One of our favorite things about Del Mar Plaza is that it’s full of shops you don’t see coming. They’re tucked between restaurants, around corners, up a level from where you’d normally walk. And almost all of them are locally owned, independently run, and stocked by people who actually chose every item on the shelf. Last Saturday, we gave ourselves a full afternoon to walk every level, talk to the people behind the counters, and really take our time with each one.
BeachCity
BeachCity is a coastal lifestyle store that stocks brands like Patagonia, Marine Layer, Faherty, Vissla, and OluKai, all in one spot. It’s basically a modern surf shop without any of the kitsch. If you’re looking for something to throw on before heading to the beach or you need a gift for someone who lives in boardshorts, start here.
Sea Biscuit
Sea Biscuit is a women-owned boutique on the plaza level. The store stocks contemporary labels like Anine Bing, Vince, rag & bone, Joe’s Jeans, and Good American Denim, and the staff actually helps you put looks together. They also stock home goods, candles, and smaller gift items, which makes this a solid stop when you need something last minute. Dogs are welcome inside, which is very on-brand for Del Mar.
Coco Rose
If you’ve ever been to Bali and missed it the moment you got home, this store is going to do something to you. Coco Rose is a mother-daughter-run boutique that sources resort wear, jewelry, and home goods directly from Bali. The caftans, the woven bags, the handmade bracelets and anklets. Everything has this bohemian, beach-vacation feel that fits Del Mar perfectly.
Camino Books
We could have stayed here for an hour. Camino Books is an independent bookstore that emphasizes quality over quantity, with a staff that actually hand selects what is placed on the shelves. They host author events regularly, and if you ask for a recommendation, you’re going to get a real answer, not a bestseller list.
Gary’s Studio
A menswear shop that has been a Plaza staple for decades. Think well-made shirts, trousers, and pieces that work for a dinner reservation or a weekend in wine country. If the guys in your life are stuck in a rotation of the same three t-shirts, point them here.
Loghman Jewelers
Loghman has been at the Plaza since it opened in 1989, which makes it one of the longest-running tenants here. It’s a family-run fine jewelry shop specializing in handmade Italian pieces, Swiss watches, custom engagement rings, and GIA-certified diamonds. The brothers behind it started by traveling through Italy and sourcing from small, independent designers, and that approach still shows up in the cases today.
School of Rock
Ok, you’re not shopping here. But we’re including it because if you’re at the Plaza on a weekend and you hear live guitar coming from one of the rooms, that’s School of Rock. They run music lessons for kids and teens, with a performance-based curriculum that actually puts students on stage.
