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America’s Finest Holiday Gift Guide 2023: 77 Unique Ideas

The best local products and national must-haves for your loved ones this holiday season
San Diego Mag Holiday Gift Guide, 2023
Photo Credit: Becka Vance

Whether you’re sourcing stocking stuffers for your loved ones or searching for a white elephant gift the whole office will want to steal, a good gift is hard to find. So we rounded up dozens of locally sourced and national products to help you check off everyone on your list this holiday season. Welcome to America’s finest holiday gift guide, curated by our in-the-know editors.

For Homebodies | For Outdoor Lovers | For The Kids

For Fashionable Friends | For Pets

Holiday Gift Guide: For Homebodies


San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item, December Nights candle from Corridor Candle Co.
Courtesy of Corridor Candle Co.

December Nights Candle – $34

Corridor Candle Co.

Local brand Corridor Candle Co. pours the smells of San Diego into local landmark–inspired candles that actually last. The brand’s festive holiday-only scent, December Nights, adds lemon, amber, and moss notes to fir and cypress to make that classic Christmas tree aroma sexier.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Hardworking Gentlemen face wash & moisturizer from Shop Moniker
Courtesy of Hardworking Gentleman

Hardworking Gentlemen Daily Face Duo – $30–40

Shop Moniker

Get the hardworking gentleman in your life a much-needed skincare set from an Encinitas-based brand. A great pick for teen boys new to self-care, the duo (DIYable at Liberty Station outpost Shop Moniker) contains a face wash and moisturizer infused with aloe and coconut and tea tree oils, clearing complexions without obliterating moisture barriers.   

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Element shea butter lotion from Scisters Salon
Courtesy of Scisters Salon

Element Shea Butter Lotion – $12

Scisters Salon

Element’s shea butter lotion provides enduring hydration ideal for San Diego’s notoriously warm, dry climate. Free of animal products, gluten, paraben, and fragrance, the vitamin E–packed product is friendly to sensitive skin, though those craving a little aromatherapy can mix in an essential oil of their choice.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Honey gingham sleepwear set from Morrow Soft Goods
Courtesy of Morrow Soft Goods

Honey Gingham Sleepwear Set – $200

Morrow Soft Goods

Subtly hint to a lover or roommate that it’s time to let go of that holey college t-shirt they wear to bed by gifting them these lightweight French-linen jammies. Sustainably minded brand Morrow adds bamboo-derived rayon to their gingham sleepwear set to balance linen’s slight natural stiffness and ensure the fabric is soft from the very first sleep.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Alaia robe from Gold Leaf,
Courtesy of Gold Leaf

Alaia Robe – $148

Gold Leaf

The Ritz Carlton of robes. If you listen closely as you enshroud yourself in organic Turkish cotton, you can hear the wheels of a room service cart headed to your penthouse suite. The Alaia robe is both lightweight and cozy, perfect for a night of hot chocolate, snuggling, and holiday movies. 

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Abbondanza Montepulciano d’Abruzzo from Esquina Wine Shop
Courtesy of Esquina Wine Shop

Abbondanza Montepulciano d’Abruzzo – $20

Esquina Wine Shop

This sessionable, chillable organic red offers an approachable foray into low-intervention wines, making it a fab hostess gift for both kinds of pals: the one who’s hosting a vegan, gluten-free holiday potluck and the one who will serve beenie weenies at the white elephant exchange.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Art School Dropout infused glass coaster from Home Ec
Courtesy of Home Ec

Art School Dropout Infused Glass coaster – $20

Home Ec

Checker-print is one of the biggest home trends of the last few years—but gifting a pal an area rug can feel a bit presumptuous. Instead, offer a small dose of stylish squares with these handmade coasters from local small biz Art School Dropout.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Chakra chocolate truffles gift box from Maya Moon Collective
Courtesy of Maya Moon Co

Chakra Chocolate Truffles Gift Box – $25

Maya Moon Collective

Eating chocolate already feels like a spiritual experience. Snacking on this box of seven truffles can be a literal one—every box includes a link to guided meditation to complete while trying each flavor.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Mellow Ceramics plate from Home Ec
Courtesy of Home Ec

Black Slip Babes Crab Plate – $28

Home Ec

About 10,000 stitches behind on your plan to knit everyone scarves for the holidays? Go the handmade route without the finger cramps at Little Italy outpost Home Ec, which vends one-of-a-kind, artisan creations like this funky Black Slip Babes Crab plate from local artist Kim Nguyen. 

