LO-DOWN: Good interior designers have an eye for aesthetics that translates from bedrooms to birthday gifts. The owners of SoLo in Solana Beach's Cedros Design District have proven this well, with a warehouse full of sleek, uncommon finds from blown glass to rich leather (all expertly arranged, of course). Check them out when you're looking for a fresh gift or just want to refresh your home decor.
POST UP: Is it possible to be lacking in beach style when you live minutes away from surf and sand? If you answered yes on your own account, you'll benefit from a trip to Pangea Outpost in Pacific Beach. This store has all the sandals, saris and shell accents that you could ever desire, along with a seemingly endless collection of other things you didn't know you wanted. Perfect for people in a shopping mood or last-minute gift ideas.
KITSCH ME: What good is a gift to a loved one if it doesn't make them smile? Babette Schwartz in Hillcrest has plenty of reasons for you and your friends to crack a grin, with tongue-in-cheek greeting cards, pop-culture parodies and magnets that are entertaining and functional. Stop by when you're birthday shopping for your goofy friends, or when you just need a good laugh.
