The 10 Best Things to Do in Solana Beach, United States

March 10, 2018 Flossie Demartino

Solana Beach in United States, from Nouth America region, is best know for Nature & Parks. Discover best things to do in Solana Beach with beautiful photos and great reviews from traveller around the world here!
Restaurants in Solana Beach

1. Fletcher Cove Park

111 S Sierra Ave, Seaside Market, not Cliffside market, Solana Beach, CA 92075-1810
Excellent
71%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 158 reviews

Fletcher Cove Park

Reviewed By AlbertoMay - Rancho Santa Fe, California

One of the best beaches to go to in San Diego. Very quiet and nice beach with a lot of families from the area. It has a nice park on the top for picnic.

2. Del Mar City Beach

Coast Boulevard, Del Mar, CA +1 858-755-1556
Excellent
69%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 387 reviews

Del Mar City Beach

A popular beach in the San Diego area for sunbathing and surfing.

Reviewed By on_the_go_98765 - Tucson

Technically, the City of Del Mar says it has 2 adjacent beaches (Sea Grove and Power House) and one further beach (Dog park) so .... Del Mar City Beach is a blending of the first two. But, okay, it is a fine stretch of beach with restrooms, benches, grass, play equipment for kiddies, train tracks near by, and the amenities of the town right there.

Del Mar also has a full service permanent lifeguard facility on the beach (comforting info). This is a popular place for locals and visitors. We stayed locally so parking was not an issue nor was it a concern.

3. Self Realization Fellowship Hermitage & Meditation Gardens

215 W K St, Encinitas, CA 92024-5040 +1 760-753-2888
Excellent
86%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 440 reviews

Self Realization Fellowship Hermitage & Meditation Gardens

Reviewed By kaioatey - The Bay Area

The gardens occupy a significant chunk of prime ocean-vieweing real estate in Encinitas. I thought the gardens were nice, perhaps a bit too groomed - a spiritual center, I'd expect them to work more WITH Nature, rather than working nature. It has also ocurred to me to what extent they rely on the labor of unpaid volunteers (as the majority of India-inspired spiritual organizations in this country) as opposed to paying gardeners for garden upkeep. I later realized that the Self Realization Fellowship is quite a presence in town, with bakeries, restaurants etc. I wonder if they've inspired the countless yoga studios, wellness centers etc.

4. Sal Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve

2710 Manchester Ave, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Encinitas, CA 92007-2204 +1 760-634-3026
Excellent
72%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 58 reviews

Sal Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve

Reviewed By Feedbackart - Fallbrook, California

When he was still living, the Rockett brought me here to absorb the San Diego County wonder called San Elijo (not Sal Elijo). Thanks kindly Rockett. He wasn't fooling,what a beautiful place!

First, what a wonderful, hilly area for a nature preserve! The trails were well kept. I simply could not understand why or how we only passed two other Hikers, during the 4 hours we were there! Coastal California only has so many regional, or lagoon parks, where one can observe scenery akin to undisturbed Coastal watersheds. THIS IS ONE SUCH SITE!!!

The trails have benches positioned along the route with wonderful scenic views. When the Rockett tired, we sat at these convenient benches as he regaled me about past events. Epic, memorable!

The one time we passed some other Hikers, they were such wonderful people: I wondered why we didn't already know them. When we were so happy to share this wonderful place with passer-byes, I bet they felt the same. I reckoned they felt the same, regardless. What a remarkable place!

After the Rockett passed, we held his "Remembrance of Life" at the San Elijo Reserve Park, nestled in the heart of this preserve. Many attended, who never previously connected, and we all felt bound by this wonderful place: all invited by the Rockett to appreciate one of his true joys,,, together. Whomever named this TripAdvisor page, is in a hurry. San means "Saint" for good reason. It, in my opinion, is sad someone needed to misspell it (as there is a Saint responsible for this preserve). I wish them well and hope they correct this page for the sake of those who remember it and those who seek it in the future.

