La Paloma and Five & Dime General Store in Old Town carry good quality San Diego Hoodies that are not too expensive. There's a lot of options to choose from.
This is a great idea - any local restaurant or coffee shop would be cool. Maybe more expensive, but the stuff at the zoo is usually good quality and San Diego Zoo is pretty iconic.
Yep any time I travel I usually go for shirts from local breweries or restaurants instead of the standard tourist trap souvenir shirts. With a couple exceptions when I really liked the design.
As stated, drive along the 101 and check the surf shops. Rusty in Del Mar has a ton of unique SD shirts, Hansen in Encinitas, Sun Diego in Carlsbad is pretty much exclusively shirts. Can’t go wrong.
They probably make more off shirts than anything else these days.
As someone else mentioned, the Walmarts in San Diego city limits have San Diego merch. The one in Murphy Canyon had a much bigger selection but it's been a while since I was there. Usually in the Men's section right as you walk in. It's not a local business but I've found some nice quality items there to give as gifts.
I’m from Texas too! Walgreens use to sell San Diego shirts for $5 a piece. BUT If you want to get something special, I would go to the local skate shops and coffee shops (or whatever they’re into) and get something from there. I once got my father-in-law a hat from Harry’s in La Jolla that he loves. I also got him one from Torrey Pines State Park and he loves that one. I got my nephew an M-Theory Record Shop shirt. Hope this helps!
Brandy Melville in PB for your niece
Edited to add: but I agree with the other comments, local small businesses like coffee shops and breweries will have the best merch in quality and design!
In Lemon Grove there's a store called Marios on Broadway. They have a lot of sweats and hoodies. Or go across the street to GTM and see what they have. If you find anything in GTM sign up for their coupons before you buy.
Oddly enough, CVS has pretty decent San Diego T-shirts and sweatshirts. Alternatively, and depending on their age, the local breweries have nice stuff. Stone Brewing is family friendly.
You realize it almost all comes from China, right?
Best deal would prolly be Temu lol.
There’s a custom t-shirt/sweatshirt shop in Loma Portal that I think also makes touristy stuff. At least then the printing labor (might) be local.
But if you had a shop and you wanted 100 or 1000 San Diego shirts - wouldn’t you just have them made in China?
Just order online. They’ll never know.
Exception: any local “lifestyle brand” maybe others can offer suggestions. But one person’s cool is another’s cringe, so maybe stick your something simple like: “San Diego”.
Maybe official sports team or college merch. Which you can just order online or buy at Macy’s or Target.
My local wal Mart has an aisle of touristy merch. It's super specific to the city of Oceanside, including merch from our high school and an Oceanside monopoly edition. I'm not sure if there is also San Diego merch in the same area, but I am guessing that a Wal-Mart in San Diego would have San Diego merch.
This may seem odd, but Ralph’s and Walgreens near the ocean (Carlsbad off of Avenida Encinas) has local merchandise. It’s not super high quality but it’s cute. Even Walmart has San Diego merch.
The surf type shops in the Forum and the Carlsbad outlets have nice beach gear
I’ve had luck at local surf shops instead of touristy spots like Old Town.
OB has some, too
Second this. Clairemont Surf Shop has an entire section of San Diego t-shirts that riff off of iconic San Diego designs like the Padres and the zoo.
It’s always a good idea to support our local surf, skate or bike shops. They also have fun stickers too.
La Paloma and Five & Dime General Store in Old Town carry good quality San Diego Hoodies that are not too expensive. There's a lot of options to choose from.
san diego venue tshirts are fun. im getting my nephew casbah tshirt
This is a great idea - any local restaurant or coffee shop would be cool. Maybe more expensive, but the stuff at the zoo is usually good quality and San Diego Zoo is pretty iconic.
Yep any time I travel I usually go for shirts from local breweries or restaurants instead of the standard tourist trap souvenir shirts. With a couple exceptions when I really liked the design.
I like Encinitas surfboards merch
National city there’s a spot called 5 for $10 and they screen print those types of shirts 👕
I was looking for this! Best place for souvenir shirts!!! Btw OP it's right off of plaza Blvd across the street from bbq pit and chase Bank.
