Where San Diegans can go to get their vinyl fix on Record Store Day
Record Store Day is Saturday, April 18, and while not all stores are carrying the special RSD pressings, many are running discounts, releasing new arrivals and hosting live DJs.
Written by Kate Morrissey, Edited by Lauren J. Mapp
Editor’s note: For transparency, the reporter on this piece is also a DJ and sometimes hangs out at or performs in some of these stores. Some of these stores have also donated items to support Daylight San Diego’s fundraising efforts. The stores are listed in alphabetical order.
Twice a year, independent record stores around the U.S. celebrate a day of special vinyl releases, music and the crate-digging community.
Not every record store participates in the official Record Store Day limited edition releases, but many offer discounts or special offers, often with DJ performances, food and fun swag to take home.
April 18 is the next Record Store Day. Whatever part of town you’ll be in this weekend, there’s likely a record store not too far away where you might just find that one precious vinyl that you’ve been searching for. Happy digging!
2148 Logan Ave., San Diego, CA 92113
Located in Barrio Logan, Beatbox Records offers a wide selection of used records.
On Record Store Day, Beatbox Records is offering boxes of new arrivals, and it will have food and live DJs. The store will not have Record Store Day releases.
7835 El Cajon Blvd., La Mesa, CA 91942
Located inside The Consignment Shack in La Mesa, East County Vinyl offers a wide selection of used records.
On Record Store Day, East County Vinyl is offering more than 100 new arrivals in Hip Hop singles and will open at 9 a.m. The store will not have Record Store Day releases.
909 E St., San Diego, California 92101
Located in downtown San Diego, FEELIT Records offers new pressings and used records, including some by local artists.
On Record Store Day, FEELIT Records is offering 10 to 20% discounts.
3610 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92104
3829 30th St., San Diego, CA 92104
With two locations, including one inside the bar and listening lounge Part Time Lover, Folk Arts Rare Records has a variety of new and used records.
On Record Store Day, Folk Arts Rare Records will have live music in the store in the afternoon followed by an after party at Part Time Lover. The store will carry Record Store Day releases.
434 N Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas, CA 92024
Located in Encinitas, Lou’s Records offers a variety of new pressings and used records.
On Record Store Day, Lou’s Records will have Record Store Day releases as well as swag bags while supplies last. Ron Blair, the original bassist for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, will be on hand to sign album covers at 3 p.m. The store will hand out numbers at 9 a.m. and open at 10 a.m.
827 W Washington St., San Diego, CA 92103
Located at the western edge of Hillcrest, M-Theory Records offers a variety of new pressings and used records.
On Record Store Day, M-Theory Records is offering concert ticket giveaways every 30 minutes to several San Diego venues including House of Blues San Diego, Gallagher Square at Petco Park, The Observatory North Park and North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre. The store is also offering 20% discounts on used vinyl and will have Record Store Day releases. The first 20 customers receive Record Store Day Swag Bags. The store will begin handing out numbers at 6 a.m. for an 8 a.m. opening.
2820 Historic Decatur Road, San Diego, CA 92106
Located inside the Liberty Station Public Market, Mo Records offers a mix of new pressings and used vinyl in a variety of genres. The store hosts quarterly vinyl fairs at the market.
On Record Store Day, Mo Records is offering 15% off all records and will be adding hundreds of new arrivals to the store’s crates. The store will not have Record Store Day releases. DJs will be spinning live from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
*Editor’s note: Kate will be DJing in the lineup on Record Store Day.
550 15th St., Unit 102, San Diego, CA 92101
Located in downtown San Diego, Normal Records offers a mix of new pressings and used records in a variety of genres.
On Record Store Day, Normal Records will have Record Store Day releases.
8320 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa, CA 91942
Located in La Mesa, Re-Animated Records focuses on used records and offers a selection of horror movies.
On Record Store Day, Re-Animated Records is offering buy one, get one free discounts on t-shirts, cassettes and DVDs. The store will have pastries and coffee in the morning and pizza in the afternoon. It opens at 7 a.m. and will have Record Store Day releases.
3545 Midway Drive, Suite J, San Diego, CA 92110
Located in Midway District, the store offers new and used vinyl in a variety of genres.
On Record Store Day, Record City is opening at 10 a.m. and will have Record Store Day releases. It’s offering 20% off used items and 15% off new items except for Record Store Day releases. The store will also have pizza and soda to share.
3535 Adams Ave., San Diego, CA 92116
Located in Normal Heights, the store offers new pressings and used vinyl in a variety of genres. They, notably, have a selection of Japanese pressings.
On Record Store Day, Soul Side Vinyl will have raffle prizes and live DJs. The store will have Record Store Day releases.
105 W. Grande Ave., Escondido, CA 92025
Located in Escondido, this women-owned store offers new and used vinyl in a variety of genres, with new arrivals weekly. The owners said they “take a more intentional approach in contrast to fast consumerism.”
“We keep a smaller, curated selection rather than overwhelming people with volume,” they messaged us.
On Record Store Day, Track City will have Record Store Day releases. It’s offering free Record Store Day totes, stickers and posters while supplies last and will have flash sales throughout the day. Local DJs will be spinning live in the afternoon.
2235 Fern St., San Diego, CA 92104
Located in South Park, the store offers a variety of genres and a back room called the Digger’s Den that has $3 and $5 records.
On Record Store Day, Vinyl Junkies is opening at 8 a.m. and offering prizes. It will have Record Store Day releases. The store has live DJs from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m, including DJ Symphony who works with the Wu-Tang Clan.
