Hillcrest Newsstand

I’m so glad newsstands like this still exist, as you can’t always get EVERY periodical you’re looking for at a grocery store and not even a bookstore. Borders used to have a wider selection than Barnes & Noble, but unfortunately Borders is now out of business.
It was fascinating to see that this business had the infamous Charlie Hebdo for sale ($ 12 each), as the owner, who was quite friendly, told me they had ordered 200+ copies of it. This is definitely an item for collectors who enjoy historical front pages and such. This edition of the magazine, as you know, lead to the recent newsroom massacre in Paris, France.
There were a ton of magazines for sale, and I went in to purchase the annual Hollywood issue of Vanity Fair. Even though this is a very mainstream magazine, I sometimes have a hard time finding this issue every year at grocery stores. When I popped in to Hillcrest Newsstand it was right there, quick and easy to find!

Best kept secret in town. I go here for Art, Photography, Literary magazines and I’m always pleasantly surprised at the diversity of thought and images that reside here. If we don’t use this store it will go away and it’s unique in San Diego.

Best news stand I have found anywhere. I currently reside in NYC and still don’t have a news store that I enjoy as much as this one. The one’s in NY might have more rare and more international selections but not all in one place. Can’t wait to shop here again when I visit SD.

This is one of two decent news stands in San Diego right now. That said, although the staff don’t bother you, they also don’t seem like they really want customers. And the constant smell of smoking in the back alley — it comes right through the entire shop — makes me feel like I’m in the smoker’s section in an alley. I don’t go here much anymore unless I know what I’m looking for and I’m in and out fast so I don’t have to smell the cigarette smoke.

There is only one reason why I go to the Hillcrest Newsstand. I buy some promotional CDs from past issues of rock magazine like Mojo. I bought four promo CDs that came with Mojo. One is an old punk one, one celebrates the anniversary of Sub Pop records, and two are mod-​influenced.

I saw the reviews and I had to put down my own perspective since I used to get the NY times from here but with the economy, I will be discontinuing my subscription (weekend only).
This is a typical Newstand that has the variety of mags, foreign newspaper, more specifically focused types like for film, fashion, even the political rags and your std local newspapers. They also sell candy, ice cream popsicles etc during the summer (although I would check dates on those before purchase).
The place has been useful at times and worthless at others. They also sell lottery tickets if you are inclined without having to go to your local liquor store or grocery.
Overall, its there when you need it but its not as big as you normally associate with newstands and how they survive is a mystery to me. And if you are buying foreign magazines because you checked it out and looked good (check the dates too) the prices are at a premium.

Newsstand does have everything you can image. Seems like all the magazines I manage to purchase are ten times the others, but always worth it.

There isn’t a publication you can’t find at this place. You can buy rare magazines here that I don’t imagine Barnes and Noble sells. From foreign magazines, to the rinky dinky design magazines, Hillcrest Newsstand has it all … and porn too! Lots of it. There are some kinky DVDs there, but I was too busy gawky at the latest issue of Vanity Fair with a pic of a shirtless Brad Pitt on the cover to peruse the porn selection.
However, I managed to check out a majority of the material without getting harassed by the staff. I did so much reading there, I skipped on buying a magazine all together, but I did plan on purchasing a couple packs of gum. That is, until they rung up as $ 1.50 each.
Oh well, I lest I got to fawn over BP for free.