Entry No. 20 — the San Diego file — filed under: oddities
Artifacts & Artichokes
Self-billed as San Diego's "Gallery of Oddities," this plant-and-curio boutique mixes rare houseplants with taxidermy, natural oddities, and cabinet-of-curiosities displays, and even rents its gallery space out for private events among the specimens.
The story
Pull off Mission Gorge Road in Grantville and look for the black, ornate vintage-style sign. From the curb, you might assume you’re pulling into a standard plant nursery. You aren't. Step through the doorway and the light dims into a dense cabinet of curiosities where rare tropical leaves brush against animal skulls, taxidermy mounts, and pinned specimens.
The shop operates on a deliberate dual identity: equal parts rare-plant hideaway and community oddities gallery. Local artists supply the handcrafted artwork and vintage curios crammed onto the shelves, while the floor doubles as a workshop space and private event rental. Just don't expect to walk out with everything you lay eyes on—a significant portion of the collection is strictly permanent, kept on display purely for the vibe.
What it's like
Navigate the narrow aisles between exotic plant foliage, dark-toned displays, and natural oddities. It feels less like a retail store and more like stepping into a naturalist's overgrown private study. Pay close attention to the price tags before you fall in love with a specimen, since some of the best curiosities aren't for sale. If you want to linger, time your visit around one of their evening workshops or local artist pop-ups.
The move: Browse the gallery of oddities side by side, pick a strange houseplant to adopt together, then linger — the shop doubles as an event space with rotating art and workshops.
- 📍 Grantville / Navajo, San Diego
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 7549 Mission Gorge Rd, San Diego, CA 92120
Hours: Added 2026-07-19 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Botanica Mama Roots — Head four miles west to Kensington to pair living plant curiosities with San Diego's oldest operating witch shop.
- The Gold Dust Collective — Continue into North Park if you want to trade plant fronds for fox mounts, human-tooth jewelry, and Victorian memento mori.
- Datura — Pair your rare houseplant search with a run through North Park's ethical herbal apothecary packed with dried roots, mushrooms, and barks.
Good to know
Is everything on display available to buy?
No. While most of the rare plants, vintage items, and local artwork carry price tags, select taxidermy and oddities are part of the shop's permanent collection.
Where is the shop located?
It sits at 7549 Mission Gorge Rd in the Grantville / Navajo neighborhood of San Diego.
Does the venue hold events?
Yes. The gallery doubles as an event space hosting art pop-ups, creative workshops, and private gatherings surrounded by the plant and curio collection.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Yelp · natureselementslandscaping.com · Instagram
last checked: 2026-07-19