25 Best Places to Shop in North County and Around, California

Operated by a group of creative women, this upscale collective is a highlight of Cedros. Shoppers are lured in by the restored warehouse and won over by antiques, artwork, home furnishings, greeting cards, and books on cooking, industrial design, and everything in between.

With two levels in a historic feed barn from 1913, this is the store that keeps on giving. Step inside for all things Julian, including honey, jams, clothing, books, jewelry, toys, and even thoughtful gift sets.

On the south end of Cedros Design District, the Ocean Art Gallery features works by award-winning surf photographer, Aaron Chang, and his son, Saxon Chang. On display are photographic prints with ocean themes and several striking surfboard sculptures.

This street fair is funky, spiritual, and crafty featuring more than 30 vendors showcasing a creative collection of works on the last Saturday of every month from noon to 5 pm. You'll find everything from jewelry and artwork to clothing and candles.

Between Julian and Santa Ysabel, “The Barn” goes beyond standard antiques with one-of-a-kind vintage home decor, spanning industrial, primitive, rustic, architectural, and more. Be sure to greet the resident emus, Daisy and Duke.

Home of San Diego's largest pumpkin patch each fall, this family farm is where you might find a 200-pound pumpkin. It also sells locally grown pecans, macadamia nuts, and almonds. On the 100 acres, there's a farm zoo, a picnic area, and a gift shop.

Candles, quilts, cushions, cookbooks, and other cozy items to put the finishing touches on your home are available at this sweet cottage-turned-shop. They even offer interior design services if you happen to fall in love with San Diego and never want to leave.

Dating back to 1872, this former homestead of baking legend Betty Crocker opens its gates monthly for antique shows hosted in a massive white barn. Step inside for themed events, unveiling a range of inventory including midcentury, industrial, vintage, rustic, primitive, and French country items. Ten local artisans, food trucks, craft workshops, and gardens with free-range birds make this a family-friendly outing. You'll often find homemade baked goods and gourmet coffee to enjoy on the manicured grounds. Check their website for show dates and other events.

In the heart of downtown Julian, education and shopping unite with wildlife-themed gifts and nature exhibits about conservation and the history of the Mexican gray wolf. Proceeds help fund the California Wolf Center.

This outdoor shopping center contains more than 80 outlet stores, including designer brands like Coach, Kate Spade, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, and Nike.

This is the place to buy the same premium (and very expensive) fruits, micro greens, edible flowers, and rare vegetables that the farm grows and harvests for many of San Diego's upscale restaurants, and for such famed California eateries as Chez Panisse in Berkeley and George's in La Jolla.

Family-owned and -operated for more than 45 years, this small cider-pressing factory sells honey, nuts, candy, apples, preserves, and, of course, fresh local cider. Don't ask how they make their pumpkin butter and homemade fudge—both are crafted from a secret recipe. If you're looking for quality wool, they have a great selection from the Pendleton line.

Operated by a nonprofit foundation since 1954, the Country Friends carries collectibles, silver, furniture, and antiques donated or consigned by community residents.

Soak in the Balinese beauty of this gallery-like store where North County’s wealthy come to shop for Indonesian art, wooden furniture, clothing, jewelry, pottery, antiques, artifacts, live-edge slabs, and other international imports.

Developed in 1989 by Del Mar residents Ivan Gayler and David Winkler, this plaza is worth a side trip if you're visiting the racetrack. Along with its collection of high-end shops, the tiered plaza contains outstanding restaurants and fountain courtyards with Pacific views. Some businesses validate parking, which is underground.

Inside this tiny 1920s cottage (open only on the weekends) are funky, handmade treasures including repurposed furniture and craft kits for DIY projects.

At first glance, this open-air shopping center anchored by a Whole Foods Market ( 858/436–9800) might look like your typical upscale SoCal mall, but take a closer look, because there's way more to it than meets the eye. There's not only some great shopping—much of it locally owned and eco-minded—but also some of San Diego's best restaurateurs like Tracy Borkum of CUCINA enoteca, have opened restaurants here. Sweetpea ( 858/481–0683) stocks children's clothing from brands like Magnetic Me and Petit Bateau. Van de Vort ( 858/925–7676) sells the latest curated fashion from around the world.

One of San Diego's oldest surfboard manufacturers is owned by Don Hansen, surfboard shaper extraordinaire, who started his business in Hawaii in 1962. The store stocks a full line of surf, snowboard, and ski gear and apparel. They also have entire departments dedicated to wetsuits and footwear. Local "groms" love their Goods for Grades program that earns store credit for every "A" and 'B" on their school report card (max up to $24). 

With brands like Brighton jewelry and Mud Pie, this gift shop is packed with crafts, carvings, soaps, jewelry, leather, and other imports from Bali, Mexico, Brazil, Spain, and Ecuador.

Glow like a celebrity at the Inn’s spa, offering French-inspired treatments utilized on A-list clientele. Techniques include dry contouring, LED light therapy, and facials utilizing bio-brasion, oxylight, and micro-currents. Also on the spa menu are warm-stone massages, cupping, contouring treatments, and exfoliating peels. Arrive early or stay late for use of the relaxation room, outdoor cabanas, and cold plunge therapy. Treatments start at $250.

Reminiscent of a Wild West saloon, this antiques mall in the heart of Old Town Temecula has one-of-a-kind collectibles from 30 local vendors including jewelry, furniture, glassware, linens, tools, and books.

On display here are works of fine art, including paintings, stained glass, and other creations by local artists, including James Hubbell and Joe Garcia. Many of the rotating works focus heavily on traditional and contemporary art. Although most works on display are by landscape artists, there are also sculptures and ceramics in the neighboring Garage Gallery.

Ranch tours and complimentary tastings of locally pressed olive oil are offered at the Temecula Olive Oil Company, where you can find a selection of oils seasoned with garlic, herbs, and citrus. This Old Town shop has dipping and cooking oils, locally crafted oil-based soaps and bath products, a selection of preserved and stuffed olives, and house-made wines.