What Grocery Stores Have Pick-Up and Delivery in San Diego
Whether you don't have time go grocery shopping, if you've got the kids with you and don't want to bring them along or maybe you stepped on a LEGO and sprained your ankle so you don't want to hobble down the grocery aisles...(yes, that happened to me)...here are some ways to get your groceries without having to actually step foot inside the stores.
Below you'll find out exactly which local San Diego grocery stores offer curbside pick-up or delivery and which third-party delivery providers they use.
If you keep scrolling you'll find a list of all the third-party delivery providers and which stores they provide services for.
Keep scrolling to find out which restaurant delivery providers are available in San Diego so you can order restaurant take-out and have it delivered right to you.
At the bottom, I added in some tips and tricks to using these services and what to expect.
I've broken this information and details all down for you so hopefully it's easy to follow and hopefully it's helpful. Good luck!
PICK-UP
Most grocery stores now offer a pick up option when you order them online. When you complete your order you'll choose the date and time window when you want to pick them up. Sometimes this can be the same day, next day or up to a few days out. They have designated parking spaces to pull in when you arrive. Just call them when you park, they'll get your order, bring it out and even load it into the back of the car for you. You don't even have to get out of your car.
How to order: Order online directly from the store's website.
DELIVERY
Most grocery stores offer a home delivery option and often use a 3rd party for the ordering and delivering. Go to your chosen store's website and there should be a delivery option that you can set up from there, or it will redirect you to the 3rd party delivery service they use. You can also go to any grocery delivery service's app or website to choose your store and items for delivery. You don't necessarily need to be home at the time of delivery because they'll leave it on your doorstep, but you should plan to be on your way home soon thereafter to bring your food inside. You can track the driver's car through their app to see how close they are to your home.
How to order: Depending on the store, you can try going to the store's website and choosing the delivery option, or you can go straight to the delivery service website or app and choose which store you'd like to order from.
HOW SOON
Sometimes you can get a same day pick up or delivery time, but you can also schedule it a few days out.
updated: During the viral outbreak these time slots are usually booked up a few days out, but there are some tricks that may help you find a time slot for the same or next day.
- I've been told they release new time slots at midnight so if you fill up your online cart beforehand, wait until midnight or shortly after to check out then you might have better options. Others have had luck waking up early in the morning to find a time slot for the same or next day.
- You'll likely be able to get your groceries sooner if you choose to pick them up at the store vs. having them delivered.
- You'll save money by choosing store pick up because there's usually a delivery fee. Sometimes a delivery fee will be waived if you purchase over a certain amount or for first time customers.
- Some delivery services have an "express" or "instant" service that you'll have to pay extra for and lots of people have had luck getting same or next day deliveries with these. I personally tried this and it didn't work for me.
WHAT YOU'LL FIND BELOW:
Grocery Store Options for Pick up and Delivery
Grocery Delivery Services
Restaurant Delivery Services
Miscellaneous Errands and Assistance Services
Tips for Ordering Groceries During the Coronavirus
GROCERY STORE OPTIONS FOR PICK UP AND DELIVERY
These are the grocery stores that offer pick up and deliveries. In parenthesis is the 3rd party delivery service they use. Scroll down further for more details on them.
*Information and costs could change or vary after this posting or based on your location and items ordered.
pick up outside, "in-store" pick up and delivery (Shipt)
note: They have 2 "pick-up" options; which is a bit confusing, see below for an explanation.
Option 1: If you select "Free Order Pickup" that means you can park outside in their designated parking stalls, notify them via the app you are ready and they'll bring it out.
*(Chilled foods and produce are not available via this option, but you can use this for pantry and shelf items.)
Option 2: If you select "In Stores (free order pickup and store only items)" this means you have to walk INSIDE to their IN-STORE pick up point. I made this mistake once when I wondered why nobody was coming out to the parking stall with my order...because I inadvertently chose the "In-Store Pick Up".
*(You can pick up chilled foods and produce via this option, as well as other pantry and shelf items.)
pick up and delivery (Instacart)
pick up and delivery (Instacart)
pick up and delivery (DoorDash)
$5.99 delivery fee for orders under $35
free delivery for orders over $35
*this could change or vary based on location and items
redirected to their sister store, Vons, for pick up and delivery
pick up and delivery (Instacart)
pick up and delivery (both via Instacart)
*pick up may not be available at all locations. If you don't mind driving a little further, choose another location that offers pick up.
pick up and delivery (both via Instacart)
*pick up may not be available at all locations. If you don't mind driving a little further, choose another location that offers pick up.
*membership required
pick up is not available, but delivery is (Instacart)
pick up and delivery (order from Amazon website or via Amazon Prime Now app)
*membership required
delivery only (Amazon)
pick up and delivery (Instacart)
What: Sourced high quality items, lots of organic options and they've "removed certified synthetic colors, added MSG, and partially hydrogenated oils from all of our exclusive brand food products".
