Walking under a fantasy-inspired Solana Beach arch, an artistic friend asked, “How can a city so small have so much to see?” The arch is just one of the esoteric artistic statements defining this three-and-a-half square mile town, which is a 30-minute drive from downtown San Diego, nestled between Cardiff by the Sea to the north and Del Mar to the south.
Incorporated in 1986, Solana Beach is a mélange of art in all the right places. A dot on the map in Northern San Diego County, this historic beach town entices surfers with five beaches, including Fletcher Cove Park — the centerpiece and place to start explorations. It lays in wait to be captured on canvas, mosaic or sculpture. One block east across Pacific Coast Highway, art galleries, boutiques and restaurants line both sides of Cedros Avenue, known for being dog-friendly. Muttropolis features a welcoming grass park and offers an impressive line of canine fashions, comfortable beds, leashes and collars. Monthly events include adoption fairs, holiday photos and holiday parties, all for humans to enjoy with their dogs. Located nearby is the Aaron Chang Ocean Art Galleries, an artist who surfed with his board and a camera for many years. His work is now on display at the gallery.
As you makes your way down the charming Solana Beach Coastal Trail, carve out time to visit Hand Crafted, which offers a collection of distinctive designer scarves, candelabras, and trays of sculpted bracelets and rings — with no two alike.
The David Alan Collection has countless artifacts from Asia in all shapes and sizes. The owners specialize in petrified wood and fossils, styling them into tables of unpredictable shapes and sizes.
Also worth a visit is Claire’s — a bakery and café. Make a reservation to avoid a wait. This is the go-to café for fresh, homemade, California-style cuisine, from homemade bread and pastries to the “As You Like it Omelet,” with three eggs and a choice of 17 options to add in. Claire’s encourages creativity for breakfast, lunch, dinner or afternoon tea.
Before departing from Solana Beach, stop by the Temecula Olive Oil Company for a tasting of olive oils with flavors from fresh basil to citrus reserve. The company creates its own line of olive oil creams and soaps.
To delve into details, check with “Cook with Jason,” who offers a “delicious tour through Solana Beach, including wine tasting, a farmers market tour and a hands-on cooking class. For more information about the “foodventure,” visit cookwithjason.com.
For more information about Solana Beach, visit solanabeachchamber.com. Pamela Price contributes to forbes.com/sites/pamprice.
