Things to do & places to visit in Solana Beach, California, United States

Solana Beach city in California, United States. Timezone: America/Los_Angeles, current date and time: Friday, May 03, 2024, 8:49.

Top things to do (27)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Annie's Canyon Trail (59 reviews)
- Exceptional
Spent < 1 hour Hiking Trails

The difficult trail to Annie's cave. The cave walls in the difficult part of Annie's trail were like Petra Jordan quite fantastic.Plus the trail was exceptional. I highly recommend it.next of all it was pristine picturesque it stars off easy the trail and the en it gives you a option of difficult or easy trail. See more..
5.0 Cal Coast Adventures Solana Beach (51 reviews)
- Great service and quality e-bike
Friday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM City Tours • Historical & Heritage Tours • Bike Tours • Gear Rentals • Hiking & Camping Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Self-Guided Tours & Rentals

Rented a e-bike for a week from Elias that was exactly what we were looking for. Elias was super flexible with delivery and pickup and made an extra trip to our house when we needed some adjustments. Great service, great price, and very knowledgable about the bikes he's renting. TaIked to a few other rental companies in the area, and Cal Coast seemed way better than the others just from talking to them on the phone. Would recommend to anyone to in the error looking for a good rental experience. See more..
5.0 Kogei Gallery (31 reviews)
- Beautiful items and excellent customer service.
Friday: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Speciality & Gift Shops

With highly curated items such as jewelry, accessories, clothing, home decor and ceramics, Kogei Gallery offers a collection of unique, meticulously designed pieces with a story designed by the hands of modern Japanese, American & Canadian artisans. The intricate pieces of custom art are high-quality, yet affordable and functional so that our customers can enjoy art in their daily lives. Kogei Gallery represents over 100 artists. Our goal is to introduce unique pieces of art to our customers while providing expertise and knowledge about the pieces and how they can be introduced into their lifestyles. See more..
5.0 About You Day Spa and Salon (5 reviews)
- Fantastic - Clean and relaxing
Friday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM Spas

We are from out of town - Did the Groupon - Couples massage - Great experience Dave was amazing - Really great massage. Clean - Easy to find - Plenty of parking Friendly and relaxing See more..
5.0 Pedego Solana Beach (5 reviews)
- Awesome Afternoon!
Friday: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM Spent 2-3 hours Gear Rentals

We offer self guided bike tours and bike/train tours of San Diego's North Coast. We rent electric and non electric bikes for "explore on our own" riders. Solana Beach is centrally located to explore north to Oceanside or south to San Diego. WE ARE CURRENTLY NOT RENTING BIKES OR OFFERING TOURS BECAUSE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. WE HOPE TO OPEN AGAIN SOON. See more..
5.0 Trios Gallery (2 reviews)
- Special little art gallery
Art Galleries
Trios Gallery is a showcase of American craft and fine art located 1/2 hour north of downtown San Diego. We feature sculpture, glass, jewelry, ceramic and more in a colorful, casual setting. We focus on regional artists and specialize in items handmade in small studios across the US. Here you'll find no imports or anything mass-produced, only lovingly handcrafted pieces of art. Come see for yourself why we are consistently voted San Diego's Best Gallery. See more..
5.0 La Colonia Park (1 review)
- The perfect park
Parks

This is a welcome green oasis in an urban setting, and a really big oasis at that! There's a boys and girls club center, sheriff sub-station, covered picnic arcade, and a historic museum/home (oldest in Solana Beach). It is closed during the pandemic. The park provides play equipment, walking paths, skate park, basketball court, huge expanses of green grass, and inspiring path signs to recollect the old children's story of "stone soup" (i.e. lesson in cooperation) as well as a reminder that we are all in this together. Solana Beach places a strong emphasis on recreation as well as public art. Lovely community! See more..
5.0 Solana Beach Coastal Rail Trail (1 review)
- Beautiful art arches mark the beginning of the Solana Beach Rail Trail
Scenic Walking Areas

Begin this walk at the corner of Hwy 101 and Villa De La Valle (across the highway from Dog Park). It's entry is a beautiful arch dedicated to the long and varied history of Solana Beach. The mosaics set into the two arches are such artful, creative depictions spanning original Indians, traveling through its railroad past, and paying homage to all the things that make Solana Beach such a jewel. The trail ends (or actually continues) at the Harbaugh Seaside Trail which overlooks Cardiff and the beach. But there's more! Begin the walk from one end, cross over and continue the walk back along the art installations along Hwy 101's various eclectic shops. It's like a mini-Laguna Beach art walk. The Rail Trail does border the Coaster's tracks and The Cedros Design District on the other side of the railroad tracks. See more..
5.0 Harbaugh Seaside Trails (1 review)
- New kid on the block (and most-welcome addition)
Hiking Trails

