San Diego's northern coastal community of Solana Beach is situated 23 miles from downtown, offering panoramic Pacific views, trendy shopping and innovative architecture on each street. "The surrounding beach towns to the north and south offer larger areas, which in turn provide more affordable options as you move further away from the beach," says Whitney Peyser, San Diego-based Realtor with Compass. "Solana Beach being a smaller town with limited housing inventory, is all beach-oriented, so homes here have a higher price tag." West of the 5 is where many people own second homes, but south of the 5 (towards Del Mar) is where most people live full-time; it's got it's back turned to the ocean a bit, but lots are bigger.
Solana Beach stands out for its emphasis on art and individuality, devoting 2 ½ blocks to galleries and independent merchants at Cedros Design Center Avenue and hosting the annual Fiesta del Sol festival, celebrating local artists. While visitors may be initially drawn to the beach, art scene and laid-back atmosphere, growing families are drawn to the top-rated schools and how active the community is–surfboards are as ubiquitous as cars here and commercial streets are often full of bikers, joggers and skateboarders.
Cedros Design District has beautiful murals while locals shop in Solana Beach.
There is no shortage of artwork throughout the Cedros Design District of Solana Beach.
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Oceanfront condos and mansions with private beach access
Custom-built homes sit on hilly, winding streets without sidewalks. Beachside roads like Pacific Avenue are lined with sprawling mansions that showcase eclectic Monterey-style ranch and Pueblo Revival homes, alongside contemporary modern builds. No two houses are alike, a testament to how much the town values artistry and individuality. Further inland, Spanish Colonial Revivals and Midcentury Modern estates offer views of the city, San Elijo Lagoon and parts of the coast (depending where the home is situated). Coastal condos with private access to Fletcher Beach range in price from $1.5 million to $3 million, while large estates with access to the same beach go for $10 million. Single-family homes that sit closer to Interstate 5 than the beach can cost between $2 million and $5 million. On average, homes here sell for $2.3 million as of Spring 2024, typically selling within 40 days.
This Mediteranean style home with stunning pool in Solana Beach.
Solana Beach sits along the scenic coast between Del Mar and Cardiff by The Sea.
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Canyon Crest High ranked #1 in San Diego
Kids in the area might start out at the Solana Beach Elementary district, rated an overall A by Niche. The district offers Solana Vista and Solana Ranch Elementary as options, both earning an A-plus. The San Dieguito Union High School district would be the next step, rated the #1 best school in the San Diego Area, offering the A-plus rated Earl Warren Middle and Canyon Crest Academy. Canyon Crest ranks as the top-rated public high school in San Diego, offering courses in Advanced Journalism, STEM and Personal Financial Literacy.
The Torrey Pines High School in Carmel Valley has beautiful landscape near Solana Beach.
Discover the inspiring environment of Earl Warren Middle School in Solana Beach.
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Surfers flock to Fletchers and Cardiff
While Fletcher Cove is perhaps the most popular beach among residents, Cardiff State Beach is much more accessible. Located 2 miles from Solana, Cardiff’s clean reef break that picks up swells from the south make it popular for surfing and boogie-boarding. The relatively new 5,500-square-foot La Colonia Skatepark on Valley Avenue is popular with younger residents; the town plans to expand it with a garden, more pickleball courts and an art installation.
Cardiff State Beach is just north of Solana Beach and is famous for its surf.
Surfers are always riding the waves near fletcher cove in Solana Beach.
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Year-round farmers market
Cedros Design District is lined with shops and eateries like Cedros Soles accessory boutique, All About Me Beauty Salon and Belly Up Tavern. Every Sunday, residents flock to the Design District for the fresh, organic goods from Solana Beach Farmers Market. The Solana Towne Centre on Lomas Santa Fe Drive is anchored by a Sprouts Grocery store and a Marshalls, offering a few fast-casual dining options, but for a sit-down dinner, head about 5 miles south to Del Mar’s One Paseo for some sushi at Mizukiyama.
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Commute to San Diego on Interstate 5 or by train
Residents can head down Interstate 5 South for 23 miles and be in San Diego in about 30 minutes depending on traffic, or commute by Amtrak Pacific Surfliner and Coaster commuter rail trains. The North County Transit District (NCTD) offers bus services throughout the city, connecting residents to the Cedros Design District and the Solana Beach Town Center. The community is walkable, with bike-friendly roads and sidewalks making it easy to explore the city on two wheels. Scripps Coastal Medical Center sits at the heart of the city, providing care for residents in times of need.
The coaster can easily take you downtown for the station in Solana Beach.
Solana Beach is easy to access from the local coaster and Amtrak train station nearby.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
