Shopping in La Jolla means a wealth of choices.
No matter what brought you to La Jolla, no visit is complete without a little shopping. In fact, shopping itself draws a multitude of people into La Jolla, whether it’s for name-brand luxury or unique small business finds.
La Jolls is home to dozens of shops, tucked away in every neighborhood. So grab your walking shoes and start strolling, because La Jolla shopping is in the bag!
La Jolla shopping districts
The Village
La Jolla Village shopping is centered on two perpendicular streets: Prospect Street and Girard Avenue. This La Jolla shopping district is the most plentiful, and that view isn’t bad either, so find a parking spot and head out.
If you’re here just for something specific or finished a day at La Jolla Cove, shopping is as simple as starting at one end of Prospect or Girard and working your way towards the other.
Along Prospect, you’ll find art galleries like Ian Ely for landscape photography and Thumbprint Gallery for contemporary pop culture, along with jewelry stores, clothing boutiques and more. Check out California Sock Co. for wacky gifts to keep toes warm!
Girard offers the same, along with coveted brands such as Lululemon and Aviator Nation. You’ll also find the iconic Warwick’s bookstore, the oldest family-owned bookstore in the country.
La Jolla Shores
Avenida de la Playa is ripe for shopping in La Jolla Shores, with specialty shops and unique finds sprinkled throughout. Hit up Everyday California for souvenirs and merchandise every visitor craves or wander through The Perry Gallery for artistic inspiration.
Bird Rock
Shopping in La Jolla is cozy and colorful along “The Boulevard,” the three blocks of La Jolla Boulevard from Camino de la Costa south to Midway Street. Check out women’s clothing at the Bobbi Rocco store, browse for surf gear and souvenir merchandise at Hermosa Surf Shop or find your next crystal and tarot card set at Lavande Spiritual Wellness Boutique. Other treasures are sprinkled throughout, so take your time to poke around this gem of a La Jolla shopping district!
Westfield UTC
For major retailers and a La Jolla shopping mall experience, you’ll have to head a little over a mile east of La Jolla to Westfield UTC, one of the premium destinations in San Diego. Luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Hermes Paris are stationed here, along with popular stores such as Apple, Uniqlo and H&M.
La Jolla shopping by category
If a specific type of retail therapy appeals to you, let’s break down where to bag a particular item while out for your La Jolla Village shopping day:
Women’s shopping
No matter your style, women’s shopping in La Jolla is as easy as strolling Girard Avenue for athletic finds at Vuori, trendy styles at Francesca’s and upscale choices at Bouluci Boutique, Whiskey x Leather and dozens more. For fun and easy shoe shopping, head to Charleston Shoe Co.
Looking for jewelry and accessories? Stick to any of the women’s stores or try out local retailers Bowers Jewelers, a Village icon since 1945, or CJ Charles, a luxury store on Prospect with a high-end selection.
Men’s shopping
Men looking for custom tailoring and quality clothing will luck out at The Ascot Shop, a La Jolla family-run business since 1950. For more surf- and beach-friendly threads, check out Vissla, Vuori and Aviator Nation. And don’t forget to browse the styles at State & Liberty.
Children’s, home and specialty stores
La Jolla shopping for children is made easy at stores like Gepetto’s, where kids of all ages will find toys, games and more from the scientific to the fun and wacky.
For home goods, wander through Ark Antiques, Gracie James and Adelaide’s, all one-of-a-kind gems in La Jolla where each perusal will net a new discovery.
Shopping in La Jolla for food gifts? Try Smallgoods Cheese Shop & Cafe for expertly-selected cheeses, We Olive for premium olive oils and more, Balboa Candy for taffy, vintage sodas and anything else your sweet tooth requires and Teuscher for delicious chocolates.
Distinctive gifts (and special items for you!) are found at The Shop at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, while stationery and fun, seasonal finds are always at Sweet Paper.
Coastal curations
Though many of the stores mentioned above are particular to La Jolla, there are even more experiences you can only have while shopping in La Jolla.
If you’re art shopping for something only created in La Jolla, we’re obsessed with Krista Schumacher’s pieces and Edna Pines’ work; you can also spot us admiring the selection of remarkable offerings at Authentic Vintage Posters.
And for coastal-themed items, stop in at Blue Apparel, where shopping La Jolla gets literal.
Local experiences
The best shopping in La Jolla comes down to giving local experiences. Try a membership to MCASD or one to Birch Aquarium, or spoil yourself or a loved one with a spa, golf or other package from The Lodge at Torrey Pines or La Jolla Shores hotel or a gift card to one of La Jolla’s memorable restaurants.
Local shopping events and information
Special La Jolla shopping events are offered weekly, seasonally and annually, so check our events page for updated information and read below for some of the best.
The La Jolla Open Aire Market
Every Sunday from 9 am to 1 pm, the best small vendors from around the region display their wares at La Jolla’s Open Aire Market, a farmers market that functions as a weekly community event on the La Jolla Elementary School campus. Find handcrafted goods, art, jewelry, fresh produce and yummy food. All proceeds from this market go to benefit the school.
La Jolla Art & Wine Festival
All public schools in La Jolla benefit from the La Jolla Art & Wine Festival, put on annually in the fall. The large event, which closes much of The Village to cars, showcases hundreds of artists and their works, along with entertainment and a wine and beer garden.
Holiday shopping
Just in time for the holidays this year, stores in The Village will be participating in three events so you can get a jump on your holiday shopping in La Jolla: Black Friday on Friday, Nov 29 and Small Business Saturday on Nov 30. Check with each store for sales and deals.
There are also upcoming holiday markets, such as the Trilogy Sanctuary Artisanal Market from noon to 5 pm on Sunday, Dec 1, where a variety of local vendors will sell one-of-a-kind gifts. The Museum of Contemporary art is also hosting their Winter MKT on Sunday, Dec 1, a free daytime vendor market featuring a curated selection of Southern California and bi-national retailers
The Bird Rock Artist Guild will also host “Art in the Garden” from 11 am to 2:30 pm Saturday, Dec 7, at 5571 Bellevue Ave. Shop gifts from local artisans, including custom jewelry, handmade soaps and more.
Take a break
Shopped till you dropped? If you’re needing a place to rest after shopping in La Jolla, or maybe a spot to recaffeinate, we’ve got you covered.
Grab a seat and a cup of something warm at one of La Jolla’s best coffee shops like Parakeet Cafe in The Village or Bird Rock Coffee Roasters in Bird Rock.
Need something more substantial? We don’t blame you! Sit and watch The Village go by as you fill up on tacos at Puesto on Wall Street, or tuck into something hearty at Barbarella in The Shores.
And if it’s something 21+ you’re after, belly up to one of our best spots for a beer.
La Jolla shopping often means taking advantage of our scenery, however, so find it and satisfy your cravings at one of our worthy restaurants with a view, or grab and go to a special La Jolla viewpoint.
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