Shopping

Whether you're looking for a souvenir, a gift, or a quick replacement for an item inadvertently left at home, you'll find no shortage of stores in San Diego. This is, after all, Southern California, where looking good is a high priority and shopping in sunny outdoor malls is a way of life.

The Shopping Scene

Okay, so San Diegans have embraced the suburban shopping mall with vigor. Many do the bulk of their shopping at two massive complexes in Mission Valley where every possible need is represented; downtown has even adopted the mall concept at whimsical Horton Plaza.

Local neighborhoods, on the other hand, offer specialty shopping that meets the needs -- and mirrors the personality -- of that part of town. For example, hip Hillcrest and Uptown neighborhoods are the place to go for offbeat boutiques, while conservative La Jolla offers many upscale traditional shops, especially jewelers. And don't forget that Mexico is only 20 minutes away; tiendas (stores) in Tijuana, Rosarito Beach, and Ensenada stock colorful crafts perfectly suited to the California lifestyle. Visitors head across the border each weekend in search of bargains and cheap margaritas.

Sales tax in San Diego is 7.75%, and savvy out-of-state shoppers have larger items shipped directly home at the point of purchase, avoiding the tax.

The Top Shopping Neighborhoods

Downtown, the Gaslamp & Little Italy -- Space is at a premium in the Gaslamp Quarter, and high rents have led to the influx of deep-pocketed chains and brand names, such as Adidas, 925 Fifth Ave. (tel. 619/615-0287; www.shopadidas.com), Urban Outfitters, 665 Fifth Ave. (tel. 619/231-0102; www.urbanoutfitters.com), Quiksilver, 402 Fifth Ave. (tel. 619/234-3125; www.quiksilver.com), and G-Star, 470 Fifth Ave. (tel. 619/238-7088; www.g-star.com). A few intrepid boutiques can still be found among the big retailers and the area's multitudinous eateries, though.

For hip and glamorous women's clothing and a great selection of jewelry, Villa Moda, 363 Fifth Ave. (tel. 619/236-9068; www.villamoda.com), is a Gaslamp standout; men get in on the fashion action at Buzz, 630 10th Ave. (tel. 619/269-3764; www.buzzclothing.com). Bubbles Boutique, 226 Fifth Ave. (tel. 619/236-9003; www.bubblesboutique.com), is where you'll find all manner of handmade soap products, from Mary Jane hemp soap bars to banana shake-flavored bath "bombs."

You can spoil your little ones with some new threads from the children's store Pout, 701 Eighth Ave. (tel. 619/255-6506; www.poutychild.com); or pamper your pooch with something from Lucky Dog Pet Boutique, 557 Fourth Ave. (tel. 619/696-0364; www.shopluckydog.com), where you'll find supplies swank and chic: collars, snacks, soaps, and bowls. Kita Ceramics & Glassware, 517 Fourth Ave. (tel. 619/231-9902; www.kitaceramicsglass.com), stocks fine Japanese pottery and colorful Italian glass products. Although it can be found in many cities, Design Within Reach, 393 Seventh Ave. (tel. 619/744-9900; www.dwr.com), is just too cool to pass by. DWR offers modern furniture and accessories from names like Knoll, Miller, and Eames.

You can continue your search for serious art, design, and home furnishings in Little Italy. The conglomeration of cool stores and galleries along Kettner Boulevard and India Street, from Laurel to Date streets, has become known as the Art & Design District (TADD). Throughout the year, TADD throws Friday evening open-house parties known as Kettner Nights; for information call tel. 619/702-7777 or go to www.taddsd.com. Among the district's highlights are DNA European Design Studio (tel. 619/235-6882; www.dna-sd.com), Mixture (tel. 619/239-4788; www.misturedesigns.com), and Disegno Italiano (tel. 619/515-0191; www.disegno-italiano.biz) for modern furnishings and accessories; and David Zapf Gallery (tel. 619/232-5004) and Scott White Contemporary Art (tel. 619/501-5689; www.scottwhiteart.com), two of the city's most prominent galleries.

Hillcrest & Uptown -- Compact Hillcrest is an ideal shopping destination. As the hub of San Diego's gay and lesbian community, swank inspiration and chic housewares rule. There are plenty of establishments selling cool trinkets, used books, vintage clothing, and memorabilia, and of course, bakeries and cafes. You'll also find a plethora of modestly priced globe-hopping dining options, too.