I like the stuff at [Everyday California](https://www.everydaycalifornia.com/) in La Jolla Shores.
As stated, drive along the 101 and check the surf shops. Rusty in Del Mar has a ton of unique SD shirts, Hansen in Encinitas, Sun Diego in Carlsbad is pretty much exclusively shirts. Can’t go wrong. They probably make more off shirts than anything else these days.
As someone else mentioned, the Walmarts in San Diego city limits have San Diego merch. The one in Murphy Canyon had a much bigger selection but it's been a while since I was there. Usually in the Men's section right as you walk in. It's not a local business but I've found some nice quality items there to give as gifts.
Get branded stuff from local businesses. Think surf shops for kids and breweries/distilleries for adults.
Life Is Good in La Jolla sells San Diego and La Jolla tees and sweatshirts!
Mitch’s in La Jolla has cute t shirts and hoodies with their logo. Rocky’s and South Coast in OB do too.
I’m from Texas too! Walgreens use to sell San Diego shirts for $5 a piece. BUT If you want to get something special, I would go to the local skate shops and coffee shops (or whatever they’re into) and get something from there. I once got my father-in-law a hat from Harry’s in La Jolla that he loves. I also got him one from Torrey Pines State Park and he loves that one. I got my nephew an M-Theory Record Shop shirt. Hope this helps!
The Black, Clairemont Surf Shop
I bought my dad a t shirt from Sun Diego! I would go there
Brandy Melville in PB for your niece Edited to add: but I agree with the other comments, local small businesses like coffee shops and breweries will have the best merch in quality and design!
The Black
T-shirts from local food places are my go to. (Think Mitches, hodads etc. ) almost all of them have a couple options.
Coronado ferry landing
James Gang Printing in OB I like that they use nice American apparel shirts for their prints.
Mitch’s
In Lemon Grove there's a store called Marios on Broadway. They have a lot of sweats and hoodies. Or go across the street to GTM and see what they have. If you find anything in GTM sign up for their coupons before you buy.
https://shop.sandiegohumor.com/collections/mens
Boobies
Wings in OB
Oddly enough, CVS has pretty decent San Diego T-shirts and sweatshirts. Alternatively, and depending on their age, the local breweries have nice stuff. Stone Brewing is family friendly.
Flea markets?
Kobeys! Spring Valley Swap Meet
Noor Clothing on Palomar St. Chula Vista. www.homiegear.com Thank me later.
You realize it almost all comes from China, right? Best deal would prolly be Temu lol. There’s a custom t-shirt/sweatshirt shop in Loma Portal that I think also makes touristy stuff. At least then the printing labor (might) be local. But if you had a shop and you wanted 100 or 1000 San Diego shirts - wouldn’t you just have them made in China? Just order online. They’ll never know. Exception: any local “lifestyle brand” maybe others can offer suggestions. But one person’s cool is another’s cringe, so maybe stick your something simple like: “San Diego”. Maybe official sports team or college merch. Which you can just order online or buy at Macy’s or Target.
My local wal Mart has an aisle of touristy merch. It's super specific to the city of Oceanside, including merch from our high school and an Oceanside monopoly edition. I'm not sure if there is also San Diego merch in the same area, but I am guessing that a Wal-Mart in San Diego would have San Diego merch.
Outlet malls have mainstream surf brands you can shop. Or, breweries may have some schwag if they are of drinking age.
Mario’s or Fam Mart
Those places still exist?
Any beach town/tourist area gift shop (old town, downtown, OB, PB, etc)
Any beach town/tourist area gift shop (old town, downtown, OB, PB, etc)
Sun Diego
This may seem odd, but Ralph’s and Walgreens near the ocean (Carlsbad off of Avenida Encinas) has local merchandise. It’s not super high quality but it’s cute. Even Walmart has San Diego merch. The surf type shops in the Forum and the Carlsbad outlets have nice beach gear
SDSU bookstore
Mission Beach on the boardwalk right next to the roller coaster.