There’s nothing quite like a good thrift store.
Whether you’re looking for vintage clothing or home décor, thrift shopping will always get you the best prices, while also being great for the environment.
With fast fashion dominating the culture around our clothes, it’s easy to throw out clothing the moment you tire of it and buy something new. But that produces tons of waste, let alone the greenhouse gasses produced from making and shipping that clothing.
But by buying used clothing, you can avoid all of that, which benefits the environment and your wallet. Plus, many thrift stores are locally owned and benefit non-profits, so the money you spend goes right back into your own community.
San Diego has plenty of thrift stores to choose from, so no matter what you’re looking for, there’s bound to be one for you. To help you find the perfect choice, here’s the 15 best thrift stores in San Diego.
The Best 15 Thrift Stores in San Diego
1. Honest Thrift Studio
Image Credit: Honest Thrift Studio
Honest Thrift Studio is a cozy and intimate thrift shop with a lot to offer. The shop may be small, but it’s got everything from clothing, to furniture, and even to plants! And all the clothes are just 2$! The shop’s owner is known to be friendly and knowledgeable, and if you’re lucky, you may even get to meet her cute shop dog!
Location: 2609 Congress Street, San Diego, California
2. Consignment Classics
Image Credit: Consignment Classics
Consignment Classics has been helping San Diegans furnish their homes since 1997. In their three huge showrooms, you’ll find high quality furniture and home décor, along with tons of unique items that’ll make your trip really special.
They also run the largest Vintage and Antique Center in San Diego, with over 100 individual dealers offering just about anything you can think of. If what you’re looking for is a wide selection, you’ll certainly find that here.
Location: Various locations
3. Day to Day Vintage
Image Credit: Day to Day Vintage
Day to Day Vintage carries a diverse, hand curated selection of vintage goods, plus plenty of amazing brand-name vintage clothing. Here, you’ll find clothes, memorabilia, and consignment goods ranging all the way from the 1940’s to the 2000’s.
Day to Day Vintage is also a great place to go if you’re looking to get rid of some of your own old clothing. They’ll buy it either for cash or store credit.
Location: 3063 University Ave, San Diego, California
4. Hunt and Gather
Image Credit: Hunt and Gather
If you’re looking for some real funky fashion, Hunt and Gather’s got you covered. They specialize in unique clothing, both vintage and modern. You’ll also be able to find some handmade jewelry there too.
Hunt and Gather is undeniably one of the coolest stores in San Diego and is absolutely worth a trip, but if you’re looking for convenience, they’ve got an online store too (with free shipping on orders over 100$!).
Location: 3817 Ray St, San Diego, California
5. La Loupe Vintage
Image Credit: La Loupe Vintage
La Loupe Vintage carries vintage clothing and accessories from the 60’s all the way to today. This thrift shop has an excellent online store for convenient shopping.
This is one of the only vintage shops you’ll ever see with an “apothecary” section! Once you’ve picked out clothing, you can also take home anything from moisturizer, bath soaks, or even makeup.
Location: Various Locations
6. Bad Madge & Co.
Image Credit: Bad Madge & Company
Bad Madge & Co. sells just about everything vintage, from furniture, to art, to fashion, and just about anything else. If you’ve ever needed a reason to visit a thrift store, Bad Madge was voted the #1 Vintage Store in the United States by Yelp in 2022, so it’s definitely worth checking out, either in person or online.
If you’ve got some treasures you’re ready to let go of, Bad Madge is a great place to sell them. However, you’ll need to make an appointment with them to do it, they come straight to you and don’t buy items brought into the store.
Location: 2205 Fern Street, San Diego, California
7. Mid Century Store
Image Credit: Mid Century Store
Mid Century Store carries a treasure trove of vintage furnishings and accessories from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. The store has been locally owned and in the same location for 33 years, so while they’re not quite as old as the furniture they sell, they certainly get close!
Location: 3795 Park Blvd, San Diego, California
8. Home Start Thrift Boutique
Image Credit: Home Start Thrift Boutique
Run by Home Start, a non-profit that supports families and children, this store offers used designer clothing, furniture, and even rare memorabilia.
This is a great store to go to if you’re looking to support a good cause. Home Start provides housing for young, unhoused pregnant and parenting women, therapy services, and much more. Even the store itself helps young mothers develop job skills and gain work experience.
Location: 3611 Adams Avenue, San Diego, California
9. Buffalo Exchange
Image Credit: Buffalo Exchange San Diego
Buffalo Exchange may be a chain, but they’re successful for a reason. You can find a great selection of clothing and accessories here. This is another great place to sell your old clothing – they’ll offer 25% in cash or 50% in store credit.
Location: Various Locations
10. Auntie Helen’s
Image Credit: Auntie Helen’s
Auntie Helen’s carries a wide selection of secondhand items, from clothing and accessories, to furniture, toys, and more. This is another thrift store that supports a great cause. Auntie Helen’s runs several programs, ranging from providing food and medical equipment to those in need, to supporting people with HIV and AIDS.
Location: 4127 30th Street, San Diego, California
11. Vintage Thread & Grails
Image Credit: Vintage Threads and Grails
Vintage Threads & Grails is a relaxed vintage store that carries vintage clothes and streetwear. This is an excellent spot for trendy finds, but can be a bit pricier than some other thrift stores.
Location: 1031 Garnet Avenue, San Diego, California
12. Humble Heart
Image Credit: The Humble Heart
Humble Heart is a truly unique store, offering a mix of music and thrift. They carry all kinds of treasures, from clothing to home décor. But unlike most thrift stores, you’ll also be finding guitars and ukuleles and their accessories!
Along with the thrift store, Humble Heart also offers music lessons and studio rentals, and is even a live music venue. And if that wasn’t enough, they also support the community, disturbing emergency clothing and warm meals to those in need.
Location: Various Locations
13. Assistance League Thrift Shop
Image Credit: Assistance League Thrift Store
Assistance League thrift shop carries used clothing and household goods, and is run by a nonprofit. The Assistance League of Greater San Diego supports the community through elementary school enrichment, educational advocacy, and emergency assistance, through a wide variety of programs.
Location: 108 University Avenue, San Diego, California
14. OB Thrift
OB Thrift is another gem of a vintage store offering high quality clothing and unique antique treasures. They’re known for their excellent service and great prices compared to some other thrift shops.
Location: 4927 Newport Ave San Diego, California
15. Rock Thrift
Image Credit: Rock Thrift San Diego
Rock Thrift provides a wide selection of gently used items, from clothing, to toys and home goods. Rock Thrift is another charitable thrift store, and through various programs has given over $7,000,000 worth of reusable resources to those in need.
Location: 3603 Camino Del Rio W., San Diego, California
Final Thoughts on Thrift Stores in San Diego
San Diego is a great place for thrifting. It gives you a lot of options, whether you’re looking to help out some local non-profits, find something truly unique, or just get some fantastic deals, you’re practically guaranteed to find what you’re looking for.
If you’re expanding your wardrobe, a thrift store is always one of the best places to go. Not only are they cheaper, but buying clothing used means less waste and less greenhouse gas emissions. And when you’re done with your clothing, there are plenty of options in San Diego to sell or donate it right back so it can keep being used.
No Comments