There's no defined zone in which shops are found, so you may as well start at the neighborhood's axis, the busy intersection of University and Fifth avenues. From this corner the greatest concentration of boutiques spreads for 1 or 2 blocks in each direction, but farther east on University -- between 10th Avenue and Vermont Street -- you'll find another aggregation of good options, especially in the home furnishing category. Pomegranate Home, 1037 University Ave. (tel. 619/220-0225; www.pomegranate.signonsandiego.com), has got you covered for modern home accessories; Co-Habitat, 1433 University Ave. (tel. 619/688-1390; www.cohabitathome.com), has colorful decor and textiles from India; and fun Ace Hardware, 1007 University Ave. (tel. 619/291-5988; www.hillcresthardware.com), has much more than just nuts and bolts. Across the street from Ace is a small shopping complex where the highlight is the contemporary clothing store Studio 1220, 1220 Cleveland Ave. (tel. 619/220-7344; www.studio1220.com).

Street parking is available; most meters run 2 hours and devour quarters at a rate of one every 12 minutes, so be armed with plenty of change. You can also park in a lot -- rates vary, but you'll come out ahead if you're planning to stroll for several hours.

If you're looking for postcards or provocative gifts, step into wacky Babette Schwartz, 421 University Ave. (tel. 619/220-7048; www.babette.com), a pop-culture emporium named for a local drag queen, and located under the can't-miss HILLCREST street sign. You'll find books, clothing, and kitsch accessories. A couple of doors away, Cathedral, 435 University Ave. (tel. 619/296-4046; www.cathedralsd.com), is stocked with candles of all scents and shapes, plus unusual holders.

If all this walking is wearing a hole in your shoes, you can get a pair of urban-fabulous sneakers at Mint, 525 University Ave. (tel. 619/291-6468). Headgear -- from straw hats to knit caps to classy fedoras -- fills the Village Hat Shop, 3821 Fourth Ave. (tel. 619/683-5533; www.villagehatshop.com), whose best feature may be its minimuseum of stylishly displayed vintage hats.

Lovers of rare and used books will want to poke around the used bookstores on Fifth Avenue, between University and Robinson avenues. Though their number has decreased with the advent of online shopping, you can always find something to pique your interest. This block is also home to Wear It Again Sam, 3823 Fifth Ave., north of Robinson (tel. 619/299-0185; www.wearitagainsamvintage.com). This classy step back in time sells quality vintage clothing -- for both men and women -- from the 1920s through the '50s.

To the north and east of Hillcrest are the neighborhoods of University Heights and North Park, which are brimming with boutiques. You'll find independent-minded clothing stores like Neighbourhood, 4496 Park Blvd. (tel. 619/296-2100; www.neighbourhoodboutique.com) and Kate Ross, 3013 University Ave. (tel. 619/688-1088; www.shopkateross.com), as well as unusual gift stores like Vintage Religion, 3821 32nd St. (tel. 619/280-8408; www.vintagereligion.com), selling jewelry, apparel, and collectibles inspired by global religions and cultures.

Running east from where Park Boulevard t-bones Adams Avenue, is Adams Avenue Antique Row. It doesn't have the concentration of antique stores it once had, but along with vintage-clothing boutiques and dusty used book and record shops, there are plenty of coffeehouses, pubs, and small restaurants to enliven the excursion. The district stretches a couple miles from Arizona Street to Normal Heights, so it's best tackled by car. For more information and an area brochure with a map, contact the Adams Avenue Business Association (tel. 619/282-7329; www.adamsaveonline.com).

Old Town & Mission Valley -- Old Town State Historic Park features restored historic sites and adobe structures, a number of which now house shops that cater to tourists. Many have a "general-store" theme and carry gourmet treats and inexpensive Mexican crafts alongside the obligatory T-shirts, baseball caps, and other San Diego-emblazoned souvenirs. Plaza del Pasado, 2754 Calhoun St. (tel. 619/297-3100; www.plazadelpasado.com), maintains the park's old Californio theme, and features nearly a dozen specialty shops, and three restaurants. Costumed employees, special events and activities, and strolling musicians add to the festive flavor. There's also plenty of shopping outside the park.

Mission Valley is home to two giant malls (Fashion Valley and Mission Valley), with more than enough stores to satisfy any shopper, and free parking--both can be reached via San Diego Trolley from downtown. Book lovers will find local outposts of Barnes & Noble, 7610 Hazard Center Dr. (tel. 619/220-0175), and Borders, 1072 Camino del Rio N. (tel. 619/295-2201).

Mission Bay & the Beaches -- The beach communities offer laid-back shopping, with plenty of surf shops, recreational gear, and casual garb. If you're looking for something more distinctive than T-shirts and shorts, you'd best head east to Mission Valley.

