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Solana Beach

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Highlights | Logistics | Getting There

Highlights

Solana Beach, situated north of Del Mar and south of Cardiff by the Sea, is a modest, mostly residential beach community offering uncrowded, family-friendly beaches and some of the best antique and art shopping in San Diego County. Like other beach communities in north San Diego County, the cultural heart and soul of Solana Beach is Coast Route 101. Along 101, you’ll find an interesting mix of surf shops, restaurants, hotels, arts-and-crafts galleries and everyday grocery and drug stores.

The beach lies below the wind- and water-sculpted sandstone bluffs that run the length of this community west of 101. Fletcher Cove Beach Park, a small beach with public parking, restrooms, and seasonal lifeguards, dissects the bluffs. This cove was constructed years ago by cutting out a portion of the bluffs with hydraulic water hoses and steam shovels. A 2-mile, paved walking and bike path has recently been constructed on the east side of 101. This path offers a comfortable course, safe from traffic, with benches to sit on and enjoy the unique flavor of this pleasant California beach community.

South Cedros Ave., south of Lomas Santa Fe and east of 101, is a mecca for antique and decorating shops. Along with antiques you will find imported and local crafts and other items of art, perfect for home decorating with the local flavor of Southern California.

Don't forget, Solana Beach is just minutes away from the Del Mar Thorougbred Club with live horse racing running late July through early September.

Logistics

Fletcher Cove has public parking. From there, you can access the entire Solana Beach coastline if you don’t mind walking and the tide isn’t too high. More beach access is available along Pacific Avenue between Ocean Avenue and Solana Vista Drive, as well as along Sierra Avenue.

Getting There

From San Diego, take I-5 north to the Lomas Santa Fe exit and head west. Lomas Santa Fe intersects Coast Route 101, which you can take north or south for beach access. Easier yet, cross 101; Lomas Santa Fe turns in Plaza Street, which dead ends at Fletcher Cove Beach Park. The Solana Beach Regional Transportation Center is Solana Beach’s very own train station. Offering parking and a daily schedule of train and bus service, the Center is located on North Cedros Avenue just north of Lomas Santa Fe.

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