California Sun and Beaches

By Heather Hunnefeld


The little beach-town of Solana Beach is nestled along the Pacific Ocean's sandy coast approximately 22 miles north of the San Diego airport. It's bordered by the protected San Elijo Lagoon (great hiking and jogging trails!) on the north, the chic town of Del Mar (and it's horse race track) on the south, the popular Lomas Santa Fe Country Club on the east and, of course, the sparkling Pacific Ocean on the west.

The climate is near perfect with winter high temperatures ranging from 59 - 63 with abundant sunshine. Summer high temperatures average 74 - 79 pleasant degrees thanks to the refreshing breezes off the ocean. This ideal weather and two miles of gorgeous coastline result in a tropical paradise - as a result, home prices average from one to two million dollars.

There is more to Solana Beach than just near-perfect weather - there is something for everyone: great dining, diverse shops, surfing, an active nightlife scene, bicycling along the ocean, hiking and nature walks along the lagoons, and, of course, beautiful beaches - where every evening residents and visitors alike gather to enjoy world-class sunsets.

The Cedros shopping district is unlike any other area of San Diego, an "artsy" community of chic and cool, hip and eclectic, touched with a flavor of a European side-street. Visitors to Credos will find a quarter mile of more than 75 distinctive businesses featuring mysterious antique shops, fascinating far-eastern furniture stores, hand-woven tapestries, hand-made custom jewelry, natural restaurants, health spas, design studios and one-of-a-kind salons.

Perhaps the most famous commercial establishment in Cedros is the Belly Up Tavern with a distinguished history of bringing all kinds of music to the San Diego area. The Belly Up has often been voted "San Diego's Best Live Music Venue" by the San Diego Union Tribune, The San Diego Reader and San Diego Magazine. It's been called "one of the coolest music scenes on the west coast" by Rolling Stone Magazine.

Coastal Southern California has an excellent rail transit system. Both the Amtrak and the local commuter train, the Coaster, stop at the Solana Beach station at 105 N. Cedros Ave., providing easy access to San Diego and Los Angeles.

The Solana Beach Triathlon Club hosts an annual "beach party triathlon" each July. Thousands of participants and spectators participate and have fun with family and friends in the sun, surf and sand. The Triathlon features a 1/4 Mile Ocean Swim, 9 Mile Bike and 3 Mile Run.

Solana Beach was featured on all the cable news networks a few years ago when it became the first U.S. city to ban smoking on public beaches. Since that controversial decision, often led by high-schools clean-ups and rallies, dozens of other California communities have followed in prohibiting smoking on their beaches.

The coastal area of Solana Beach along historic Highway U.S. 101 was mostly developed in the 1950s and 1960s, consisting of a diverse mix of offices, businesses, shops, restaurants, hotels, motels, resorts and apartments.

The nationally known Jenny Craig weight loss company has it headquarters in Solana Beach and employs more than 180 people. East of the freeway, Interstate 5, is the newer section of Solana Beach: a country club surrounded by luxurious executive homes.

Beach town lodging options in the Solana Beach and Cardiff By The Sea area include Cardiff By The Sea Inn and Solana Beach Bed and Breakfasts.




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