I walked into Solo and my eyes were treated to an expansive view comprised of a wide range of items. There were colorful children's toys, intriguing trinkets, and tables of books upon books, ranging in subject from interior décor to business. The large store was very organized and aesthetically pleasing. The person helping us, Paulette, was also especially helpful, friendly, and kind. As she bagged a gift for us (there are many one-of-a-kind gifts at Solo, and Paulette's packaging was lovely, complete with a ribbon-bow and tissue paper), making conversation with her was enjoyable. When Paulette heard my teenage daughter was a published author, she let her pick out a pen for free. She wanted to inspire a budding author and said that "someday we will see her name in print." Solo is a wonderful place with a broad variety of items and excellent customer service. read more

Best shop in town!!! Something for everyone - great books, unique vintage items, unique kids toys and handmade jewelry just to name a few. One stop shop. read more

This place smells like dookie. I have no idea why it smells like dookie. But it's clearly dookie. Maybe horse? Not really cow. Possibly white male in his mid-late 40's dookie? Either way, I hold my breath every time because of the dookie. As far as the stuff, it's what somebody who's super enthusiastic about "Dwell" would be into. I'm not sure if they allow dogs, but you could totally beef in this establishment and either a.) blame it on the dog, or b.) have it go completely unnoticed. I think the furniture is distressed because it has to smell dookie all the time. read more

Pros:cool neighborhood, plenty of parking, diverse inventory especially if you're looking for a chic gift. It's a bit on the pricey side so don't expect to feel like you got a bargain. Unfortunately my experience was not positive. It doesn't cost anything to look up and smile or acknowledge a customer. Even though I didn't feel welcome I still made a purchase. I can't believe that the same elderly woman who didn't bother to welcome us also took my $20 bill and held it up to the light as if she was expecting it to be counterfeit. I didn't say anything at the time but upon reflection of the entire experience.. I'm left feeling disrespected. It seems these women need a course in basic manners and customer service. read more

This shop is so cool! Located in the "Design District," it's surrounded by other interesting shops- could spend the whole day in the district! While this shop, was a little pricey, we enjoyed browsing. All sorts of interesting knick knacks and books. read more

We travel from Texas to Carlsbad twice a year for several weeks. One of my favorite things is to visit Solo in the Cedros Design District. Love the childrens section to find books for my grandchildren. Always find unique decor items and books for my home that I cannot find elsewhere. Staff is extremely friendly and helpful. Have a great time and find 'treasures' ! read more

Fun place to browse for holiday cards, gifts, candles, soaps, fabrics; has the Quasi European and vintage American feel to the merchandises. The architecture books including Le Corbusier. Prepare to spend a good hour to browse. Pleasant warehouse setting. read more

This is by far the best and most original store in the Cedros Design District. It also happens to be one of my favorite stores that I've been to in all of San Diego county. There is a lot of meticulousness and love that has gone into this store and I greatly respect that. The sections in the store and the items within them are extremely varied, but are somehow all cohesive. That's the difference between a lot of stores that claim to be like this, but end up just having a hodge-podge of random cheap crap. Everything in Solo is chosen with care, and it really shows. Yes, it's expensive, yes it's a little snobby. But it's wonderful. My only complaint (and it's a big one, for me) is that it's rarely open when I can actually go. I live right down the street, but can never go because it's closed before I get home from work at 6. And they close early on weekends too. Like many other places in Southern California, I've found, this place caters to bored rich housewives who don't have jobs, or anything better to do than shop all day and push expensive strollers around. Too harsh? No. Other than that, Solo = perfection. Especially the Jennifer Price antiquey/found object/vintage section with all the beautiful old ephemera you could ever covet. Love. read more

Shopping with a toddler is difficult at the best of times and store clerks and owners can make or break your experience. The owner was gracious and lovely and talked to my toddler and made me feel welcome. (Many stores on Cedros are unwelcoming of children and are not set up to have strollers in their stores!) They also have an fantastic selection of merchandise. Great store! read more

