February 28th, 2013 
Spring fever translates into shopping fever, especially as the season’s latest styles hit stores. The problem is that you want to show more for your shopping binge than the same cardi Miss Chatterbox has in the next cubicle over. And while I will never abandon San Diego’s Fashion Valley Mall (anchored by the much beloved Nordstrom and Bloomingdales), sometimes a yearning for something different comes into play.
Enter “boutique-ing.” Though nowhere near the size of its metropolitan neighbor, (and retail Mecca) Los Angeles, the city of San Diego is not a complete prisoner to mainstream shopping. In certain pockets of SD, you’ll be able to find amazing boutiques. Like beacons of novelty, these small shops offer patrons an assortment of exclusive and hard-to-find labels. Take our neighborhood of focus, Solana Beach. Renowned for its Cedros Avenue Design District, Solana boasts a shopping strip that almost guarantees a thrilling discovery of under-the-radar designers.
So, if you are looking for a fabulously curated shopping experience, consider boutique-ing in Solana Beach. To get you started, we’ll share our top three gems located in the heart of the area:
(Photo Credit: Tucci Boutique)
Tucci Boutique
A destination for all things chic, Tucci was opened by Jessica Agatucci to recreate the unique shopping experience she so loved in LA. With its austere-edginess offset by charming cabana dressing rooms, the boutique offers contemporary designers and top-notch customer service. The first boutique in the county ever to carry Isabel Marant, Tucci has a reputation for having a distinct selection of premium labels curated with their customers in mind. After all, their blog says that “tucci” is the Italian word for “you,” and that’s what the boutique strives for, a personal shopping experience just for you.
WHERE:
Tucci Boutique
130 South Cedros, suite 140
Solana Beach, CA 92075
Ph. 858-259-8589
HOURS:
Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
North County resident, Gwen Pavlick, shops local at Pink Lagoon (Photo Credit: Grace Yco)
Pink Lagoon
The brainchild of Jenny Livits, Pink Lagoon is an innovative retail concept that pairs boutique shopping with personalized wardrobe styling. With a team of passionate stylists, clients can shop while getting tips on adapting trends to suit their individual style. Additionally, Pink Lagoon offers Wardrobe Design + Styling Services to further help clients that want to build a well-edited wardrobe tailored around their lifestyle. With engaging interaction and a roster of designers from Elizabeth & James to Chan Luu, shopping at Pink Lagoon is like shopping in your sister or best friend’s closet—only this time, it’s for keeps.
WHERE:
Pink Lagoon
143 South Cedros Ave, suite V.104
Solana Beach, CA 92075
Ph. 858-792-0882
HOURS:
Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
(Photo Credit: Camellia Boutique)
Camellia
A women’s clothing boutique off the famed Highway 101, Camellia means “perfect loveliness,” the very thing Debby Cornell set out to provide her clients when she rolled up the doors of the vintage 1920’s garage-turned-boutique. Cozily stocked with an eclectic selection of contemporary sportswear, clients can shop for California casual dresses, accessories, and classic closet staples for Spring. Add Camellia to your boutique-ing list, because it’s definitely another Solana Beach must-stop!
WHERE:
Camellia
301 North Highway 101
Solana Beach, CA 92075
Ph. 858-481-8616
HOURS:
Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
(Photo Credit: Grace Yco)