This newbie of a trail traverses 3 acres of open space and connects Cardiff with Solana Beach. Hikers, dog walkers, and nature-loving photographers travel this trail regularly (no bikes). Native plantings generously dot the landscape and are designated with little white flags. It is permanent Open Space. Find this trail just after the Solana Beach Rail Trail and just before heading down HWY 101 to the beach. It sits on a bluff, borders the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Preserve, and offers extensive views from an artistic shell-shaped observation deck (which continues the whole Hwy 101 imaginative tour of art installations.) From Hwy 101 and Via De La Valle (Dog Park) and continue along to Harbaugh Seaside Trails. It is an easy walk and, the best part is returning on the other side of Hwy 101 to fully appreciate all the public art set in the sidewalk, located in front of small shops, and incorporated into the fabric of Solana Beach itself. Solana Beach is creating an identity for itself that combines its love of nature with food for the art-lover's soul. This exceptional stretch of Open Space is icing on the cake! See more..
5.0 Re-Gallery (1 review)
- More than you could see
Friday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Art Galleries
There are so many different and historical things here to see youd better take at least 1 hour to get it all in. Fun place to walk too. See more..
4.5 Fletcher Cove Park (205 reviews)
- The public art pumps this little beach up several notches
Friday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Parks

At this point in time (April, 2021), beach sand replenishment projects are underway up and down the coastline. Fletcher Park has several days a week when it is closed off by chain link fencing and the only avenue open is traveled by load after truck load of sand. The heavy machinery is all that is happening on the beach. But, when the beach is opened up, it is still as inviting as it ever was. Eroding beach sand is adding to the instability of the sandstone bluffs. You gotta do what you gotta do. And this is high on the list of those gotta-do things. The park sits above the beach and provides a grassy oasis for play equipment, benches and attractive stem walls covered with imaginative mosaic artistry. The developer of Solana Beach dedicated this plot of land to the city. What a wonderful gift! See more..
4.5 Belly Up Tavern (136 reviews)
- Best Venue in Southern Ca!
Bars & Clubs • Theatre & Performances

This massive venue showcases a wide variety of internationally recognized musical acts. See more..
4.5 Cedros Design District (130 reviews)
- Don't miss the North End of Cedros!
Shopping Malls

The Cedros Design District is a great place to spend an afternoon shopping in small, boutique shops and galleries. They have everything from gardening to pet supplies to fine art. Most of the businesses are locally owned and full of one-of-a-kind finds. If you're in the area be sure not to miss the newly developing north end of Cedros. There's a great consignment shop, a delicious, eco-friendly, bakery/cafe, and at the end of the street a building full of unique art & craft including one of the best Fine Art/Craft galleries in all of San Diego. See more..
4.5 Culture Brewery & Tasting Room (52 reviews)
- Great brewery in Manhattan Beach!
Friday: 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Bars & Clubs • Breweries

This is for the Culture Brewery in Manhattan Beach CA. Loved the urban and minimalist vibe. Inside and outside seating. Also, loved the many delicious beer options. Great place for a small group of friends to have a few pints or a pre-date beer before you head out to dinner. VictorB See more..
4.5 North Coast Repertory Theatre (42 reviews)
- Just like Broadway, but 2,500 miles closer
Friday: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Theaters

From its modest beginning over 30 years ago, the North Coast Repertory Theatre, a non-profit organization, has evolved into one of the area’s leading performing arts organizations, recognized for the quality of its work and its commitment to excellence. Located in Solana Beach, in the heart of San Diego’s Coastal North County, the theatre boasts an award-winning Mainstage season, with performances year-round to over 40,000 people in its intimate 194-seat setting. In addition, the theatre involves thousands of young people each year in the Theatre School @ North Coast Rep’s education and outreach programs. Over the years, the theatre has become known for the diversity of its work and its consistently high artistic quality. North Coast Rep is committed to providing opportunities for local actors, directors and designers, with seven mainstage productions each year, drawn from classic and contemporary theatre. Four Theatre School productions showcase the acting and the technical accompli See more..
4.5 Carruth Cellars Urban Winery & Tasting Room (36 reviews)
- Little Italy Location is Awesome!
Friday: 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Wineries & Vineyards

Carruth Cellars is an urban winery specializing in California style wines. We source quality grapes from premium vineyards in Northern & Central California, transport them by truck, and make our wine with love & gratitude by the beach! Visit one of our urban winery & tasting rooms in Solana Beach and Carlsbad, or our Wine Garden in Little Italy! We are open for wine tastings or wine by the glass & bottle 7 days a week. Visit our website for updated specials and to shop our online store! See more..
4.5 Solo (22 reviews)
- Cedros Design District vendors' arcade
Friday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Speciality & Gift Shops

This is the last of the Cedros Design Center arcade shops! Now that Lotus (across the street) has closed is doors, this is the remaining location where an assortment of vendors set up their own sections to display and sell a variety of merchandise. Sadly, the merchandise is a bit skimpy on wearable art (unique jewelry pieces) but we still managed to find some gift items. The name combines the first letters of street names: South Of Lomas (S-O-L-O) that being the street: Lomas Santa Fe. See more..
4.5 San Diego Electric Bike (14 reviews)
- Lovely day to bike
Friday: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM Spent 2-3 hours Gear Rentals

