San Diego is a sunny Pacific coastal city of about 1.39 million people on the Mexican border, known for Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, beaches from La Jolla to Coronado, a large Navy presence, craft beer and Baja-influenced food.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
San Diego craft beer and brewery merchandise
Cans, growlers and glassware from local breweries such as Ballast Point, Stone, Modern Times and Societe.
Price: $10-40
Where: Stone Brewing Tap Room, 2816 Historic Decatur Rd (Liberty Station); Ballast Point, 2215 India St (Little Italy)
Surf and skate apparel
Boardshorts, tees and hats from surf shops in Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach and Encinitas.
Price: $25-120
Where: Ocean Beach and Pacific Beach shops; Seaport Village; Las Americas Premium Outlets
Mexican folk art and pottery
Talavera ceramics, papel picado, textiles and silver jewelry sold in Old Town.
Price: $10-150
Where: Bazaar del Mundo Shops, 2754 Calhoun St (Old Town San Diego State Historic Park)
Citrus, avocado and local specialty foods
Hot sauces, olive oil, dried fruit and avocado products from California farms and farmers market vendors.
Price: $8-30
Where: Liberty Public Market, 2820 Historic Decatur Rd; Little Italy Mercato (Saturdays)
Local roasted coffee
Beans from San Diego roasters such as Caffe Calabria, Communal Coffee and Bird Rock Coffee Roasters.
Price: $14-24
Where: Roaster cafes in North Park, Little Italy and La Jolla; Liberty Public Market
Local art, posters and Comic-Con collectibles
Prints of Coronado, Balboa Park and the coastline, plus comics and pop-culture collectibles from downtown and Hillcrest shops.
Price: $15-80
Where: Balboa Park museum shops; Little Italy galleries; Ocean Beach Antique District
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Liberty Public Market
Food hall with butchers, bakers, coffee, tacos, produce and artisan gifts in a former Navy mess hall
Where: Liberty Station, Point Loma
Hours: Daily; most vendors about 10:00 AM-8:00 PM (hours vary by vendor; confirm on website)
Little Italy Mercato
Large weekly farmers market with produce, flowers, baked goods, prepared food and local crafts
Where: Little Italy
Hours: Saturdays 8:00 AM-2:00 PM (year-round; confirm on website)
Hillcrest Farmers Market
Produce, flowers, honey, baked goods and prepared food in the Hillcrest DMV parking lot
Where: Hillcrest
Hours: Sundays 9:00 AM-2:00 PM (confirm on website)
Ocean Beach Farmers Market and Antique District
Weekly street market with produce and live music; a block of vintage and antique shops on Newport Ave
Where: Ocean Beach
Hours: Farmers market Wednesdays about 4:00-8:00 PM (hours shift seasonally); antique shops mostly daily 11:00 AM-5:00 PM
Bazaar del Mundo Shops
Mexican folk art, clothing, jewelry and gifts around a courtyard in Old Town
Where: Old Town San Diego
Hours: Daily; most shops about 10:00 AM-9:00 PM (varies by shop)
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Westfield UTC
Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00 AM-9:00 PM; Sun 11:00 AM-7:00 PM (confirm on website)
Fashion Valley
Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00 AM-9:00 PM; Sun 11:00 AM-7:00 PM (confirm on website)
Westfield Mission Valley
Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00 AM-9:00 PM; Sun 11:00 AM-7:00 PM (confirm on website)
Las Americas Premium Outlets
Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00 AM-9:00 PM; Sun 10:00 AM-8:00 PM (confirm on website)
Seaport Village
Hours: Daily; about 10:00 AM-9:00 PM (hours vary by shop and season; the site is slated for long-term redevelopment, so confirm before visiting)
Carlsbad Premium Outlets
Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00 AM-9:00 PM; Sun 10:00 AM-8:00 PM (confirm on website)
Westfield Plaza Bonita
Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00 AM-9:00 PM; Sun 11:00 AM-7:00 PM (confirm on website)
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Prices are fixed in stores and malls; bargaining is not customary.
At antique shops in Ocean Beach, modest offers on higher-priced items may be accepted.
Las Americas Premium Outlets often posts extra seasonal discounts; compare against full prices before buying.
Farmers markets accept cards at most stalls, but small bills help at produce vendors.
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
California sales tax in the City of San Diego is 7.75 percent and is added at checkout; it is not refundable to visitors., California bans single-use plastic carryout bags; paper bags cost at least 10 cents, so bring a reusable bag., Many independent shops open around 10:00 or 11:00 AM and close by 6:00 PM, with shorter hours on Sunday., Outdoor malls and Seaport Village are busiest on weekends and holidays.