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San Diego Sample Sales & Warehouse Sales (2026 Guide)

By Mereyah Smith · Updated October 20, 2026

San Diego doesn't have a dense designer sample sale scene like LA's Fashion District, but North County has one very active venue. If you live in San Diego County, here's where the deals are, plus how far you'd drive for the bigger OC and LA sales.

Alternative Retail Carlsbad (2561 El Camino Real)

Alternative Retail describes its Carlsbad location as one of its top North County San Diego venues. It rotates surf, skate, golf, athleisure, streetwear and lifestyle brands through warehouse sales (Alternative Retail). Confirmed fall 2026 sales:

Earlier this year, Carlsbad hosted a multi-brand surf sale in September (Billabong, Quiksilver, Roxy, Volcom and more) and a Cuts sale in early October. That gives you a sense of the usual mix.

How entry works

Tickets are free on Eventbrite and you pick a time slot. A multi-brand week needs only one ticket, and the events are in-store only. The Orange County guide covers Alternative Retail's general policies: one-hour slots, no try-ons, no bags inside, all sales final and no AMEX. Parking at Carlsbad is free.

Worth the drive: OC and LA

From Carlsbad, Irvine and Tustin are roughly an hour north without traffic, and that's where the bigger OC sales happen (Eclipse Irvine, Alternative Retail Tustin). The designer sales in LA's Fashion District, like the CMC holiday sample sales, make a better day trip.

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