SAN DIEGO THIS WEEK MAGAZINE - SHOPPING

antique row

Oriental Treasure Box – Japanese Antiques
448 W. Market St. (not far from Seaport Village) Shop here for beautiful Japanese bronzes, lacquers, porcelains, netsuke, folk art, furniture and exquisite silk kimonos. The high quality of the merchandise reflects the selective eye of owner Kazuo Kuwabara. He began the business in 1984 and has built it into the only shop of its kind in the San Diego area. His distinctive merchandise is definitely worth seeing. Open Tues.-Sun. 11am-5pm. Closed Monday. www.orientaltreasurebox.com. 619-233-3831

Maidhof Bros. Ltd. Shipware Merchants
1891 San Diego Ave. (one half mile south of Old Town). Nautical antiques, relics from old ships, and chandlery wares are just some of the great seafaring booty you’ll find here. Look for ship’s furniture, nautical lanterns, brass hardware, sea-going clocks, instruments, portholes, ship’s wheels, brass bells and tons more. Some of the props from the film Titanic came from this store, so you know you’ll be able to find your own piece of nautical history here as well. Open Tue.-Sat. Shipping worldwide. 619-574-1891

shopping centers

Coronado Ferry Landing
1201 First St. at B Ave., Coronado. Just a short scenic ferry ride from San Diego Harbor Excursion’s dock at Broadway Pier, this charming bayfront specialty center features unique shops and galleries, bike and surrey rentals, fine dining at Peohe’s and Il Fornaio, and casual dining at Bay Beach Cafe. Magnificent views of San Diego’s skyline complete the experience. Free parking. 619-435-8895 www.sdhe.com

Del Mar Plaza
1555 Camino del Mar, Del Mar. Spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean surround you as you explore an extraordinary selection of specialty and nationally recognized shops featuring apparel, fine art, home furnishings, unique gift items and exquisite jewelry, all set in a beautiful European ambiance. Enjoy fine or casual dining at award-winning restaurants. Open daily. AE, MC, V. Parking. www.delmarplaza.com. 858-792-1555

Plaza del Pasado
Old Town. Experience the color and pageantry of early California–a blend of south-of-the-border culture amid an emerging western frontier. Nine heritage shops bring you merchandise and signature souvenir items gathered from the Americas. 619-297-3100

Seaport Village
Kettner Blvd. and Harbor Dr. Delight in 57 shops, four restaurants and 13 international eateries quaintly nestled on San Diego Bay. This shopping, dining and entertainment village is designed with three distinctive plazas to capture the look and feel of Old Monterey, Victorian San Francisco, and traditional Mexico. Enjoy live entertainment and an 1890s authentically restored Looff carousel. Open daily 10am-9pm. Visit Seaport Coffee and Fudge for free VIP discount book. For dining discount, use coupon in centerfold. 619-235-4014 www.seaportvillage.com

specialty stores

Distinctions
Grossmont Center, 5500 Grossmont Center Dr., La Mesa. One of the largest stores of its kind in perhaps the entire West, Distinctions specializes in the latest plus-size women’s fashions (12 and up). Look for major name brands like Liz and Jane, Vikki Vi, We Be Bop, Chalou, Spencer Alexis, Eileen Fisher and Karen Kane. The extensive selection includes exercise wear, career and leisure
separates, swim suits, daytime, social and evening dresses, and accessories such as Victorian print beaded shawls and unique jewelry. 619-464-6686 www.distinctionsplus.com

Kobey’s Swap Meet
3500 Sports Arena Blvd. (in the Sports Arena parking lot). Kobey’s is San Diego’s largest outdoor marketplace, with row after row of merchandisers and garage sales. You can find name-brand sunglasses, clothing, antiques, electronics, toys, auto accessories, and even rare books and records. Pocket change can go a long way here. Use the coupon in the center of this magazine for a free admission to Kobey’s. Free parking. Open Fri.-Sun. 7am-3pm. 619-226-0650 (24-hour info)

shopping spree

Hilo Hattie
Aloha! Ready for a slice of island living? Hilo Hattie, the world’s largest maker of Hawaiian, casual and resort fashions, has come to San Diego with their exclusive merchandise and signature service. The new store offers an incredible selection of Hawaiian fashions in prints and styles not found anywhere else, plus gifts, home accessories, T-shirts, gourmet foods and stunning island jewelry from Maui Divers Jewelry. Stop by for fun, great value and a complete Hawaiian lifestyle shopping experience at 5th & K in the Gaslamp. For shopping discount, use coupon in centerfold. Open daily from 11am. 619-546-7289 www.hilohattie.com

San Diego Trading Company
Five locations: Fashion Valley Mall (619-298-1135), Horton Plaza (619-696-7111), University Towne Centre (858-202-0453), 711 4th Ave. (619-234-2046) and 534 5th Ave. (619-237-0062) in the Gaslamp Quarter. Need to find souvenirs and gifts from your visit to San Diego? You’ll find them here. We also carry the best selection of Padres authentic merchandise. We have jerseys, T-shirts, sweats, polos, glassware, hats and much more, all with the new team logo. We also stock kid’s and women’s sizes. We are open late on the weekends, so stop by to get all your Padres gear for the new season at PETCO Park. www.sandiegotradingcompany.com