Bazaar Del Mundo

Nice shop with fun items, however the worst experience ever: I live in San Diego, we LOVE everything about Old Town, avoid the tourist traps but I was tremendously excited to explore Los Colores anyway after many years of admiring their window décor; just lovely.
The entire time I was there with my 2 daughters I was watched like a hawk, understandably, kids are scary, however at one point I wanted to cry as I was simply trying to put my babies shoes in my purse and the cashier Ulla or something was so far into my space I could hardly manage what was clearly an overwhelming moment for me. I quickly made my purchases mortified with insult only to find when I got home that I had been OVERCHARGED (bought 6 DOD banners/​décor and charged for 7, naturally the largest and most expensive).
I found it so ironic that I was being stalked as a shoplifter and it turned out I was the one who was robbed from…
No I can’t go back… nobody has time for that, but hey at least I know now where to never go for any fun…

Both locals and visitors enjoy this collection of shops that offer unique items for your home clothing, jewelry for women and colorful and hand picked items from Mexican and South American artists. Browse Bazaar del Mundo’s collection of shops for beautiful clothing, wall art, art glass, sculpture, Mexican folk art, kitchen goods and dining accessories. They also sell Russian porcelain, books, eclectic food items, candles, outrageous cocktail napkins, soaps and handmade Huichol and Oaxacan art. The shops have a small courtyard where guests can sit down, have a cup of coffee and read a newspaper or just relax by the fountain. The shops are a short walk next to Old Town State Park and several restaurants. Free parking in front.

Found this little marketplace here on Unilocal and decided to give it a try. I’m so glad I did because they had so many Mexican/​and other Latin American treasures, many of them homemade… some of it a little pricey, considering years ago you could just hop over to TJ and buy similar products for much cheaper, but who wants to risk that these days? Not me :/​Anyway, the women who worked there were so sweet and helpful. I may have to drop in again next time I’m in San Diego!

I like this little shopping area. My favorite store is Viva Colores. They have tons of cool house décor including a lot that involve birds. LOVE! This time I was just going to look around briefly, and I did, and I even walked all the way out of the store, but then I looked down and off to the side was a doormat. With a crow on it.
So I went back inside with the mat and bought it. And a couple of caramel coated marshmallows by the register. Then, on my way out, I saw they had handbags in the shape of chickens. Honestly, words can’t do this justice. I gushed over one and the lady who’d been helping me (who literally remembered me from my one other visit over eight months ago), told me they weren’t selling well this time around and she was about to mark them half off. I asked if the half off started today and she said sure. As she was ringing me up, another lady mentioned they used to have baby chicks too. She looked for them and found one under the big chicken purses. I had to have that too. And, just for good measure, a dishtowel with a whole family of chickens embroidered onto it.
So now Christmas shopping is done for my mom and I have an awesome new doormat!
I can’t wait to see what they have next time I come to town!

I love this store. It’s huge and full of gems. I’m a sucker for Mexican folk art so this store is great. Everyone who works there is super helpful to. Great place to buy your mom’s presents. Seriously.

Intense colors, sunny days and blue skies. And some shadow too. Picture perfect scenario for your vacation pics, so Pinterest friendly stores! I had not been at Bazaar del Mundo for at least a couple of years, and this past Sunday happily went back to redeem a prize I won. I ended up buying at Ariana clothing, one of the boutiques inside Bazaar del Mundo (and I did a separate review for them), but since this place is so awesome I could not stop there. I have to say this is the place to buy anything Mexican flavored decoration wise in San Diego (together with Casa Artelexia, which is wonderful). So many quality items, yes, not cheap yet worthy to give as great gifts. The customer service is great, the ladies working in all the little stores that belong to the Bazaar are equally nice and friendly.
My favorite pieces are those silver with different stones necklaces, bracelets and rings made in Mexico, as well as the unique textiles. One of the stores has a lot of bedding items, like duvets, pillows, etc, that would give a total rustic Mexican look and feel to any house or apartment. I also like a lot the decorated pots for plants. I double-​check, no, no made in China (even if nothing wrong with that, here mostly everything is Mexican).

