Top Rated Thrift Stores in San Diego for Resellers: Your Ultimate Sourcing Guide
By My Local Thrift Store ·
San Diego Is a Reseller's Paradise — If You Know Where to Look
San Diego has quietly become one of the most underrated thrifting cities on the West Coast. With a diverse population, a steady stream of estate sales, military families rotating in and out, and a culture that genuinely values sustainability, the city's thrift ecosystem is rich, varied, and surprisingly productive for resellers. Whether you're flipping vintage denim on Depop, sourcing mid-century furniture for eBay, or building a curated vintage booth, San Diego's thrift scene has something for you.
What makes San Diego especially compelling for resellers is the sheer variety of neighborhoods feeding into its donation pipeline. From the eclectic residents of Hillcrest to the military communities near Coronado, the donations pouring into local thrift stores tend to be high-quality, well-maintained, and often genuinely rare. That means less digging through clutter and more time finding pieces that actually move.
We've put together this guide specifically for resellers — people who shop with purpose, move quickly, and need to know which stores are worth the drive. Below, you'll find a breakdown of the top rated thrift stores in San Diego for resellers, along with practical tips to help you source smarter and sell faster.
The Top Rated Thrift Stores in San Diego for Resellers
San Carlos Friends Bookstore — 7265 Jackson Dr, San Diego, CA
If you resell books, media, or collectibles, the San Carlos Friends Bookstore deserves a regular spot on your sourcing route. Run by a community of dedicated volunteers, this store is known for its well-organized selection of used books spanning fiction, nonfiction, vintage paperbacks, and specialty titles. For resellers, the real gold is in the older and out-of-print volumes that tend to surface here regularly — the kind of titles that command serious margins on AbeBooks or eBay. Because inventory turns over as donations come in, visiting frequently pays off. Weekday mornings are often the best time to catch fresh stock before the weekend crowd arrives.
NMCRS Thrift Shop North Island — 2000 Rogers Rd Box 357075, San Diego, CA | (619) 767-7086
The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Thrift Shop on North Island is a hidden gem that many civilian resellers overlook — which is exactly why it's worth knowing about. Serving the military community around Coronado, this shop benefits from donations from families who move frequently and can't take everything with them. That means you'll often find gently used household goods, quality clothing, electronics, and the occasional high-value item priced well below market. For resellers focused on home goods, kitchenware, or general merchandise, this is a reliable stop. Call ahead at (619) 767-7086 to confirm hours before making the trip, as military installation schedules can vary.
Father Joe's Villages Thrift Store & Donation Center — Hillcrest, 1457 University Ave, San Diego, CA | (619) 255-1255
Father Joe's Villages is one of San Diego's most recognized nonprofit organizations, and their Hillcrest thrift store reflects the quality of the neighborhood it serves. Located on University Ave in one of the city's most vibrant and design-forward communities, this store regularly receives donations of clothing, furniture, artwork, and housewares from Hillcrest residents — a demographic that tends to have excellent taste. Resellers who focus on vintage clothing, designer labels, or quality home décor will find this store especially productive. The high foot traffic means inventory moves fast, so earlier in the week tends to yield better finds. You can reach them at (619) 255-1255 for the latest on sale days or special discount events.
Rock Thrift Store — 3603 Camino del Rio W, San Diego, CA | (619) 876-4185
Rock Thrift Store has built a loyal following among San Diego resellers for good reason: the inventory is broad, the pricing is fair, and the turnover is consistent. Located on Camino del Rio W, this store tends to carry a solid mix of clothing, accessories, and general merchandise that suits resellers working across multiple categories. It's a good all-purpose sourcing stop, especially if you're building volume rather than hunting for single high-ticket items. Keep an eye out for their sale days and color-tag discount rotations, which can significantly improve your margins. Call (619) 876-4185 to ask about current promotions before you visit.
Moneypenny's Vintage Clothing — 1243 University Ave, San Diego, CA | (619) 882-7706
Moneypenny's is not your average thrift store — it's a curated vintage boutique with serious street cred in San Diego's fashion community. Located on University Ave, this shop specializes in vintage clothing and accessories that are already selected and styled, which means the heavy lifting of curation has been done for you. For resellers who work in the vintage fashion space and want to quickly identify high-quality pieces without wading through racks of fast fashion, Moneypenny's is an invaluable resource. It's also a great place to benchmark pricing and learn what's trending in the vintage market. Reach them at (619) 882-7706 to ask about new arrivals or specialty stock.
Darrell's Modern Trends Thrift Store — 1201 University Ave, San Diego, CA | (619) 230-5286
Just a short walk from Moneypenny's on the same stretch of University Ave, Darrell's Modern Trends Thrift Store offers a different but complementary sourcing experience. This store leans into current and recent fashion trends alongside classic thrift staples, making it a strong stop for resellers targeting contemporary streetwear, workwear, or everyday fashion on platforms like Poshmark and Mercari. The location on University Ave means it draws from a stylish, urban donor base, and the inventory reflects that. Visit on weekdays for the best selection, and don't overlook the accessories section. Contact them at (619) 230-5286 for hours and any upcoming sales.
