruvian artwork, Guatemalan materials, and distinctive toys.
Kitchen Store
In case you’re prepared to show your kitchen into the colourful coronary heart of your property, cease by the Kitchen Store for stunning dishware and kitchen décor. You’ll additionally discover an important choice of cookbooks and mouthwatering Mexican spices, soup mixes, and preserves.
The place do you wish to buy groceries in Previous City San Diego?