5. Dog Beach

3200 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014
Excellent
72%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 237 reviews

Dog Beach

Reviewed By on_the_go_98765 - Tucson

Four-legged children running amok, sniffing butts, chasing balls, behaving reasonably well, and (hopefully) not chomping parts off other dogs. It's a free-for-all in reality and owners (hopefully, again) are responsible and bring aggressive behavior under control (and that is, unfortunately, a really big "hopefully" hope).

Dogs are a lot like people; not everyone is well mannered and not all of us abide by rules, sadly. But for visitors like us, we love to see the unabated enthusiasm of the canine set interacting with the owners and behaving more like little kids than dogs. By the way, we've been to the big park (Sea Grove Park) further up the road and seen children behaving many times more poorly than these dogs we observed. No dogs poked another with a stick and knocked them over, etc.

Another really fun past time here is watching the volley ball players in contest. Those are some pretty fine athletes! There is also a dog garden maintained by the locals and it is exceptional. This is a fine place to visit and it is across the highway from the race track.

6. Cedros Design District

Cedros Avenue, Solana Beach, CA 92075
Excellent
66%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 112 reviews

Cedros Design District

Reviewed By on_the_go_98765 - Tucson

This is a quaint artsy place to visit with a wide variety of shops along the Coaster train route. The crosswalks are painted works of art (mostly fish themes) and the character of this district defines Solana Beach's hip, vibrant public art orientation. The district borders the landscaped walking trail and from there, cross over the bridge (there are several).

There's a fascinating shop called Solo on Cedros with a wide variety of gift items which we don't see anywhere else. Also, on Sunday the food scene at the Farmers Market is awesome! The man selling gyros and Kebobs does a great business as does the chocolate man, the Italian sauce man, and other vendors, too.

The mural on the side of the building can be seen from the street, as can be seen the signs for the design district. If you come to Solana Beach, this is a must-see place to visit.

7. Moonlight State Beach

Encinitas, CA 92024 +1 760-633-2740
Excellent
70%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 549 reviews

Moonlight State Beach

Reviewed By Brooke B - San Diego, California

We live nearby, but it's still one of our favorite beaches in all of Southern California. The Sunday summer concerts are a lot of fun and the new concessions stand and lifeguard tower were worth the short inconvenience of the construction period a few years ago. It's always been clean and safe. There is one smallish parking lot and the rest is residential street parking so it can get pretty crowded on hot days.

8. San Elijo State Beach

2050 South Coast Hwy 101, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Encinitas, CA 92007
Excellent
61%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 27 reviews

San Elijo State Beach

Reviewed By david k - Elk Grove, California

Spaces tight but enough vegetation to give you enough privacy. Remember, your at the beach, space is at a premium. Your views , the soft ocean breezes will help you forget everything except the reason your there, to relax.

9. Del Mar Race Track

just west of I-5 at the Via de la Valle exit, Del Mar, CA +1 858-755-1141
Excellent
60%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 467 reviews

Del Mar Race Track

Reviewed By ecfoster - Louisville, Kentucky

We visited the infamous racetrack and immediately were blown away by the employees' friendly demeanor and the sheer beauty of "where the surf meets the turf".

Coupled with the classy atmosphere we elected to sit in 2 different areas each day we attended. The shade is exceptional if you want it, and we did. Whoever was in charge of the architectural design of this track deserves a fine bourbon! They did well to factor in the location of the sun so that it is not in the patrons' eyes all day...unlike a few others around the country I've attended.

Del Mar is my new Saratoga. Both are beautiful places to visit, and now are 1-2 in my favorite racetracks....and mind you, I live in Kentucky!

10. Swami's Beach

1298 S Coast Hwy 10, Encinitas, CA 92024
Excellent
70%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 189 reviews

Swami's Beach

Reviewed By Pris N - Encinitas, California

It's hard to describe the power of the beach and the sound of the waves. The quiet mornings before it is inhabited by others is my favorite time. Yet I have to admit it has an energy with those who come to share it's beauty.

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