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San Diego family guide

Things to Do in Solana Beach with Kids

Small and walkable, Solana Beach centers on Fletcher Cove, a tucked-away pocket beach with a grassy bluff-top park, easy ramp access, and gentle surf that suits younger kids. The Cedros Design District adds browsable shops and cafes, and the town's Amtrak and Coaster station makes a car-free beach day genuinely doable.

Curated by Simir Shah

Reviewed & updated June 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.

📍 Where Solana Beach is

Solana Beach sits in San Diego, Southern California. Nearest major airport: San Diego Intl (~18 mi / 30 km). It's roughly 92 mi (148 km) from Downtown LA and 20 mi (32 km) from San Diego — SoCal traffic can make a drive take far longer than the distance suggests, so plan around it.

Visiting? See SoCal at a glance, getting around and which airport.

💡 Local tip: Fletcher Cove's small lot fills early, but the Coaster train drops you within an easy walk of the sand.

Farmers markets in Solana Beach

Sunday · 12pm–4pm

Solana Beach Farmers Market

A boutique Sunday market in the Cedros Design District pairing fresh produce with shopping.

See all SoCal farmers markets →

Local restaurants in Solana Beach

Mexican & Tacos

Tony's Jacal

Old-school longtime local Mexican near Del Mar known for combination plates.

Pizza & Italian

Pizza Port

Founder-owned pizza-and-brewery with picnic tables where surfers and families share pies.

Breakfast & Brunch

T's Cafe

Longtime local-favorite brunch spot with old-school charm and comfort breakfasts.

See all local SoCal restaurants →

Local shops in Solana Beach

Gifts & Home

SoLo on Cedros

Design collective of eight women in a 1940s Quonset hut with decor, books, and kids' treasures.

Gifts & Home

Leaping Lotus

21,000-sq-ft two-level marketplace of 50+ vendors with furnishings, art, and gifts.

Vintage & Thrift

Antique Warehouse

15,000-sq-ft antiques mall (a former roller rink) of collectibles and memorabilia.

Gifts & Home

Kern & Co.

Interior designer's shop with custom furniture and luxury home accessories.

Boutiques & Apparel

Suzan's + Parravi Jewelry

Mother-daughter fashion-and-jewelry boutique with monthly trunk shows.

Boutiques & Apparel

Cedros Soles

Cedros Ave women's boutique with shoes, unique clothing, handbags, hats, fine jewelry, and gifts.

See all local SoCal shops →

Seasonal & outdoors near Solana Beach

The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Solana Beach.

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Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.