20 Of The Best Record Stores In San Diego

With the rise of old-school record players in recent years, classic record shops are becoming popular all over again, and San Diego is well ahead of the game.

With dozens of record stores all over the city to pick from, tracking down the most sought-after vinyl has never been easier.

Take a look below at our favorite record stores in San Diego.

Best Record Stores in San Diego – North County

Lou’s Records

Address: 434 N Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024
Phone: (760) 753-1382
Website

Providing Encinitas residents with fresh music since 1980, Lou’s Records is the place to go when you’re searching for something specific. The staff here will go the extra mile to track down just what you’re looking for.

As a heads up, it’s best to set aside a few hours here if you’re a proficient collector, as their inventory seems almost endless!

Spin Records

Address: 370 Grand Ave, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Phone: (760) 434-0807
Website

Spin Records has been in Carlsbad for over 30 years and has shown no signs of slowing down anytime soon, still standing as a top record store in San Diego.

There’s an extensive mix of genres here, as well as a ton of memorabilia and quirky finds, from retro t-shirts to books from decades back. 

San Diego Vintage Collectables

Address: 16767 Bernardo Center Dr, San Diego, CA 92128
Phone: (858) 859-3313
Website

Tucked away in Bernardo Village, San Diego Vintage Collectables is a record store with a twist.

The team here offers a subscription service through which you’ll receive a bunch of records every month, with everything from jazz or blues to rock and punk available.

Standards

Address: 216 E Broadway, Vista, CA 92084
Phone: (760) 650-5659
Website

A small but well-stocked San Diego record store, Standards has a bit of everything, but this spot is most renowned for its metal, punk, and hip-hop collections.

Another thing these guys are known for is their affordable prices and their dollar bins, which are always bursting with quality vinyl and CDs.

Love Bus Records – The Vinyl Destination

Address: 466 Chestnut Ave, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Phone: (760) 828-3515
Website

Love Bus Records is a buzzing spot in Carlsbad where you’ll find an enviable stock of rock, punk, and R&B music, though you’ll likely find a wealth of other genres available too.

The owner is super friendly and well-versed in record collecting, he’s always on hand to help you unearth whatever it is you’re on the hunt for.

Best Record Stores in San Diego – Easy County

Re-Animated Records

Address: 8320 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942
Phone: (619) 825-8363
Website

Walking inside Re-Animated Records feels like you’ve opened Pandora’s Box!

Not your average record store, Re-Animated Records has an eclectic mix of vinyl, DVDs, clothing, and collectibles, with a unique focus on horror movies and their soundtracks.

This is one store you could quickly lose track of time in.

East County Vinyl

Address: 7835 El Cajon Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942
Phone: (619) 460-1822
Website

For a more traditional record store experience, stop by East County Vinyl.

This La Mesa shop has an ever-changing collection and is a popular spot for locals to buy and sell material from various genres and eras. However, their old-school inventory is some of their best.

Pack Ratt Records & Junk

Address: 4746 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115
Phone: (619) 581-9168
Website

More than a record shop, Pack Ratt Records & Junk is akin to a vintage store that includes a curated inventory of vinyl and CDs.

You’ll need to make your way through second-hand surfboards and skateboards to uncover their revolving line-up of records.

Best Record Stores in San Diego – Central San Diego

Record City

Address: 3545 Midway Dr Ste J, San Diego, CA 92110
Phone: (619) 291-5313
Website

An expansive record store in the Midway District, Record City has an incredibly impressive line-up of records, CDs, and cassettes from any and every genre under the sun.

Acclaimed for their reasonable prices, you’ll be able to find the likes of hip-hop, rock, and indie albums from one of the many discount bins.

Vinyl Junkies Record Shack

Address: 2235 Fern St, San Diego, CA 92104
Phone: (619) 794-2399
Website

An excellent store for anyone hoping to kick start or add to their collection, Vinyl Junkoes Record Shack is South Park’s go-to store for both treasured and rare records.

Between their huge collection, cozy hangout area, and friendly staff, this is the kind of place you’ll find yourself returning to time and time again.

