Thrift Gold Rush: The Best Secondhand Scores in Central California

Some people may like to collect trinkets and coffee cups when on vacation. As for myself, the sustainable fashion guru in me loves shopping for gently used rompers all across America for my vacation souvenirs. The trendy thrifter in me has purchased new-to-me cowboy boots in Nashville, Tennessee. I purchased my favorite deep purple workout romper at Value Village in Toronto, Ontario, last summer. Just last week, I was shopping at the amazing Goodwill in Lake Tahoe, California. I came across an almost new pair of Volcom shorts, perfect for the fall weather, for just six incredible dollars! I will wear these shorts with my favorite, also thrifted, Sam Edelman booties, all autumn long. You don’t have to be a Kamala-loving hippie to enjoy the best thrift stores Central California has to offer! Come with me on a tour!

Secondhand Sass: The Ultimate Thrift Tour of Central California

Anywhere I head on holiday, I always plan a trip to the local thrift stores. I’m telling you, you can find the best fashion and souvenir finds! Why waste your hard-earned cash at outlets and pay a premium price when the best thrift stores in Central California are easily found?

This past summer, we spent an awesome end-of-summer, beginning of fall road trip traveling all over northern California, from Reno, to Lake Tahoe and even to the coast in Big Sur. All of these off-the-beaten-path locations have boutique thrift stores full of treasures. If you, too, are traveling throughout California this autumn, make time to check out the best thrift stores in Central California.

The biggest little city full of thrift stores

Our two-week summertime trip to Lake Tahoe and Reno was no different. I had never been to Reno before. Did I head straight to the Reno Arch for a photo op? I thought about it, but I heard the crime in that area is miserable, so we decided to go thrift store shopping instead!

The Savers in Reno was very central to the rest of our shopping. I found a great souvenir for my boyfriend, an Edgewood Tahoe hat for three dollars. I also found some cute fall boots and some nice fall gloves. I didn’t have a ton of time to check out the whole store, but they seemed to have a good amount of merchandise. My boyfriend’s daughter got a very cute sundress for six dollars. With a quick thrift stop in Reno, we were soon on the road, Highway 50 to be exact and motoring towards Incline Village and the majestic blue Lake Tahoe.

As we drove up Highway 50 towards Incline Village, I had already shopped at the Savers in Reno. I had also commented on how many vintage and resale stores Reno had, but I did not have time to check them all out. As we drove through Incline Village, we passed the Pet Network Thrift Store, which I had heard great things about, and obviously I love the cause. But at that point, we were in a rush to make camp in Tahoe City, so I didn’t get a chance to check it out.

Of course, if you plan a holiday to Lake Tahoe, the main goal is to hike, hike, hike. But sometimes you need a break from hiking! Take a time out from the amazing hiking in the Lake Tahoe area to go thrift store shopping! First of all, yes, South Lake Tahoe has a Goodwill. Yes, it is fantastic! The Lake Tahoe Goodwill is a crazy busy place. I swear, everyone in the parking lot was local. They all seemed to know each other. It might not be the largest Goodwill store I have shopped at, but man, do they cram a lot into that little store! I picked up a fantastic pair of fall booties that are comfortable to walk in. I can definitely wear these walking through the crunchy oak leaves on the upcoming autumn days on easy hikes. Score! Six-dollar treasure! The prices at this particular Goodwill were great, also. After the Goodwill in Tahoe, definitely check out Tahoe Gear Exchange for everything Patagonia that you do not want to ever pay full price for.

As a sustainable hiker, outdoor lover and foodie, there is nothing I love more than helping out this lovely planet of ours. Thrift store purchasing makes me feel so much better about throwing away all my hard-earned cash on Shein tube tops made in a sweatshop in China. I love that by purchasing recycled clothing and yes, kitchen and home goods too I am helping to give back to this planet of ours. It may not be Earth Day in September. However, we can try each and every day to pay it forward sustainably, just a little bit. At least it makes me feel better when we are trolling across America in our twenty-five-year-old motorhome that gets nine miles to the gallon and getting flipped off by a dude in a Prius over yonder. But that might be on account of my anti-Kamala bumper stickers on the Jeep. Who really knows?

Speaking of those silly woke liberals, did you know that thrift store is now the latest woke word you are not allowed to whisper? You have to call it a benefit shop so as not to offend Dorito-munching Kamala Harris. True story. I could not make this up if I tried.

Carmel-By-The-Hippie-Sea

After Lake Tahoe, we moved on to the hippie enclave of Carmel and Big Sur. I sure love me some Central Coast beauty, rugged coastlines, cooler temps and redwoods. After a week in the heat and terrible air of central California, we were ready for a fall-like change. Except for the love of God, those liberal hippies are something else! I mean, I did expect that a bit, as the Carmel-By-The-Sea area is a hamlet for artists and dudes in Kafkans who probably once supported Bernie Sanders. But I didn’t expect that we had entered Kamala-Ville. I mean, I swear nearly every Tesla and Cybertruck had a Kamala bumper sticker on it. It was such an interesting change as we had just driven to Carmel-By-The-Kamala-loving-Sea by way of California’s heartland. I had counted over fifty Trump banners while driving through farm country. You can definitely see the regional political shift as you drive through different California towns.

Meanwhile, at home in Big Bear Lake, California, at this moment, our whole town has been evacuated by a quickly moving 30,000-acre wildfire. Yes, looters have moved into a lot of neighborhoods since the entire town is basically vacant. Wildlife like bobcats are coming out of the woods and taking over neighborhoods. And neighborhoods like ours are putting up warning signs; Seriously, all of my neighbors are in the NRA. I don’t suggest looting here!

Big Sur or bust!

Are you also traveling to the Big Sur coast after Lake Tahoe? They also have some great thrift shops (Please don’t cancel me) in Carmel-By-The-Very-Liberal-Sea. I found everything from perfect for camping, new wineglasses, to these fantastic for fall striped shorts. All at the most reasonable prices. It makes my heart feel good that I helped recycle these gently used treasures instead of them ending up in a dumpster. So, where should you thrift in the Big Monterey area?

• Yellow Brick Road Benefit Shop
• Joining Hands Benefit Shop
• The good old Goodwill of Carmel-By-The-Sea
• There is also a Goodwill in Monterey

After a few days in Carmel, we headed south to San Luis Obispo.  The San Luis Obispo area has not one but two fantastic Goodwills! After over a month on the road, I was ready for some new, gently used fashion finds. I came across both of these gems while thrifting on the Central Coast! I found this awesome fall-inspired sweatshirt. And yes, I wore it by the campfire a lot! And a good old pair of tie-dyed leggings because I may not be a hippie, but sometimes I dress like one. Also pictured is our vacation cat, who stayed with us the whole time we camped near Pismo Beach.

Best thrift stores in the San Luis Obispo area

• Fred and Bettie’s San Luis Obispo, downtown
• Finders Keepers; Okay, as a Stephen King fan, I kind of love this place
• Goodwill of San Luis Obispo and Grover Beach

On your way to the Central Coast this fall? Looking for some autumn-inspired recycled fashion? Make sure you check out these fun thrift store choices. There is more to do in central California than just hiking and taking selfies in front of 2,000-year-old Sequoia trees! Make sure this autumn you bring your cash with you as you shop at the best thrift stores in Central California!