San Diego Travel Forum

Just wondering where would be a nice hip place to shop at near Downtown San Diego? I'm interested in fashion boutiques that aren't really big names like LV and Gucci.. more like young fun, one of a kind shops...
and also what's a fun young pub/lounge area there?

You might wish to take a look at the following website: www.sdgodowntown.com. Gary

Downtown San Diego is full of shops and clubs, especially in the Gaslamp Quarter.

Horton Plaza, downtown on Broadway between First Avenue and Fourth Avenue, has a variety of large and smaller boutique type shops on five open air levels.

You could also take the SD Trolley to San Ysidro and check out Las Americas outlet mall, especially if you are on a budget. You can read more about this huge shopping area on my San Ysidro page.

As for a fun, young pub/lounge. The Gaslamp Quarter offers something for everyone. You don't say how "young" you are, so you should know that the drinking age here is 21 years old and no one under that age will be allowed in a drinking only establishment. However, you will be allowed into most places that serve food, but a few of those, which also offer drinking and dancing in the evening will not allow anyone under 21 after about 9:00 pm.

Part of the fun of the Gaslamp Quarter is walking along the streets, full of festive party goers, looking for the right spot for your interests.

there are a ton of great places. walk down 5th avenue and you'll see plenty of options. if you're looking for a good place to eat you may want to check out food reviews from this magazine: http://www.bizsandiego.com/previous-issues.shtml

they also have great discussion forums. this one has a bunch of stuff on things to do and places to go: http://www.bizsandiego.com/index.php?option=com_joomlaboard&Itemid=9&func=showcat&catid=13

hope this helps!

Hi! I grew up there! You want to go up Fifth Street to Hillcrest (not far). You will also be close to Balboa Park and the Zoo, which surprisingly has some good shopping in the museums and the House of Nations UNICEF store. Hillcrest has the urban, second-hand, chic, gay, Provencial, and well everything else kind of shopping. Lots of great rare/used bookstores too. It also has real coffee houses, not just Starbucks.

If you have a car, or take the train, up to North County, the string of old beach communities such as Del Mar, Cardiff, Encinitas, Leucadia, Carlsbad and Oceanside, all have pockets of shopping. The old cool beach vibe is fading fast due to overpopulation, but it still has lots of stuff to offer. I don't think anyone should visit San Diego without experiencing North County, since it reflects the San Diego experience (well, not so much anymore; everything changes and fades....)

Ocean Beach (near Sea World) used to be THE musician hangout and many of the big stars lived/vacationed there. Like North County, it ain't what it used to be, but there is still residual hip shopping along Newport Avenue. If you go there, I suggest driving or walking along Sunset Cliffs.