You must shop while you’re in San Diego to add a little SoCal vibe to your life.  Even those who loathe browsing through malls and boutiques find something to spark their curiosity.  Check out these favorites for your must-have souvenirs.

The Mall Scene
San Diegans hang out at their shopping malls, hooking up with friends outside hip boutiques.  They roam through the audacious Westfield Shoppingtown Horton Plaza, dazzled by its bold architecture and eclectic eateries.  Label-conscious status seekers favor Fashion Valley, where they compare goodies in Apple, Bose and Burberry shopping bags.  Bargain hunters prefer Carlsbad Premium Outlets for great deals on chic BCBG and Banana Republic fashions.  La Jolla’s Girard Avenue and Prospect Street are lined with high-end boutiques displaying the finest couture. 

Seaport Village on downtown’s waterfront offers a wide range of shops, sidewalk eateries, and restaurants.  An 1895 historical carousel with hand-painted animals makes this a favorite for families.  Upstart & Crow is a cozy destination for coffee and book lovers.  At Kite Flite, flying dragons and Shreks, 3-D prisms, whirligigs and all sorts of brightly colored kites hang from the rafters.

If you’ve decided to turn your home into a SoCal beach cottage, be sure to check out the Cedros Design District in Solana Beach.  Shoppers stroll beneath vine-covered trellises checking out everything from European faucets to Balinese birdcages.

Surfing Style
Surfboards and all the necessary accoutrements are on display at SouthCoast Surf Shop, just two blocks from one of San Diego’s best surfing beaches, Ocean Beach.  Cool T-shirts and board shorts make great gifts for teens.  Emerald City Surf Shop on Coronado has great prices on brand-name surf gear.  La Jolla Surf Co. offers surf lessons so you can try out your new board.  And if you’re worried about exposing your bod on the beach, Pilar’s Beachwear in Mission Beach displays swimsuits to fit every shape in every imaginable style – from the skimpiest bikinis to something with a bit more coverage.

Tropical Treats
No time for a coconut wrap or mai tai body facial?  Pick up lotions and candles that transport your senses to tropical islands at Tiki Spa across the street from the convention center.  Lather on some self-tanning mousse, add a floral print purse and shirt, and tell the folks back home you’ve been to Paradise.  If you forgot your Hawaiian shirts, silk walking shorts, and slinky sundresses, head for Island Hoppers in Seaport Village.  And if you’ve fallen hard for the aloha lifestyle, hand your credit card to the amiable cashiers at Tommy Bahama and Hilo Hattie in downtown’s Gaslamp Quarter.

Edible Memories
San Diegans transported far from home long for See’s Candies’ old-fashioned chocolate-covered nuts, caramels, and creams.  The sour balls, caramel lollipops, and fudge candy bars are darned good as well.  Small stands sell a limited assortment of See’s at the airport, but for the real deal, check out their shop in Horton Plaza.