Updated 12/02/2024
The Best Stores in San Diego for Unique Gifts
The only thing that makes giving the perfect gift more satisfying is buying that gift from a local business. Here in San Diego, there are hundreds of small businesses offering unique gifts that will make birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, or holidays extra special. Check out our favorite local spots for one-of-a-kind presents below.
Why Shop Local?
An article from USA Today said that according to the research firm Civic Economics, for every $100 you spend in a local small business, $68 stays in your community, compared to only $43 at a local branch of a chain store. Buying local supports your community, reduces environmental impact, and offers unique and one-of-a-kind items. So skip the trip to the department store or big-box retailer and buy your next gift from a local small business.
Pangaea Outpost
Pacific Beach, San Diego
pangaeaoutpost.com
Pangaea Outpost is a veritable shopping paradise showcasing over 70 different local merchants and artists. The store is filled with jewelry, apparel, kids toys, decor, local artisan creations, as well as exotic imports from around the world. You’re sure to find a thoughtful and unique gift in this 12,000-square-foot dreamland.
Artelexia
North Park, San Diego
artelexia.com
Artelexia is a vibrant retail shop and event space specializing in unique Mexican gifts, art, home décor, and gourmet foods. They also host cultural workshops, community events, and guide travel tours to Mexico.
Gold Leaf
South Park, San Diego
goldleafsouthpark.com
Historic South Park, San Diego is home to many spectacular small businesses. If you're looking for thoughtful and unique gifts, you won't want to miss a visit to Gold Leaf, located in The Burlingame Garage built in 1914. A visit to Gold Leaf is a treat for the senses. This artfully curated store sells home decor, candles, soaps, jewelry, apparel, kitchen accessories, books, apothecary items, children’s gifts, paper goods, and much more.
Bad Madge & Co.
South Park, San Diego
badmadge.com
For that groovy lover of all things vintage, Bad Madge offers an eclectic selection of vintage clothing, jewelry, mid-century modern furniture, books, home decor, and so much more! With all the incredible pieces from the 1950s, 60s and 70s, You’ll feel like you stepped onto the set of Mad Med or Boogie Nights. Plus, buying vintage items is an eco-friendly way to give gifts. There’s always something new to see, so stop by their shop in the heart of South Park regularly.
Venissimo Cheese
5 Locations in San Diego
venissimo.com
Who doesn’t love cheese? Okay, vegans may not love cheese, but pretty much everyone else does. Venissimo Cheese has five neighborhood locations throughout San Diego offering some of the best cheese from all over the world, plus artisanal bread, crackers, salumi, olive oil, jams, chocolate, and more (wipe the drool off your chin). Imagine the surprise and delight on everyone’s faces when you stroll into your next party with a charcuterie tray from Venissimo. You might be called a hero.
And for the hardcore cheese lover in your life, Venissimo also offers cheese-tasting and cheese-making classes at their Academy of Cheese (which almost sounds more magical than Hogwarts, don’t you think?). If you give the gift of a cheesemaking class, you’re sure to see return on investment when your giftee shares some of their homemade mozzarella with you.
Fair Trade Decor
Coronado
fairtradedecor.com
Fair Trade Decor is a family-owned business in Coronado offering unique, eco-friendly, handcrafted products from around the world, including art, clothing, bedding, home decor, kitchen accessories, jewelry, toys, and more. Fair Trade Decor is a member of the Fair Trade Federation. When you choose Fair Trade items, you are endorsing an economic system that provides sustainable and legitimate means for people around the world to lift themselves out of poverty in proper working conditions.
Verbatim Books
North Park, San Diego
verbatim-books.com
Verbatim Books is a used and rare bookstore with an eclectic range of gently-loved and antiquarian books. Our stock is extremely curated to help you find quality editions of classics, favorites, and new discoveries. We also carry titles from over 200 local authors. Our zine corner is full of stuff made by local zine and chapbook creators, as well as some of the best from micro-distributors such as Burn All Books, Caboose Press, Eternia Press, Microcosm Publishing, Tiny Splendor, Genderfail, and more. Our walls are covered with work by San Diego artists and photographers to enhance your browsing and reading experience.
North Star Science Store
Balboa Park, San Diego
www.fleetscience.org/north-star-science-store
Looking for a thoughtful gift for a kid or someone young at heart? Step into a world of discovery at the North Star Science Store, located inside the Fleet Science Center at Balboa Park! Packed with one-of-a-kind treasures, this museum shop offers an array of fascinating items, from hands-on DIY kits and engaging toys to captivating books, models, and unique keepsakes. Whether you're a lifelong science enthusiast or just curious to explore, you'll find something special here. Plus, no admission ticket is needed to visit. Every purchase helps support the Fleet Science Center’s mission to connect the San Diego community with the incredible world of science.
