Adults at Play: San Diego Novelty Shops

Sex. It's everywhere. It's ravaged the internet. It's plastered on billboards. It's splayed across the covers and pages of magazines. It's somehow managed to record itself to my DVR … hmm …

Face it. This ain't "Little House on the Prairie" and chastity belts are no longer in style. On second thought, maybe they should be just for Tiger's sake. Wake up. It's 2010 people. Vibrators make the world go 'round. Well, at least according to Miss Jenna Jameson.

It’s time to crank up the heat and bring some action into the boudoir with a little help from our local adult toy stores. Whether you fly solo or are infatuated with a significant other, we can all benefit from a new toy, or three.

From The Rubber Rose in North Park to Mankind in Hillcrest and Doctor Love’s in Pacific Beach, these novelty boutiques feature top-quality goodies guaranteed to quench your carnal cravings.

Discover a few of our favorite San Diego sex shops.

Mankind – Hillcrest
Located on 5th Avenue, the light blue bricked Mankind boutique offers three stories of prurient pleasure. On the ground level you will find a family-oriented section complete with an array of scented candles, glassware, artwork, rainbow flags and greeting cards. But if you're looking for a different kind of retail therapy with a XXX rating, Mankind has two more levels that provide the utmost in erotica. On the second floor you will find over 3,000 DVD titles to rent or purchase, lingerie styles for him and her, and a selection of vibrators and sex toys. If fetish, latex and bondage are your sensual obsessions, Mankind boasts high-end leather brands such as Leatherwerks, Stockroom and 665 on the third floor. From cuffs, ties and collars to paddles, masks and c-rings, your most kinky fixations can be found in abundance here. Let the "Sexperts" at Mankind show you what it's all about.

The Rubber Rose – North Park (pictured)
If you've ever felt awkward about visiting an adult store, your reservations will suddenly slip away upon entering the über hip and sexy Rubber Rose. A clean and carefully organized shop, the Rubber Rose is nowhere near what you would consider your typical sex shop. This classy adult boutique houses an art gallery off to the side of the retail space which hosts a new artist every month as well as various workshops centered on positive sexuality and sexual health.

The Rubber Rose sells a variety of products ranging from sensual oils and sexy lingerie to hand cuffs and silicone goodies galore that are guaranteed to up your pleasure to a 13.2 in no time. Of the many featured brands, we recommend the Sweeden-based LELO line which is known for its contemporary luxury flair. Ladies, if you're looking for the superlative tucked-in-your-nightstand-drawer pal then check out "Gigi," an elegant mid-size G-spot vibrator or "Iris," a feminine vibrator with soft petal-like ridges and a flowing form to allow for prolonged and intense G-spot stimulation. For the couples who want to bring a little bit of spice into their boudoir, then "Bo" is the toy for you. A gentleman's vibrating ring designed to comfort men of all sizes, Bo is the perfect gift for those seeking elevated intensity.

Doctor Love's – Pacific Beach
While the first impression collection of well-endowed, scantily-clad mannequins in the window might resonate as raunchy, this Garnet Avenue staple is definitely not a sleazy, sneak-through-the-back-door-to-avoid-being-seen kind of adult store. Step inside and you'll immediately find that it's much more along the line of a Victoria's Secret and Spencer's Gifts, with an extra shot of spice. The store is arranged according to the "soft-to-sensual" merchandising philosophy. Such items as greeting cards, intimacy games and bachelorette party supplies are located at the front of the store to make sure the customer feels welcome. As you head to the back, however, you’ll find a plethora of titillating toys to peruse.

Doctor Love’s features a variety of products to suit any kind of sexual desire. Extreme shoppers should check out everything from the Fetish Fantasy Series – 3 piece muzzle anyone? – to the 110 volt Personal Pleasure Sex Machine. If you're looking for something a little more subtle, don't be deterred. Doctor Love's offers a variety of lingerie styles, animal-inspired vibrators, stripper poles, and edible body butter to add a little spice and everything nice to the bedroom.

Hustler Hollywood – Gaslamp
Everyone knows that the infamous Hustler Hollywood never falls short of providing for your feral fantasies and darkest desires. Lucky for us, they've decided to bring a bit of Hollywood to downtown San Diego so we can partake in the fun.

The first two floors are comprised of sexy lingerie and costumes, drinking games, Bachelorette party supplies, and novelty and gag gifts. For the salacious goodies, head up to the third floor. Hustler’s highest level is home to a variety of lubricants, dual stimulators, blow-up dolls, remote-controlled vibrators, strap-ons and a wide assortment of DVDs. And of course, Hustler wouldn't be Hustler if it didn't have a signature line of premiere toys. From the Bling Bullet and the Mistress Massager to the waterproof Razzle Dazzle Rocket and the "In Like Flynt" Masturbator, trust your pleasure to this internationally famed brand.

The Crypt – Hillcrest
If you’re pondering venturing into the darker side of sex, The Crypt is your go-to spot in San Diego. Offering up more than a handful of erotically pleasing trinkets and toys – from elaborate handblown glassware and ten-speed pump-action vibrators to leather masks and bondage galore – there is no way you will be walking out the door empty-handed after a visit here. If belts and chains is the name of your game, The Crypt offers an array of eccentrically kinky apparel for everyone from the average Joe Shmoe love slave to the whip-torturing Daisy Dominatrix.

Aside from the myriad of bondage – enough to make your very own human slave – you can also find a handful of costumes, sexy lingerie, clothing labels such as Kik Wear, Lip Service and Tripp, and even a variety of educational pamphlets for all kinds of sexual proclivities. Ever wondered what it might be like to make a replica of your nether bits? The Crypt sells a Clone-a-Willy dildo kit. All it takes is 5 minutes, then VOILA!

Discover more of the best San Diego boutiques.

All photos courtesy of The Rubber Rose