Solana Beach, California

Residents here typically rise and rest with the sun. You’ll fit right in if you like to hit the bike path or the gym by 6 a.m. and return home before sunset to unwind with a nice dinner and glass of wine. But if you’re looking for a nightlife hotspot, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

This coastal enclave is rich in opportunities to explore the great outdoors, like hiking, biking and picnicking in its various parks and beaches. For the more urban at heart, you’ll find what you need here too. A beacon to shopping enthusiasts throughout the San Diego area, the Cedros Avenue Design District is a lively and artsy downtown area full of boutiques, bars, restaurants and coffee shops. The live-work lofts and multi-purpose buildings infuse an urban flair into this laid back coastal city.

Solana Beach feels more like a town than the suburbs. You’ll love that you can walk everywhere, like a city, without feeling like you and your neighbors are packed in like sardines. And as an added bonus for families, the high walkability score means the kiddos can enjoy some independence without getting into a car. When wheels are needed for where you’re going, you’ll benefit from the easy access to the highway and public transport options, like the North County Transit District COASTER train, which carries you along the scenic coastline straight into downtown San Diego in just 45 minutes.

Perhaps one of the greatest strengths of Solana Beach is its diversity. It is uncommon for an affluent coastal city in SoCal to receive an “A-” for diversity rating from Niche.com. The diverse backgrounds and cultures intermingling within the community create a vibrant array of international cuisines and annual cultural events. Residents cherish and celebrate the inclusiveness of their city.

Families are typically really happy with the public school system in Solana Beach. Like most award-winning districts, the Solana Beach School District successfully balances rigorous academics with innovative experiential and social-emotional learning opportunities. It’s earned an “A” rating from Niche.com.

The district serves communities beyond Solana Beach city proper through its seven elementary schools and Child Development Center, with both Solana Vista Elementary (K-3) and Skyline Elementary School (K-6) based within the city limits. For middle school, families can choose between Earl Warren Middle School or Solana Pacific School, both which are well-regarded for preparing students for high school and beyond. For grades 9-12, students once again have a choice to make between Torrey Pines High School, San Dieguito High School Academy and the #1 rated public high school in San Diego, Canyon Crest Academy. All three have achieved high praise at the state and national levels for their well-rounded students who have access to advanced placement courses, community service opportunities and competitive extracurricular activities.

If private school is a priority for your family, you have choices. Check out Sante Fe Christian School (PK-12) or Notre Dame Academy (PK-8th). For more specialized academic disciplines or programs focused on career pathways, charter schools like Classical Academy and High Tech High North County may be the perfect fit for your child. Parents can rest easy in Solana Beach, knowing that no matter which school they choose, their child is going to receive an excellent education.

Reading this section more for yourself than the children you may or may not have? You’re in luck. Solana Beach is very conveniently located near several colleges and universities including San Diego State University, University of California San Diego and California State University San Marcos.

If Solana Beach feels like it might be the perfect beachside town to start your career, raise a family or settle into retirement, then we’d suggest you start looking now. Again, it’s a competitive market with notably limited inventory. Families are sometimes forced to find homes in neighboring cities where their children will still qualify for Solana Beach’s great schools, waiting for the right opportunity to find a home within city limits.