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item movie night snack basket: yellow popcorn, garlic powder, gummy mix, carob-covered almonds from The Mighty Bin
Photo Credit: Becka Vance Photography

Movie Night Snack Basket – Prices Vary

The Mighty Bin

Treat your favorite film buff to an earth-friendly movie night snack basket: jars of sweet and savory eats from the bulk bins at zero-waste North Park shop The Mighty Bin. We recommend grabbing popcorn, garlic powder, gummy mix, and carob-covered almonds.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Hersham print from Upton
Courtesy of Upton

Hersham Print – $185

Upton Home

Vista artist Mike Upton designed for breakout local brand Brixton before launching Upton Home with his wife Mariel. Rendered in soothing neutrals and soft colors, their big canvas prints (equipped with eyelets for quick hanging) match almost any décor.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Surfer Magazine, 1960–2020 by Grant Ellis
Courtesy of The Surfer’s Journal

Surfer Magazine, 1960–2020 by Grant Ellis – $55

Surfer Magazine

Informed by his 17 years as Surfer Magazine‘s photo editor, North County resident and surf photographer Grant Ellis traces the publication’s sixty years of history in this coffee table tome featuring breathtaking shots of the world’s best surfers riding breaks in California, Hawaii, and other spectacular spots.

San Diego Magazine gift guide item Beyond the Canyon: Inside Epic California Homes by Roger Davies from The Book Catapult
Courtesy of +COOP

Beyond the Canyon: Inside Epic California Homes by Roger Davies – $65

The Book Catapult

Got a pal who keeps up with Architectural Digest celebrity home tours like they’re new episodes of Love Is Blind? Get them some analog décor inspo with Beyond the Canyon, a roundup of incredible architecture, California design, and, yes, celeb abodes shot by prolific SoCal photographer Roger Davies. 

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item magazine subscription

San Diego Magazine One-Year Subscription – $10

The biggest no-brainer on this list, if you ask us. A subscription to SDM is the gift that keeps on giving—lucky recipients will find thoughtful stories on our region’s coolest restaurants, businesses, art, and culture in their mailbox each month (for less than the price of two issues off the newsstand).

Courtesy of Thread Spun

Culotta Creations Four-Element Geometric Drop Suncatcher – $75

Thread Spun

Brighten up a loved one’s day amid SD’s sometimes-gloomy winter weather with a stained-glass suncatcher that courts light and scatters colorful shadows. You can find the handmade piece at Thread Spun, a charming Encinitas boutique focused on sustainable goods.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Mini mists gift set from You Need Ther-Happy
Courtesy of You Need Ther-Happy

Mini Mists Gift Set – $54

You Need Ther-Happy

Friends who consider four-letter words a form of therapy will appreciate the cheeky names of these essential oil mists, each designed to help you wake up, chill out, or wind down. Each spray in the mini set makes a super stocking stuffer (and fits in a purse, offering an instant assist next time the little ones are melting down in a Target).

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item brass round trays (set of three) from Adobe by Jess Vargas
Courtesy of Adobe by Jess Vargas

Brass Round Trays (Set of Three) – $76

Adobe by Jess Vargas

These multipurpose solid brass trays from Carlsbad homegoods shop Adobe by Jess Vargas arrive in three sizes: 3.75 inches (hello, pretty incense holder), 5.1 inches (an ideal jewelry-storing spot), and 5.75 inches (fancy snack platter).