For women in need of a new bikini, the best selection is at Pilar's, 3745 Mission Blvd., Pacific Beach (tel. 858/488-3056; www.pilarsbeachwear.com), where choices range from stylish designer numbers to suits inspired by surf- and skate-wear. Across the street is Liquid Foundation Surf Shop, 3731 Mission Blvd. (tel. 858/488-3260; www.liquidfoundationsurf.com), which specializes in board shorts for guys. For affordable shoes, check out the Skechers Footwear Outlet at 4475 Mission Blvd. (tel. 858/581-6010; www.skechers.com), at the corner of Garnet Avenue.

In Pacific Beach, Pangaea Outpost, 909 Garnet Ave. (tel. 858/581-0555; www.pangaeaoutpost.com), gathers more than 60 diverse shops under one roof; while San Diego's greatest concentration of antiques stores is found in the Ocean Beach Antique District (www.obantiquedistrict.com), along the 4800 block of Newport Avenue, the community's main drag. Several of the stores are mall-style, featuring dozens of multiple dealers under one roof, and although you won't find a horde of pricey, centuries-old European antiques, the overall quality is high enough to make it interesting for any collector. Most of the O.B. antiques stores are open daily from 10am to 6pm, with somewhat reduced hours Sunday.

La Jolla -- It's clear from the look of La Jolla's village that shopping is a major pastime in this upscale community. Precious gems and pearl necklaces sparkle in their cases, luxurious Persian rugs await your caress, crystal goblets prism the light -- even if you're not in the market for any of it, it makes for great window shopping.

Women's clothing boutiques tend to be conservative and costly, like those lining Girard and Prospect streets (Ann Taylor, Armani Exchange, Polo Ralph Lauren, Nicole Miller, and Sigi Boutique). But you'll also find less pricey venues like Talbots, Banana Republic, and American Apparel.

Recommended stores include Blondstone Jewelry Studio, 7925 Girard Ave. (tel. 858/456-1994; www.blondstone.com), and Emilia Castillo, 1273 Prospect St. (tel. 858/557-9600; www.emiliacastillojewelry.com), for creative, one-of-a-kind baubles; Laura Gambucci, 7629 Girard Ave., Suite C3 (tel. 858/551-0214), which bucks the staid trend with contemporary apparel for women; and La Jolla Fiber Arts, 7644 Girard Ave. (tel. 858/454-6732; www.lajollafiberarts.com), where hand-woven creations make the store something of an art gallery, as well as a fashion outlet.

Midcentury modernism meets Hello Kitty at My Own Space, 7840 Girard Ave. (tel. 858/459-0099; www.mosmyownspace.com); Ligne Roset, 7726 Girard Ave. (tel. 858/454-3366; www.ligne-roset-usa.com), features minimalist furniture in a showroom that had previously been one of the last single-screen theaters in San Diego; and Vetro Collections, 7605 Girard Ave. (tel. 858/729-0045; www.vetrocollections.com) has a rainbow collection of vintage, hand-blown glass from America, Italy, and Scandinavia. History buffs should not miss Ruderman Antique Maps, 1298 Prospect St., Suite 2C (tel. 858/551-8500; www.raremaps.com), which sells maps, atlases, and books that date from the 15th through 19th centuries.

There are also more than twenty art galleries in La Jolla village. Although most won't appeal to serious collectors, there are plenty of crowd-pleasers like the rock photography at Morrison Hotel Gallery, 1230 Prospect St. (tel. 858/551-0835; www.morrisonhotelgallery.com), and Africa & Beyond, 1250 Prospect St. (tel. 858/454-9983; www.africaandbeyond.com), with its contemporary and traditional African sculpture, textiles, jewelry, and furnishings. Off the beaten tourist path is Quint Contemporary Art, 7739 Fay Ave., entrance on Drury Lane (tel. 858/454-3409; www.quintgallery.com).

A unique experience awaits at the Cave Store, 1325 Coast Blvd., just off Prospect Street (tel. 858/459-0746; www.cavestore.com). This clifftop shop is equal parts art gallery and antiques store, but the main attraction is the Sunny Jim Cave, a large sea cave reached by a steep, narrow staircase that has been tunneled through the rock (admission $4 for adults, $3 for kids 3-16, free for 2 and under).

Coronado -- This rather insular, conservative navy community doesn't have a great many shopping opportunities; the best of the lot line Orange Avenue at the southwestern end of the island. You'll find some scattered housewares and home-decor boutiques, several small women's boutiques, and the gift shops at Coronado's major resorts.

