Solana Beach is routinely rated one of the best places to live in the San Diego area, and is even rated #1 by [**Niche.com**](https://www.niche.com/places-to-live/solana-beach-san-diego-ca/). It’s easy to see why. This city perfectly blends the charm of a small town with the laid back vibe of coastal living. It’s the kind of place where you know and care about your neighbors. Set atop the pristine Pacific Ocean bluffs, the sense of peace is protected from the fast pace of bigger cities, without losing the diverse cuisine and culturally enriching events that you wouldn’t have if you were truly cut off from the world. This is largely thanks to the city’s inclusive and diverse community.

If you’re looking at cities in SoCal, chances are you love the outdoors. Surfers, cyclists and hikers will not get bored in Solana Beach. [**Fletcher Cove Park**](https://www.cityofsolanabeach.org/en/community/explore-solana-beach/beaches/fletcher-cove) is the star of the city’s four beaches and is also the most centrally located. You can picnic in the grassy area above the beach, take your kids to the playground or play a game of pick-up basketball here. Or venture further when the tide is low to neighboring [**Tide Beach Park**](https://www.californiabeaches.com/beach/tide-beach-park/), known for its mesmerizing tidepools, or Seascape Sur, a popular surf spot. Away from the beach, go bird-watching at nearby San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve or earn some stunning ocean views hiking along the rugged cliffs at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. 

But all this nature doesn’t mean you’re out in the middle of nowhere. Shoppers and art enthusiasts travel from all over the San Diego area to visit the eclectic and locally-owned galleries, boutiques and design studios that make up the Cedros Avenue Design District. You could go every week and still discover new treasures from the 85 merchants, artisans and one-of-a-kind curators clustered along this 2.5 block stretch. You’ll find every way to indulge here. Practice self-care by booking a spa day or Pilates class. Catch some live music at the world-famous [**Belly Up Tavern**](https://bellyup.com/). Or, finally start writing that novel at one of the ambiance-rich sidewalk cafes. And on Sundays, a year-round farmer market boasts an abundance of locally grown produce and artisanal goods that deepen the sense of community pride while supporting local businesses.


It’s #1 For a Reason

The Best Thing About Solana Beach?

This area is among the most popular in the San Diego area, and the price tag reflects it. Here, the average home value is  just over $2.3 million, according to Zillow. For renters, the cost is almost more skewed, with one-bedrooms going for a median price of $3,350 and two-bedrooms hovering just below $5,000 per month. On average, renters pay 92% more to live here than they would in other parts of the country.

Naturally, low inventory does the opposite of mitigating costs. Young professionals, families and retirees can all find something to love about Solana Beach, which means pickings can be slim within this 3.6 square mile town. That said, there’s a decent mix of single-family homes, condominiums, townhouses and luxury estates. Whether you’re in search of a cozy bungalow walking distance to downtown, a modern condo with panoramic ocean views, or a spacious estate with a private pool and manicured yard, it exists here.

Also, before we move on, here’s some career advice. Make sure that the job that’s helping you afford Solana’s high cost of living isn’t based in San Diego, but is instead closer by. Technically downtown San Diego is only 30 minutes away, but that time can triple during rush hour. You don’t want to spend your time outside of work staring at exit signs inching North on the 805 instead of looking at those ocean views you paid a pretty penny for. That’s our opinion at least. Take it or leave it.



High Costs, Low Inventory

The Worst Thing About Solana Beach?

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**](https://cedrosavenue.com/) 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.


Small Town Feels with Big City Amenities

Lifestyle of Solana Beach

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**](https://www.niche.com/k12/d/solana-beach-elementary-school-district-ca/). 

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**](https://sfcs.net/) (PK-12) or [**Notre Dame Academy**](https://ndasd.org/) (PK-8th). For more specialized academic disciplines or programs focused on career pathways, charter schools like [**Classical Academy**](https://www.classicalacademy.com/locations/classical-academy-high-school) and [**High Tech High**](https://www.hightechhigh.org/) 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.


Great Options for Every Child (and Adult!)

Schools in Solana Beach

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. 


Slim Pickings so Start Looking

Why You Should Move Here Now

[**Del Mar Beach Club**](https://www.dmbchoa.org/default.php)is a privately-owned, gated community right on the ocean. While an attractive oasis to retirees and the semi-retired, many residents are full-time professionals who work nearby or from the comfort of their own ocean-side home. This community is not a time-share complex or a resort, but a tight-knit group of neighbors. The ocean and all the recreation it has to offer is just steps from your front door, and the nearby Cedros Avenue Design District downtown area makes access to shopping, entertainment and restaurants a breeze. The highly-sought-after houses range from charming beach cottages to custom-built coastal homes that embody the laid back energy of Del Mar Beach Club. Sounds nice, right? Many think so, which makes the market here more expensive and more competitive than other areas in Solana Beach. 