Courtesy of Adobe by Jess Vargas

Bath and Meditate Bundle – $36

Adobe by Jess Vargas

If gifting a spa weekend is out of the budget this year, remind your bestie to unwind in a subtler way with this Bath and Meditate Bundle, which pairs a yummy-smelling vegan soap with palo santo and incense sticks.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Salt & Stone hand cream from Shop Good
Courtesy of Salt & Stone

Salt & Stone Hand Cream – $20

Shop Good

Help your mom beat dry winter mitts with a squalane and snow mushroom–boosted hand cream from natural skincare company Salt & Stone. It comes in two scents: bergamot-and-hinoki and santal.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Kypris lip elixir balm from Shop Good
Courtesy of KYPRIS Beauty

Kypris Lip Elixir Balm – $49

Shop Good

Some folks are Chapstick people, some are Carmex people. Some are just trying to find a lip balm they like enough to not lose. Help those in the latter category out with Kypris’ lip elixir, a luxurious balm packed with peptides, plant butters, and hyaluronic acid.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item “Be Fierce” removable mini hearts earrings from Ibiza Passion
Courtesy of Ibiza Passion

“Be Fierce” Removable Mini Hearts Earrings – $90

Ibiza Passion

Say “I love you” with earrings shaped like hearts. Say “I’ll love you, even if you change” with heart-shaped earrings that shapeshift—wearers can detach and reattach hearts to turn the baubles from simple, gold-plated studs to statement danglers.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Solar Eclipse hairpin from Scisters Salon
Courtesy of Scisters Salon

Solar Eclipse Hairpin – $18

Scisters Salon

Hairpins are in. The tress accessories from zero-waste hair salon Scisters are made from biodegradable materials, so you can stuff stockings with an effortless updo–helper while also being sweet to Mama Earth.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Botanical South Park print from Gold Leaf
Courtesy of Gold Leaf

Botanical South Park Print – $32

Gold Leaf

When shopping for home décor obsessives, a map of our city can feel a little on-the-nose. Gift quiet local flair with this botanical print depicting the greenery from which South Park’s streets get their names, including juniper, date, olive, and laurel.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Moroccan babouche slippers from Gold Leaf
Courtesy of Gold Leaf

Moroccan Babouche Slippers – $40

Gold Leaf

Put down the “Best Mom Ever” coffee mug. Instead, spoil her with leather slippers. They’re handmade in Morocco and pretty enough for her to wear while hosting at home.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item tiled planter from Casa Xovi

Tiled Planter – $12.95

Casa Xovi

Casa Xovi‘s Mexican tiled planters house sweet succulents and add color and culture to windowsills, bedside tables, and patios.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item KNC Beauty eye mask from Shop Good
Courtesy of Shop Good

KNC Beauty Eye Mask – $5

Shop Good

Fun for middle schoolers curious about skincare, KNC’s star-shaped eye mask provides under-eye hydration in the form of soft, sparkly, selfie-ready stickers.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Throw Blanket from PAR KER made
Courtesy of PAR KER Made

Linefaces Throw – $149

Par Ker Made

When he’s not collabing with Vans, local artist and BMX pro Parker Heath makes funky apparel and homegoods in abstract patterns. This thick, comfy blanket can also function as an eye-catching tapestry.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide itemThe Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd from Vinyl Junkies, a rock record collection essential
Courtesy of Pink Floyd

The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd – $33.99

Vinyl Junkies

Widely considered Pink Floyd’s best album, The Dark Side of the Moon sat on the Billboard charts for nearly 15 years after its release in 1973. Available at South Park record store Vinyl Junkies, this LP set also includes posters and stickers.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item The Velvet Underground and Nico from Vinyl Junkies featuring the iconic Andy Warhol banana cover
Courtesy of Amazon

The Velvet Underground and Nico – $29

Vinyl Junkies

A must-have for rock fans starting a record collection, 1966’s The Velvet Underground and Nico (instantly recognizable thanks to its iconic Andy Warhol cover) is the album that launched a thousand genres, influencing punk, indie, and shoegaze, among other styles.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Canciones de Mi Padre by Linda Ronstadt from Vinyl Junkies, the rock great’s first Mexican music album
Courtesy of Linda Ronstad Music

Canciones de Mi Padre by Linda Ronstadt – $26.99

Vinyl Junkies

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer released her first mariachi album, Canciones de Mi Padre, in 1987, with music inspired by her Mexican-American upbringing in Arizona. Some of her earliest brushes with the songs came from Chicano musician Lalo Guerrero, who often visited her family home when she was a child.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item The Librarianist by Patrick deWitt from The Book Catapult
Courtesy of Amazon

