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Hillcrest · $ · Ranked in 1 list
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Record City is a Hillcrest spot ranked #3 of 5 in our Best Record Stores in San Diego list, scoring 86/100 in our Best Record Stores in San Diego. Order the cheap used lps and 45s. The best dollar-per-record value in the city.
We scored Record City 86/100 in our full editorial review.
Read the full Record City reviewRecord City is in Hillcrest, San Diego. Give yourself a few extra minutes for parking on weekends — Hillcrest fills up early on sunny days.
Explore HillcrestOn our Best Record Stores in San Diego list, Record City lands at #3 of 5, just behind Folk Arts Rare Records (89/100) and ahead of Vinyl Junkies Record Shack (86/100). M-Theory Music holds #1 with 89/100, so the gap is 3 points.
See the full Best Record Stores in San Diego rankingRecord City scores 86/100 against a best record stores in san diego field that averages 87, running from 85 at the bottom to 89 at the top. That is 1 points below the category average, though it still finishes ahead of 1 of the 4 other places we scored. It lands 3rd of 5, and the category leader is 3 points clear.
Judged criterion by criterion, Record City separates itself most on value (92/100 versus a 85.2 category average). Its softest showing is uniqueness at 80, 6.8 points under the field. Those two numbers are the honest summary: this is a place you pick for value, not for a clean sweep of every category.
| Criterion | Record City | Category avg. | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Experience | 87 | 89.2 | -2.2 |
| Consistency | 84 | 86 | -2 |
| Value | 92 | 85.2 | +6.8 |
| Atmosphere | 80 | 84.8 | -4.8 |
| Uniqueness | 80 | 86.8 | -6.8 |
Scores are Sandi Spots editorial judgments, compared against every other place we ranked in best record stores in san diego.
Hillcrest is dense enough that Record City 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 Great Maple (90/100 in our best brunch in san diego list) or Hillcrest Farmers Market (90/100) and turn one stop into an afternoon.
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If Record City is booked or closed, these score closest at the same $ spend in the same list:
Yes, if you are in the neighborhood or nearby.
Record City scores 86/100 in our Best Record Stores in San Diego list (#3 of 5). It is strongest on value (92) and experience (87). The best dollar-per-record value in the city.
Skip it if uniqueness matters most to you — that is its weakest category (80/100).
Record City is a good fit for record stores. Because it ranks #3 on our best record stores in san diego list, it makes the most sense to pair it with nearby stops in Hillcrest 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: Dig the unsorted bins near the back for the best finds.
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Score 86/100 on this list's criteria · Order: Cheap used LPs and 45s · $
Big, cluttered, and priced to move. Condition varies, so inspect before buying, but the volume of used stock is unmatched.
Local tip: Dig the unsorted bins near the back for the best finds.
Scored with our ranking methodology — record 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.