Shop Mingei
Balboa Park, San Diego
mingei.org/visit/shop-mingei
Shop Mingei, the official store of the Mingei International Museum, reflects the Museum’s mission to honor human creativity and the idea that functional objects can also be beautiful. Situated on the free-access Commons Level, the shop offers visitors a chance to explore and purchase handmade, thoughtfully crafted items by both local and international artists.
Consignment Classics
San Diego and Encinitas
consignmentclassics.net
If you love a good treasure hunt, Consignment Classics is the place to go for unique gifts. Their three locations (two near Downtown San Diego and one in Encinitas) offer vintage and antique items and new and gently-used furniture and home decor from all over the world. Our favorite of the three locations is their “Antique Center” on Kurtz Street near Sports Arena. There really is something for everyone with their blend of old and new items from over 100 individual dealers.
Home + Hound
North Park, San Diego
homeandhoundsd.com
Home + Hound describes themselves as “a lifestyle boutique for design + dog lovers.” And because many canines also have feline friends, Home + Hound also offers a small collection of cat products.
Pigment
North Park, Point Loma, and Del Mar
shoppigment.com
Pigment is one of the most popular stores among both locals and tourists for unique gifts. Their three beautifully-curated stores offer home goods, furniture, jewelry, stationary, planters, ceramics, terrariums, self-care products, apparel and accessories, art and much more. Pigment also hosts a variety of events and workshops, including classes in watercolors, calligraphy, and floral design.
Sea Hive Station
Liberty Station, San Diego
seahivestation.com
Sea Hive Station is a 23,000 square foot indoor/outdoor space featuring handmade and handpicked items from 150 San Diego-based brands, small businesses and artisans. From modern to vintage furniture, clothing, and gifts, there's something for everyone.
Kitchens for Good SHOP
Pacific Beach, San Diego
kitchensforgood.org/shop
Nonprofit Kitchens for Good has a fantastic store for pre-loved cookware and kitchenware, including dutch ovens, kitchen utensils, small appliances, vintage treasures, one-of-a-kind collectibles, handcrafted products, and cooking classes at unbeatable prices. Enhance your kitchen and feel good doing it since proceeds support the Kitchens for Good mission of transforming lives through culinary arts.
Shop Good
North Park and Del Mar
shop-good.co
Shop Good is a locally-owned clean beauty and wellness boutique offering cosmetics and beauty products made with natural ingredients. Stop by their stores in North Park or Del Mar to shop for those skincare lovers in your life and schedule yourself a facial while you’re there!
The Library Shop
Downtown San Diego
libraryshopsd.org
The Library Shop is a delightful curated book and gift shop located inside San Diego’s Downtown Central Library. It’s a great place to find interesting books, shirts, bags, crafts, cards, and whimsical knickknacks and keepsakes. Best of all, when you make a purchase at this nonprofit shop, you’ll be supporting the entire San Diego Public Library System.
Kiko+Sven
Normal Heights, San Diego
kikoandsven.com
Kiko+Sven in Normal Heights is a dreamy shop brimming with plants, pots, women’s clothing, jewelry, candles, baby gifts, home goods, greeting cards, dog toys, books, and local, handcrafted goods. They add new items every week, so there’s always something you haven’t seen before.
Moon & Sun
Mission Hills and South Park, San Diego
moonandsunstudio.com
With locations in Mission Hills and South Park, Moon & Sun offers a unique selection of gifts for babies, children, and women, including clothing, toys, books, home decor, arts + crafts and more.
Salt + Sirena
Locally-Owned Online Store in San Diego
saltandsirena.com
Shop carefully-researched and lovingly-curated, sustainable, handmade, nontoxic, and zero-waste goods at Salt + Sirena's earth-friendly online makers market. All products are made and designed by small businesses and Salt + Sirena is run by local San Diego small business owner, Jessica Ramirez. Items available on Salt + Sirena include zero-waste cleaning products, natural beauty and skincare products, t-shirts, candles, kitchen accessories, coffee and teas, kids and baby toys, cards and much more.
Let’s Recap
Our favorite small businesses in San Diego for unique gifts are:
Pangaea Outpost
Artelexia
Gold Leaf
Bad Madge
Venissimo Cheese
Fair Trade Decor
Verbatim Books
North Star Science Store
Shop Mingei
Consignment Classics
Home + Hound
Pigment
Sea Hive Station
Kitchens for Good Shop
Shop Good
The Library Shop
Kiko+Sven
Moon & Sun
Salt + Sirena
Buying gifts from local small businesses is a fun way to support your local community. Studies have proven the many benefits of shopping small and small businesses need our support now more than ever. Instead of ordering off of Amazon or heading to a big box retailer, consider stopping into one of these local stores or visiting their website to find a unique gift for someone special.
Cara Tobiason, Founder of Left Lane Digital
Does Your Small Business Need Extra Love?
Left Lane Digital is a boutique digital marketing agency in San Diego offering website design, website templates, and SEO services to help small businesses and nonprofits succeed. Explore our website to learn more or contact us.