The Librarianist by Patrick deWitt – $30

The Book Catapult

Catapult Books co-owner Seth Marko compared Patrick deWitt’s seemingly mundane story of a retired librarian to Wes Anderson’s eccentric films. Give this to a friend who likes funny books with quiet power.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Red and White Kitchen Company California blue flour sack towel from Sea Hive Station
Courtesy of Red and White Kitchen Company

Red and White Kitchen Company California Blue Flour Sack Towel

Sea Hive Station

The chef is your life is probably inundated with fancy olive oils and salts every year—so pivot to something that will brighten up their kitchen as they cook. Red and White Kitchen Company’s flour sack towel depicts California’s most popular destinations (and actually absorbs water, unlike decorative cloths made of microfiber).

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Schplink! Grüner Veltliner three liters of cult-favorite organic wine from Esquina Wine Shop
Courtesy of Esquina Wine Shop

Schplink! Grüner Veltliner – $38

Esquina Wine Shop

Divest yourself of sad college-party associations with boxed wine: Schplink!’s crisp Austrian white is organic, low-intervention, and worlds away from a slappable bag of Franzia. The three-liter box holds as much vino as four regular bottles, making you the MVP guest at the dinner party.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Classic Hot Chocolate from Courtesy of Maya Moon Co.
Courtesy of Maya Moon Co.

Classic Drinking Cacao – $36

Maya Moon Collective

Serve a cozy, Santa-approved mug of hot cocoa (without the sugar high). Normal Heights cacao shop Maya Moon Collective offers their nourishing mix in a take-home bag sweetened with maple syrup.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Puff vibrator from Amazon Unbound
Courtesy of Amazon

Puff Vibrator – $48

Unbound

Okay, so maybe you don’t want to stick this one under the tree—but as far as useful gifts go, this discreet, palm-sized suction sex toy from woman-owned company Unbound ranks high (and has the rave reviews to prove it).

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item At-home facial package from Shop Good
Courtesy of Shop Good

At-Home Facial Package – $38-115

Shop Good

Time to do some reconnaissance on your bestie’s skin type. The holistic estheticians at local clean beauty outpost Shop Good will create two personalized treatment masks based on your friend’s needs and goals and package them with reusable rounds, a playlist to inspire self-care, and other products.

Photo Credit: Becka Vance Photography

Holiday Gift Guide: For Outdoor Lovers


San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Firecracker earband from Oiselle
Courtesy of Oiselle

Firecracker Earband – $24

Oiselle

Runners racking up steps in the early morning chill will appreciate this cozy headband, which warms ears with a sweat-absorbing reflective fabric that helps joggers stay visible, even beneath the foggy haze of SD’s marine layer.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Runglasses from Oiselle
Courtesy of Oiselle

Runglasses – $28

Oiselle

The appeal is in the name. These glasses withstand slippery sweat mid-marathon (or during a half-mile Hot Girl Walk. No shade). Affordable and scratch-resistant, Oiselle’s sunnies are a perfect gift for seasoned athletes and jogging newbies alike.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Westerlies Mock Tank from Vuori
Courtesy of Vuori

Westerlies Mock Tank – $68

Vuori

This sleeveless mock tank from major Encinitas brand Vuori is breathable enough for a barre class but cute enough for brunch. Friends who are forever on the go will thank you.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Garmin Forerunner 965 from Road Runner Sports
Courtesy of Road Runner Sports

Garmin Forerunner 965 – $599

Road Runner Sports

Garmin’s fitness tracker comes equipped with all the James Bond–esque capabilities: race widgets, built-in maps, and 23 days of battery life, so it can stay superglued to your loved one’s wrist, no steps left uncounted. 

