The 15 Best Thrift Stores in San Diego (and What to Buy There)

(According to us!)

There is nothing that beats the feeling of finding a treasure in a thrift store. That’s why we’re here to help you find your best chance for success, and share with you the best places to shop around San Diego.

This guide will give you all sorts of information on what types of items are best at each store and where they are located. So get ready for some shopping!

Photo: Honest Thrift Store

This studio is best for: Clothing and accessories.

Honest Thrift Studio is a small studio but don’t underestimate the quality pieces you’ll find here. Woman-owned, the thrift store is curated to give you great pieces and unique finds.

What to buy: Bohemian style clothes and accessories. This store has a great variety of items, ranging from everyday wear to more formal attire. You can also find some unique jewelry pieces here.

Aside from that, they also have other items like books, DVDs, and even electronics.

2609 Congress St San Diego, CA 92110, (619) 485-4674

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Goodwill

Photo: Bill B.

This store is best for: a bit of everything

A thrift store rundown wouldn’t be complete without Goodwill. This chain thrift store has about 30 locations in San Diego and has a large selection in each one.

If there’s something you need, you can probably find it in Goodwill.

What to buy: Goodwill has a bit of everything. They have a lot of clothes and shoes for women, men, children.

Along with that they also sell electronics like phones and laptops (some newer models), household items (like dishes and cutlery) as well as some furniture pieces.

1219 University Ave San Diego, CA 92103, (619) 795-6630

This store is best for: a bit of everything

Salvation Army is as popular as Goodwill to those who like to go thrift shopping.

There is a wide variety of things you can find in these stores, so lots of thrifters frequent them. The price is also affordable and there are a lot of locations around the city, so it’s totally convenient.

What to buy: This store is best for finding high-quality clothing. The downside? You might have to dig through a lot of items to find what you’re looking for.

3240 Sports Arena Blvd San Diego, CA 92110, (619) 758-1716

This store is best for: Vintage and designer clothing

Buffalo Exchange is a bit pricier than your typical thrift store, but that’s because they’re known for vintage and high-quality clothes.

They also have shoes and accessories to offer. They’re a hip and cool store with two locations in the city.

Local tip says their store on 5th Avenue is the more crowded of the two, plus the one on Pacific Beach has parking.

What to buy: Buffalo Exchange is a great place to find unique pieces from both past and present seasons. The prices here vary greatly, depending on the item’s condition and rarity.

3862 5th Ave San Diego, CA 92103, (619) 298-4411

Cute exterior! Photo: Emily U.

This store is best for: clothing, furniture, and home decor

Home Start isn’t the most popular thrift store in the city, but it’s a charming local store with a little bit of everything. The thrift store is housed inside an old house in North Park and helps support life-changing programs by the Home Start organization.

It’s not a large collection but you’ll definitely find some quality items. Easily one of the top thrift stores in San Diego.

What to buy: Home Start Thrift Boutique is a great place to find high-quality items at low prices. You can find everything from clothing to furniture to kitchenware here.

3611 Adams Ave San Diego, CA 92116, (619) 906-5996

Cute interior, with….a tree! Photo: Jota Q.

This store is best for: Clothing

Rock Thrift store is known mostly as a clothing thrift shop, but you’ll find some other items here. A lot of the selections are from high-end brands but you can get them for an affordable price.

It’s a pretty decent size store with a range of items and is owned by a Christian group called The Rock Church.

What to buy: Rock Thrift is best for finding high-quality clothing items from popular brands. The prices are typically lower than what you would find at a regular retail store.

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Mattson Company

This store is best for: Clothing, furniture, and antiques

Mattson Company is known among local thrifters for its quality and vast selection. Their items are also always changing so you’ll always find something new every time you visit them.

They also have many unique items like antiques, appliances, and standard clothes and furniture.

What to buy: Mattson Company is best for finding high-quality clothes, furniture, and antiques. The prices vary depending on the item, but you can typically find something here for a good deal. They also have deals from time to time!

3602 Kurtz St San Diego, CA 92110

Photo: Assistance League of Greater San Diego

This store is best for: Clothing, furniture, and home decor

The Assistance League of Greater San Diego is one of the best thrift stores in San Diego and goes out to help the community with their proceeds too.

They have a range of items, not just clothes. They also have a pretty clean and organized selection that’ll make your shopping experience hassle-free.

What to buy: This thrift store has a wide variety of items that you won’t find at other stores. You can find everything from clothing to furniture to home decor. Prices usually range from $15-$50. Be sure to check out their special sales, too!

108 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103, 619-291-9464

This store is best for: Clothing and home decor

The American Cancer Society Discovery Shop in San Diego is one of the best in the city.

