Posted by Candace Stadelmann on May 7, 2018
Solana Beach is a small city located north of the City of San Diego, sandwiched between Del Mar to the south and Cardiff-by-the-Sea to the north. Solana Beach is a stereotypical southern California beach town. It is a small city, comprising 13,000 residents, idyllic beaches, a cute boardwalk, and numerous points of interest including shops and venues that are geared toward both locals and tourists.
Real estate prices in Solana Beach have trended upward significantly since the city was incorporated in 1986. Solana Beach is a relatively wealthy city composed of technology companies, professional services and artisans. Because of this variety of different job opportunities, Solana Beach is an ideal community to purchase a home.
Beaches
Solana Beach, with clear views of the Pacific Ocean, is a close distance from two world-famous sandy beaches: Torrey Pines State Beach and Fletcher Cove Park. Known for the endangered Torrey Pines tree, Torrey Pines National Park is located between the neighboring cities of Del Mar and La Jolla.
Torrey Pines is more commonly known for its scenic golf course with cliffside views of the Pacific Ocean. With hikes to the ocean and high vista views, it's a gorgeous place to take a weekend walk or hike.
Another famous beach within Solana Beach is Fletcher Cove Park. With picnic areas, easy-to-find parking spots, and local cafes and shops only a few blocks away, Fletcher Cove is a perfect place to take the family for a day on the beach.
Only a few blocks north of Fletcher Cove lies Tide Beach Park. While this beach is not as easily accessible as Fletcher Cove, Tide Beach Park is only accessible through a steep hike down a cliff. A popular spot for surfers and tide-pool adventurers, this small beach is a common spot for locals to break away from the tourist crowd.
Attractions
Belly Up is one of North County’s premier live-music venues. Belly Up features a variety of local artists and intimate shows. Known for showcasing more local talent, Belly Up is a hot spot for locals to get a taste of some of the musical talent residing in North County.
If you're a fan of music festivals, KAABOO is an outdoor festival that's hosted in Del Mar every year. While not directly located within Solana Beach, Del Mar is only a short drive away. With big names such as Imagine Dragons, Katy Perry, and Foo Fighters, KAABOO tends to attract hundreds of visitors. Not only is there live music, but KAABOO also hosts a variety of culinary shows with fine dining opportunities, comedy, and art showcases.
Shopping
One popular shopping destination with Solana Beach is the Cedros Design District. With more than 85 artisanal shops and storefronts, this two-and-a-half block is a great place to find unique home decor, furniture, collectibles, and handmade goods.
The Cedros Design District is also home to the Solana Beach Farmers Market. Open every Sunday from 12:00 PM to 4:00 pm, it was voted one of San Diego’s “Great Farmer’s Markets” by San Diego Magazine. With unique farm-fresh goods and an open-air food court, this farmer's market is a great way to spend the day outdoors, grab a bite and sit out on the beach.
Restaurants
If you're looking for a quick bite to eat before heading out to the beach, Claire’s on Cedros is a casual breakfast spot that specializes in homemade, fresh, California-style comfort food. They sell a variety of bread, desserts, and pastries that are easy to grab if you're on the go. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner and hold a happy hour Fridays and Saturdays from 3 to 6 p.m.
If you prefer seafood, the locally-renowned Jake’s Del Mar serves coastal fare and is located in the nearby city of Del Mar. Known for its fresh seafood and great cocktails, this restaurant is a great place for a fun, casual dining experience.
If you're looking for more fine dining, you should stop by the Market Restaurant + Bar, one of the top-rated restaurants in the nation. Managed by award-winning chef Carl Schroeder and John Thompson, Market Restaurant +Bar features locally-grown, fresh ingredients and a rotating menu for the optimal freshness of ingredients.
Breweries & Wineries
San Diego is home to over 130 unique craft breweries and is known as the Craft Beer Capital of America. Culture Brewing Co. is one of the many breweries to reside in San Diego, but specifically with a location in Solana Beach. With award-winning beers on tap, the brewery offers tours of the brewing process and offers samples of new and upcoming varieties of beer.
If wine is more your speed, Carruth Cellars Urban Winery & Tasting Room is a top-rated winery in California that sources grapes from all over the state. Carruth Cellars is an urban winery that was founded in 2006. With locations in Carlsbad, Solana Beach, and Little Italy, Carruth Cellars works on creating high-quality wine within an urban setting.
If you're interested in other areas in North County, we can help! We're local real estate agents who specialize in the North County area. Reach out to us if you're interested in learning more or have any questions about real estate.
