Holiday shopping is hard enough, but it becomes even a bit harder when you’re shopping in a tourist-heavy neighborhood like Coronado. To help make it easier for you to check things off your holiday shopping list, here are four not-to-miss shops in Coronado, offering everything from unique decor to the hottest new novel.
Bay Books Coronado
Bay Books Coronado, at 1007 Orange Ave., is a must-stop for any holiday shopping outings, especially for book lovers. (Michael James Rocha / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
With bookshops back en vogue, this independently owned bookstore on Orange Avenue is a must for holiday shopping. For more than 30 years, bibliophiles — both local and out-of-towners — have flocked to this store, which carries the latest titles as well as books for children and young adults. History buffs will be happy to hear that Bay Books has a robust collection of books on the military, which seems apropos given its proximity to the North Island Naval Air Station. 1007 Orange Ave., Coronado. 619-435-0070, baybookscoronado.com
Coronado Taste of Oils
Coronado Taste of Oils, at 954 Orange Ave., carries dozens of olive oils in a variety of flavors. (Michael James Rocha / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
If you love olive oil, Coronado Taste of Oils will feel like you’ve died and gone to heaven — olive oil heaven, that is. Family-owned since 2010, this shop on Coronado’s main thoroughfare boasts dozens of metal tanks full of every flavor you can imagine. Here, olive oil comes in flavors like basil and olive oil to red cayenne and Persian lime. There are vinegars, too. Not sure whether you’ll like it? You can taste before buy, and staff members are more than willing to walk you through the various flavors before committing. The store’s inventory goes beyond olive oil and vinegar, though. For the chefs and foodies in your life, you can make this a one-stop shop: There are aprons, oven mitts, gourmet baskets and olive wood cutting boards. 954 Orange Ave., Coronado. 619-522-0098, coronadotasteofoils.com
Fair Trade Decor
Fair Trade Decor, at 828 Orange Ave., is the perfect place to do some holiday shopping with a clean conscience — all of its products are sustainably made. (Michael James Rocha / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
If you want to finish your holiday shopping with a clean conscience, Fair Trade Decor is the way to go. This ultra colorful shop on Orange Avenue has a wide assortment of gifts — all sustainably made and procured from more than 35 countries. The shop was opened in 2018 by locals Elizabeth and Jude Paganelli. In 2023, Dani Schwartz and Melissa Crow took ownership and have continued the shop’s mission of abiding by fair trade principles. The shop’s inventory — from cards to jewelry to pottery — are made by artisans from around the world. Felt products, made from 100% wool, were created by women in Nepal, giving them much-needed steady work. The handcrafted terracotta planters? They were made by artisans from Bangladesh. The intricate cards lining the wall? They were made by artists from a woman-owned company in Vietnam. Want to know more about what you purchased? Most products come with small card explaining the product’s background. 828 Orange Ave., Coronado. 619-675-0072, fairtradedecor.com
Française Shop
Française Shop, at the corner of Orange and C avenues, is pure bliss for anyone looking for gifts for the design-savvy on their holiday lists. (Michael James Rocha / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
This quaint and classically designed shop at the corner of Orange and C avenues never disappoints. For the design-savvy, it’ll be paradise, with its classy and sometimes eclectic collection of wares for anyone looking for a touch of France. There’s the Lyonnais wine glass with its teardrop design, perfect for everyday use or a holiday dinner table. There are candles, cards, coffee mugs and more. Black and white is a prominent color throughout, but there are items for those looking for color as well. 1037 Orange Ave., Coronado. 619-319-5318, francaise-shop.com