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Kearny Mesa · $ · Ranked in 1 list
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Goodwill Outlet (the bins) is a Kearny Mesa spot ranked #3 of 4 in our Best Thrift Stores in San Diego list, scoring 84/100 in our Best Thrift Stores in San Diego. Order the clothing by the pound. The cheapest clothing in San Diego if you're willing to dig.
We scored Goodwill Outlet (the bins) 84/100 in our full editorial review.
Read the full Goodwill Outlet (the bins) reviewGoodwill Outlet (the bins) is in Kearny Mesa, San Diego. Give yourself a few extra minutes for parking on weekends — Kearny Mesa fills up early on sunny days.
Explore Kearny MesaOn our Best Thrift Stores in San Diego list, Goodwill Outlet (the bins) lands at #3 of 4, just behind Buffalo Exchange (86/100) and ahead of Salvation Army Family Store (83/100). Flashbacks Recycled Fashions holds #1 with 89/100, so the gap is 5 points.
See the full Best Thrift Stores in San Diego rankingGoodwill Outlet (the bins) scores 84/100 against a best thrift stores in san diego field that averages 85.5, running from 83 at the bottom to 89 at the top. That is 1.5 points below the category average, though it still finishes ahead of 1 of the 3 other places we scored. It lands 3rd of 4, and the category leader is 5 points clear.
Judged criterion by criterion, Goodwill Outlet (the bins) separates itself most on uniqueness (92/100 versus a 83.5 category average). Its softest showing is atmosphere at 58, 15 points under the field. Those two numbers are the honest summary: this is a place you pick for uniqueness, not for a clean sweep of every category.
| Criterion | Goodwill Outlet (the bins) | Category avg. | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Experience | 86 | 87.8 | -1.8 |
| Consistency | 74 | 83 | -9 |
| Value | 98 | 89.8 | +8.2 |
| Atmosphere | 58 | 73 | -15 |
| Uniqueness | 92 | 83.5 | +8.5 |
Scores are Sandi Spots editorial judgments, compared against every other place we ranked in best thrift stores in san diego.
Kearny Mesa is dense enough that Goodwill Outlet (the bins) rarely needs to be a standalone trip. We have scored at least six other ranked spots in the same neighborhood, so it is easy to stack a visit with Hidden Fish (92/100 in our best sushi in san diego list) or K Sandwiches (92/100) and turn one stop into an afternoon.
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If Goodwill Outlet (the bins) is booked or closed, these score closest at the same $ spend in the same list:
Worth it for the right craving, not a destination trip.
Goodwill Outlet (the bins) scores 84/100 in our Best Thrift Stores in San Diego list (#3 of 4). It is strongest on value (98) and uniqueness (92). The cheapest clothing in San Diego if you're willing to dig.
Skip it if atmosphere matters most to you — that is its weakest category (58/100).
Goodwill Outlet (the bins) is a good fit for thrift stores. Because it ranks #3 on our best thrift stores in san diego list, it makes the most sense to pair it with nearby stops in Kearny Mesa rather than build a day around a long cross-town drive. Check live hours and availability before leaving, especially for a weekend visit.
Best tactical tip: Bring gloves and hand sanitizer, and go right when fresh bins roll out.
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Score 84/100 on this list's criteria · Order: Clothing by the pound · $
Pay by weight and sort through unsorted bins. It's chaotic and physical, but resellers work these bins for a reason.
Local tip: Bring gloves and hand sanitizer, and go right when fresh bins roll out.
Scored with our ranking methodology — thrift stores.
Published by the Sandi Spots Editorial team at Sleep Coast LLC. Guides combine local perspective and source research. Check the individual guide for firsthand observations and follow official links to confirm current details.