Everything you need to know to start your eco-friendly lifestyle here in San Diego
San Diego was recently named the greenest city in America so in honor of this title, we’re scoping out some of the most earth-friendly spots in our amazing city. Read on to learn where to go to support and learn from companies and organizations with eco-friendly missions.
Our Favorite Second-Hand Shops in San Diego
Making a second-hand purchase gives new life to something that may be destined for a landfill. Plus, you can save money and find some unique items that aren’t available anywhere else, and many of these shops accept consignments items. These are some of our top pre-loved kids’ shops:
Replay Toys: Offers new, used, vintage, and collectible toys.
3825 Ray St.
San Diego
Online: replaytoysboutique.com
The Baby Exchange: San Diego’s largest children’s resale shop.
721 Arnele Ave.
El Cajon
Online: babyexchangechildrensresale.com
Baby Go Round: Family-owned and specializing in gently-used baby, kids, maternity, and toy items.
6360 Riverdale St.
San Diego
Online: facebook.com/babygoroundresale
La Costa Kids: An upscale resale boutique offering gently-used, better brands of children through teen items.
372 N El Camino Real
Encinitas
Online: lacostakids.net
Junebug: A children’s resale shop priding itself on quality gently-used items.
142 N Cedros Ave.
Solana Beach
Online: junebugoncedros.com
The Best Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Stores in San Diego
Shopping locally helps to support small businesses and can make a much bigger environmental impact. These shops help support local artisans, use more environmentally friendly packaging, use natural or organic ingredients, or generally use wellness as a guidepost. Some of our favorites include:
The Holistic Science Company: For Health and Beauty products.
4852 Voltaire St.
San Diego
Online: theholisticscienceco.com
Pigment: Our favorite gift shop for eco-friendly finds.
3801 30th St.
San Diego
Online: shoppigment.com
The Gold Dust Collective: For accessories.
3824 Ray St.
San Diego
Online: thegolddustcollective.com
Babies in Bloom: For eco-friendly baby gear.
127 Main St.
Vista
Online: babiesinbloom.com
Warwick’s: Our favorite eco-friendly book store.
7812 Girard Ave.
La Jolla
Online: warwicks.com
Sweetpea Children’s Shop: Our favorite eco-friendly kid’s clothing.
2670 Via De La Valle #A-140
Del Mar
Online: sweetpeadelmar.net
Our Favorite Farmer’s Markets in San Diego
With our year-round growing season and plenty of sunshine, San Diego produces truckloads of farm-fresh goodies, and area farmers’ markets are an excellent way to shop locally and stock up on organic and fresh produce. These colorful markets are also a way to meet the locals and shop for handmade items like soaps, textiles, pottery, and crafts. Luckily there is a farmers’ market somewhere in the city almost every single day of the week. Here are a few of our favorites:
Tuesday: Escondido, 262 E. Grand, 2:30-Sunset
Wednesday: Little Italy, 501 W. Date Street, 8-2:00 p.m.
Thursday: North Park, 2900 North Park Way, 3-6:00 p.m.
Friday: Rancho Bernardo, 13330 Paseo Del Verano Norte, 9-1:00 p.m.
Saturday: Del Mar, 1050 Camino Del Mar, 1-4:00 p.m.
Sunday: Hillcrest, 3960 Normal St., 9-2:00 p.m.
Online: sdfarmbureau.org
The Best Places to Learn More about Being Eco-Friendly
If you’re looking for ways to educate your kids on sustainability practices and ways they can help the planet, take a trip to one of these San Diego organizations. They offer hands-on programs that encourage learning in a fun and nurturing environment.
The Environmental Center of San Diego: This is a community of organizations and people working every day to protect and enhance San Diego’s natural environment through education, advocacy and direct action. They recognize that the key to solving some of our big environmental issues of the day like climate change and loss of biodiversity is through education and stimulation of positive action right here at home in the community of San Diego. The non-profit organization offers education tailored to K-6th grade, summits, and volunteer opportunities.
Online: sandiegoeco.org
Helen Woodward Animal Center: A humane animal education program that encourages hands-on interaction for children of all ages.
6461 El Apajo Rd.
Rancho Santa Fe
Online: animalcenter.org
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Explorers Program: The explorers’ program teaches animal care, habitats, wildlife conservation, saving endangered species, and more.
2920 Zoo Dr.
San Diego
Online: sdwildlifeexplorers.org
San Diego Botanic Garden: SDBG offers a variety of classes including the science of gardening, toddler tales and tunes, and succulent potting all the while surrounded by peaceful garden space.
400 Quail Gardens Dr.
Encinitas
Online: sdbgarden.org
Birch Aquarium at Scripps: Offers camps, tidepool tours, and behind-the-scenes tours of the aquarium to get close to some of the most mysterious underwater plants and animals.
2300 Expedition Way
La Jolla
Online: aquarium.ucsd.edu
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