Guitar Stores in San Diego
Whether you’re a professional musician or you’re just starting to learn the guitar, San Diego has a variety of music shops and guitar stores to choose from.
Anyone looking for guitars in San Diego will have a plethora of choices, from smaller shops specializing in locally made guitars to more national brands offering a wide range of different six-string instruments and other musical gear.
To help you out, we’ve selected some of the best guitar stores in San Diego and its surrounding communities.
Table of Contents
- The Best Guitar Stores in San Diego
The Best Guitar Stores in San Diego
The best way to buy a guitar is to actually sit down and play it, so a good course of action would be to travel to at least a few of these shops and test out a few six-strings yourself. Luckily, if you’re looking for a guitar shop in San Diego County, there are plenty of options to suit your needs.
North County Coastal Guitar Stores in San Diego
Those looking for a new ax to play in the coastal North County area will have several shops to choose from. Here are some of the best.
American Music Exchange
American Music Exchange is a music shop located in the laid-back surfer town of Encinitas, California. It specializes in a range of musical services, including new and used products, instrument repairs, and music lessons taught by world-class instructors.
- Address: 1279 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas, CA 92024
- Phone: (760) 632-1024
- Hours: Mon-Fri 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sat 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sun 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Music Mart
This Solana Beach-based boutique music store offers a wide variety of guitars, drums, keyboards, and other instruments. In addition, Music Mart also provides music-related services like gear repairs, instrument rentals, and music lessons.
- Address: 122 S Solana Hills Dr, Solana Beach, CA 92075
- Phone: (858) 259-3940
- Hours: Mon-Sat 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sun 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Moonlight Music
Moonlight Music is a unique music store in Encinitas that specializes in lessons, special events, and a rock band camp that allows local kids to learn their instruments and play on stage. In addition, Moonlight Music also buys, sells, and trades musical instruments.
- Address: 467 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024
- Phone: (760) 473-8910
- Hours: Tue-Sat 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed Sunday and Monday
North County Inland Guitar Stores in San Diego
If you’re looking for guitar shops further inland, there are many in the inland North County area. These are our picks.
Kiesel Guitars
Kiesel Guitars is a great option for those looking for San Diego guitars — as in, guitars made locally in San Diego County. This Escondido-based guitar maker is known for producing custom guitars and basses that can be tailored to each player’s individual tastes and preferences.
- Address: 2015 Aldergrove Ave, Escondido, CA 92029
- Phone: (858) 484-8277
- Hours: Mon-Friday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Ramona Music Center
The Ramona Music Center is a guitar and music store based in the inland San Diego County town. It features a wide range of six strings, as well as other instruments and music gear. The location also provides both lessons and music-related services to customers.
- Address: 1045 Main St., Ramona, CA 92065
- Phone: (760) 789-3154
- Hours: Mon-Tue 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Closed Wed
Thu-Fri 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Sat 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Closed Sundays
Bertrand’s Ozzie’s Music
Bertrand’s Ozzie’s Music is a Poway-based music store that specializes in lessons, sheet music, and repairs. While it doesn’t focus on guitars, this location does feature guitar lessons alongside teachers of other instruments like violin, clarinet, cello, and piano.
- Address: 12222 Poway Rd #28, Poway, CA 92064
- Phone: (858) 668-3244
- Hours: Tue-Fri 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed Sat-Mon
Central Guitar Stores in San Diego
Looking for a new guitar in the central San Diego area? There are plenty of music stores in San Diego where you can pick up a new instrument.
Mark’s Guitar Exchange
Mark’s Guitar Exchange is a locally owned and independent music store that stocks a plethora of six-strings and other instruments. Along with its massive inventory, Mark’s Guitar Exchange also offers an in-house luthier for expert repairs and music lessons for those new to guitar.
