Things to Do in Solana Beach: A Local's Guide

Solana Beach is one of those sneaky San Diego neighborhoods where the more you invest time in exploring it, the more rewarding the actual neighborhood becomes. The shops, food, and stores are all there apart from the gorgeous beach, as long as you know where to look!

Solana Beach is full of must-see staples, but we’d also recommend you check out the City of Solana Beach’s calendar of events for up to date activities.

Newbies Should Start with Fletcher Cove

Fletcher Cove is the main beach access in town, and it remains the best place to bring someone who’s new to the area.

The walk down is paved, the park above the bluffs is wide and grassy, and on a calm day the whole stretch feels like it belongs to you.

What you'll find at Fletcher Cove:

A paved ramp down to the sand, making it one of the most accessible beaches in the area
Tide pools to the south at low tide, tucked along the base of the sandstone bluffs
The Coastal Rail Trail along the blufftop for a quick morning walk with wide-open ocean views
A grassy park with benches, a playground, and room to just sit and watch the water

Coffee and Breakfast on South Cedros Avenue

From the coast, it's only a short walk to Lofty Coffee on South Cedros. We roast all of our coffee locally, so whatever you order, it’s made with real attention and care.

Here’s a few coffee and food orders worth knowing ahead of time:

Aztec Mocha with dark cacao, cinnamon, and cayenne
Morning Dove House Coffee, bottomless and served until noon
The Cedros, named after the street, with poached pasture-raised eggs, heirloom tomato, avocado, and chicken sausage
Organic Acai Bowl with house-made granola, seasonal fruit, and cacao nibs

Everything on the menu is scratch-made with organic, locally sourced ingredients, which means Lofty isn’t just a coffee stop, it can be your brunch destination too.

Walk the Cedros Avenue Design District

Once you've eaten, you’ll already be standing in the middle of the South Cedros Avenue Design District, a walkable stretch of independent shops housed in converted warehouses.

There are no chains here! This is the neighborhood’s commercial strip, and it’s held onto its character. What to look for along Cedros:

Boutiques and Gift Shops

The retail on Cedros leans coastal without being kitschy (which is harder to pull off than it sounds).

Satori Collective carries a well-edited mix of gifts, apparel, and lifestyle goods.
SoLo o n Cedros is the spot for antique furniture, coffee table books, stationery, and one-of-a-kind home finds.
And if you brought your dog along (or wish you had), Muttropolis has been a curated pet boutique in the design district since 2002.

Home Design and Furniture

Cedros has long been a destination for home design, and several of the original shops are still here.

TaDah Home Decor carries a mix of vintage and modern pieces that lean toward warm, lived-in interiors.
The Futon Shop specializes in organic and sustainable home furnishings, from futons to platform beds.
Cassidy Interiors is worth a stop if you're looking for coastal-inspired furniture and design consultation.

Art Galleries

Some of the best gallery space in San Diego County sits quietly on this stretch of road.

Madison Gallery is a contemporary art gallery founded in 2001 that shows internationally recognized artists, with rotating exhibitions throughout the year.
Rhea Ashcraft Art is a working studio where you can see original paintings, book a studio session, or learn about her creative process up close.
Ethan Blu Transcendent Art Gallery rounds out the stretch with a more contemplative, spiritual take on fine art.

Check out the full directory for the Design District here.

The Solana Beach Farmers Market

On Sundays, the Solana Beach Farmers Market sets up at the nearby train station with local produce, flowers, and prepared foods. It's smaller and more laid-back than some of the larger San Diego markets, which is part of what makes it feel like it belongs here.

Protip: It's an especially good morning to be in the neighborhood on a Sunday when the market is running and the design district is in full swing.

Enjoy Your Afternoon at the Del Mar Race Track

Finally, no visit to Solana beach is complete without spending a day at the Del Mar Race Track! If you're visiting during racing season (typically July through September), a morning on South Cedros pairs well with an afternoon at the track, which is just a few minutes south.

Opened in 1937, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club attracts racing enthusiasts and tourists from all over to watch some of the most famous horses compete.

Good Things to Know About Solana Beach

Lofty Coffee Solana Beach is at 162 S. Cedros Ave, right in the Design District
Parking: Street parking along Cedros Avenue and a public lot near the train station
Best day to visit: Sundays, when the farmers market adds another layer to the morning
Getting there: Fletcher Cove is about a 10-minute walk from Cedros, or a 2-minute drive