Fur Fins & Feathers — 2545 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA | (619) 230-5767
Fur Fins & Feathers is a unique entry on this list — a thrift store that benefits an animal rescue organization. What makes it interesting for resellers is that the store carries a genuinely eclectic mix of donated goods, from clothing and accessories to housewares and collectibles. The El Cajon Blvd location puts it in a neighborhood with a diverse donor base, which often translates to unexpected finds. Resellers who enjoy the treasure-hunt aspect of thrifting — and who don't mind supporting a great cause in the process — will appreciate the unpredictability here. Call (619) 230-5767 to check on current inventory categories or upcoming donation drives that might signal fresh stock.
Honest Thrift Studio — 2609 Congress St, San Diego, CA
Honest Thrift Studio on Congress St is one of San Diego's more thoughtfully curated thrift experiences. The "studio" concept signals exactly what you'll find: a carefully edited selection of secondhand items presented with an eye for quality and aesthetics. For resellers, this is a great place to find items that are already cleaned up, photographed well in your mind's eye, and priced in a way that reflects their actual market value. While margins may be tighter than at a traditional charity thrift store, the time savings from not having to sort through low-quality inventory can make it worthwhile. It's also an excellent spot to study what sells and how presentation affects perceived value — lessons that translate directly to your own listings.
Tips for Thrifting in San Diego as a Reseller
- Go early in the week. Most thrift stores in San Diego process weekend donations on Monday and Tuesday. Shopping mid-week — especially Tuesday through Thursday mornings — gives you first access to freshly stocked shelves before the weekend resellers and casual shoppers arrive.
- Cluster your sourcing runs. Several of the best stores on this list are located along University Ave in Hillcrest. Plan a single sourcing trip that hits Father Joe's, Moneypenny's, and Darrell's Modern Trends in one efficient loop. Clustering saves time, gas, and energy.
- Ask about discount days. Many San Diego thrift stores run rotating color-tag sales or weekly discount days that aren't always advertised online. A quick phone call before you visit can save you 20–50% and dramatically improve your sourcing margins.
- Bring your own bags and tools. A portable UV light for checking for stains or repairs, a tape measure for furniture, and a smartphone with eBay's sold listings pulled up will make you a faster, smarter buyer on the floor. Don't rely on store staff to know what something is worth.
- List your own store or follow your favorites. If you run a resale shop or buy-sell operation in San Diego, you can claim your store on mylocalthriftstore.com to get more visibility with local shoppers and fellow resellers. It's free and takes just a few minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thrift Stores in San Diego for Resellers
What are the best thrift stores in San Diego for finding vintage clothing to resell?
For vintage clothing, the University Ave corridor in Hillcrest is your best starting point. Moneypenny's Vintage Clothing at 1243 University Ave is specifically curated for vintage fashion, while Father Joe's Villages at 1457 University Ave and Darrell's Modern Trends at 1201 University Ave offer broader selections with strong clothing inventory. Together, these three stores make for one of the most productive vintage clothing sourcing routes in the city.
When is the best time to visit thrift stores in San Diego for the freshest inventory?
The best time to visit thrift stores in San Diego for fresh inventory is Tuesday through Thursday, ideally in the morning. Most stores process weekend donations at the start of the week, meaning new items hit the floor Monday through Wednesday. Arriving early on a weekday gives you the best shot at high-value items before other shoppers — especially other resellers — have a chance to pick through the racks.
Are there thrift stores in San Diego that specialize in specific categories for resellers?
Yes. San Carlos Friends Bookstore is the go-to for books and media. Moneypenny's Vintage Clothing focuses exclusively on vintage fashion. NMCRS Thrift Shop North Island is a strong source for household goods and general merchandise thanks to its military community donor base. Honest Thrift Studio on Congress St offers a curated, studio-style selection ideal for resellers who value quality over volume. Each store has a distinct identity, so aligning your sourcing trips with your resale niche will save you time and improve your returns.
Start Sourcing Smarter in San Diego
San Diego's thrift scene rewards the resellers who do their homework — and now you've done yours. From the curated racks of Moneypenny's to the community-driven shelves of Father Joe's Villages, each store on this list brings something distinct to the table. Whether you're building a vintage clothing brand, flipping furniture, or sourcing books for online marketplaces, this city has the inventory depth to support a serious resale business.
The key is consistency: visit regularly, build relationships with store staff, and stay plugged into which stores are restocking and when. San Diego's thrift ecosystem is active and competitive, but there's more than enough opportunity to go around for resellers who show up prepared.
Find more thrift stores near you at mylocalthriftstore.com — with 27,000+ stores listed across the US, it's the largest thrift store directory in the country and your best tool for finding sourcing spots wherever your resale journey takes you. You can also explore our full San Diego thrift store guide for even more local picks and sourcing intel.