Adventure 16

I don’t shop in Solana Beach much. I attribute this to poverty and a general devil-​may-​care attitude toward my appearance. Mainly the poverty.
Thus, when my buddy and I cruised into Adventure 16 my expectations were not high. I was sure I would probably see high-​end backcountry gear with prices so bloated, they would almost make you believe it was cheaper to spend the weekend at a Ritz-​Carlton. This is Solana Beach. They may be laid back, but they’re not suckers. Rancho Santa Fe is right down the road for heaven’s sake.
My expectations were only somewhat correct (euphemism –completely wrong). This Adventure 16 does indeed have some high-​end lightweight camping equipment that any experienced backpacker would drool over. My buddy and one of the clerks had to politely insist I not keep hugging the Ultra-​light Western Mountaineering bags. I’ve never felt anything so soft, and warm, and oh-​so very light…
Anyway, the gear is top notch. But I was blown away by their pricing on clothing, shoes, and day packs. I found shirts much lighter and cleaner fitting than what I’m wearing currently (REI purchase) for ¹⁄₃ the price. I’m talking 15 bucks, here people. This is my new outdoor wear shop for that alone. Also found an ungodly deal on quality boots (a huge expense generally) in addition to quite a few other competitively priced niches.
The store is small compared to your behemoth REIs these days, but the intimacy actually soothes you more than makes you feel boxed in. Where bigger stores with wide aisles tend to induce a sort of cattle-​consumerism that I find depressing, Adventure 16 feels like your at a friend’s house casually arming yourself for voyage to come.
One last thing. This place has maps. All maps. They have them all, I tell you. Big ones, little ones, Topos, and folds. I like maps, but have never been more interested than when I was carefully fingering through the 3 dimensional topo maps of High Sierras they’ve got on display. You must have one, I promise. Don’t laugh, you’ll see…
Happy hiking
— Justin Arn

Pros:
* well organized
* variety of gear, everything from hardcore backpacking to causal travel
* friendly staff who are very knowledgeable (they clearly have a passion for all things outdoors)
* great customer service
* solid website (
)
Cons:
* parking is always an issue with this shopping area (everything around South Cedros Ave is sometimes tricky to get a parking spot)
Overview:
I love the atmosphere of all the shops in this area — especially the A16 store. This store is in a great location. The area has everything from coffee to furniture which draws in a lot of people, and it is really nice to have an A16 store still in North County as the Oceanside store closed.
My only issue is the parking, which is always in short supply all along S. Cedros Ave.
Parking aside, the staff members are top notch. They know their stuff and are very friendly. It’s more than just friendly — it’s a passion. Their love of the outdoors and helping folks really comes through as they answer questions and give advice.
In many outdoor stores that I’ve been too (not A16 but other vendors) the staff seem to push the most expensive items on you whether you need them or not which has often left me wondering if there motto is all about increased sales and not providing the best customer service.
Obviously, A16 is a business and they have to make a profit, but the staff listen to your needs and always recommend what’s best based on what you tell them, not on increasing sales. I’ve had the sales staff tell me many times to get item (x) instead of item (y) because it would work for my needs and cost less and still do the same job. That means a lot to me. It shows that the staff genuinely care about giving the costumers what they really need.
If you are like me, then you have to be out on the trail somewhere and that means having good gear — hands down there is no better place to get your gear than A16.

I love stores like this that are full of clothing and accessories for either athletic people or travelers. I love a nice sporty dress with moisture wicking. However, I just didn’t find anything overly cute in this shop. Clothing like this is always a bit expensive so it better be something special. They do have a clearance section and much of the merchandise was on sale. Maybe next time I visit I will have better luck, but I would rather shop at REI.

Great store, good people. More hands on and less chaotic than REI. I usually end up buying something, even if I just dropped in to kill a little time. The staff is so cool, the stuff is so nice, just got to get something, even if it’s to buy a ticket to an upcoming event like the Banff film festival. Improvements? Maybe specialize more, more high level equipment. Can’t compete with corporate giant REI (which is becoming like WalMart) but certainly can compete with friendly, super knowledgable staff and high quality, top of the line gear. There’s good stuff there already, might just specialize more.

This isn’t the biggest A16. There used to be a huge one in Costa Mesa at The Camp a few years back before Seed People’s Market split the space with them. However, despite the smaller size, their selection is still superb and prices relative to that of retail outdoor stores such as REI. They carry more high line gear than REI though. If you’re looking for brand name gear like Prana, North Face, etc. This place has it. Their clearance section is decent also. Note: When I first walked into the store I thought they were cutting rope because of the smell of burning emanating throughout the building. However, when I was checking out (ending up purchasing some Nalgene’s due to a sale) I noticed they were burning incense. I love incense. My wife does not. Thus the 4 stars.