FeeLit

Address: 909 E St, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (707) 733-3548
Website

Get your music fix in the heart of downtown at FeeLit, a record store in East Village.

From big-name artists to up-and-coming local musicians, FeeLit carries a unique blend of records. Plus, the team here is happy to order music for you if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

Normal Records

Address: 550 15th St Unit 102, San Diego, CA 9210
Phone: (760) 212-7794
Website

Buy, sell, and trade to your heart’s content at Normal Records, another East Village hotspot with a group of friendly staff members.

Set in a deceptively small store, Normal Records has an extensive collection with a ton of stock up for grabs for very reasonable prices.

Beat Box Records

Address: 2148 Logan Ave, San Diego, CA 92113
Phone: (619) 306-4493
Website

Beat Box Records is a favorite among Barrio Logan residents in search of every kind of music, including foreign language records and underground bands.

It’s a small store, but the quality of the stock is among the best in the city. Better yet, there are always a bunch of affordable finds to uncover here.

M-Theory Music

Address: 827 W Washington St, San Diego, CA 92103
Phone: (619) 220-0485
Website

Easily one of the best-known vinyl record stores in San Diego, M-Theory Music has gained a reputation for its knowledgeable staff and hard-to-beat collection.

If you’re passing by the store at the right time, you might even catch some live performances or album release parties.

Flimzy’s Vinyl Records

Address: 3104 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
Phone: (619) 786-3620
Website

From one staggering collection to another, Flimzy’s Vinyl Records is a superb record store on the western edge of Balboa Park.

Old, new, mainstream, alternative, and everything in between, this is one record store in San Diego that avid collectors shouldn’t skip.

Full Contact Rock N Roll

Address: 2834 N Park Way, San Diego, CA 92104
Phone: (619) 414-7352
Website

Anyone who’s new to the record-collecting scene will love Full Contact Rock N Roll. The staff here is brimming with top-notch recommendations and up to speed with the best and brightest new acts.

Though this spot focuses on rock music, you’ll also find plenty of other genres available. Plus, you might even pick up a concert t-shirt or memorabilia.

Cow Records

Address: 5040 Newport Ave, San Diego, CA 92107
Phone: (619) 523-0236
Website

An Ocean Beach hub for vinyl, CDs, and DVDs, Cow Records is somewhat of a one-stop shop no matter your taste in music.

A treasure trove of records from a multitude of decades, some of the stock here goes for as little as $1. With prices like this, you’re guaranteed to get some bang for your buck here.

FIVESPACE

Address: 570 19th St, San Diego, CA 92102
Website

A Sherman Heights spot that’s a mix of a record store and a thrift shop, FIVESPACE specializes in hip-hop music.

Although you’ll find plenty of stores with a roster of hip-hop records, few places can compete with the selection of genre-specific finds here.

Soul Shack Records

Address: 3535 Adams Ave, San Diego, CA 92116
Phone: (619) 228-9385
Website

Surely one of the best-organized San Diego record stores, Soul Shack Records is a gem in Normal Heights.

Not only is the staff wonderful and the collection diverse, with everything from reggae to rock, but there are often events running too. These are the perfect times to stop by to discover new sounds.

Folk Arts Rare Records

Address: 3610 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104
Phone: (619) 282-7833
Website

If you haven’t guessed by their name, Folk Arts Rare Records specializes in records that are seemingly impossible to find, including under-the-radar bands and rare collector editions.

In short, if these guys can’t find something, it probably doesn’t exist!

No two visits here are the same, and the never-ending stock will keep you busy for hours. In addition to the variety of music available, Folk Arts tends to keep their prices competitive and offers great value.

Music enthusiasts and vinyl collectors won’t have to look far to find a San Diego record store nearby, with plenty of classic spots dotted all over the city and county.

San Diego’s wide-ranging clutch of record stores means that pretty much every genre and era is represented, from popular albums to lesser-known, hard-to-find limited editions.

Looking for more music things to do in San Diego? Check out these additional guides:

11 San Diego Music Venues For A Fun Night Out
10 Fun Spots For Karaoke In San Diego

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