Secondhand Stores in East County & Backcountry

Anchored by La Mesa Boulevard and fanning out through El Cajon, Spring Valley, and beyond, East County has the donation volume, the square footage, and the independent dealer culture to keep serious hunters busy for a full day.

La Mesa in particular has quietly built a legitimate main street scene, with antique malls, estate dealers, record shops, and resale boutiques clustered close enough to walk between. Prices here tend to be friendlier than the trendier westside neighborhoods.

Listings ▼

Act II - Ladies' Resale Boutique

Thrift Store — La Mesa

8360 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942

Curated women's resale boutique in downtown La Mesa.

Apada Threads of Treasures

Thrift Store — Lemon Grove

7733 Palm St Unit 101, Lemon Grove, CA 91945

Thrift store in Lemon Grove offering secondhand clothing and treasures.

Bohemian House Vintage

Antique,Boutique — La Mesa

8217 La Mesa Blvd, Ste O, La Mesa, CA 91942

Eclectic vintage and antique furniture on La Mesa Blvd.

Bridge Thrift - Spring Valley

Thrift Store — Spring Valley

9617 Campo Rd, Spring Valley, CA 91977

Curated nonprofit thrift, profits returned to community.

Converse Family Quality Thrift

Thrift Store — Spring Valley

1047 Elkelton Blvd, Spring Valley, CA 91977

Family-owned since 2011 - stock sourced from estate sales and storage auctions.

David A's Estate Antiques & Services

Antiques & Furniture — La Mesa

8806 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942

Estate appraiser since 1992 - jewelry, military, sports memorabilia.

East County Vinyl

Vinyl Records — La Mesa

8330 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942

Used vinyl inside The Consignment Shack, all genres $2-25.

Friends Bookstore - Alpine Library

Books,Library Bookstore — Alpine

1752 Alpine Blvd, Alpine, CA 91901

Volunteer-run bookshop inside Alpine branch library. Uncurated used and donated books with prices typically running $.50 - $5.00.

Friends Bookstore - El Cajon Library

Books,Library Bookstore — El Cajon

201 E Douglas Ave, El Cajon, CA 92020

Used books inside El Cajon's main library branch. Uncurated used and donated books with prices typically running $.50 - $5.00.

Friends Bookstore - Julian Library

Books,Library Bookstore — Julian

1850 Hwy 78, Julian, CA 92036

In-branch Friends bookstore inside Julian Library. Uncurated used and donated books with prices typically running $.50 - $5.00.

Friends Bookstore - La Mesa Library

Books,Library Bookstore — La Mesa

8074 Allison Ave, La Mesa, CA 91942

Bargain used books at La Mesa Library entrance - open daily. Uncurated used and donated books with prices typically running $.50 - $5.00.

Friends Bookstore - Lakeside Library

Books,Library Bookstore — Lakeside

12428 Woodside Ave, Lakeside, CA 92040

Only used bookstore in Lakeside - opened 2023. Uncurated used and donated books with prices typically running $.50 - $5.00.

Friends Bookstore - Lemon Grove Library

Books,Library Bookstore — Lemon Grove

3001 School Ln, Lemon Grove, CA 91945

Cozy in-branch bookshop with used books for all ages. Uncurated used and donated books with prices typically running $.50 - $5.00.

Friends Bookstore - Rancho San Diego Library

Books,Library Bookstore — Rancho San Diego

11555 Via Rancho San Diego, El Cajon, CA 92019

In-branch Friends bookstore in Rancho San Diego. Uncurated used and donated books with prices typically running $.50 - $5.00.

Friends Bookstore - Spring Valley Library

Books,Library Bookstore — Spring Valley

836 Kempton St, Spring Valley, CA 91977

Dedicated Friends bookstore with extended hours. Uncurated used and donated books with prices typically running $.50 - $5.00.

Goodwill - Alpine

Thrift Store — Alpine

1834B Alpine Boulevard, Alpine CA 91901

Goodwill in Alpine. Call for donation hours

Goodwill - El Cajon

Thrift Store — El Cajon

420 N 2nd Street, El Cajon CA 92021

Goodwill in El Cajon. Call for donation hours

Goodwill - La Mesa Blvd

Thrift Store — La Mesa

8250 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942

La Mesa Goodwill, no donations accepted here.

Goodwill - Rancho San Diego

Thrift Store — Rancho San Diego

3713 Avocado Boulevard, La Mesa CA 91941

Goodwill in Rancho San Diego. Call for donation hours

Goodwill - Santee

Thrift Store — Santee

9575 Mission Gorge Road, Santee CA 92071

Santee Goodwill. Call for donation hours

La Mesa Antique Mall

Antique,Boutique — La Mesa

4710 Palm Ave, La Mesa, CA 91941

6,200 sq ft mall, 40 dealers, Victorian furniture specialty

Maxwell's House of Books

Used Books — La Mesa

8285 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942

La Mesa used bookstore since 2003, scholarly specialty.

Plato's Closet - El Cajon

Thrift Store — El Cajon

398 Fletcher Pkwy, El Cajon, CA 92020

Buys gently used teen and young adult clothing.

Play It Again Sports - La Mesa

Sporting Goods — La Mesa

8011 University Ave Ste C-4, La Mesa, CA 91942

Buys sells trades new and used sports and fitness equipment.

Reanimated Records

Vinyl Records — La Mesa

8320 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942

La Mesa Blvd shop with rock, metal, punk, indie.

Salvation Army - Santee

Thrift Store — Santee

8828 Cuyamaca St, Santee, CA 92071

Salvation Army Thrift Store, Santee. Call for donation hours.

Spring Valley Swap Meet

Swap Meet — Spring Valley

6377 Quarry Rd, Spring Valley, CA 91977

Outdoor swap meet, weekends, vendors and produce.

The Book Place

Used Books — La Mesa

6122 Lake Murray Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942

Used bookstore on Lake Murray Boulevard in La Mesa.

The Eclectic Company

Thrift Store — La Mesa

8504 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942

La Mesa storefront featuring new, used, and vintage clothing

The Friendly Used Book Store - Santee Library

Books,Library Bookstore — Santee

9225 Carlton Hills Blvd, Ste 8, Santee, CA 92071

Friends bookstore in operation since 1995 in Santee.

The Mercantile Store at The Barn Florist

Antiques & Furniture — El Cajon

13277 I-8BL, El Cajon, CA 92021

Antiques, gifts, florals - coffee shop on site.

Thrift Korral

Thrift Store — La Mesa

8693 La Mesa Blvd Ste A, La Mesa, CA 91941

Thrift store selling used goods like clothing, jewelry, furniture, toys, and art, with proceeds donated to a hospice.

Veterans Thrift Store - Spring Valley

Thrift Store — Spring Valley

1049 Elkelton Blvd, Spring Valley, CA 91977

Veterans nonprofit, benefits San Diego County vets.

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Explore curated lists for every type of secondhand shopping across San Diego County — from used bookstores and vinyl record stores to secondhand sporting goods.

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