Captain’s Helm

This is a highly curated resale shop that also sells new stuff. The décor is kinda steam punk cool. And I really like the coffee bar outside. When I stopped in today, the young staff was friendly & helpful, but not in my face. Their men’s goods are more «hip» than the ladies. But Being well beyond middle age, I’m still considered hip, and found a number of items to try on and left with a cool colorful caftan dress. Prices reflect their refined selection but worth a visit. Next time I’ll bring hubby.

I use to like captains, but after dealing with constant rude service (mostly by a blonde girl), I will no longer shop here. Came in the other day to sell clothes. Walked in, no hello. Nothing from her. I set my boxes of clothes by the desk and she said «leave those there. It will be about 15 minutes and I’ll find you». Nothing more, nothing less. She found me in the store after looking through my clothes, and said «$ 60 or $ 87 store credit.» Hands me my cash. Didn’t put my clothes back nicely. I dropped something on my way out. She doesn’t even bother to help. This is just one experience and I’m able to describe it in detail because this happened yesterday. I’ve met the owner multiple times, he was a regular at my old job. And I honestly don’t know how this girl got hired. Just because you spend a lot of money on your outfit to look like a fancy hippy, does not make you better than your customers. Maybe she hates her life. I don’t know, but you’re in retail. Put a smile on your face and suck it up because you are getting paid. We all have bad days.

cute selection of clothes but boy the service sucked!
girl had a sour look on her face and when I asked for her help she was so bitchy!
Management pls train your staff to treat customers better

I’ve only been in once, but found two great items to add to the wardrobe and some cute rings, I’ll go back soon and keep you updated, but so far so good!

This place has very nice clothes but a bit pricy for used items. However I did not like the cashier she was a blond girl that was cocky. I was very disgusted by the way she presented herself I truly expected more from a first time shopper their never again (:

I fell in love with Captin’s Helm the moment I walked in. I found it on Unilocal,while road tripping and always looking for cool resale shops to shop at.
The price points were on point! I managed to score 8 items for on 130 bucks! I can’t wait to blog about my finds. The girls were very friendly and helpful. I can’t wait to go back!

Must preface by saying consignment, thrifting, antiquing is what I love to do so I felt right at home here. There is a wide variety of things from brand name clothing to vinyl records. Sadly no furniture but there is a cool spot next door, which you will have a chance to read my next review about.
Now, Captains Helm, buy sell trade. I’ve done only two of those and that’s because I can’t walk out of this place with out something new to me in hand! The selection of clothing is just all around cool! From vintage Givenchy to designer collabs with H&M and all kind of vintage in between. Not to mention the sick selection of eyewear, EVERYTIME I wear this pair I got here I always get compliments or stopped to ask where I found them. And I can’t wait to tell the Captain’s Helm and only $ 10!
They’ve also got some cool jewelry up by the register, nice rings and some more expensive eyewear if that’s what you’re in to. Cool guy stuff, more of the CA surfer type clothing but their woman’s selection is so eclectic. I love the vibe and the staff is pretty cool, not at all pushy like you’d find at some chain place, and the store is usually well organized. Pretty cool I must say. One of my favorite places to come and drop off cloths and pick some new stuff up!

My boyfriend and I always make sure to stop by Captain’s Helm whenever we’re in town for the holiday or family events. Coming from SF, this place to us is just as rad, definitely a gem in the middle of no where. Price and selection is always amazing and affordable.
And to add on about people expecting «stellar» customer service, seriously? What do you expect from buying a 10 dollar tee shirt. The gals are always nice and I don’t mind them. If you want amazing customer service, you should probably go to bloomingdale’s or Neiman Marcus. LOL
Anyways, keep up the good work guys!

I love dropping in here for some much needed retail therapy. I usually can find at least one item to take home with me. Always unique in fashion. Great prices for bottoms and tops. I’ve purchased a few thrifted belts, tops and a pair of sandals I just can’t live without. The selection is not as large as I would like to spend more time here but on the other hand, I love that I don’t have to search forever to find a gem. Great selection!
The outside of the building is what first attracted me to this spot of amazingness. Black and white stripes and a tiny coffee stand out front! I love how organized and clean the inside is. Women’s on the right and men’s on the left. Great selection of NEW brand as well including Cycle Zombies, Raen, Nixon etc. I’ll continue to drop in when passing through town being that it’s not far off the freeway and definitely worth the walk around.

This place has totally grown on me, I always seem to find something rad or something I’ve been searching for awhile here. Yes, «vintage» or used clothing can be expensive at most shops, but I find the best steals here, I can’t argue with 8 – 10 bucks on a new shirt, and I don’t mind spending near 20 on an extremely good condition Levi Jean jacket. They also carry great local brands like RAEN & Brixton. This place is worth the visit. Oh and don’t forgot to grab a coffee at captains grounds before or after you shop, Jen is super friendly!

