San Diego's North
County Guide
Solana Beach, Cardiff By the Sea & Encinitas
Just north of San Diego is the little beach town of Encinitas.
In a place that's known for endless summers, there is also no end to the beachfront beauty.
San Diego County is comprised not only of the namesake city, but of small beach towns all the way up to its borders, including the gems of Solana Beach, Cardiff-by-the-Sea and Encinitas in what is known as the North County. The are side-by-side on Highway 101, also called the Pacific Coast Highway.
This journey begins just north of Del Mar. Solana Beach is a beautiful little town with a 2 1/2-block main street that's comprised mainly of high-end furniture stores. This is Cedros Avenue and it also has a few cafes and one of Southern California's top live music clubs, the legendary Belly Up. There is a Farmer's Market every Sunday from 1-5 p.m., and summer jazz concerts in the summer.
The Belly Up packs in people who love to listen to bands.
There is an Amtrak stop here and a walking path that leads almost to the Del Mar Fairgrounds where the horses run every July thru September in the area's biggest annual event, the Del Mar races.
Though the city has just 1.7 miles of coastline it has four beaches. The most accessible is Fletcher Cove at the end of Plaza street where Lomas Santa Fe Boulevard meets the beach. Fletcher Cove is commonly referred to as Pillbox because it served as a World War II gunnery station. It has restrooms, showers, picnic tables and even a basketball court.
Just north of Fletcher Cove is Tide Beach Park. It is known primarily for the "Table Tops," a large reef, and for its tidepools.
Just south of Fletcher Cove is Seascape Surf which has a wide, sandy beach. Public access is via a stairway at 501 S. Sierra Avenue. Del Mar Shores is a scenic spot good for snorkeling and picnics. Like Seascape Surf, a stairway leads to this heaven, located at 180 Del Mar Shores Terrace. All four beaches have free street parking.
Just up the coast is the wide-open beach views of Cardiff-by-the-Sea. It's easy to drive past because before you know it you'll be in Encinatas, but there is a "restaurant row" on both sides of Pacific Coast Highway (and a total dive called The Kraken that's popular with San Diego State students on Thursday nights) and a good surf spot.
The latter is at is Cardiff Reef, located alongside Highway 101 at the mouth of San Elijo Lagoon. Surf at the reef consistently breaks both right and left and it attracts both professional and amateur surfers.
A few minutes later Encinitas comes into view, a small
town with a small-town friendly attitude. C Street provides access to
a wide beach and park, making it an ideal spot for swimming. It's one of several Encinitas beaches which are as follows:
• Grandview Beach (1700 Neptune Ave)
• Beacon's Beach (948 Neptune Ave.)
• Stonesteps Beach (350 South El Portal)
• Moonlight Beach (400 B Street) with picnic facilities, fire rings, concessions in the summertime, tennis and volleyball.
• D Street Beach (450 D Street)
• Swami's Beach (1298 South Coast Highway 101), the spot in Encinitas for surfing.
A two-block downtown has several places to eat, including The Encinitas Cafe, a few doors south of D Street, with hearty
breakfast and lunch dishes.
 Related Article: Del Mar
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