I used to shop at the Oceanside location for many years. Despite such a young staff, they had amazing knowledge of products in and out of their shop. As well as experience using most of the products in this shop. Alas, they closed their doors last spring, and I was forced to the next nearest location.
This brings us to the Solana Beach store. I have only been going here for a year, and I can say, I will be shopping elsewhere from now on. During the spring of last year I only went to this shop a few times, and the staff was friendly plus they had two great shop dogs.
Over the summer I believe they went under new management. The staff seemed more knowledgable, friendlier, and just happier to be working in a gear shop. They still had more clothes than camping or backpacking gear, but pulled in items I needed from their west LA or San Diego store when I needed them. There was a blonde girl, I don’t remember her name, but she had completed the JMT the year prior, she was very helpful and knew just about every item in the store. It’s not easy to find small shops with knowledgable staff anymore — especially in Southern California.
This past winter I went back for my Christmas shopping. It was a completely new staff. They removed most of the «nuggets» that made an Adventure 16 store different than other outdoor shops in the area like REI, Dicks, Sports Authority, etc. The gear is gone, no rock climbing gear, small selection of tent and sleeping bags, but lots and lots of clothes. It now looks like it fits in with the rest of the Cedros area. More crap you don’t need and very poor service. The new employees barely noticed me and didn’t know anything about the products they sell: ie Wool vs Poly. They don’t even know how to fit boots or a packs properly anymore.
My experience here is heartbreaking, after the service I received in Oceanside, and in past Solana Beach visits, I had high expectations. The staff is rude, knows nothing of the products they carry, and you could walk the entire store, and never once see, or be spoken to by an employee. They would rather talk to each other, or sit on their duffs and look at their phones. With the service and selection out the door, so am I.

Major bummer — I used to love stopping in here when I travelled through town. The staff has always been really nice and insanely knowledgable — which isn’t easy to find.
Upon going in to look for backpacking gear, it turns out the whole store basically just stocks sub-​par clothing now. The selection of shoes isn’t worth trying on. They have some Lowa and Vasque but not much beyond that. The staff barely gave me the time of day and when I did ask for help, they had no idea what they were talking about and one girl was flat out rude.
Go elsewhere. Its not worth the trip.

It’s a problem when I drive 30 minutes to go here and the doors are locked at 5:40, it happens though. With that said I’ve been coming here for years appreciate the selection they have.

I have been in this place about a hand full of times now and every time I feel that they really listen to you and try to help you with your specific concerns and needs. Today we needed some warm gear for a whale watching trip we are taking. They were extremely thought full and helpful as always. They don’t push you towards anything but what works the best, keeps you the warmest, driest and in the end, you walk out with gear that will be extremely dependable and helpful when you are on your trip to the great out doors.
Take the time to talk to them about exactly what you need and they will really help you.
It also cool to see their cute little corgi doggy walking around. Such a sweet dog that greets all the customers.

After reading through a few of these reviews I feel it necessary to contribute my best opinion of this location. I spend a lot of time in gear stores and have visited quite a few, this shop is one of the best I have found. There is very little that I can say poorly about the staff or customer service of this location. I recommend asking for Alex, Amy or Ville. They are honest and have pointed me to products less expensive than what I was expecting to buy/​pay, because of details in what I really needed.
The other day I was looking for something somewhat specific for a climbing trip. A16 didn’t have it in the Solana Beach shop. Alex got on the phone with another location and said he would have it in Solana Beach by the afternoon. WOW!
Sorry to those with a sour experience, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS SHOP BEFORE OTHERS!
Best of luck, and be safe

I do not like this store at all, the San Diego location is by far much more courteous and employs people who actually want to help get the customer what they need. I felt as if the bottom line at this location was to sell the most expensive gear with most profit margin cuz that is what is cool, not what I really needed, not the latest and greatest cus that’s what I should have. Is it what I need? Or is it what you want to sell me? It is about what I need, what I do not need is the arrogance from some minimum wage or slightly better employee telling me what is the proper choice for me. The owner/​manager was not much better, interested more in making a buck than helping me out. I will never come to this location again.

Bought shoes while visiting from Miami, and couldn’t have a better experience. Needed to change size AFTER wearing, NO problem. The only thing better than the products is the service. Greg the Manager is both informed and gracious. Will be back next year when visiting our kids again.

