Music Moments

Top Record Stores in San Diego

Given San Diego’s rich music scene, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that a vibrant vinyl culture flourishes here.

Vinyl Junkies Record Shack.Photo by Andrew Morales

Vinyl Haven: Vinyl Junkies Record Shack

Address: 2235 Fern St, San Diego, CA 92104

Vinyl Junkies holds a curated record collection in a mid-century style house, replete with a Digger’s Den in the back for hidden gems. Previously a swap meet at the iconic Casbah music venue, Vinyl Junkies was established in 2012 by Eric Howarth, former owner of the record label Hi-Speed Soul, and Tim Mays, co-founder of The Casbah. The brick-and-mortar shop is now located in San Diego’s charming South Park neighborhood. Cruise down and you’ll find friendly staff, live events hosted on the tiki patio, and – importantly – great records.

Vinyl Junkies Record Shack.Photo by Andrew Morales

Hidden Gem: Beat Box Records

Address: 2148 Logan Ave, San Diego, CA 92113

Perhaps not the most widely known shop in San Diego, Beat Box Records nevertheless packs a flavorful collection. The record store is a landmark in Barrio Logan, an artsy neighborhood with deep Chicano roots and myriad murals (actually, not far from Wrensilva’s workshop where we hand-build our consoles). Swing by the store to find collection essentials, vintage records, a rich selection of soul and R&B, and gems across many genres. Between the shop’s vintage decor, the owner Bernie Fishman’s musical index, and the vibrant neighborhood, Beat Box Records is a must-visit.

Photo by Eran Menashri on Unsplash

Elevate your listening experience Visiting your local record store and diving into the ritual of vinyl music is a longstanding San Diego tradition, on par with surfing, visiting Balboa Park, or watching a Padres game. Stop by a record store in San Diego for some epic crate digging, then bring your vinyl finds to the Wrensilva workshop in Barrio Logan to listen on our flagship record console the M1.

Looking at the city throughout the decades, you can find countless musical expressions – including folk, jazz, R&B, and rock . . . a lot of rock. San Diego played, for example, an important role in Frank Zappa’s early affinity for instrumentation and composition. As is the case with many artists, the local record store was the source of significant inspiration.

In this way, record stores depend on the local music scene – but also help create it. Some record stores in San Diego have had their doors open since the ‘60s and ‘80s, while others have opened within the past few years, thanks in part to the fertile environment that the vinyl revival has created. One thing remains true – record stores are an integral part of San Diego’s music scene and cultural identity. Swinging by a record on any given day, you might learn about artists old and new, upcoming music events, and even discover a special-edition pressing.

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