We are the oldest existing e-bike business in San Diego County. We offer the very Best E-Bike Rentals; Electric Beach Cruisers and more! We began in 2008 and since have converted over 1300 Bikes to Electric power. In 2012, as the industry advanced and began manufacturing e-bikes in production we began representing the best pre-manufactured e-bikes in the business and now have become one of the top dealers of Major Brand e-bikes in the nation. We educate inexperienced riders on how to fit and properly ride an e-bike, sell, service and rent e-bikes exclusively. Let us make your day on a San Diego Electric Bike. You won't be sorry, that's a promise! Dave... Owner See more..
4.5 Aaron Chang Ocean Art Gallery (13 reviews)
- Beautiful Gallery of Photographic Art in Solana Beach
Friday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Art Galleries

For fine art photography in Solana Beach, Aaron Chang's art features world famous surf and ocean photography, so his gallery on beachfront Highway 101 is hard to beat. The collection features Aaron's high impact, large format photographic prints of waves, surf shots and many other exotic images collected from a lifetime of traveling, as well as recycled eco-art, surfboard art and fountain fish tank sculptures. From perfect waves in Tahiti, waterfalls in Bali and the deserts of Southern Africa, gallery visitors experience these pieces in a larger-than-life format and are treated to a visual feast of tranquility, inspiration, energy and excitement. Voted Best Art Gallery in Solana Beach 5 years running, Aaron Chang's Ocean Art Gallery is a must visit while in town. See more..
4.5 Antique Warehouse (12 reviews)
- Fun way to spend the day
Friday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Speciality & Gift Shops
We were treated well by the staff and had a fun day browsing the entire store, which is comprised of more than one hundred booths full of antiques. See more..
4.5 Solana Beach Farmers Market (7 reviews)
- A popular market
Friday: Farmers Markets

Just past the Design District is where the Sunday Farmers Market is located. It is an assortment of prepared food vendors, baked and dessert goods, nuts, berries, flowers, and some fairly unique gift and jewelry items. See more..
4.0 The Village on Cedros (4 reviews)
- Smaller scale center with a big heart
Spent < 1 hour Shopping Malls

This is a pedestrian-friendly string of shops that make their way down from the main street and it requires the passer-by to follow their nose for a bit. The Olive Oil business on the corner of the mall will often have musicians playing on Farmers Market day and the 2 lifeguards sculpture announces this is the place! Good things come in small packages. This is one of those things! See more..
4.0 Fletcher Cove Community Center (2 reviews)
- Historic preservation of WWII piece of our past
Spent < 1 hour Civic Centres

Today, the center on top of the hill is a beautiful, bright-blue and white structure used by the community as a center but the plaques tell a different story. WWII barracks and a courthouse play into the mix. During the 1940's war, Army soldiers were stationed here in what was then their barracks and kept watch on the coast from their perches on top of towers called "pill boxes." About 10 years later, the building was used as a courthouse and was presided over by a judge who struck fear in the hearts of those who appeared before him. The Overlook Park path leads up here and it should be admire for the detailed mosaic inlaid work done on the path structures. Truly beautiful. See more..
4.0 Solana Beach Chamber of Commerce (1 review)
- Beginning spot for Solana Beach exploration
Friday: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Visitor Centers

This is the starting point for newbies to stop by and get vital info. Solana Beach is a delightful community and visitors play a big part. Stop in here at the Visitor Information Center (aka Chamber of Commerce Office) for maps, ideas, suggestions, and the locals' perspective on things. Find this info office just before entering Fletcher Cove Park and Beach. It is hard to miss. See more..
4.0 Solana Beach Towne Centre (1 review)
- A level above the norm
Shopping Malls

Flowers, fountains, interesting shops and eateries (including Panda Express), and a generous amount of public art make this an exceptional shopping mall. It isn't always about the shopping experience, but can add significantly to those simple pleasures in life. See more..
4.0 La Colonia Skate Park (1 review)
- Filling a community need
State Parks • Playgrounds

This 2-year-old community asset not only pleases skate boarders but also is an visually attractive addition to the community park. The rules are posted but there is no hard-and-fast enforcement of them. Helmets were worn by all however, knee and elbow padding was not. Find this park within the La Colonia Park, which is a treasure of a park in and of itself. See more..
3.5 Solana Beach Library (2 reviews)
- Brand new library with great selection
Libraries

This location has a great "Friends of the Library" section (it's more like a separate store inside the library, really) with excellent titles on sale for pennies on the dollar. We found so many good books for ourselves and for others while spending an hour or so in the library. The library itself is bright, clean, modern, and well-organized. What a wonderful addition to Solana Beach! See more..
St James Catholic Church (0 review)
Churches & Cathedrals
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Christine Finkelson Fine Art Photography (0 review)
Spent < 1 hour Art Galleries

Christine Finkelson Fine Art Photography is a working artist studio and boutique gallery which opened in 2018. The gallery features Christine's diverse contemporary fine art photography which is printed by the artist on site. Throughout the year the gallery will also feature guest artists. The Gallery is on the lower level of the Cedros Collective on S Cedros. See more..
Alan Mittleman (0 review)
Auto Racing Tracks
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