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Studio pocket legging from Vuori
Courtesy of Vuori

Studio Pocket Legging – $98

Vuori

Whether we’re talking dresses, jeans, or leggings, women often want one thing: pockets. These Vuori workout bottoms feature three—two on the sides for phone- and credit card–stashing and a hidden one on the waistband that holds lip balm, a key, or other small necessities.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Brooks Cascadia 17 GTX from Road Runner
Courtesy of Brooks Running

Brooks Cascadia 17 GTX – $170

Road Runner Sports

Running shoes need replacing every 300 to 500 miles—which, for serious joggers, can be as often as every few months. Help your favorite sprinter be more sustainable with Brooks’ earth-friendly Cascadias. Each pair is created with recycled materials equivalent to 10 plastic water bottles.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Osprey Skimmer 20 hydration pack from Dick’s Sporting Goods
Courtesy of Dick’s Sporting Goods

Osprey Skimmer 20 Hydration Pack – $130

Dick’s Sporting Goods

A favorite accessory of intrepid hikers and shirtless guys at music festivals, the Camelbak-style pack is practical, but not especially chic—until now. Osprey’s take offers a sleeker version that holds 20 liters of water.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Surfrider Sunburst towel from Sand Cloud
Courtesy of Sand Cloud

Surfrider Towel – $50

Sand Cloud

In most parts of America, gifting a beach towel in the winter is a cruel taunt—but here, whoever gets one will be able to use it before New Year’s. SD brand Sand Cloud collabed with local nonprofit the Surfrider Foundation to create these organic cotton towels that dry quick and repel sand.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Honey Stinger Energy Chews from Milestone Running
Courtesy of Honey Stinger

Honey Stinger Energy Chews – $32 and GU Energy Gel – $13

Milestone Running

Pad gaps in a frequent camper’s stocking with easily portable trail snacks, including Honey Stinger’s fruit-flavored energy chews and GU’s caffeine-boosted gels.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Topo Designs mountain accessory shoulder bag from Shop Moniker
Courtesy of Topo Designs

Topo Designs Mountain Accessory Shoulder Bag – $54

Shop Moniker

Here’s one for your hiking buddy: a lightweight shoulder bag ideal for short treks. Topo Designs’ crossbody has practical pockets for keys, phone, and snacks without any extra bulk. Now all your friend has to worry about is the elevation increase. 

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Poppy & Pout lip balm from Scisters Salon
Courtesy of Poppy & Pout

Poppy & Pout Lip Balm – $10

Scisters Salon

The last thing climbers need is a potted lip moisturizer that must be applied with chalky, dusty fingertips. Instead, equip them with Poppy & Pout’s tinted balm, which comes in a recyclable cardboard tube.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item The OG sunscreen from SurfDurt
Courtesy of SurfDurt

The OG Sunscreen – $25

SurfDurt

This cruelty-free, made-in-SD sunscreen is kind to coral, making it a thoughtful gift for surfers and swimmers. The zinc oxide–based product stands out for lacking the white cast that plagues many a mineral sunblock.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Sunski Dipsea polarized sunglasses from Thread Spun

Sunski Dipsea Polarized Sunglasses – $68

Thread Spun

Sunski’s unisex polarized glasses offer a nice upgrade for buds endlessly battling the breakable nature of drug-store sunnies (while leaving room in your budget for everyone else on your list).

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff from The Book Catapult
Courtesy of Lauren Groff

The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff – $28

The Book Catapult

The staff at South Park shop The Book Catapult selected Lauren Groff’s The Vaster Wilds as one of the best books of 2023. Set in the 17th century, the novel follows a young girl’s escape from a colony into an unplumbed wilderness.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item ThermoFlask 32 oz. stainless steel water bottle from Amazon
Courtesy of ThermoFlask

ThermoFlask 32 oz. Stainless Steel Water Bottle – $33

Amazon

Healthy teens require at least 64 ounces of water every day (more if they play a sport). Help the high schoolers in your life stay hydrated from Spanish class to soccer practice by gifting them a stainless-steel water bottle from ThermoFlask (plus a few stickers to decorate it).