- Address: 3233 Midway Dr, San Diego, CA 92110
- Phone: (619) 221-9011
- Hours: Mon-Fri 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sat 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sun 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Sam Ash Music Stores
This family-owned chain of music stores has pretty much anything you’d need as a musician. You’ll find guitars, basses, keyboards, microphones, and pretty much any other gear you can think of. In addition to new and used guitars, Sam Ash also offers student rentals, music lessons, and expert advice.
- Address: 3418 College Ave, San Diego, CA 92115
- Phone: (619) 573-9669
- Hours: Mon-Sat 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Sun 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Jason Bechard Instrument Repair
Sometimes you don’t need to buy a new instrument — you just need to repair one that you already own. Jason Bechard Instrument Repair in San Diego offers expert service on classical instruments like violins, violas, cellos, and double basses, ensuring that your instrument can get back to tip-top shape.
- Address: 906 Tenth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
- Phone: (406) 304-7865
- Hours: Fri-Mon, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Closed Tue-Thu
East County Guitar Stores in San Diego
If you’re looking for guitar stores in San Diego, you’ll find several options in the eastern portion of the county. These are our top picks.
Guitar Center
You’ve heard of Guitar Center. This large chain of music stores stocks a variety of guitars, basses, drums, amplifiers, and accessories. Whether you’re in the market for a new amplifier or just some acoustic guitar straps, Guitar Center will undoubtedly have something to meet your musical needs.
- Address: 8825 Murray Dr, La Mesa, CA 91942
- Phone: (619) 668-8400
- Hours: Mon-Sat 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sun 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Moze Guitars
This La Mesa-based location is serious about guitars. You’ll find a slew of acoustics, electrics, basses, lap steel guitars, and amplifiers. In addition, they also offer excellent guitar repair and music lessons, as well as a fully-stocked selection of guitar effects and accessories.
- Address: 8415 La Mesa Blvd #1, La Mesa, CA 91942
- Phone: (619) 698-1185
- Hours: Mon-Thu 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fri & Sat 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mr. Joey’s Music
Mr. Joey’s music is run by Mr. Joey, a man who is both knowledgeable and passionate about both musicians and music. This small-but-mighty location offers sales, lessons, rentals, and repair services for guitarists and other musicians.
- Address: 463 Broadway, El Cajon, CA 92021
- Phone: (619) 332-8355
- Hours: Tue-Fri 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sat 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Closed Sunday & Monday
South Bay Guitar Stores in San Diego
The South Bay area has some excellent San Diego guitar stores, including these top-notch picks.
Harper’s Music Store
Harper’s Music Store in Chula Vista doesn’t just stock guitars — they also have band and orchestra instruments, percussion, and keyboards. However, you’ll still find a range of electric and acoustic guitars to suit pretty much any taste and preference.
- Address: 627 H St #B, Chula Vista, CA 91910
- Hours: (619) 398-2505
- Hours: Mon-Sun 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Mark’s Guitar Exchange
If you recognize the name Mark’s Guitar Exchange, it’s because this local chain has multiple locations. The company’s Chula Vista storefront is just as stocked with awesome guitars and also offers repairs, lessons, and other music-related services for any customer.
- Address: 945 Otay Lakes Rd., UNIT G, Chula Vista, CA 91913
- Phone: (619) 421-2342
- Hours: Mon-Thu 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sat 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sun 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Guitar Choice
Guitar Choice in Chula Vista is known for its guitars, including acoustic and electric options. However, despite the name, the store also stocks folk and traditional instrument, drums and percussion instruments, and a lot more. It’s a great option for any musician.
- Address: 3802 Main St #4, Chula Vista, CA 91911
- Phone: (619) 662-2605
- Hours: Mon-Fri 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Closed Saturday & Sunday
Looking for a New Guitar? These San Diego Guitar Stores Have You Covered
As you can see, there’s an abundance of guitar stores in San Diego. From locally owned and operated businesses to national franchises, America’s Finest City has no shortage of places to pick up a new instrument.
Whether you’re looking for an acoustic, an electric, or something else entirely, any one of the aforementioned stores will undoubtedly have something for you.
