San Diego Shopping

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Whether you're looking for a souvenir, a gift, or a quick replacement for an item inadvertently left at home, you'll find no shortage of stores in San Diego. This is, after all, Southern California, where looking good is a high priority and shopping in sunny outdoor malls is a way of life.

The Shopping Scene--Okay, so we've embraced the suburban shopping mall with vigor. Many San Diegans do the bulk of their shopping at two massive complexes in Mission Valley where every possible need is represented. Downtown has even adopted the mall concept at whimsical Horton Plaza, and historic Old Town features textiles with great flair and color from south-of-the-border lands.

Local neighborhoods, on the other hand, offer specialty shopping that meets the needs -- and mirrors the personality -- of that part of town. For example, modish Hillcrest is the place to go for cutting-edge boutiques, while conservative La Jolla offers many upscale traditional shops, especially jewelers. And don't forget that Mexico is only 40 minutes away; tiendas (stores) in Tijuana, Rosarito Beach, and Ensenada stock colorful crafts perfectly suited to the California lifestyle. Visitors head across the border each weekend in search of bargains and cheap margaritas.

If you want to dedicate a day to shopping but let someone else do the driving, the new outfit The Shopping Tour offers a variety of full- and half-day tours, taking in San Diego malls, outlet malls, and destinations ranging from Palm Springs to Tijuana. Full-day tours range $48-59; half-day tours are $25. For more information call tel. 877/TOUR-411, or see www.theshoppingtour.com.

Shops tend to stay open late, particularly in malls like Horton Plaza and Fashion Valley, tourist destinations like Seaport Village, and areas like the Gaslamp Quarter and Hillcrest that see a lot of evening foot traffic. Places like these keep the welcome mat out until 9pm on weeknights and at least 6pm on weekends. Individual stores elsewhere generally close by 5 or 6pm.

Sales tax in San Diego is 7.75%, and savvy out-of-state shoppers have larger items shipped directly home at the point of purchase, avoiding the tax.