What, what? So you’ve found yourself with $20 in your pocket, and you’re in need of revamping your wardrobe on a budget?
Look no further, this guide to San Diego thrift stores is going to be a lifesaver, I guarantee it. We’ve even updated it to include new locations!
San Diego thrift stores offer locals and visitors a lot of shopping options for not a lot of money. In a city so big, it’s no surprise that there are several great thrifting opportunities to be found.
We all love finding great deals, and that’s the name of the game at all of these great locations. Whether shoppers want to revamp their wardrobe, find a great piece of furniture, or even toys or video games for the kids, these San Diego thrift stores have everyone covered.
Complete List of San Diego Thrift Stores
No matter what you’re looking for, you can probably find it at one or several of these stores. It’s a great feeling to walk into any of these stores and find hidden gems and surprising deals.
It makes for a shopping trip that is utterly and completely rewarding on every level. You get excellent prices, and you get the thrill of the hunt, two of the best parts of shopping.
1. Mattson Co. Sand Diego’s Estate Liquidation Thrift Store – 1136 Morena Blvd, San Diego, CA 92110
With over 75 reviews and a 4.5 out of 5 star average rating on Yelp, there’s a reason this thrift store is at the top of the list. Selling more than just clothes, MCSDELTS even has a furniture and appliance section. In addition to great finds and awesome deals, the store also has incredibly helpful and friendly staff. Josh Moreno is the man!
2. Buffalo Exchange – Various Locations
With much higher prices than every other store on this list, calling Buffalo Exchange a thrift store in the traditional sense is debatable.
However, it’s impossible to deny that there are aways cute finds there. If time is no object, I suggest going to the Pacific Beach branch since there’s a parking lot for customers. The 5th Avenue store only has metered, two-hour parking and has a tendency to be very crowded.
3. Thrift Traders – Various Locations Permanently CLOSED
Thrift Traders used to offer clothing for $5.99 per piece or a deal of 4 pieces for $20.00. On top of great clothing deals, Thrift Traders also used to carry records, music, and movies.
The Hillcrest location had a huge selection of clothes to choose from, however, the Pacific Beach location is was much smaller. Unfortunately this local gem is no longer in business.
4. TeamAmvets – 999 Cardiff St. San Diego, CA
This is a great entry on my list of San Diego thrift stores because, in addition to doing good for your wallet, it does good for American veterans. Their Cardiff St. location is a definite diamond in the rough.
Parking is not an issue as they have an absolutely enormous parking lot with ample parking. One of the best things about the store is its daily tag sales. These range from 20% all the way to 75% off. If you take the time to really look, you’ll almost always find great steals.
5. City Digz – 1550 Market St. San Diego, CA 92101 PERMANENTLY CLOSED
Unfortunately this amazing thrift store is no longer open.
6. United Cerebral Palsy Thrift Store – Various Locations
Another on my list of San Diego thrift stores that do great work for the community. The three UCPTS locations are scattered throughout Sand Diego. You’ll find them in Pacific Beach, Chula Vista, and City Heights.
In addition to all kinds of surprising finds, the stores offer different colored tag discounts each day. If you bring your old college ID card, you’ll get even better deals with a 10% discount right off the top!
7. Humble Heart Thrift Store – Various Locations
Humble Heart has a nice variety for the shopper who loves to hunt. With everything from clothing to electronics, furniture, books, and more, there are always fabulous finds waiting for the savvy shopper.
8. Goodwill Store & Donation Center – Various Locations
This long-standing nonprofit chain is a staple among almost all thrifters. With a clean environment, quality merchandise, and friendly staff, it makes for a wonderful thrift shopping experience. If you haven’t been to Goodwill, you’re missing out.
This thrift store chain carries a variety of clothing, furniture, housewares, electronics, and more. In fact, if you want it, it’s probably at Goodwill.
9. Honest Thrift Studio – 2609 congress St. San Diego, CAL 92110
This is by far the smallest thrift store on the list. Unlike the other large stores, this thrift store is a small space owned by one woman. While the selection is not as vast as the other larger stores on this list, you will always find super nice things, all hand-picked for their quality. With an ever-changing selection, it makes for a lovely thrifting experience.
10. San Diego Rescue Mission – Various Locations
Walking into this thrift store is like walking into a gold mine. This super clean store offers a wide variety of items including clothing, furniture, electronics, and even baby items. It’s a great place to bring your business because its proceeds go to support the local homeless community.
11. Assistance League of Great San Diego – 108 University Ave. San Diego, CA 92103
Like many on this list of San Diego thrift stores, Assistance League offers a variety of clothing, home goods, furniture, books, and more. It’s a joy to shop there because it has a wonderful staff, its clean and well organized, and the prices are very reasonable. One thing to note is that parking can be limited.
12. American Cancer Society Discovery Shop – 3609 Midway Drive #C, San Diego CA, 92110
This little shop is a gem. Smaller than many of the other thrift stores on the list, this often overlooked thrift store carries a wonderful selection of clothing, home goods, and more for its size. What’s more, the staff is friendly and helpful, and proceeds go to help fight cancer.
13. The Salvation Army Family Store & Donation Center – 6875 el Cajon Blvd. San Diego, CA 92115
Like Goodwill, The Salvation Army is a name that all thrifters know. The Salvation Army location on el Cajon is a step above the rest, though. With a super clean store, great staff, and a huge selection of almost anything you can imagine, it’s a thrifter’s paradise.
14. Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Thrift Shop – 92, Naval Base, San Diego, CA 92136
Offering a unique thrifting experience, the Navy-Marine thrift shop is actually located on-base in San Diego! This little shop has quite a large selection for shoppers to peruse, and it even offers military-only hours for military personnel.
These San Diego Thrift Stores Offer So Much
Whether you’re looking for clothing, electronics, or home goods, these San Diego thrift stores have a ton to offer the savvy shopper. From big names like Goodwill and Salvation Army to hidden gems like Honest Thrift Studio, there’s no end to the thrifting opportunities and finds you’ll experience when you walk through any of these thrift shops’ doors.
So put on your good sneakers, make plenty of space in the trunk, and get out there
