The 15 Best Thrift Stores in San Diego (and What to Buy There) (2024)

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!

The 15 Best Thrift Stores in San Diego (and What to Buy There) (1)

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

2of 15

Goodwill

The 15 Best Thrift Stores in San Diego (and What to Buy There) (2)

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

The 15 Best Thrift Stores in San Diego (and What to Buy There) (3)

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

The 15 Best Thrift Stores in San Diego (and What to Buy There) (6)

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

The 15 Best Thrift Stores in San Diego (and What to Buy There) (7)

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.

The 15 Best Thrift Stores in San Diego (and What to Buy There) (8)

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

The 15 Best Thrift Stores in San Diego (and What to Buy There) (9)

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

The 15 Best Thrift Stores in San Diego (and What to Buy There) (12)

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

The 15 Best Thrift Stores in San Diego (and What to Buy There) (13)

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

The 15 Best Thrift Stores in San Diego (and What to Buy There) (14)

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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The 15 Best Thrift Stores in San Diego (and What to Buy There) (2024)

FAQs

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

You can hit the jackpot while thrifting if you know what to look for. Antony Charman, antique expert and founder of Vintage Cash Cow says, “There are specific types of items that will always be valuable, including rare coins, antique furniture, vintage toys and jewelry.

What is the most valuable thing to look for in a thrift store? ›

You can hit the jackpot while thrifting if you know what to look for. Antony Charman, antique expert and founder of Vintage Cash Cow says, “There are specific types of items that will always be valuable, including rare coins, antique furniture, vintage toys and jewelry.

What's the best day to go thrifting? ›

While there's no “perfect” day to shop second hand stores, many regulars swear by shopping early on Monday and Tuesday. Homeowners tend to drop off garage sale leftovers on Sunday nights, making for new finds. Plus, the weekends are more crowded shopping days, so employees look to restock early in the week.

How do you find rare and valuable items at thrift stores? ›

How Can You Spot Valuables in a Thrift Store?
  1. Check for Designer Labels or Tags. Valuable vintage items, like clothing, kitchenware or records, often come with a label indicating that it's valuable. ...
  2. Go for Unique Items. ...
  3. Check the Locked Display Case.
Jul 10, 2023

What sells the most in thrift stores? ›

Clothing. Clothing is an item that sells best in thrift stores. Accounting for 31.8 percent of industry revenue, clothing is the largest revenue generator in the Thrift Stores industry, according to IBISWorld. Instead of paying higher retail prices, many people are switching to thrift stores for their clothing needs.

What are the most sought after vintage items? ›

Vintage phones, typewriters, and electronics can all fetch high prices in the antique market. At The Old Phone Shop, Western Electric phones sell for hundreds of dollars. Do you have old computers lying around in the attic?

How do you find what you want at a thrift store? ›

How to Find What You're Looking For at the Thrift Store
  1. Think like a forager. ...
  2. Look for items made from natural materials. ...
  3. Assess if it's an item you'd really use. ...
  4. Wear form-fitting clothes. ...
  5. Seek out brand names. ...
  6. Keep an eye out for items that you're always losing. ...
  7. Find out the best day to go.
Jun 16, 2023

What is the cheapest day to go to Goodwill? ›

According to Goodwill, the perfect time slot to shop at thrift stores is in the morning on both Monday and Tuesday. This is because, at least as far as Goodwill is concerned, people tend to donate garage sale remnants on Sunday, so the pickings are new and fresh come early weekdays.

What is the best season to thrift shop? ›

Warm weather, spring cleaning, and garage sales all have a positive effect on thrift store hauls, according to Bowker. 'Tis the season for people to declutter and purge items they no longer need, resulting in larger donation piles.

Why is thrifting so expensive now? ›

“Firstly, the cost of operations — including rent, utilities and wages — has increased over time. Secondly, the quality and brand of donated items can also influence pricing. High-end brands or items in excellent condition may be priced higher.

What is the most valuable item to collect? ›

What Are the Most Valuable Types of Collectibles?
  1. Vintage Comic Books. Comic books are one of the most popular collectibles because of how much they can appreciate in value over time. ...
  2. Baseball Cards. ...
  3. Vintage Bakeware. ...
  4. Rare Coins. ...
  5. Vintage Toys. ...
  6. Stamps. ...
  7. Vintage Magazines. ...
  8. Antique Furniture.
Aug 21, 2023

How to find stuff to flip at thrift stores? ›

Look for typically high-value items

Once inside a thrift store, you can search for items that may be ideal for flipping. These items may include collectable items, such as trading cards and action figures, or clothes and accessories, such as shoes, purses and watches.

How do you find out if an item is worth anything? ›

It's best to work with a professional certified by the Appraisers Association of America, the International Society of Appraisers, or the American Society of Appraisers. After completing the appraisal, the appraiser will give you a written report explaining the item, the valuation procedure, and its current value.

What is the most expensive thing found in a thrift store? ›

The most expensive item ever sold at a thrift shop was a painting by American artist Jackson Pollock , titled " Number 5 , 1948 . " It was sold for a whopping $ 140 million at a Goodwill store in California in 2013 .

How to bargain at thrift store? ›

Thrift store prices are low, but that doesn't mean they can't go lower. If you think something is priced too high for what is, ask if they're willing to take less for it. Just be polite in doing so and don't be discouraged if they're not open to bargaining.

What is the best city for thrifting? ›

Here is the definitive list of the best cities for thrifting in the country. According to our data, the top five cities for thrifting in the U.S. are Riverside, CA, Atlanta, GA, Columbus, OH, Orlando, FL, and Tampa, FL.

How to find valuable art at thrift stores? ›

Look for signatures on pieces, which can mean a work of art is either original or part of a limited series. A signature can also give you a sense of a piece's potential worth or provide you a breadcrumb for finding out more information about the artist.

What pottery to look for when thrifting? ›

Handmade Pottery

However, you'll find equally beautiful ceramic pieces at a thrift store for much less. Look for mugs, vases, and other handmade pieces. Handmade ceramic pottery is marked with a maker's initials on the bottom. It typically has several “flaws,” such as bumpy spots or uneven coloring.

How do thrift stores determine their prices? ›

Their pricing is influenced by various factors, including the item's condition, brand, demand, and market value. Thrift stores walk a fine line between offering affordable prices and maximizing their revenue. While their primary goal is to sell items quickly, they also need to ensure they are making a profit.

Why are some thrift stores expensive? ›

It seems that resellers are the ones buying out thrift stores and marking up prices. While this contributes to the problem, as it causes competition for thrift stores, corporate greed is also to blame. What people often do not realize is that thrift stores like Savers and Goodwill are corporate.

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