Beautiful Santa Monica is known for its white-sandy beaches, and boardwalk. It should be known for its amazing thrift and vintage opportunities. The best thrift shops in Santa Monica feature more classic options like the Salvation Army and the American Cancer Society, as well as boutique and vintage shops that are specific to Santa Monica. Historically, Santa Monica has a reputation for its artistic, beachy vibes. We have no doubt this is reflected in the thrifting that’s available, and oh is there quite a lot of thrifting. So, add these to your list the next time you make your way through Santa Monica, read on to learn more.
In this post, we’ll do a breakdown of the thrift shops in the Santa Monica region of California. We’ll talk about if they’re linked to any charities, and what their discounts look like. Learn more about what kinds of things these thrift shops sell, and what to be on the lookout for. As we get further down the list, you’ll notice perhaps more curated, higher-end vintage and consignment options. Thrifting isn’t necessarily all about the cheap prices. Sometimes vintage pieces are worth the find to shell out some extra cash. The same might go for certain discounted luxury goods. Either way, thrifting is what you make of it, now let’s learn more about these shops.
Classic Thrift Shops
St. Matthew’s Thrift Shop
2812 Main St., Santa Monica, CA 90405
Starting off with St. Matthew's Thrift Shop, located right off Main Street. This thrift store is run by the St. The St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church. The aim is to provide goods, resources, and services to those in need, and this charitable thrift shop benefits those causes. They sell an array of home goods, kitchenware, furniture, clothes, toys, and more. Google reviews mention great prices and friendly staff.
- 4-serving meals starting at $3.77 per serving (up to 25% cheaper than HelloFresh).
- Incredible variety with 10+ weekly meal options, delivered directly to you.
- Easy to prepare meals ready in 30-minutes or less.
Assistance League Thrift Shop
1453 15th St, Santa Monica, CA 90404
The Assistance League Thrift Shop is a charitable thrift shop that donates to a number of philanthropic programs. As a nonprofit corporation, they depend on volunteers to run this charity shop and give money towards school supplies, scholarships, supplies for other non-profits, and some medical care needs. They accept donations, and their thrift store sells an array of vintage and designer options, men's clothing, children's clothing and toys, housewares, home goods, books, electronics, and jewelry.
The Salvation Army Thrift Shop
1665 10th St, Santa Monica, CA 90404
The Salvation Army Thrift Shop delivers some great prices in the Santa Monica area. Salvation Army funds Adult Rehabilitation Centers that resource those in need of physical, emotional, or financial support. While they have shops truly all over the United States, the one in Santa Monica likely has some very good options for thrifting. Here you'll find everything from clothing, and shoes, books, accessories, and housewares, to furniture, jewelry, and other treasures galore.
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American Cancer Society Discovery Shop
920 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403
The American Cancer Society Discovery Shop donates its proceeds towards the funding of cancer research, resources, and care. You'll find good prices on clothing, accessories, books, media, electronics, furniture, and more. Google reviews mention good quality pieces, reasonable discounts, and a kind staff. Especially in terms of pricing, the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop is definitely one of the best thrift shops in Santa Monica.
The Purple Door Store LA
12124 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
And finally, the Purple Door LA, a resale shop that offers trendy options alongside great prices. They sell clothes, accessories, and other unique thrifty items. The one Google review calls this shop “the best thrifting experience.” So, there's only one way to find out! Visit on your next trip through Santa Monica.
- 4-serving meals starting at $3.77 per serving (up to 25% cheaper than HelloFresh).
- Incredible variety with 10+ weekly meal options, delivered directly to you.
- Easy to prepare meals ready in 30-minutes or less.
Boutique Thrift Shops
The Colleagues
3312 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405
The Colleagues is a charitable resale boutique that contributes its proceeds to vulnerable women and children in need of resources. Founded in the 1950s, this charity organization also hosts a Spring Luncheon and Fashion Show to further aid its philosophical outreach. At the Colleagues, you'll find vintage and second-hand consignment for reasonable prices, though this may be slightly more pricy than some of the more classic stores, the proceeds are also going to a really, really good cause.
The Salvation Army Boutique
1662 11th St, Santa Monica, CA 90404
An extension of the Salvation Army, this is their boutique store which features a more curated collection. You'll find much of the same kinds of stock as the larger Salvation Army stores in the area, their boutique options might just be more selective in terms of quality, and higher in terms of pricing. Google reviews reflect positively on this option in the Santa Monica thrifting scene.
Buffalo Exchange
2449 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Next up we have a classic boutique resale option, Buffalo Exchange. Originally started in Tuscon, Arizona, these shops sell trendy, higher-quality clothing at decent discount prices. Buffalo isn't necessarily the cheapest option on this list, but for the kinds of unique clothes that they select specifically for their storefront, it can be worth the price. Check out their Santa Monica spot!
Quiz Daddy's Vintage
2525 Main St #103, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Quiz Daddy's Vintage sells quality vintage pieces for moderate prices considering the worth of the piece. They are especially known for their unique graphic tee selection, some of which are showcased on their website. Check out their online shop to get 20% off when online orders are bundled. Google reviews mention customers' positive experiences with the owner, overall stock, and their shopping experience.
Unholy Saints
2716 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405
For another great vintage gem in Santa Monica, check out Unholy Saints. They have a collection of curated vintage pieces for reasonable prices, as well as a leather goods section. The leather pieces are made in-house and therefore the prices vary, but fit the craftsmanship of the work. Google reviews rave about how cool this store is, so decide for yourself when you visit in person.
©Anna Svetlova/Shutterstock.com
Carny Couture
1242 20th St Apt C, Santa Monica, CA 90404
- 4-serving meals starting at $3.77 per serving (up to 25% cheaper than HelloFresh).
- Incredible variety with 10+ weekly meal options, delivered directly to you.
- Easy to prepare meals ready in 30-minutes or less.
Carny Couture is a curated boutique that has all kinds of unique vintage, and designer finds. They have an array of unique home goods, interior décor pieces, one-of-a-kind leather jackets, handbags, high-quality clothing, and more. The aim of the boutique is to showcase and cultivate beautiful things and offer its customers the chance to shop for small treasures in their Santa Monica showroom. Check out their online store for a good idea of their current stock.
Divine Vintage
1025 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403
Divine Vintage is one of the more unique stores on this list, as they offer both vintage shopping, and wine tasting as part of their boutique thrifting experience. Check out their selection of men's clothes, women's clothes, accessories, and fine-wines at their Santa Monica location. Google reviews are positive, with most people mentioning how fun it was to sip and shop – must be 21+ to taste.
Luxury Consignment
While these don't technically fall into the classic “discounted thrifting” category, these luxury consignment shops are a unique part of the Santa Monica conisgnment scene. Starting off with The Closet Trading Company, located at 2711 Main s. They sell by designer brands and have great discounts on luxury clothing, accessories, shoes, and more. They have sales on their consignment wear and last chance deals as well. While this is definitely on the pricier end of the shops on this list, they do offer discounts on very high quality designer wear. It's up to you if this is the kind of thrift discount you're looking for. Google reviews mention reasonable prices and great stock. Other options include Great Labels, at 1126 Wilshire boulevard, another luxury consigment boutique. This Santa Monica gem offers great discounts on designer goods. As per their website you can find brands like Gucci, Prada, YSL, and Dior, all for discounted prices. From clothing and shoes to accessories, handbags, and more, these places are well worth a stop, even just for a fun peruse.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©seeshooteatrepeat/Shutterstock.com.