We went to San Diago 10 years ago on our honeymoon, and we did shop as well! Stupidly, I didn't go to REI or a surplus place (good suggestion - get a real m65), but did find Sports Chalet at the Mission Valley Mall, which wasn't bad (my Thermarest is still going strong). Just checking their website, the new Jetboil flash is $99 (same as REI), which is about £61 (according to XE). £84 is the cheapest I can find on Google in the UK.
Where are you staying? We were over by Pacific Bay/Mission beach. Try George's at the Cove
http://www.georgesatthecove.com/ - they made a small free starter especially for us when we said we were on honeymoon (La Jolla is just a nice place as well), the Mission
http://www.themissionsd.com/] for fantastic breakfasts, the Green Flash is a nice place to hang out and have lunch, as is Kono's Surf Club cafe. There is also (hardly surprisingly), excellent mexican food around the place. The beaches there are very nice to romantically wander along, before finding somewhere to eat...
Brands that you havn't heard of are Cloudveil for down clothing (basically Patagonia prices, and like hens teeth in the UK, although apparently not as good as they were), and stuff that gets reviewed in 'Outside' and 'Backpacker' magazines. Montbell is apparently very good, and of course Black Diamond is excellent ( owned by employees too). Boulder Gear is one I hadn't heard of, but you can get a down jacket for less than a $100 at REI. There is also First Ascent (these all do down jackets, and the prices seem a lot less in the US, as do packs) and Sierra Designs. There is an old thread from OM thats asked a similar question
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/forum/...should-i-buyand46and46and46and46/10755-2.html I'd recommend down clothing, lightweight kit, packs, footwear and electronic stuff. Basically, your in kit heaven.
Jandd packs are based in SD, as are Lightspeed tents and Kelly Kettle.
http://www.adventure16.com/content.asp?itemid=10 seems to be a highly recommended retailer.
From Trailspaces recommendations -
Adventure 16 in SoCal. They have several stores in San Diego and LA area. They have a great selection and an awesome clearance section. We got a pair of Vasque hiking boots for my wife for 83% off! Not bad for just going in to browse
If you find a clearance store (or somewhere like JC Pennys or even Nordstroms Rack, which is posh clothes at relatively cheap prices, which should please your new wife), don't worry about the brands (and not just the hiking ones). I missed out on several bargains because I didn't recognise the brands. Six months later they were in the UK and much more expensive. Buy it because you like it (and with American levels of service, ask the store, they like to help), not because you recognise the name. Don't buy something in your waist size unless your careful. US portions are huge (and don't even start on one of the hotels Sunday brunches - thats like Man v Food. There is even a review site..). I bought Levi's in a 32in. I came back with a 34in waist and never went back down. Buy extra bags (the big ones, like TNF exped bags or a very big duffle - but dont spend too much, ours cost us $20) you will need it for the extra shopping, and get lots of cash at once from the machines, since they charge a flat fee. If there is a two for $X deal, grab it, because your not going back there - I should have grabbed a deal for 2 pairs of Sketchers - the one pair I got (for $25) was the most comforable trainers I have ever owned - should have got them both for $40 (they were £80 each in the UK).
And avoid Tijuana - its horrible (like experiencing the UK by standing in Leicester Sq), although leather jackets are cheap if you bargain.
You can always check out reviews, etc on the excellent
http://www.trailspace.com/ site. Enjoy - its a lovely place, which we hope to visit again (but can't afford to, now we have kids). My cousin lives there, and I can see why.
