San Diego Green Gifts Guide 2023

Want to be known as a savvy, creative gift giver with an eco-friendly flair? These San Diego-based gifts won’t leave a huge dent in the environment. The best part: You’ll find an eclectic mix of everything from extravagant experiences to stunning tableware to treat those you love. 

Destress knowing you’ve found the perfect presents for friends and family that are also kind to Mother Earth.

Experiences

Wine Tasting 

Raise your glass at Hatfield Creek Winery. Gift a tasting for a fun weekend afternoon at this eclectic Ramona winery. The beautiful property’s vineyard includes a meditation labyrinth, a historic commemorative row honoring a Navy jet that crashed onsite, and a huge collection of vintage treasures to meander. Deep reds are owner Elaine Lyttleton’s forte. Take home bottles of Zinfandel and Petite Syrah to share. Tastings Fridays-Sundays 11am to 5pm.

Farm to Fork Cooking Class 

Gift a true farm-to-fork cooking class with Cucina Migrante. Home chefs begin their class at the farmers market where they help choose seasonal produce for the three-course meal they’ll create. Inspired by the Mediterranean diet and led by Sicilian chefs, classes are personalized based on clients’ preferences and budgets and take place in person at Cucina Migrante’s charming Golden Hill kitchen or virtually at clients’ homes. 

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Plant-Based Restaurant Gift Card 

Plant-based cuisine never tasted so good. For the adventurous foodie, a gift card to The Plot in Oceanside is a treat.  Local co-founders Jessica and Davin Waite are committed to zero-waste, seasonal cooking using produce that is largely grown onsite. Chefs recreate casual favorites like chicken and waffles and Reuben sandwiches with love and vegetables. Treat those you love to a creative, memorable brunch, lunch, or dinner. Purchase and personalize gift cards directly online.

Families and Kids 

Membership at the Living Coast Discovery Center is a terrific gift for eco-minded families with young children. This local gem encourages many opportunities to learn about conservation with its easy walking trails, composting workshops, and informative exhibits. The intimate site offers many up-close encounters with birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Members enjoy free admission for 12 months and discounts on camps, holiday events, and kayaking. Memberships are very affordable and include up to six family members.

Local Shops

Kitchens for Good Shop

For those who approach shopping as a treasure hunt, the Kitchens for Good Shop thrift store in Pacific Beach is a dream. Featuring a curated collection of pre-loved kitchen and dining items, there is something for everyone here from high-quality boutique products to vintage table linens. All sales benefit the nonprofit’s successful culinary training program for high-risk individuals. Shop in person or online in their eBay shop.

The Mighty Bin

Purchase a gift card to this newly opened zero-waste grocery store for those committed to a plastic-free lifestyle. This North Park store carries organic bulk spices, teas, and baking essentials as well as sustainable skincare and cosmetic items. The Mighty Bin shoppers bring in their own containers to refill. The store is committed to carrying products that uphold their motto: ethically-sourced, simple ingredients and plastic-free packaging.

Sonora Refillery 

The eco-friendly clientele at this Oceanside boutique loves refilling body care products like shampoos, soaps, and body washes. The shop offers the unique perk of being able to personalize product scents with essential oils. Everything in Sonora Refillery is nontoxic and low-waste. Shop online, order for curbside pickup, or browse the lovely shop. 

Bottles & Wood

This local maker specializes in creatively repurposing wine barrels and bottles into gorgeous serving and charcuterie trays, and glassware that can be customized. Made in Kearny Mesa. Shop online in their Etsy shop. 

Raise a Glass

Re-Bru Spirits

This distillery, operated by the folks who founded Thorn Brewery, has found an inventive way to reuse overstocked craft beer. Using old brews, they make small batch vodka, whiskey, gin, and more at Re-Bru Spirits' Barrio Logan facility. Book a distillery tour and tasting which includes a look inside the barrel room, speakeasy, distillery, and a patio tasting of 3 spirits. During your visit, buy some unique bottles like ReBooch Rum or Peppermint Whiskey. 

Coda Wine Subscription

Make celebrating the center of the holidays with the gift of bubbly. This San Diego-owned company ships bubbly direct with no middleman, keeping costs low. Their vineyards are dry-farmed in Italy, using only environmentally responsible natural rainwater for irrigation. The growing method produces intensely-flavored grapes that stand on their own without added sugar or additives. Coda Wine offers an easy way for your favorite person to receive a wine subscription. Their website’s “gifting” button helps you easily check off your list.

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