It’s like a mom ‘n’ pop REI.
That’s how employee Elisa Masso described Traveler’s Depot, a fixture at 1655 Garnet Ave. in Pacific Beach for 29 years. Traveler’s Depot carries just about everything imaginable for its travel-savvy clientele, from lightweight gear to fast-drying underwear.
“We try to have everything you need for your trip, whether you’re doing backpacking or leisurely travel, river cruises, a lot of things — luggage, books, maps, toiletries,” said employee Betty Elmer.
Elmer walked through a huge library section divided by world regions with travel-oriented books and maps on nearly every country, including offbeat stuff like “The Dog Lover’s Companion to the San Francisco Bay Area.”
“We try to have the best publishers, the most up-to-date books,” she said, adding, “We have books on cities as well.”
Top-quality brands carried by the travel outfitter include Delsey, High Sierra, Travelpro, Baggallini, Kipling, Lipault, Eagle Creek, Craghoppers, ExOfficio, Rick Steves, PacSafe, Travelon, Lewis N. Clark, Scottevest / SeV, Keen, Teva, Klean Kanteen and more.
The shop’s travel products include specialty travel clothing and hats, shoulder bags, security purses and totes, luggage and packs, garment bags, luggage tags and straps, TSA locks, luggage scales, plug adaptors and converters, RFID wallets, passport covers, money belts and neck pouches, pillows and blankets, packing cubes and folders, compression bags, leakproof pouches, toiletry kits, security solutions and travel guides.
The front of the shop has become something of an outdoors section, featuring cutting-edge products like Hydro Flasks.
“We recommend those because they keep things hot for 12 hours and cold for 24 hours,” said Elmer.
“I use mine every single day to keep hot tea in or to keep water ice cold at the beach,” said Masso.
Masso said the store serves all ages but is increasingly seeking a younger demographic.
“We’ve had a much older clientele for years,” she said. “We’re trying to really target younger people as well, young travelers and backpackers, trying to get word out.”
Both women said one of the big hurdles, always to be cleared, is letting people know who — and where — Traveler’s Depot is.
“Every single day,” Masso said, “someone comes in and says, ‘I walk or drive by all the time, and I never knew this was here.’ Then they say, ‘Now, I can’t live without it.’”
“They’ll even live in PB,” said Elmer, “and they’ll say, ‘I’ve been here for 30 years, and I didn’t know you were here.'”
“Come on through,” Masso said.
Traveler’s Depot is open Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