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Skyward chair from REI
Courtesy of REI

Skyward Chair – $60

REI

REI’s staple Skyward chair is a must-have for two key facets of the San Diego lifestyle: outdoor adventuring and beachside chilling. Weighing in at just over seven pounds, it’s a foldable, portable camp seat that also suits tailgaters, soccer parents, and open-air concert fans.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Cotopaxi Teca Half-Zip Jacket
Courtesy of Cotopaxi

Teca Half-Zip Windbreaker – $80

Cotopaxi

With an El Niño winter on the way, SD may see more rain this winter. Help folks on your gift list weather any storm with this packable half-zip windbreaker. See a shade they’ll love? Snap it up—Teca makes ’em with repurposed materials, meaning each colorway is limited.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Parks Project two-person hammock from Small Batch
Courtesy of Parks Project

Parks Project Two-Person Hammock – $105

Small Batch

The woods are for lovers. Treat your sweetheart (and yourself) to cozier camping trips with this trippy printed hammock that fits two.

Holiday Gift Guide: For The Kids


Child’s Dress – $25

Casa Xovi

Woman-owned Barrio Logan boutique Casa Xovi vends Mexican goods from an eclectic collective of shops in Barrio Logan. The store slings colorful kids’ clothes for babies, toddlers, and older children.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Sibley Backyard Birding jigsaw puzzle from Small Batch
Courtesy of Sibley Guides

Sibley Backyard Birding Jigsaw Puzzle – $20

Small Batch

Short winter days can prevent birdwatching jaunts, but this illustrated puzzle allows bird lovers to ogle avian life from the comfort of their couch. At 1,000 pieces, the puzzle is best for kiddos over 12 (or smaller solvers with very patient parents).

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Plan Toys waffle set from Shop Moniker
Courtesy of Plan Toys

Plan Toys Waffle Set – $55

Shop Moniker

Little chefs can safely hone their cooking skills with this sustainable toy rubberwood waffle iron complete with silverware, dishes, and pretend waffles, syrup, and fruit.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item ABCs of California by Sandra Magsamen from Sea Hive Station
Courtesy of Amazon

ABCs of California by Sandra Magsamen – $13

Sea Hive Station

Teach children the wonders of living on the West Coast with Sandra Magsamen’s ABCs of California, which traces the state’s most magical qualities from A (for awesome, “because that’s what California is, in every way!”) to Z (for zoo, “where sea lions swim around and bark”).

Holiday Gift Guide: For Fashionable Friends


San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Guy Fox Tyler cologne from Small Batch
Courtesy of Small Batch

Guy Fox Tyler Cologne – $68

Small Batch

Gift someone a signature scent. The rare fruit-forward fragrance directed more at dudes, this locally produced cologne offers a zippy blend of citrus notes, coconut, sage, and juniper, plus a touch of moodiness from patchouli and cedar.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Dilo Hinoki Sesame perfume from Adobe by Jess Vargas
Courtesy of Adobe by Jess Vargas

Dilo Hinoki Sesame Perfume – $84

Adobe by Jess Vargas

Sexy and fresh, Dilo Hinoki Sesame melds bergamot, sandalwood, and cedar will its namesake notes (sesame seeds and hinoki, a type of Japanese cypress). Fans of Le Labo’s hinoki-scented bath and body products will dig this for an extra layer of lemony, foresty goodness.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item O My Bag Vicky leather bag from Thread Spun
Courtesy of Thread Spun

O My Bag Vicky Leather Bag – $298

Thread Spun

The scent of new leather wafting from a gift bag is its own delight—and O My Bag’s vegetable-tanned purse delivers with a sharp, interesting shape in a warm, goes-with-everything color.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item La Ranchitas California trucker hat from Sea Hive Station
Courtesy of SF Mercantile

La Ranchitas California Trucker Hat – $28

Sea Hive Station

The solution to your dad’s insistence that he doesn’t need anything? Probably a cap. La Ranchitas’ trucker hat celebrates SD’s seaside culture with a detailed decal featuring sun, sand, surf, and waves.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item T-shirts from No. 1926
Courtesy of Number 1926

T-Shirt – $65

No. 1926

Leave the souvenir sweatshirts to Embarcadero tourists. Instead, help your loved ones rep local spots with soft, vintage-inspired tees from SD-based No. 1926. The shirts shout out county hot spots like Solana Beach, Del Mar, and North Park.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Rhythm corduroy shirt from Shop Moniker
Courtesy of Rhythm Livin