What would a camping & backpacking store know about the great outdoors when it’s just a few hundred feet away from the beach? Buckets’ full.
Location/​Deco: 5 stars
Adventure 16 is located right near the entrance of the Cedros Avenue Design District and location is key. Although this avenue is mostly for home design and styling, Adventure 16 doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb. Their huge window display is sleek, with a black canopy hovering over the main entrance. Vast rays of sunlight illuminate the interior, which is designed like a sturdy log cabin. Wood furnishings and themes fashionably style the store and everything is sectioned off nicely. Even the restroom, which looks like an outhouse designed by Hollister, is located inside the show room floor and is very cozy. Inside the actual restroom there are trail maps, mountain information, and climbing tips pasted on the walls. I’ve never felt so informed in a restroom before!
Stock: 4 stars
Though this store is smaller than Sports Chalet, Big 5, or REI, it isn’t the quantity, it’s the quality. Throughout my shopping experience at Adventure 16, I never felt underwhelmed by their supplies. I felt as though they had exactly what was necessary without the fluff of useless items. Even better, this place allows you to rent out items which is great for the explorer on a budget.
Price: 4 stars
I was checking out the prices for some of the survival pack items near the back of the room and I was impressed by how economical some of the items are. I saw a Red Cross hand crank flashlight/​USB battery charger and it was priced around $ 15, which is amazing, even on Amazon. In fact, half the time, my sister and I were comparing prices to Amazon’s, and Adventure 16 didn’t disappoint. This is exactly what you want to see in any store, but even more so at an outdoors’ store.
Service: 5 stars
The service here is impeccable. Not only are they friendly, but they’re very approachable. They answer any question you have and are even interesting to talk to. I know, real human beings! But the thing that really makes you grin is what will make the ladies go, «ooooo» and «aaaahhhhh». His name is Zeigan, and he is one sexy beast, literally. This shop has a black mix 3 year old dog wearing a red bandana and a big smile. He comes by name and greets you with licks, kisses, and a wagging tale. It fits with the pet friendly atmosphere of most of the shops in Solana Beach, and makes Adventure 16 memorable. If you don’t remember this shop now, well, haters going to hate.
Conclusion
Shopping should never be a chore, but when it becomes a pleasure, you’ve found something wonderful. Not only does Solana Beach continue to dazzle with breath taking beaches, but the stores themselves leave you smiling. Adventure 16 is a store you should definitely visit if you find yourself in this wonderful city. I’m sure they’ll be glad to see you.

I love shopping at the Adventure 16 store — the staff is always helpful, very knowledgeable and never pushy. Since I work near the Solana Beach location, that is where I shop most of the time; thought I have spent some time at the Oceanside Adventure 16 too.
This is a great store for all your outdoor needs — they have what you want and more, and host regular sales where you can find great bargains. I recommend them to friends over REI because they have that more intimate, local feel.

This is a gem of a hiking/​camping/​adventure/​climbing, etc. store. The staff adds icing on the cake with excellent, knowledgeable service. They work hard to help you make the right decisions. I’ve shopped here for basic stuff like fuel food and the like to the rare purchases like bear vault and a parka.
Quality by itself is a great reason to stop by and check them out.
I’d rather go here than elsewhere, nothing against REI or others, just like this better.

This place looks kind of small from the outside, but is actually pretty big and has EVERYTHING for those that like to be active outdoors. They have a ton of travel gear; legitimate luggage to toiletry containers. I could spend way too much time (and money!) in here!

I picked up my camping gear a few months ago here. Have had nothing but great experiences at this store. Friendly staff, nice selection of outdoor gear, and a great location make this a wonderful retail option. What I liked the most is the helpfulness of the staff. They always give me personalized attention. Since they are avid outdoors people themselves, it lends credibility to their advice as they are able to recommend exactly what is right for you. For this reason, I prefer Adventure 16 over REI.

A very nice little store. Two big reasons to stop by here:
1) They have topo maps, and lots of them for the SoCal/​Western states. This is a big plus since they can be hard to come by.
2) Higher end stuff. They carry much more high end stuff than does REI across town.
The service is great and I’ve found them to frequently have little odds and ends that other stores around don’t.

I don’t wanna speak too loudly, but this was a nice find on our Sunday morning walk. The only store open early, we found lots of great deals in this little store. Friendly, helpful service. I like. Lots of selection for a small store. I like also. They have everything you’d need for many different adventures. I was impressed with the variety of product. Eagle Creek luggage. Columbia, North Face, Patagonia clothing. Lots of hiking information and gear. Travel stuff. The people who work here really want to answer your questions and be helpful. A great find.

A16 isn’t stocked as well as REI, but they’re my go-​to for outdoor recreation stuff because of two reasons.
First, if you want to go on an outdoor or backpacking adventure but don’t want to buy all of the expensive new stuff, you can rent it here. I did some comparison shopping and A16 beats REI’s rental prices by 25 to 50%. A16 offers a huge value when renting a sleeping bag. While REI charges you a separate rental price for a bag and Therm-​a-​rest pad, A16’s fee includes both items for a comparatively cheaper price.
Second, all of the customer service reps are very knowledgeable here. I might just be a lucky customer, but every time I’ve asked some one a question, they’ve been able to talk my head off about the subject matter and still manage to give me a helpful answer.
I love that REI has all of the stuff, but there’s definitely some compelling reasons to visit A16 as well.
Oh and they give out samples of camp food and coffee too.