Where to Shop in San Diego, California

From Mad Men-inspired furniture stores, clean beauty havens for skincare aficionados and kitsch female-founded independents, leave some space in your SUITCASE to bring home a slice of this sun-dappled border town.

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Mid-Century

Run by self-proclaimed “pursuer of the key aesthetic” Blake Macaluso and his clean-line-loving business partner Dan Reeves, this antiques shop is a Hillcrest institution. Step between the sunset-toned walls to browse the elegantly arranged furniture, all bathed in 1960s pendant lighting, and leave with a pair of ceramic goblets tucked into your suitcase, a wallet-burning Mulhauser lounge chair winging its way to your address by mail. It’s bold, brilliant and beautiful – just how we like our homeware stores.

Address

3795 Park Blvd, CA 92103

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Artelexia

Located in North Park, Artelexia offers a carnival of colour and culture. Bringing handicrafts from across Mexico together in an eclectic curation of prints, glassware, embroidered textiles, toiletries, and even rainbow-coloured huarache sandals, the store celebrates and supports Mexican artisans, with a percentage of all sales donated to a non-profit that provides no-interest loans to Oaxaca’s female entrepreneurs. Browse the tempting shelves for chili jelly, cookbooks on perfecting flavour-packed enchiladas and Christmas baubles in the shape of tequila bottles. Just don’t expect to find owner Elexia de la Parra in-store – more often than not, she’s leading gourmet trips and market tours of her favourite Mexican cities, seeking out new artisans to collaborate with.

Address

3803 Ray Street, CA 92104

shopping

Shop Good

Founder Leah Kirpalani has made it her business to support female-owned and black-owned beauty brands at her pretty-in-pastel North Park boutique. Head here for a personalised-to-your-skin facial, followed by some retail therapy from the curated collection of America’s cult skincare. Fill your hold bag with everything from Monastery’s Sage Cleansing Oil to a trio of Botnia botanical beauties, and don’t leave without one of the shop’s own-brand candles (news flash: they’re cabin-friendly). The sensual Super Ritual is an intoxicating blend of cedarwood, cypress and vetiver.

Address

3030 North Park Way, CA 92104