Where: Encinitas, Mira Mesa, San Carlos, Chula Vista, San Ysidro, Escondido, Vista, Oceanside, Temecula, Menifee, Lake Elsinore, Hemet, Riverside and beyond
delivery (Amazon Prime Now)
What: A local market for the finest ingredients like dry-aged beef, air-chilled poultry and the freshest, local organic produce available.
Where: UTC La Jolla
pick up and local delivery (Mercato)
What: Sourced high quality items, lots of organic options, bulk, vegan/vegetarian and other locally sourced foods.
Where: Del Cerro
pick up and delivery (Shipt)
What: Grocery store with imported authentic Mexican ingredients
Where: Rolando, Barrio Logan, National City, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Escondido, Vista, Fallbrook
pick up and delivery (Shipt)
What; Pan-Asian groceries, bakery items, and others
Where: Kearny Mesa, Chula Vista
neither pick up nor delivery are available
*they stopped deliveries Jan 2019 because they didn't want to pass on the rising costs to the customers
neither pick up nor delivery are available
What: They sell a lot of organic, bulk, vegan/vegetarian and other locally sourced foods. They don't sell a lot of options for one food type because the stores have a weekly taste testing meeting where they select the best tasting options and only sell those. This is great because you don't have to waste your time trying to decide between 100 different brands.
Where: North Park, Pt. Loma, Otay Ranch, Alpine, Rancho Bernardo, Temecula, Murrieta, , Menifee, Wildomar
GROCERY DELIVERY SERVICES
It's way more convenient to have groceries delivered straight to your door step. It'll likely cost you a bit more, but it may be worth it if you can't squeeze a pick up time into your schedule or if you can't leave the house. They won't bring them inside however, but just open up your front door and they'll be sitting right outside. You can follow the driver on the app to watch when they'll arrive. You don't have to be home, they'll leave them on your doorstep.
For some grocers or 3rd party services, the pricing may cost more per item than what you would pay for shopping inside the grocery stores, while some are the same or better price though so it may wash out. Most charge a delivery fee that you can pay for per order, while others offer a monthly or annual membership that will give you free unlimited same day deliveries usually with a $35 or more order.
free pick up; delivery (Mercato) is based on your distance from the store
What: A local San Diego grocery delivery for the smaller artisan shops and markets. They only shop from 10 local grocery markets and prices are the same as in-store pricing. Free pick up is available too.
Stores: Windmill Farms (Del Cerro), Valley Farm Market (Spring Valley), World Foods Supermarket/Vien Dong 4 (Mid-City), Stump's Family Marketplace (Ocean Beach), Carnival Supermarket (Kearny Mesa, National City, Chula Vista), Vine Ripe Market (La Mesa), Pappalecco (Hillcrest, Little Italy), La Bodega Market (San Ysidro), Valley Foods (El Cajon), Venissimo Cheese (Del Mar)
Food Pricing: prices are the same as in-store pricing
Cost: Free 14 day trial and then $19/mo for unlimited same day deliveries over $35 and within 10 miles of the store, $4 off deliveries outside your location, they plant a tree for every order placed!
What: Partners with major grocery store chains for same day or scheduled grocery delivery
Stores: Ralph’s, Vons, Sprouts, Costco, Stater Bros., Smart & Final, Food4Less, Albertsons, BevMo, Aldo, Jimbo’s Naturally, Jensens Foods, Gelson’s, Harvest Ranch, Sam’s Club, CVS Pharmacy, Petco
Food Pricing: "Item prices are higher than in-store prices in your area. In-store prices, promotions, offers, coupons and discounts may not apply. Purchases do not earn loyalty program rewards such as gas rewards."
Cost: Pay per order or sign up for an Instacart Express membership. It's $99/year and will give you reduced service fees and free delivery for orders over $35.
What: Partners with major grocery store chains for same day or scheduled grocery delivery
Stores: Ralph's, Vons, Target, Smart & Final, 99 Ranch Market (Pan Asian groceries), Northgate Market (Mexican groceries), Gelson's, Sur La Table, CVS Pharmacy, Petco, Office Depot
Cost: Free 4 week trial first and then you'll have to sign up for a membership. Membership gives you free same day unlimited deliveries for orders over $35. Annual Plan is $99/yr ($8.25/mo); Monthly Plan is $14/mo.
What: Partners with major grocery store chains for same day grocery delivery
Stores: Whole Foods, Amazon Fresh, Bristol Farms, Keg N Bottle
Cost: Must be an Amazon Prime member to use + delivery fees vary by store and location.