My very favorite stores on Cedros! Always new things to see.Great book selection,especially travel and surf related.Cute kids section.Best part are all the great cards...I stock up here whenever I go.They have ones you wont find anywhere else. read more

Perfect place to browse for those books and decor items you didn't know you needed (never mind "want", we're talking "need")

I have shopped at this store for years and love their selection of books and unique home goods. While I really like what the store sells; I have received very poor customer service there a few times. The most recent time I was disappointed with their service was when I bought a package of ornaments that I wasn't sure about. When I went up to the counter I told the saleswoman that I wasn't sure if the ornaments were going to work for me, and not once did she mention that ornaments are a final sale. I went back the very next day to take them back and was informed that I could not return them or even exchange them for something else. read more

I've shopped here pretty regularly for the past five years and up until now, I was always so satisfied with Solo. Really disappointed in the customer service as of the past few months. Immediately upon entering the store today, the woman at the register scolded me, demanding that I take the iced water (that had a lid) away from my son "because they had expensive things in the store". I was shocked that 1. this was the very first greeting from the employee, and 2. that he couldn't drink his water in their store. Why don't you put a sign up that says 'No food, drink, or children allowed in Solo'. That might save customers a wasted trip to a snooty shop. The last time we were in the store, my son was in the children's toy section and he took a FLOOR MODEL of a toy car from the shelf and began playing with it, when the same woman employee quickly appeared and demanded that he put it back on the shelf and that it was not to be played with. WHY WOULD YOU HAVE THE TOY OUT OF THE BOX AND AVAILABLE WITHIN A CHILD'S REACH, IF IT WAS NOT MEANT TO BE PLAYED WITH? Ridiculous. I should add that my son is very calm and good-natured and was being supervised the entire time. I understand that it would be a different situation if my kid was running around throwing things without parent supervision, but that just wasn't the case. Sadly, I'll never shop here again and I wouldn't recommend it if you have a child. Shop local and support good people instead. read more

I thought they had some nice things but seriously overpriced. You could find similar selections at the swap meet or Etsy for way, way less. I found the shop keepers to be a bit lazy as well. If you're going to charge over 10 bucks for a candle the size of a shot glass, it shouldn't come with a layer of dust on top of it! Also, the shop keepers were busy carrying on loud conversations at the front desk instead of offering assistance willingly to customers. read more

love this store. a great collection of beautiful things for various areas of the home. love the beautiful selection, although some things seemed a little too pricey. read more

This is one of my favorite stores on the planet. It reminds me of stores in my neighborhood when I lived in the village in NYC- only Solo has more space. The perfect spot to kill time and browse through interesting coffee table books, jewelry, and home decor until your heart is content. It is also an excellent place to find a gift for just about anyone on your list including those with discerning taste and hard to buy for traits. This is also my go to spot for birthday cards and thank you notes/gifts. Enjoy your time in this gem on Cedros. read more

Love this store!! Definatly my favorite shop on Cedros Ave! It has the most unique gifts, furniture, books ect.. - whenever I'm in the area I have to make a stop there. I wish we had a store like this in Washington! read more

Very over priced items found many of the similar things across the street and nearby shops for far less. Building is cold and uncomfortable couldnt walk around too long in there. Some items I saw at Home Goods in Encinitas for much much less! read more

I cannot leave this place without a new treasure. Always lifts my spirits to shop here.

needed easy, elegant gifts for business colleagues... looked far and wide before finding many perfect items here. the candle selection is particularly enticing! as far as the service goes... i had my 8 month old in a Baby Bjorn and she reached down and knocked over a $56 candle. broken glass everywhere, total nightmare... and they COULD NOT HAVE BEEN NICER ABOUT IT. no charge for the breakage, plus they gave my girls two sweet little books to read which kept them occupied during the checkout / gift wrapping process. i'm going back to buy the rest of my christmas presents there! yes, many pricy items, but some lovely inexpensive "finds" as well... i got a gorgeous little jewelled picture frame for $7. read more

Interesting large store with lots of neat finds. Think of a higher end version of Pier One and much more unique finds (and somewhat higher price tag). read more