Coronado has an excellent independent bookshop, Bay Books, 1029 Orange Ave. (tel. 619/435-0070; www.baybookscoronado.com), which carries a selection in many categories, plus volumes of local historical interest, books on tape, and Mexican and European magazines. La Provençale, 1122 Orange Ave. (tel. 619/437-8881), is a little shop stocked with fabric, tablecloths, pottery, and tableware items from the French countryside; nearby In Good Taste, 1146 Orange Ave. (tel. 619/435-8356), has a small but choice selection of gourmet gift items -- in addition to a tempting display of luscious truffles and sweets. And, if you're in pursuit of swimwear, poke your head into Dale's Swim Shop, 1150 Orange Ave. (tel. 619/435-7301), a tiny boutique jam-packed with suits to fit all bodies, including styles from European makers seldom available in this country.

Elsewhere in San Diego County -- The Cedros Design District, along the 100 and 200 blocks of South Cedros Avenue in Solana Beach, is an outstanding place for designer interior decorating goods. Many of the shops are housed in a row of Quonset huts that were used by a company that made photographic equipment for spy planes. Today, you can find more than two dozen chic shops selling furniture, original art, imported goods, home decor, antiques, and clothing, plus a couple good cafes. The strip is located just north of the Del Mar racetrack; reach it by taking the Via de la Valle exit off I-5 and going right on Cedros Avenue. The Coaster commuter train stops at the Solana Beach station next to the district.

Garden fanciers will find North County the best hunting grounds for bulbs, seeds, and starter cuttings. North County nurseries are known throughout the state for rare and hard-to-find plants -- notably begonias, orchids, bromeliads, succulents, ranunculuses, and unusual herbs. The area's largest growers are Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch and Weidners' Gardens.

Shopping A to Z

Large stores and shops in malls tend to stay open until about 9pm on weekdays, 6pm on weekends. Smaller businesses usually close at 5 or 6pm or may keep odd hours. When in doubt, call ahead.

Arts & Crafts -- While San Diego is not known as a powerhouse art city, you'll find some 25 galleries in La Jolla village alone; downtown, Little Italy, and North Park also offer a concentration of galleries. To get an overview of North Park's alternative art spaces, consider the Ray at Night gallery crawl, scheduled the second Saturday of every month (www.rayatnightartwalk.com).

Department Stores -- You'll find plenty of major retailers in large shopping centers that provide ample opportunity to browse for gifts, mementos, or necessities.

Farmers' Markets -- We love our open-air markets. Throughout the county more than two dozen regularly scheduled street fests are stocked with the freshest fruits and vegetables from Southern California farms, augmented by crafts, fresh-cooked ethnic foods, flower stands, and other surprises. San Diego County produces more than $1 billion worth of fruits, flowers, and other crops each year. Avocados, known locally as "green gold," are the most profitable crop and have been grown here for more than 100 years. Citrus fruit follows close behind, and flowers are the area's third most important crop; ranunculus bulbs from here are sent all over the world, as are the famous Ecke poinsettias.

Here's a schedule of noteworthy farmers' markets -- you can also check with the San Diego Farm Bureau (tel. 760/745-3023; www.sdfarmbureau.org).

There are two farmers' markets downtown. One is a seasonal affair, running March through October on Thursdays from 11am to 3pm; call tel. 760/741-3763 for information. The market at Third Avenue and J Street runs throughout the year on Sundays from 9am to 1pm; call tel. 619/279-0032 for details.

In Hillcrest, the market runs Sundays from 9am to 1pm at the corner of Normal Street and Lincoln Avenue, 1 block north of University Avenue. The atmosphere is festive, and exotic culinary delights reflect the eclectic neighborhood. For more information, call the Hillcrest Association at tel. 619/299-3330.

La Jolla also has a Sunday market. It's held on the playground at La Jolla Elementary School, 7335 Girard Ave, from 9am to 1pm. Call tel. 858/454-1699 for more information.

In Ocean Beach, a fun-filled market is held Wednesday evenings between 4 and 7pm (until 8pm in summer) along the 4900 block of Newport Avenue. In addition to fresh-cut flowers, produce, and exotic fruits and foods laid out for sampling, the market features art and entertainment. For more information, call the Ocean Beach Business Improvement District at tel. 619/224-4906.

Head to Pacific Beach on Saturday from 8am to noon, when Mission Boulevard between Reed Avenue and Pacific Beach Drive is transformed into a bustling marketplace. Call tel. 760/741-3763 for more information.

In Coronado, every Tuesday afternoon the Ferry Landing hosts a produce and crafts market from 2:30 to 6pm; call tel. 760/741-3763 for more details.