Goodwill Bins F St San Diego, California Goodwill Outlet Store

Thrifting in America’s Finest City is a sun-drenched, year-round affair, and the Goodwill outlet centers are at the very heart of it. San Diego County is massive, and it’s served by three dynamic outlets, each with its own distinct flavor and energy. You’ll find two bustling locations in the southern part of the county, including this one on F Street, and a third, slightly calmer outpost up north. The southern duo, being so close to the border, buzzes with an energy that feels less like a store and more like a lively, bilingual, open-air flea market. It’s genuinely common and wonderful to hear Spanish and English mingling over the tops of the bins as shoppers from both sides of the border hunt for deals, share tips, and build a sense of community.
What truly sets San Diego’s Goodwill bins apart is the unparalleled variety of donations. This isn’t just your standard mix of clothing and housewares. The close proximity to the border means you’ll find eclectic Mexican folk art and brand-new, fast-fashion returns from the nearby outlet malls all in the same bin. At the same time, the influence from affluent coastal enclaves like La Jolla and Del Mar means that high-end, luxury goods are consistently in the mix. The potential for a "holy grail" find is very real here.
Imagine this: one minute you could unearth a barely-worn Vince cashmere sweater, the next you could pull out a sun-faded O’Neill surfboard bag from some garage in Encinitas, or even a vintage naval utility jacket donated by one of the area’s many retired military personnel. The stories behind these items are absolutely fascinating, and it’s what makes digging here so addictive. The pricing structure is also unique. This location on F Street, for example, has a special model where textiles are $2 per piece, but a bundle of 15 pieces is just $27. It encourages you to load up.
The bin rotation is fast and furious, with fresh merchandise hitting the floor every 20 minutes or so. The staff here is great and enforces a strict “no touching until the whistle blows” rule, which thankfully keeps that initial scramble somewhat civilized. For any first-timers, a few tips are absolutely essential for success. Gloves are strongly advised. This is especially true given that donations from the region’s many biotech and medical hubs can sometimes include discarded lab equipment or items with sharp edges. And parking—seriously, plan ahead for parking. The lots at all the locations fill up extremely early. You need to plan on arriving at least 30 minutes before the doors open if you want a decent spot. It pays to be the early bird. Thrifting here is the perfect SoCal experience: surf in the morning, sort through bins in the afternoon, and leave with a haul of pure, sun-drenched gold.