Between LA And San Diego Lies A California Beach Town Ideal For Laid-Back Summer Fun

With over 3,400 miles of shoreline, California has plenty of opportunities to enjoy the Pacific Ocean. However, even though there are so many different places to lie on the beach and soak up the sun, some spots are better than others. For example, what if you're looking to be in Southern California, in a laid-back beach town that isn't too crowded with tourists and still offers scenic vistas? Well, you can head to the small city of Solana Beach, which is about 40 minutes by car north of San Diego and two hours south of LA.

Because this section of California is full of stunning beach cities, it's easy to overlook Solana Beach when planning a summer vacation. However, with cliffs overlooking the ocean, tasty restaurants throughout the area, and one of the best shopping districts around, Solana Beach is more than just a quick stop on the way. Instead, it's a destination unto itself.

As you might imagine, one of the top reasons to visit Solana Beach is to enjoy as much of the sand and shoreline as possible. Fortunately, there are several places to do so that would fit right into California's best hidden beaches for a coastal escape. Starting from the northern end, there's Tide Beach Park. This option is great if you love exploring tide pools or want to see the "Table Top" reef offshore. It's also where you can marvel at the cliffs overlooking the sand, as they're quite prominent here. However, note that there are limited amenities and parking on this beach.

If you're looking for a more well-kept beach, you'll need to head farther south to Fletcher Cove. This beach is in the center of Solana Beach's coastline, and it has showers, restrooms, a parking lot, a basketball court, and picnic tables. It also has lifeguards year-round, while others only have them during the summer months, so plan accordingly if you want to get into the water. Farther down, there's Seascape Surf Beach, which is similar to Tide Beach in that it has a wide, flat shoreline, limited amenities, and steep cliffs. There's a long staircase to get down to the water, or you can simply walk along the beach from other spots, like Fletcher Cove.

Once you've had your fill of the sand (if that's possible), you can still enjoy Solana Beach's natural beauty by walking along the Coastal Rail Trail, featuring artwork and stunning scenery. The trail begins where Highway 101 meets Via de la Valle and follows the train tracks through the city. If you're really feeling adventurous, you can take it almost 5 miles north to Oceanside, a coastal city travel pros love for weekend trips.

Since Solana Beach is so close to San Diego, the best way to reach it is to fly into the San Diego International Airport (SAN), which is one of two airports in the United States that were ranked as the most beautiful in the world. It's only about half an hour from the city, making it super convenient, no matter where in the country you're traveling from. Once you're in town, you can choose from local hotel options or vacation rentals. Renting a house or condo is perfect if you're trying to maximize your beach time, as many are situated along the coastline.

But Solana Beach is more than just a beachside paradise. Shopping and dining are also great ways to spend a summer day in the city. For shoppers, head to the Cedros Avenue Design District. Although it only spans two and a half blocks, it's full of boutiques and shops, as well as a farmers market on Sundays. You can browse elegant artworks at places like Madison Gallery, discover new fashion styles at boutiques like Gerhard or Mabel's, or pamper yourself at various spas in the district.

When you get hungry, you can find practically any type of food in Solana Beach. Since you're close to the ocean, you may want to try fresh seafood at the Solana Beach Fish House. Or, if burgers and beer are more your speed, the Pillbox Tavern has both in a laid-back setting with sports on multiple TVs. Finally, if you prefer live music to go with your meal, Belly Up has been rocking the city since 1974. Its in-house restaurant, the Tavern, features an eclectic menu to go along with its poster-covered walls.