Amazon’s one-day shipping and low prices are irresistible this time of year. But if you’re craving a local experience this holiday season, we’ve put together a list of unique, indie shops in San Diego to hunt for the perfect gift.

If not for the community, do it for the ambiance. Brick-and-mortar shops have Christmas tunes tinkling in speakers, pine tree candles burning, and twinkling window displays.

Whether you’re shopping for children or adults, there’s probably something for you in the list below. Drop your own favorite local shop in the comments so we can build a larger list next year.



Beat Box Records

Barrio Logan: 2148 Logan Ave


This vintage record shop lies in the artsy middle between Logan Heights and Barrio Logan, sporting a wide variety of vinyl. The shop was featured in a 2017 New York Times article, listed as one of the top five places to visit while in San Diego. This local shop is the perfect spot to dig for unique gifts for music lovers. While you’re in the neighborhood, stop in Por Vida coffee shop next door for a seasonal latte.

Bench

Kensington: 4153 Adams Ave

Bench is a curated boutique in the heart of Kensington carefully stocked with home decor and gifts. Founded by Kensington resident Helen Bonar, the shop stocks a range of local San Diego handmade art, candles, jewelry and seasonal items. While you’re in the neighborhood, stop in locally-owned Pappalecco a few blocks down and across the street for a seasonal coffee and gelato, or walk down the block to grab ice cream at Moosie’s.


The Book Catapult

South Park: 3010-b Juniper St.

This independent bookstore is one of very few remaining local shops that offers new books rather than used ones. Founded by locals Jennifer Powell and Seth Marko in 2017, The Book Catapult is stocked with a curated selection of best-selling books and company favorites, along with a small gift shop section.

While you’re in the neighborhood, walk down Juniper to visit Gold Leaf, a locally owned gift store on 30th Street, where you can find candles, journals, decor, and other knick-knacks. Or pop into Café Madeleine for a hot beverage.


ComicKaze Comics, Books and More

Liberty Station: 2750 Historic Decatur Rd #101

This colorful store is loaded with comic books, graphic novels, manga, collectibles and other “geek culture” items. Independently owned, ComicKaze has two locations in San Diego, but the store in Liberty Station is perfect for holiday shopping. Visitors can cruise past several other locally-owned shops and restaurants in Liberty Station Market, like Moniker General, where you can pick up gifts and a seasonal latte or cocktail all in one place.


Discount Hobby Warehouse

Kearny Mesa: 7644 Clairemont Mesa Blvd

This unassuming Kearny Mesa shop is the perfect spot to shop for the tinkerer in your life. While the word “hobby” can inspire thoughts of mason jars and burlap, Discount Hobby Warehouse is not that kind of store. The shop is full of boxed sets for things like model planes and cars, drones, and remote control vehicles. The store is also stocked with glues, electronic components, and other gear to keep up those hobbies.

While you’re in the neighborhood, drive a few extra miles to the locally-owned Mysterious Galaxy bookstore, where you can shop science fiction and fantasy titles for the readers in your life.


Game Empire

Kearny Mesa: 5037 Shawline St.

Beginning as a humble vendor at the San Diego Swap Meet in the early 1990’s, Game Empire has grown into a local favorite among board game enthusiasts. The store — packed with games, cards and collectibles — is a perfect stop to pick up a new tabletop game for holiday nights with friends and family.

Geppetto’s Toys

10 locations: Find all addresses for Gepetto’s on its website.


A San Diego staple for more than 40 years, we couldn’t skip indie toy store Geppetto’s. Instead of a warehouse with toys stacked from floor to ceiling, customers at Geppetto’s walk into cozy stores with hardwood floors carrying toys from the familiar to the more esoteric. Drop into a location at either Fashion Valley or the Westfield UTC mall for a longer shopping trip.

Pigment

North Park: 3801 30th St.

Point Loma: 2885 Perry Rd.

Del Mar: 3715 Caminito Ct.

This popular local gift shop, which has three locations in San Diego, feels like an obvious choice — but it felt remiss to leave out. Best known for Instagram-worthy displays of decor, flora, and gifts, this store is a haven for trend seekers. The Point Loma location is near Liberty Station Market, so make a day of local gift shopping by visiting this spot.


Replay Toys

North Park: 2920 North Park Way

This independent toy store is the perfect stop for budget-minded shoppers (or recycling enthusiasts), as the shop has a wide inventory of used items. The store is in the heart of North Park within easy walking distance to grown-up gift shops such as Pigment or Simply Local. Shoppers can easily knock out holiday shopping for both children and adult loved ones.


The “Space”

Little Italy: 2355 India St.

The “Space” is the building that houses the James Coffee Co. on the north side of India St. The breezy, open-air building is home to the coffee shop and roaster, but also has a great collection of local boutique shops all under one roof. Tenants include gift shops James At Home and Often Wander, along with a hobby shop called Home Ec.

Grab a cappuccino and wander through the space, or walk a block down West Kalmia Street to Architectural Salvage to hunt for a unique piece of vintage hardware for DIY enthusiasts.