A neat place, a courtyard– usually very crowded– mostly mexican restaurants overlooking a stage with a mariachi band performing– some open air– some little shops-​really represents Old Town in San Diego. Lots of character here. Some sofas for lounging if you want to take a break. Also, a small bathroom, with a long line, too. Don’t forget to buy the yummy nuts (they smell so good, it’s great advertising), too, on the way out.
The last time we went here, it was a weeknight, so it wasn’t crowded (weekends have got to be busier). We had the baby in the stroller (when the baby was a few months old). He was at that «sleeping all the time» stage. On a crowded night, it would be difficult to manage a stroller since the walkways are a little tight.
The atmosphere is very inviting. Many of the restaurants are very busy with customers. This is such a cute place. We like stopping in here, even though we haven’t bought anything here or eaten here. It’s just a neat place with good vibes.

I’m almost done with my recent San Diego trip reviews.
It’s a cute collection of little tourist trapping shops. Some items are fair trade and come from all over the world. They also have consignments from local artists. It’s on the pricey side and they do take credit cards so you don’t have to worry about bringing cash.
I saw a skirt in my fave color but it was $ 50. Ross sometimes have the style in stock for less than $ 20. There’s also plenty of accessories but I just couldn’t quite fit it in my limited tourist budget.
I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit. I only ended up here because it was right across from where I stayed.

This was my first time visiting BDM and it may be my last. Getting asked by the cashier if I was okay with the prices I was paying for the items was clearly qualifying me, which I do NOT appreciate. She repeated the prices of individual items aloud — which were really not pricey — asking if I was sure if I wanted to proceed with the purchase. I certainly don’t appreciate someone who is not supporting local goods and selling items from other people’s cultures to talk down to the one brown person in the store. I get it. Sell brown people’s goods and culture, but don’t respect them in your store. Lovely. BDM is charming at best, but the staff at these shops need some retraining on how not to act like imperial a-​holes.

First of all, let me say this place is just amazing! It has a beautiful set up and décor. However, this place is not for us regular folks… its for people with a fat wallet. What left me sour… is the fact that I visited the second floor of the shop and as I was walking back down an old lady working comes towards the stairs and in a desperate voice says «Can I ring you up for that?» I looked back and asked «For what? I have nothing» As my hands were empty, that should have been the end of it. She replies «That wooden spoon you have. » I put both hands in the air and I say «I have nothing.» This should have been the end of it again. She says «I thought I saw you grab a wooden spoon.» Again, I say «No, my hands are empty.» Again showing both my hands in the air. And I proceed to walk away… I mean really? Wow. Anyways, yea… this left me sour.

Super fun to just walk around with friends an explore! There’s a GREAT little cute gardening shop with crazy looking plants, too! Old Town is just a great place to go to overall :)

One of my favorite places ever! A colorful little Mexican folkart wonderland! They sell masks, jewelry, crosses, albrijes, catrinas, ornaments, books, clothing, kitchenware, tinwork, Huichol items, pottery. Two-​stories full of the highest quality artwork. I wish I could buy everything. I go here once a year when I am in town for the Cinco de Mayo celebration.
It is located behind the delcious Casa Guadalajara. It is a great spot to take pictures as well. Check it out…

Across from Casa Guadalajara.
I think they are part of the same «complex».
Lots of Mexican crafts to purchase… plates, cups, cloths, paintings, etc.

Nooooo thanks!
Ok, yes, itsa pretty cool store, just not really my flow, and incredibly expensive! Perhaps my moms would like it? Perhaps not.

This place wasn’t that great… thought it would be bigger and wasn’t worth the walk over there from the main Old Town area… and the prices were pretty high here as well.
My advice is to stay in the main Old Town area for your shopping and dining and sightseeing fix!