SINKs/DINKs/Retirees

Del Mar Beach Club

West Solana Beach runs along the coastal section of Solana Beach, offering residents direct access to the city’s idyllic beaches and activities like surfing, sunbathing and picnics on the sand. Homes here are mostly on the larger side (usually 3-5+ bedrooms) and high in value (think rarely below $2.3 million and as much as $10+ million). People moving to West Solana Beach can choose from quaint beach cottages, custom-designed homes and condominiums. You’ll find homes built in 1948 alongside homes built as recently as last year.

Something that comes up a lot is how Solana Beach residents feel a sense of belonging due to the community’s welcoming energy, and West Solana is no exception. In addition to great beach access, residents don’t have to travel far to enjoy the shopping, eateries and art galleries in the city’s well-known Cedros Avenue Design District. Due to the area’s desirability, the market is competitive and parking can be an issue during the busy season. 


Families

West Solana Beach

Families love Sante Fe Hills. Here, homes are nestled on serene streets with panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. Children grow up surrounded by the warmth and safety of a family-oriented and friendly community. Abundant walking trails and beautifully-landscaped green areas and parks offer entertainment and activity options away from the hustle and bustle of the downtown area. But even though this neighborhood has a sense of being tucked away, the beach and shops are still just a short drive away. The quiet pace of this area coupled with the great school system in Solana Beach make Santa Fe Hills an idyllic place to raise a family.


Santa Fe Hills

East of the San Diego Freeway lies the Lomas Santa Fe community. Like other Solana Beach neighborhoods, here you’ll find a laid back beach vibe but with a unique urban flair. Easy access to major highways, close proximity to city beaches, and popular attractions like the nearby Del Mar racetrack provide residents with entertainment options galore. Lots of shopping options and San Diego’s most intimate theater, North Coast Rep, are available at Lomas Santa Fe Plaza. Another distinction about this neighborhood is the Santa Fe Country Club and its many amenities including golf, tennis, pickleball, swimming and more. Near the club you’ll find spacious condos and single-family homes that overlook two golf courses. There’s lots to do here, but if you care more about a serene setting than urban convenience, you may want to explore alternative neighborhoods.


Families/DINKs/Young Professionals

Lomas Santa Fe

Solana Beach

**Encinitas/Cardiff vs Solana Beach?**


Encinitas has more night life than Solana, IMO. Solana has their little downtown but it’s mostly interior design related. They do have some cool bars and restaurants on PCH, I’m a fan of the Pillbox and Pizza Port personally. And Belly Up tavern has some good shows come through! Solana is smaller, maybe slightly more affluent—not that Encinitas and Cardiff aren’t, obviously. Cardiff, especially on the west side of the 5 is a little tighter.

Family life is good for all 3–schools are good, good parks and beaches, access to trails in the lagoons, etc. All 3 are well situated for getting wherever you wanna go. We have friends in downtown, Mission Valley, PQ, Clairemont, etc, and preCOVID could always get to their houses or meet up with them pretty quick.

We’ve been here in Encinitas for about 3 years and are very happy with it. We bought last year and will probably stay permanently. Started out in Del Mar (pre-kids), so spent a lot of time in Solana too. Good news is it’s all super close together, so you’ll still spend plenty of time in each of the north coast communities.

Encinitas/Cardiff vs Solana Beach?

Solana beach is a little nicer I’d say because 20 years ago Encinitas was kinda eh, but Encinitas has changed a lot. Definitely a way younger crowd in Encinitas and the 101 part of it got really nice in the last couple of years. Solana is more geriatric because older people are grandfathered into a massively growing real estate market. I grew up in Solana and it’s definitely a small family town, everyone goes to Solana Vista, then Skyline then Earl Warren for school, all great schools. Encinitas is bigger and from why I know there’s more flexibility around where kids go to school. Western part of Encinitas is pretty indistinguishable from Solana Beach just more commercial and retail stuff, Solana is almost entirely residential outside of Cedros and the one side of the 101 where there’s shops. Kinda gotta spend time in both tho to get the vibe

**Solana Beach Living Recommendations, Renting/28/M**

Dear God don't live in North Park or PB if you are going to work in Solana Beach. North Park is cool and really hipstery but not worth the drive. Don't think about living in PB unless you really don't care about your stuff (car) and you just want to get raging drunk every weekend with a bunch of 20yo college kids. Traffic in SD is getting worse and worse. Solana Beach, Cardiff, Encinitas are are really awesome places to live that have a good social scene, good food, and good people; especially for the young professionals. I live in Leucadia (a community in Encinitas) and I love it, you can walk to good food and fun places to go out. You will thank me later but please take north park and pb off your list. Instead of having a lovely 5 minute commute along the beautiful pch, you will be sitting in traffic wanting to kill yourself and others.

Solana Beach, California

Country Club Meets Eclectic

Looklyloo Score: 86

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