This is a list of all chain grocery locations my research has uncovered in the San Diego area between 1925 and 1980 (1925 and 1971 for some suburbs), compiled from city directories, telephone books, and other sources. There may be some omissions due to incomplete or missing data, etc. and I welcome suggestions and corrections. Please read about my methodology for more information about what I do and do not include.

View and download a copy of this location spreadsheet via Google Sheets.

Notes:

• The 1925 directory lists almost half of the locations by corner rather than address. I have estimated and extrapolated actual addresses as closely as possible.
• San Francisco and La Jolla are included in all the San Diego city directories. El Cajon is included through 1935 and then reappears in the county/suburban listings in 1963. The other suburbs disappear from the city directory in 1948 and reappear in the county/suburban directory in 1963. While earlier county/suburban directories may exist, I do not have access to them.
• The Food Basket stores in San Diego were operated as a division of Lucky Stores for most of their existence and were eventually (post-1980) converted to the Lucky brand.
• Unlike in Los Angeles, the San Diego Piggly Wiggly stores were never acquired by Safeway.

Store Tags:

• A&P
• Alpha Beta
• Big Bear
• Bradshaw
• Food Basket
• Heller’s
• MacMarr
• Mayfair
• Piggly Wiggly
• Safeway
• Van’s
• Vons
• Waite’s