With all the changes in Old Town the past few years I thought it would be a good idea to write a review that helped bring everyone up to date. Diane Powers’ BAZAAR DEL MUNDO single-​handedly created tourism in Old Town and the entire area is indebted to its various festivals that supported all the surrounding businesses. Unfortunately, as part of the State Park System it was just a little too successful and showing up California’s other State-​leased venues (State Park gift shops and hot dog stands) so time for it to go, right? Right.
So the concession was sold to a New York firm most known for providing cafeteria service to prisons including California’s prisons. True. True. True. Hey it was the era of Gov. Grey Davis. Remember all those funny pay-​to-​play contracts that got him recalled? So while the shopping center was being converted into the Yuma Territorial Prison circa 1800’s, Bazaar del Mundo relocated a block east, outside the State Park and is not really the same. Though no longer a shopping center, its still a great store with a bunch of little departments spread out in three buildings, fewer restaurants (just one actually separated by a parking lot), not really a place to walk around outside or take photos. You go there to shop (two floors, stairs only), and you go there to eat. The new location was never meant to be permanent, just a temporary location, but now it looks like it’s permanent.
The items are worth a look if you want to bring something home nice or just browse. The clothing store and jewelry for women and household items for every room are unique and colorful and hand picked by Diane Powers, a very talented interior designer with a Mexican and South American flair. Unlike many items you buy at tourist locations and have regrets later, the items at Bazaar del Mundo are show pieces and you won’t regret buying them. The restaurant is Casa Guadalajara and Diane Powers’ Mexican Restaurants are legendary for their oversized Margaritas and festive dishes. Her other two restaurants Casa De Pico and Casa de Bandini moved to the suburbs and are also worth a visit.
By the way, the drab redo of the old place by the New Yorkers was boycotted by the locals and eventually closed. It was «restored» and is now known as FIESTA DE REYES. Though not exactly the Bazaar there are actually some things that are better (more open, a lush garden, better garden store, more access, better entrance to the restaurant, street tacos), some things I miss (the kitchen store, the book store), the old lady that makes paper flowers (she moved to the Bazaar Del Mundo) and some things that are the same (Geppettos Toys, Mexican bakery — note Mexican bakery is still cash only). A nice place to walk around and take photos and its next to all the other attractions in the State Park. So now there are actually two nice places each with its own vibe.

Went a 3^rd time on a Thursday afternoon. Nothing’s better, nothing’s worse. Just 12 – 15 shops surrounding a Mexican restaurant in the middle.

Thought it would be bigger. Not a place I’d go just to window shop, though I did buy a painting for $ 15.
Go to old town instead to satisfy need to stroll around.

This place is fabulous. I wanted to buy one of everything. Unfortunately, I do not have the budget nor cabinet/​counter/​wall space to hold their amazing offerings of colorful dishes, linens, pottery, wall hangings, candles, dia de los muertos bride and groom statues, etc.
I kept looking at items and thinking to myself, «that would be perfect for so-​and-​so!» Unfortunately, so-​and-​so, I don’t have the budget nor room in my suitcase to bring you home that awesome cookbook, rooster purse, wind chime made of recycled kitchen utensils, etc.

My association with Bazaar del Mundo goes back to 1973. Yes, that’s a 7 in there. I think the length of this association speaks for the quality of the experience over many years that keeps bringing me back. This is a place which cannot be described by comparison to other businesses. There is nothing like it. It is a true one of a kind and if you went there last week, it will be different this week. Merchandise is always changing and there are always new things to peruse. To call this a «specialty shop» is a study in understatement.
I’m a Mexican-​Indian so I’m supposed to know all about color and style of México. Well, I gotta say, I learned it at BDM. The message of this place is to let yourself go and be creative and not be held back by convention which says that all rooms must look alike. For very little money, you can add splashes of interesting color which really make a house feel warm and friendly.
BDM employs a wonderful little lady named Terrasita who makes the most beautiful paper flowers in the world. If you have seen other Mexican paper flowers, put those ideas right out of your head now. These are fantastic! They’re very reasonably priced and you can add bouquets of colorful paper flowers (as I have) to bring real beauty into the house for very little money. BDM is also a source for custom-​designed Guatemalan-​made fabrics which are not available anywhere else. Dozens of designs are available as finished goods like runner, placements and tablecloths or as yard goods for your own creations, upholstery, etc. at very reasonable prices.
I call BDM a happy addiction because I can go in, get ideas, try them out and go back for more without breaking the bank. BDM is a collection of shops which range from beautiful clothing to wall art, art glass, sculpture, Mexican folk art, kitchen goods and dining accessories. They also sell Russian porcelain, books, eclectic food items, candles, outrageous cocktail napkins, soaps and handmade Huichol and Oaxacan art. The shops have a small courtyard where guests can sit down, have a cup of coffee and read a newspaper or just relax by the fountain. Truly, there is no place like this anywhere.
The staff are always very accommodating and the BDM puts on a number of special weekend-​long «meet the artists» events during the course of the year which take up the parking lot and bring in artists from all over the country and México to sell their art to the public, again, at very attractive prices. The atmosphere is bright and friendly and this is just a very nice place to be.