Rhythm Corduroy Shirt – $99

Shop Moniker

This durable, timeless corduroy shirt from Rhythm is the ideal San Diego winter layer, keeping wearers warm when it hits 6 p.m. and it’s no longer 70 and sunny. Tragic.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Men’s Korsa Transfer Full Zip Hoodie from Road Runner
Courtesy of Road Runner Sports

Korsa Transfer Full Zip Hoodie – $100

Road Runner Sports

San Diego running goods shop Road Runner Sports designed this comfy hoodie, adding strategically placed fleece and subtle venting to balance body temps during cold-weather workouts.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Topo Designs global puffer hoodie from Shop Moniker
Courtesy of Topo Designs

Topo Designs Global Puffer Hoodie – $271

Shop Moniker

Topo Design’s puffer hoodie is ready to take on everything, from everyday wear to summiting mountain peaks. This lightweight, waterproof layer will take recipients to new heights (even if those heights are merely reaching up to place a star at the top of the tree). 

Faux fur kimono Jennafer Grace
Courtesy of Jennafer Grace

Jennafer Grace Lavender Honey Faux Fur Koi Kimono – $189

Sea Hive Station

Friends who consider Daisy Jones and the Six the ultimate style inspo will dig a saucy robe from Jennafer Grace. It wears just as well at home paired with a glass of red wine as it does atop a silky slip dress for a night out.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item BKIND vegan nail polish from Scisters Salon
Courtesy of BKIND

BKIND Nail Polish – $16

Scisters Salon

Vegan and free of 21 potentially harmful ingredients typically found in nail polish, this holiday gift guide favorite—BKIND’s nail polish—comes in tons of colors, from a holiday-ready cherry red to a soft, pearly white.

Holiday Gift Guide: For Pets


San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Knickerbocker Sweatshirt for dogs from Little Beast
Courtesy of Little Beast

Knickerbocker Sweatshirt – $45

Little Beast

Humans aren’t the only ones enjoying sweater weather—our dogs love it, too. Get your four-legged friend a stylish look for their next holiday shindig, like this striped turtleneck from quirky pet clothes company Little Beast.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Wild One collar, from Shop Moniker
Courtesy of Shop Moniker

Wild One Collar – $44

Shop Moniker

Remember how your parents would sneak in a few pairs of socks amid the toys on Christmas? Give your four-legged baby the same treatment with an eternally practical accessory: the dirt- and odor-resistant Wild One collar. In a battle against skunks, mud, and the million other smells puppies get into, this collar will always win. 

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Tonbo avocado toast dog bed from Sea Hive Station
Courtesy of Amazon

Tonbo Avocado Toast Dog Bed – $40

Sea Hive Station

Keep pets warm and comfortable in the most California way possible: with a bed shaped like avocado toast. The machine-washable sleeper comes with an avo toy and is available in person at local-biz outpost Sea Hive Station.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Naked beast beef tendons from Sea Hive Station
Courtesy of Naked Beasts

Naked Beast Hoki Dog Treats – $14.75

Sea Hive Station

Pup-focused purveyor Naked Beast makes natural, vitamin- and omega-loaded bites for pets of all sizes. The brand’s hoki treats are made from dried, wild-caught white fish. Sea Hive Station carries dozens of other single-ingredient snacks, including nutrient-dense organ meats.

San Diego magazine holiday gift guide item Wild One leash, from Shop Moniker
Courtesy of Wild One

Wild One Leash – $66

Shop Moniker

If your dog is still hitting the streets hooked up to the ragged cotton leash they gnawed on as a pup, offer them an upgrade with this durable leash that repels dirt, water, and odor.


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By Lucy Byam

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By Tatyana Wells

By Amelia Rodriguez

Amelia Rodriguez is San Diego Magazine’s Associate Editor. The 2023 winner of the San Diego Press Club's Rising Star Award, she’s covered music, food, arts & culture, fashion, and design for Rolling Stone, Palm Springs Life, and other national and regional publications. After work, you can find her hunting down San Diego’s best pastries and maintaining her three-year Duolingo streak.

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