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Spice up Your Life at Penzeys Spices in Hillcrest (San Diego) California

By Jeff Dowler, CRS

Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty of California, Inc. CA DRE #01490977

July 20, 2013 06:16 AM

Spice up Your Life at Penzeys Spices in Hillcrest (San Diego) California

Penzeys Spices in Hillcrest (San Diego) California We ventured out last weekend to the Hillcrest area of San Diego with a specific mission – to visit Penzeys Spices and take in the Farmer’s Market.

Penzeys Spices was first on our morning agenda.

Hillcrest is a very cool and upscale area of San Diego, and worth spending time to explore the multitude of shopping and dining options.

If you have any interest at all in spices and herbs you may have heard of Penzeys. They have a great reputation for a wide range of spices and herbs from their online store and catalogue, and we’ve been the lucky recipients of bottles and bags of Penzeys spices and herbs for years at holiday time.

Penzeys Spices in Hillcrest (San Diego) California

The Penzeys Store in Hillcrest was a huge delight. It’s fun to shop online, but bricks and mortar sometimes, and for certain items, just has a huge advantage over the Internet, especially for things you want to touch, taste or smell before buying. It’s a completely different experience!

The Hillcrest Penzeys Store has just about every spice or herb you could want in a range of quantities, as well as spice rubs and other mixtures for cooking. And of course you can sniff them all before you buy. We did some modest damage to the wallet.

Penzeys Spices has stores around the country in case you want to visit in person – find the Penzeys Store near you!

Penzeys Spices

Hillcrest Colonnade

1274 University Ave
(619) 297-2777

Hillcrest (San Diego), CA

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Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Betty - well it's not the same online but they have a great selection

Pat - we have been receiving Penzeys spices as gifts from family members for years. Prices are decent although not bargain basement.

Jean - we have known about it but never took the time to go. It was well worth it, and Hillcrest is such a cool town also. Their farmer's market was amazing!! More on that later.

Jeff

Jul 20, 2013 10:20 AM

Kim & Kristine Halverson

Sotheby's & Knipe ERA - Bend, OR

Sisters, Realtors

Love Penzey's we have one in Santa Monica at 3rd St Promenade. Kristine

Jul 20, 2013 11:28 AM

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Jon - check it out, it is worth the time and lots of fun

Cool, Sharon. How neat they are right there. But then maybe that's TOO close

BLiz - love stores like this. There are some experiences the Internet can simply NOT replace.

Kim and Kristine - LOVE the 3rd Street Promenade. Penzeys must be "new." Use to hang out and shop there often when my daughter was at USC - great people watching. Haven't been for a few years. Is that young kid I would classify as a "Michael Jackson wannabee" still around? And that's not meant to be derogatory - he was VERY talented and always drew a huge crowd.

Jeff

Jul 20, 2013 11:59 AM

Joan Whitebook

BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH

Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

I hadn't heard of Penzys.. Please tell them we would love to see them in New Hampshire.. .we could use a little spice in our lives.. especially in the winter!

Jul 20, 2013 12:50 PM

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Joan - I think New Hampshire DESERVES a Penseys Spices store. I will put in a personal word - not sure it will make a difference. LOL

Jeff

Jul 20, 2013 01:02 PM

Myrl Jeffcoat

Sacramento, CA

Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Penzy's Spices sounds like mike kind of place! I do a lot of cooking, and my recipes come from all over the globe. In the fairytale factory of my mind we'd have an open air spice market like they do in India, and some of the more exotic places.

Jul 20, 2013 01:12 PM

George Souto

George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT

Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Jeff I don't think we have a Penseys Spices here in CT, but if we did my wife would be a regular.

Jul 20, 2013 01:13 PM

Teresa Lansford, MBA, GRI, MRP,SFR,ASN

Bristlecone Realty Group - Colorado Springs, CO

Your Pikes Peak Real Estate Partner

I was in Penzy's just yesterday. Splurged on Vietnamese cinnamon and vanilla powder. I was thinking that one of their baskets would make a nice housewarming gift.

Jul 20, 2013 11:09 PM

Richie Alan Naggar

people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA

agent & author

Well we know where spice heaven is...now to learn what goes with what etc...good post

Jul 20, 2013 11:46 PM

Michael Setunsky

Woodbridge, VA

Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Jeff, we do have a Penzy's in our area. I will have to check it out. Thanks for the info.

Jul 21, 2013 12:00 AM

Fernando Herboso - Associate Broker MD, & VA

Maxus Realty Group of Samson Properties - Clarksburg, MD

301-246-0001 Serving Maryland, DC and Northern VA

Nice post Jeff. .I don't think we have this store in my area . .but I would like to visit it. .

Jul 21, 2013 12:40 AM

Bryan Robertson

Los Altos, CA

I love places like this and yes, you have to actually go there to smell the spices. It's impossible to buy stuff like this off the internet. Next time I'm down there I'll have to stop by.

Jul 21, 2013 12:59 AM

Harry F. D'Elia III

WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ

Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

Wow you can get lost in a place like this one when it comes to spices.

Jul 21, 2013 01:12 AM

Chris Miller Nevada Land with Water Rights

Vegas Grand Realty and Property Management - Mesquite, NV

Land with Water Rights For Sale

Great spices, hard to beat at any price. They make great gifts for clients also! You can get their catalog, order direct and have them delivered to your buyers new home, compliments of you!

Jul 21, 2013 01:23 AM

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Myrl - sounds wonderful! Some friends of ours were in Turkey and Morocco not that long ago and shared photos with us of the open air spice market. Amazing, and a cook's dream.

George - perhaps there is a similar option. There are Penzeys in Hartfort and Norwalk, though, per the website

Teresa - how ironic. Sounds like a great purchase. It would be easy to spend a small fortune

Richie - well, you can have the fun of experimenting. I do a lot of grilling so having a wide range of rubs adn spices makes me happy.

Michael - enjoy! It's a neat experience.

Jeff

Jul 21, 2013 01:40 AM

Richie Alan Naggar

people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA

agent & author

Everyone to Jeff's place for some grilled treats.. BYOM...bring your own meats...He has the spices...confirmed

Jul 21, 2013 01:49 AM

Kathy Schowe

California Lifestyle Realty - La Quinta, CA

La Quinta, California 760-333-8886

I visited the Penzey's in Bouler this summer (and last)... it's fun to see all the different spices, and find some that you can't seem to locate in your local grocery store! K

Jul 21, 2013 04:49 AM

Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI

HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA

Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Oh! Real nice, Jeff! Now you are telling me about another place I missed on my extended stay in San Diego earlier this month. Now I need to come back for another visit! ;}

Jul 21, 2013 06:16 AM

Susan Jacobsen

The Alliance Group Realty - Hilton Head Island, SC

20 Years Providing WOW Real Estate Service

Jeff - I'm so glad you posted this! I have received these spices as gifts but it is so neat to actually see the store and hear your comments. I can almost smell all the wonderful things they have there!

Jul 21, 2013 06:29 AM

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Fernando - not sure this is close but I think there is a store in Baltimore

Bryan - it's worth a visit. There is something about some bricks and mortar that cannot be duplicated

Harry - indeed, and we were. Spent at least 30 minutes there

Chris - I think spices as a gift are a great idea, especially if you know someone really enjoys cooking

Richie - ha ha. Just let me know in advance

Kathy - and the mark-up in the grocery stores is ridiculous

Norman - well, you'll just have to come back. And I can easily add to the list

Susan - it was our first visit after getting them for gifts for years. GREAT fun and an wonderful experience!