San Diego : Lucky Magazine

Igloo

Graphic designer Gary Benzel opened this studiolike space to give rising names in his field a space to see their self-produced goods, like vibrant silk-screened prints and art books filled with cartoony visuals.
640 W. Beech St., 619-234-5855

Products: Women's Clothing, Gifts/Design
Type of Store: Boutique

L.A. Fairchild Boutique/L.A. Fairchild Denim Bar

Cushy slipcovered chairs and nautical ephemera set a casual tone for the abundance of cute clothing at the ever-welcoming L.A. Fairchild. Its new, nearby spin-off denim bar presents about 25 brands of jeans in a rugged, saloonish space—it even offers draft beer to thirsty shoppers, freshly tapped from the in-house keg.
2021 and 2029 San Elijo Ave., 760-487-1277, lafairchild.com

Products: Denim, Women's Clothing, Shoes, Bags
Type of Store: Boutique

Mabel's

This spot is as homey as it gets. Every Nanette Lepore top, and pair of Trina Turk jeans is laid out in a maze of intimate rooms, and the shop exterior features a porch, rose-filled flowerboxes, and a white picket fence.
136 S. Cedros Ave., 858-794-0066,

Products: Women's Clothing, Bags, Jewelry, Beauty, Gifts/Design
Type of Store: Boutique

Matti D

From romantic Rachel Pally skirts to lacy Jill Stuart dresses, every garment found here is compellingly arranged into little color-coordinated vignettes. The effect is quite persuasive: You'll find yourself branching out and selecting pieces you wouldn't ordinarily consider.
2689 Via de la Valle, 858-523-0693

Products: Women's Clothing
Type of Store: Boutique

Mixture

This massive emporium is filled with modern home goods and gorgeous paintings by local artists—it's one of our all-time-favorite pit stops.
2210 Kettner Blvd., 619-239-4788, mixturehome.com

Products: Women's Clothing, Jewelry, Decorative/Lighting, Furniture, Linens, Outdoor, Tabletop, Gifts/Design
Type of Store: Boutique

Niche Boutique

The last thing you'd expect to find among the pasta shops and trattorias in Little Italy is this singularly cool little spot, selling Spring & Clifton sweaters, shoes from Marc Jacobs and BCBG , and girlie dresses created by local designer Carla Manuel.
621 W. Fir St., 619-615-0782

Products: Women's Clothing, Gifts/Design
Type of Store: Boutique

SoLo

A former industrial warehouse serves as the spacious quarters for this showroomlike housewares store, which is broken up into creatively themed areas, from vintage industrial to antique botanical.
309 S. Cedros Ave., 858-794-9016

Products: Antiques, Decorative/Lighting, Furniture, Linens, Outdoor, Tabletop, Books/Stationery, Gifts/Design
Type of Store: Boutique

Steady Boutique/ Unsteady

Eco-conscious streetwear labels that favor neutral colors and natural fibers figure heavily here. Look for independent international designers, mainly Australian, which include Kate Hurst, Something Else, Perks and Mini.
626 8th Ave., 619-234-1670, steadyboutique.com

Products: Denim, Women's Clothing, Jewelry
Type of Store: Boutique

Tucci

The roomy, cabana-inspired dressing rooms at this clean, inviting shop are the most user-friendly we've encountered: Each has its own generously sized mirror, which means you can fully assess how that 3.1 Philip Lim top or those Theory trousers really look on you.
130 S. Cedros Ave., 858-259-8589

Products: Women's Clothing
Type of Store: Boutique

Wear it Again Sam

Dressy, mint-condition clothing from the '20s through the '50s is the specialty of the house. Also available: vintage-inspired hand-tooled-leather shoes and purses, handmade in Mexico just for the store.
3828 Fifth Ave., 619-299-0185, wearitagainsamvintage.com

Products: Women's Clothing, Vintage, Shoes, Jewelry
Type of Store: Boutique