RESTAURANT DELIVERY SERVICES
For those times when you don't want to cook and just want some take out, use one of these restaurant delivery services to order and deliver your take out to you without ever having to leave your house. Some restaurants partner with some or all of these services so depending on where you want to order from it's best to go straight to that restaurant's website; which will then direct you to their delivery options. Or you can just go directly to these delivery services and search for what you want.
Tip: When you find the restaurant you want to order from, take note of the estimated delivery times. I've found that a busier location may take longer than one that isn't frequented as often. So if there are multiple locations, check one that's a little further away to see if their delivery time is faster.
Delivery fees vary based on your location and the restaurant. Some will waive the delivery fee based on your order amount, if you're a first time customer or look or ask for any discounts.
What: Mostly restaurant food delivery but also does some grocery delivery as well.
Stores: Ralph's, Vons, Albertsons, Comstock Market (Comstock St.), Pancho Villa Market (El Cajon Blvd.), Assenti's Pasta (India St.) and most restaurants.
Cost: Not sure specifically about grocery store delivery fees, restaurant delivery fees range from $0.99-$2.99 or more based on your location. I found a discount code (not sure if it's still valid though): "SAVE100" for $100 in delivery fee credits for new Postmates customers.
What: Partners with local restaurants for same day delivery
Cost: pay per order or sign up for their DashPass subscription for free deliveries
What: Partners with local restaurants for same day delivery
What: Partners with local restaurants for same day delivery
MISCELLANEOUS ERRANDS AND ASSISTANCE
What: Partners with individuals who can help you out with a variety of activities from putting your IKEA furniture together, to mowing your yard and they'll even do errands for you. That could include doing your grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions or anything else you need help with. Pricing varies because each "tasker" sets their own price. Just a quick check for a local grocery shopper near me rates were around $29/hr. This is a more expensive option than ordering online and picking up or having groceries delivered, but if you need them fast this might be a good alternative option. [Use this referral link to get $10 off your first task!]
TIPS FOR ORDERING GROCERIES DURING THE CORONAVIRUS
During the COVID-19 outbreak, all of the grocery delivery services are backed up and taking several days to even get a time slot; which is still scheduling out 1-5 days at the time of this writing. Here are some tips that might help you get a faster pick up or delivery time slot:
- Have SEVERAL ONLINE CARTS FILLED UP with the foods that you want to buy
(this is time consuming to make sure you have what you need in which cart because each store has limited brands and options available right now)
- BE PREPARED for a low inventory, even online
- BE FLEXIBLE with the options available because they're limited right now and may not be what you're used to buying
- KEEP CHECKING BACK throughout the day to see if any delivery time slots open up or get cancelled
- Most of them open up NEW TIME SLOTS AT MIDNIGHT for the day so you might consider staying up until then
- WAKE UP REALLY EARLY in the morning to check for a time slot
- PLAN AHEAD. Most delivery or pick up times are booked up 3-5 days out, so DON'T WAIT until you're all out of milk to think about getting groceries.
- You most likely WON'T GET EVERYTHING YOU ORDERED. I've done this 3 times so far and each time I've received less than half of each order and there were MANY SUBSTITUTIONS.
- EXPECT SURPRISES when they substitute an item you ordered that's no longer available they'll make a good effort to get you something similar. I ordered a block of cheddar cheese so I could grate it myself, but they substituted it with a bag of single serving cheddar sticks. So I had to open up each single serve stick and slice them up with a knife. Way more time consuming and tedious than what I wanted, but we've learned to adapt and be flexible during these times.
- It might be best to DOUBLE ORDER FROM DIFFERENT STORES just to try and get everything that you need in case one of them is out of it at the scheduled time
- EXPECT CANCELLATIONS. I've had several people tell me their order was cancelled altogether.
- Some delivery services might have an "EXPRESS" or "MEMBERSHIP" feature where you pay a monthly fee, but they might have BETTER TIME SLOTS AVAILABLE. (I tried an "express" option through Instacart but I found their windows were still 3-4 days out, even though lots of others told me they got a delivery that same day using it so you might have luck with it or you might not.)
- Expect to PAY MORE for delivered items. Sometimes the item pricing will be higher and/or there may be a delivery fee. Sometimes the delivery fee will be waived if you buy over a certain amount or if it's your first time using their service.
- Some delivery companies have a monthly or annual MEMBERSHIP that you'll have to sign up for to use, but if you use this frequently it will actually save you money from individual order delivery fees.
- If you just NEED SOME ESSENTIALS like produce, milk, eggs and bread, try out some LOCAL BUSINESSES AND RESTAURANTS that have STARTED SELLING GROCERIES. I've been using these a lot while waiting in between grocery pick up schedules.
- The QUALITY of items has been VERY GOOD from my experiences. Only a couple of times something was damage or spilled and I either called or reported this via the app or email and the amount was refunded back to me. I wasn't asked to bring the items back to the store.
- If you need to return something, you'll likely have to take it back to the store yourself with the receipt.
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