The store has great deals and offers a range of items like clothing, home decor, furniture for sale. All proceeds go towards cancer research so you’ll be doing good when you buy from this thrift shop!

This thrift store is smaller than the other ones on the list but it’s charming and still has many gems. A very meaningful thrift experience and one of the best thrift stores in San Diego.

What to buy: If you’re looking for clothes or home decor at a good price, this is the store for you. The American Cancer Society Discovery Shop typically has items for $15 or less.

It’s best to check their inventory frequently because the stock changes often!

3609 Midway Dr Ste C San Diego, CA 92110, (619) 224-4336

This thrift store is best for: Clothing and home decor

This thrift store supports Navy and Marine Corps families in need through the relief society.

The best part is that it’s a nonprofit, so all of its proceeds go to helping others! It has some great deals on items like furniture and clothing. The only thing is that the store is in the Naval Base in San Diego.

What to buy: This shop has good quality clothes at low prices. You can also find other household goods here like furniture. Just keep in mind that you need to go through a security check before entering the Naval Base where the shop is located!

Colton Ave San Diego, CA 92113, (619) 556-8283

This thrift store is best for: Clothing, furniture, and home decor

You’ll find many great finds at the San Diego Rescue Mission thrift store.

It’s best for finding furniture, clothing, and home decor. They usually have a wide range of items that’ll fit your needs. This thrift store is another social enterprise that helps the hungry and homeless community in the city.

What to buy: The San Diego Rescue Mission is best for finding high-quality furniture, clothing, and home decor at a low price.

You can find deals from time to time so be sure to check their inventory often! All of their proceeds go to helping those in need.

120 Elm St San Diego, CA 92101, (619) 687-3720

Photo: Cheryl G.

This thrift store is best for: Clothing and books

Humble Heart Thrift Store has a great selection of items at affordable prices! They have a huge collection and are perfect for the thrifter who likes to dig for hidden gems.

They also have one of the most affordable book stores in San Diego with so many books to offer, all at good prices.

What to buy: Humble Heart Thrift Store is best for finding affordable clothing and books. The prices usually range from $0.50-$15 for clothes and $0.25-$12 for books. They have a variety of items so be sure to check out their inventory frequently!

4967 Newport Ave Ste 14 San Diego, CA 92107, (619) 238-5555

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Rustic Home

Photo: Rustic Home

This store is best for: Furniture and home decor

Rustic Home is best for finding furniture and home decor at great prices. It has items like rugs, stools, lamps, antiques — all at low prices! They also have a wide range of used books that are perfect for book lovers.

The store has been here for 34 years and has some of the best antiques and rustic items you’ll find in the city.

Rustic Home offers pieces with character (and good vibes), making it one of the best thrift shops in San Diego.

What to buy: Rustic Home offers a great selection of furniture and home decor at very low prices. The best part is that they offer free layaway for certain items. They also have great deals on books and vinyl records, so be sure to dig for items.

1040 Los Vallecitos Blvd Ste 107 San Marcos, CA 92069, (760) 653-2883

You can buy these tees for… one million dollars! Photo: Day to Day Vintage

This store is best for: Mens everyday clothing

A premier vintage clothing store with clothes from the 1940s through the 2000s. Day to Day carries a large range of hand-picked tees, outerwear, jeans, and other items that appeal to various tastes.

We stock thousands of items ranging from well-known names like Levi’s, Nike, Carhartt, Adidas, Patagonia, and Champion

What to buy: Their selection of vintage tees is expansive. If you need some quirk on your tee, they’ve got you covered in spades. Also have great selection of jeans and vintage jackets.

Top Review: “Love Day to Day Vintage – San Diego has been needing a spot like this for a while now! They sell an amazing selection of hand-picked vintage clothes and the shop environment is super groovy. The staff is also very friendly, helpful, and easy to talk to. I have been recommending this shop to all my friends! They also buy and trade for old clothes which is great.”David C.

3063 University Ave San Diego, CA 92104, 858-218-6795

Amvets Thrift Store

This store is best for: Clothing, furniture, and home decor

This thrift store is best known for its daily tag sales and bargain offers, so if that’s more your speed, head here. Buying from this store also supports American veterans so that’s a huge win too. And like many thrift stores, prepare to do some digging to find some treasures!

What to buy: This store offers a great variety of clothing, furniture and home decor at very low prices. You can typically find something here for around $15 or less.

These are some of the best thrift stores in San Diego. Hope you find one that suits your budget and shopping needs. Have fun!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Diego good for thrifting?

San Diego is a great place for thrifting! There are many different thrift stores to choose from, and each one has its own unique selection. Whether you’re looking for clothes, furniture, or just some good old-fashioned junk, you’re sure to find it at a San Diego thrift store. Here are just a few of the best places to check out:

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