I am not the biggest «vintage» clothing shopper, mainly because I feel like a lot of the places I go to are either overpriced or have clothes that leave me questioning the cleanliness of the place. NOT Captain’s Helm. I walked away with an almost brand new pair of Cheap Monday jeans for $ 18 and Wrangler cut offs for $ 16. In my opinion, that is awesome. You can tell that they really take into consideration every piece of clothing that they purchase and have a really welcoming (and of course, hipster) vibe. I also really appreciated that they had an equal selection of both guys and girl’s clothes, including new jewelry and accessories from local businesses only.

If you want to support a local business who is doing it right — shop here! Great vintage and used finds as well as local surf, skate, art and apparel companies. Lovely staff too! The best part of my recent experience there was when the hostess at Beach Break Café down the street (another awesome spot) informed us that the woman at Captain’s Helm had just called to track us down because they overcharged us on an item that should have received a discount. They overheard us say something about our lunch reservation and made the effort to find us to correct the charge. That is service! Will be back for sure.

vintage men shirts are priced really well for a place like this. not sure how old this place is but the selection isnt that great yet but some cool stuff here and there.
cool environment nice décor. i like browsing their little record section.

This review is a general overview of several visits.
So I am pretty sure I’m not alone when I say that I don’t want to pay almost what I would assume is full price for a second hand item, regardless of it being in «like new condition» or not. Sure I can understand some of the designer labels being a little more pricey but last seasons clothing from forever 21… yeah not happening. It’s kind of a bummer because this store really does have great stuff and it’s not an overcrowded zoo like flashbacks. The customer service is less then stellar if the staff is preoccupied don’t expect any help what so ever. All and all the overpriced items and the lack of customer service have warranted me not coming here relatively as often as I would have if one of those two things had been different. I’m one of those people who will spend more money if the service is there or if I don’t feel like a burden to the associates.

This is a very positive 3 stars for Captain’s Helm.
The store is really nice, no thrift vibe at all!
A cute coffee bar and seating out front, super spacious inside, no musty smells, it actually looks like a boutique selling new clothing!
The girls working were very nice, I had some things I wanted to sell and they looked and them right away, I was in and out in about 10 minutes.
They only wanted one dress as most of my items were jeans and purses which both just don’t sell here.
They recommended where to take my stuff, another bonus.
Positive service goes along way, good store.

As far as resale clothing, this is my favorite in San Diego. I most often shop at thrift stores, but where my preference for this store lies is as a seller. Whenever I would go to flash backs/​buffalo exchange/​etc. I am always in shock by the ridiculous things they take. «Oh god who would ever want to buy this, might as well try.» I suppose Captains Helm has what I would call better taste than most. All too often resale stores are sort of costume shops, rather then every day clothing that you can actually WEAR! I also am so annoyed when people ask me every five seconds, «can I help you», «Are you looking for something specific», «Hello, have you been helped…» Leave me alone and stop bugging me! Captains helm leaves you be to roam the store and I really prefer that. When you need help, you ask for it. Pretty simple.

It’s a pretty neat store but just not to my taste or price range. It’s a thrift store I think… price accordingly!

Great clothes, great deals, AMAZING COFFEE!
Everyone is super nice and awesome. They have the best vintage selection around and also offer really awesome new stuff.
Some of the used longboards make me drool.

Loooove this thrift store! Everything is so clean, organized, and cute that you’d think they were selling new items. I have had some incredible finds as far as women’s dresses, and I know my boyfriend has found great men’s jeans and shirts. Their prices are a liiiittle higher than some other thrift stores in Oceanside, but the quality of their items is also higher, in my opinion. And $ 10-​$ 15 for a dress and $ 25 for a pair of jeans isn’t even that bad, anyway…
Side note, they have the coolest dressing rooms ever!

.. First and foremost, allow me to shed light on the negative reviews:
This jaded, consumerist idea that you need to be «catered» to is the antithesis of what this store is about. You want to be pampered and have your ego stroked, go to Macy’s.
This store has its own identity. Aside from the outstanding collection of clothing, the customer service is indeed engaging and the quality of the clothing (with the basement prices) cannot be a more winning formula for success.
I moved here from Connecticut over a year ago where I had the luxury of discovering boutique stores and fashion spots in both New York and Boston; this store is a gem.
In summary, if you are looking for one-​of-​a-​kind/​vintage/​lightly worn/​rare brand clothing pieces for a fraction of the price, this store is the best of its class in all of Southern California.