Solana Beach might be the most slept-on coastal town in San Diego County. While everyone’s fighting for parking in Del Mar or battling crowds in Encinitas, this little stretch of coastline between the two is quietly doing its own thing \u2014 and doing it really, really well. It’s got a world-famous music venue, a shopping district that’s actually worth your time, beaches with character instead of just sand, and a food scene that’s punching way above its weight class for a town of 13,000 people.<\/p>\n
What makes Solana Beach special is how walkable and connected everything feels. You can park once and hit the beach, browse the Cedros Design District, grab dinner at one of the best new restaurants in North County, and catch a show at the Belly Up \u2014 all without moving your car. It’s the kind of place where locals from Encinitas<\/a> and Del Mar<\/a> sneak over to when they want a change of scenery. And the Coaster train stops right here, so you can day-trip from downtown San Diego without dealing with I-5 traffic at all.<\/p>\n Table of Contents<\/p>\n <\/span><\/div>\n