Welcome to Solana Beach! Located in the North County Coastal section of San Diego County, Solana Beach sits atop tall bluffs that overlook about 1.5 miles of narrow beach. This affluent city encompasses 3.6 square miles and has a population of 12,867 people. It is bound by Cardiff-by-the-Sea to the north; Del Mar to the south; Rancho Santa Fe to the east; and, the Pacific Ocean to the west.
There are several interesting tidbits about Solana Beach. It was settled in 1886 as Lockwood Mesa then became Solana Beach in 1923 but was not incorporated as a town until 1986. Solana Beach is most well known for being the first city in the continental US to ban smoking on public beaches in 2003.
In terms of weather, Solana Beach offers the best of both worlds. In the summer, the highs are in the low-70s and the lows are in the mid-60s while the temps in the winter are in the low to mid-60s during the day and the mid-40s at night.
The Highlights of Solana Beach
There is so much that draws people to Solana Beach real estate. In addition to the allure of this oceanfront community, there are a number of popular spots that are frequented by locals and visitors.
Probably the most widely known area of Solana Beach is the Cedros Design District. In addition to the enormous amount of shops, art galleries, clothing boutiques and quaint cafes, this area features the weekly farmers market held on Sundays and the monthly Gallery Night, a gallery crawl held the third Thursday each month.
Another shopping district is along Highway 101 in the downtown area of Solana Beach as well as along the beach. Highway 101 features newly designed shopping centers mixed in with historic buildings and the Solana Beach train station as well as great restaurants, unique shops and quaint beach motels.
Solana Beach has over 1.5 miles of beach and offers four popular beaches that cater to different crowds. Fletcher Cove, the main beach of Solana Beach, is a favorite everyone. Here it is a common place for locals at sunset. Tide Beach Park is known for its large reef off shore that creates a perfect tidal pool at the northern border. In addition to being a hot spot for families, it is also a favorite for surfers and others participating in water activities. A similar crowd flocks to Seascape Surf as it has a wide beach for beach activities and is also a hot spot for surfers (remember that surfers sometimes refer to Seascape Surf as Cherry Hill). Finally, Del Mar Shores Beach is a great spot for water activities but is a basic beach with no amenities.
Living in Solana Beach
Solana Beach is a great place to raise a family. It is a very safe and mostly residential community that offers the beach lifestyle with many conveniences and amenities.
It is divided into two major sections by Interstate 5 which runs north and south through all of San Diego County. West of I-5 features neighborhoods and communities with older homes on hillsides, in canyons, on bluffs along the coast and gated condominium communities. It has a very beach-y flavor to it and a laid-back lifestyle. East of I-5 is the complete opposite with more of an exclusive atmosphere with executive homes on large lots as well as lovely condominium communities.
Who Lives in Solana Beach?
The residents of Solana Beach are people who want to live at or near the beach but want more conveniences at their disposal. They are very active and enjoy being outside. The median age is about 44 years old and features a median household income of about $86K (2010 Census). Many people who live in Solana Beach work for companies throughout the northern part of San Diego County.
Coastal Living at Its Finest
Solana Beach is absolutely one of the best places to live in Southern California. For those who desire to live at or near the beach, it is the ultimate spot. It has the charm and old-style character of a true beach town along with the modern conveniences and amenities that are found in larger metro areas. It is the perfect area to live, play and raise a family.