This hat specialty shop is geared toward specialty hats including fedoras, top hats, berets, flat caps, rain hats, and many more. The store is very well-known for service. While grabbing a hat quickly off the rack is certainly acceptable, one really should engage with the knowledgeable staff to ensure a perfect fit, color and style for whatever your occasion is. Prices vary from downright inexpensive to very expensive. If you need to shade yourself from sun on your cruise this is by far the best place to come. This store (there are several others in San Diego as well as a very good online shop) is located in Seaport Village.
Recommended for Shopping near Cruise Port because: If you need a hat for your cruise, this store has the widest variety.
Katie's expert tip: Take advantage of the staff's knowledge when trying to select the right fit, shape and color for your occasion.
Rite Aid is a large drugstore chain in the US so they'll have toiletries and over-the-counter medications one might need. If you can arrange to have a prescription called in by a doctor in advance, you could pick it up from the pharmacy here. Rite Aids also sell a variety of other items from holiday decor to postcards to snacks and drinks. Need a magazine or a new book? Look here. This Rite Aid is also open very late for those who need a drugstore and on Kettner street, probably about a 10 minute or so walk to the cruise port.
Recommended for Shopping near Cruise Port because: Because you might need something from a drugstore after pulling into port.
Katie's expert tip: Rite Aid sells drinks and snacks along with other sundries, too.
Noted for being a famous pop culture boutique loved by celebrities, Kitson has branched out into San Diego with a location at The Headquarters at Seaport Village. The boutique stocks men's, women's and kids' accessories, gifts, books and novelties from brands like Homies, Boy London, Yosi Samra, Lauren Moshi and others. Prices aren't exactly what you might call a bargain but lovers of the now chain store don't seem to mind. Put the iPhone away because there is a no photography policy in the store. Styles do skew toward a younger generation but if you're a fashion-forward enthusiast and lover of all things Los Angeles, do stop in here.
Recommended for Shopping near Cruise Port because: This store represents our fashion-forward neighbor to the north, Los Angeles, for those looking to round out their California trip.
Katie's expert tip: Love what you buy because refunds are limited to store credit.
Nelson Photo is a full-fledged camera store representing major brands like Canon, Nikon, Sony, Tokina, Olympus, Tamron, GoPro and much more. Service is outstanding if you're looking for advice regarding a new lens or how to use an existing one, for example. They also have a wide selection of accessories and camera bags for travel. You can even print digital photos in-store. They do have repair services but if your cruise ship is only docked for a day, that may not help if they needed to send the camera away, but at least they can help identify issues with performance and advise you regarding replacement gear.
Recommended for Shopping near Cruise Port because: If you need to refresh or add to your camera gear, this is the place.
Katie's expert tip: It's a camera store full of every gadget imaginable. The prices are slightly higher than online but you get great service.
The Urban Beach House is dedicated to coastal fashion, with a diverse assortment of brands like Quicksilver, Waterman, Billabong, Roxy, O'Neill, Rvca, Nixon, Sanuk and Olukai all represented. Bathing suites, flip flops, sunscreen, hats and other beach necessities are available as well as locally-made jewelry. Shoppers may also find trendy local-themed gifts to bring home like modern-style California pillows and totes, San Diego mugs and more. It's not really a souvenir store, the items tend to skew a little more clean and contemporary. The store is located at The Headquarters at Seaport Village though they also have an online store.
Recommended for Shopping near Cruise Port because: Here, you'll find beachwear geared toward a younger generation and those who surf.
Katie's expert tip: Love the California-themed gifts that have a more contemporary vibe.
This boutique is an excellent place to source ladies swimwear near the cruise port. Everything is personally selected to ensure that each piece is 100% European from materials, design, labor down to quality control. Many of the pieces aren't found elsewhere in San Diego or in the USA altogether. Over 50 styles of swimwear is stocked year-round including adjustable over the shoulder straps, triangle tops with support, plus sizes and large cup tops, sexy one-piece swimsuits, reversible bikinis and bright colors. Find Kapreeza in the Art District of the Little Italy neighborhood, within walking distance of the cruise port in San Diego.
Recommended for Shopping near Cruise Port because: Located in Little Italy, this is a good place to find high-end European swimwear and lingerie for women.
Katie's expert tip: There are high-end swimwear options here, too, with Swarovski crystals and the like.
This store is adorable! Go here to find gifts for pretty much all ages that are practical, witty and stylish. As the name implies, the boutique is full of accessories but it's not just jewelry on offer. They have an enormous selection of TOMS SHOES for both kids and adults as well as bathing suit cover-ups, stocking stuffer-type gifts, Havianas flip flips, lotions, totes (like Vera Bradley) and travel accessories. Gifts here can fit every budget from low to high. The carefully-curated, popular boutique is located in Seaport Village but they also have a location in Del Mar and an online store.
Recommended for Shopping near Cruise Port because: Located in Seaport Village, it's a perfect stop for gifts and beachwear.
Katie's expert tip: If there's a store that represents the typical San Diego vibe--cute, comfortable, beachy and on trend--this is it.
The colorful and whimsical architecture of Horton Plaza sets it apart from any shopping mall in the region, in fact, the complex has become somewhat of a San Diego icon since its construction in the 1980s which is credited with jumpstarting the revival of San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter and continues to appeal to visitors alike to this day. Within its confines you will find major retailers in addition to a wide array of shops, eateries, and restaurants, making it a popular noontime stop for downtown workers. The complex also boasts a movie complex and the Lyceum Theatre. During the holiday season, an outdoor ice-skating rink adds a festive touch.
Recommended for Shopping near Cruise Port because: This mall is a great one-stop shopping place if you need to pick up items from familiar brand name stores like Gap and Nordstrom.
Katie's expert tip: If parking in the structure, you'll need to validate your ticket (good for 3 hours free) at a machine inside the mall.
San Diego's Little Italy is a delightful combination of urban chic coupled with the history and tradition of Italian and Sicilian immigrants who settled on its shores in the early 20th Century. It hosts two major festivals each year: the Sicilian Festival in May and the Little Italy Festa in October. It's a colorful and festive district that's fun just to stroll through, but if shopping is on your radar, there are numerous art galleries, home decor stores and even antique dealers. Italian eateries predominate, of course, but there are plenty of alternatives if your appetite leans toward other cuisines.
Recommended for Shopping near Cruise Port because: Browse the whole neighborhood for fun gifts, Italian snacks to bring on board and much more.
Katie's expert tip: Need inspiration around the home? Lots of awesome antique and home decor shops are now located here.
This 14-acre waterfront village features over 50 specialty shops and galleries. Some of the items you'll find include handmade soaps, nautical collectibles, home accessories, magic tricks, jewelry, hot sauces, toys, sportswear, books, decorative tiles, kites, music boxes, coffee beans and hammocks. All the shopping may leave you a bit hungry, but never fear. Dining options include gourmet restaurants, burger and pizza joints, even cookie and ice cream shops (restaurant hours vary). The kids and non-shoppers are entertained by the carousel or various live performances set to a gorgeous backdrop of ocean water. Seaport Village is walkable from the Convention Center and many downtown hotels. It now includes the revitalized Headquarters for even more shopping and dining options.
Recommended for Shopping near Cruise Port because: Seaport Village is a great blend of practical (and touristy) shops in a popular waterfront spot that visitors and locals love.
Katie's expert tip: In addition to shopping and dining, guests of Seaport Village also stumble upon live entertainment in the form of daily live jazz in the afternoon and holiday-themed events.