San Diego family guide
Things to Do in Solana Beach with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Solana Beach on the map
📍 Where Solana Beach is
Solana Beach sits in San Diego, Southern California. Nearest major airport: San Diego Intl (~18 mi / 29 km). It's roughly 92 mi (149 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.
Things to do in Solana Beach
Fletcher Cove Beach & Park
The city's main beach access at the end of Lomas Santa Fe Blvd, with a ramp to the sand, showers, restrooms, picnic tables and a basketball court. It's a short walk from the Solana Beach Amtrak and Coaster station. Dogs aren't allowed and the city bars private events here. The park address is 111 S Sierra Ave.
Free; public parking lot plus free street parkingTide Beach Park (Table Tops tide pools)
Public stairs at Solana Vista and Pacific lead to a big reef known as the Table Tops, with tide pools at the northern end. There are showers but no restrooms, and the city notes leashed dogs are allowed north of the stairs. Check a tide chart first, because the pools only show at low tide.
Free; free street parking onlySeascape Surf Beach
Also called Cherry Hill, reached by a stairway at 501 S Sierra Ave. The city describes it as a wide sandy beach at low tide, good for walking, Frisbee, swimming and body-boarding. There are showers but no restrooms, and no dogs.
Free; free street parking plus a public lot across from the entrance
La Colonia Park & Skatepark
A neighborhood park at 715 Valley Ave with a playground, a 5,500 sq ft skatepark (opened 2019), a basketball court, a pickleball court and a turf field, next to the La Colonia Community Center. The park also sits in the historic La Colonia de Eden Gardens neighborhood, founded in the 1920s by Mexican farming families.
Free
Solana Beach Coastal Rail Trail
A flat 1.5-mile path beside the train tracks along Highway 101, good for strollers, scooters and little bikes. It has a mosaic entry arch, 11 sea-creature benches, stained-glass art and poetry plaques on the bridge section. The southern start is at Via de la Valle, and the city is working on a northern extension to the Encinitas border.
Free; free 2-hour residential parking one street up from the southern trailheadFarmers markets in Solana Beach
Solana Beach Farmers Market
A boutique Sunday market in the Cedros Design District pairing fresh produce with shopping.
Festivals & annual events in Solana Beach
What Solana Beach is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Solana Beach Fire Department Open House
Open house at the Solana Beach fire station (500 Lomas Santa Fe Dr) with this year's Fire Prevention theme, lithium-ion battery safety at home. It falls on Halloween morning, so it pairs well with an afternoon of trick-or-treating. Tip: kids in costume are welcome, and getting there early avoids the midday crowd.
Free
Fletcher Cove Holiday Tree Lighting
The City of Solana Beach lights its tree at the oceanfront Fletcher Cove Park with sweets, hot cocoa and cider. Santa arrives on a fire truck at about 5:20pm and kids can tell him their wish list. Tip: it is the same evening as the Del Mar tree lighting, so pick one, and dress warmly because the cove breeze cools quickly after sunset.
Free
Santa's Sleigh Ride (Solana Beach)
Santa rides through Solana Beach neighborhoods with Fire, Sheriff and Marine Safety crews, starting and ending at the Solana Beach Fire Station (500 Lomas Santa Fe Dr). The city posts an estimated-time map so you can catch him near your street. Tip: stay on the sidewalk as he passes and check the map for your street's time.
Free
Holiday Tree Lighting at La Colonia Park
The city and La Colonia Community Foundation light the tree at historic La Colonia Park (715 Valley Ave) with sweets and Mexican hot cocoa. Santa arrives with his elves at 5:20pm. Tip: the city page lists the date as Dec 13 (a Sunday) though one sentence says Saturday, so confirm with Parks & Rec at 858-720-4430 before you go.
Free
Fiesta del Sol
A two-day free music and arts festival at Fletcher Cove Park from the Solana Beach Chamber — multiple bands, a crafts fair, kids' activities, an international food court and a beer and wine garden. 2026 was the 45th annual.
2026 edition (May 30-31) has passed; 2027 dates not yet posted
Solana Beach Día de los Muertos Celebration
A free community celebration at historic La Colonia Park with more than 40 altars, Ballet Folklorico, a classic car show, mariachi, pinatas, a costume contest and free kids' crafts and scavenger hunt. This year's theme honors La Colonia de Eden Gardens veterans, and the altar blessing starts at 10:10am. Tip: parking is limited, so carpool or bike, and bring chairs or blankets.
Local restaurants in Solana Beach
Tony's Jacal
Old-school longtime local Mexican near Del Mar known for combination plates.
Pizza Port
Founder-owned pizza-and-brewery with picnic tables where surfers and families share pies.
T's Cafe
Longtime local-favorite brunch spot with old-school charm and comfort breakfasts.
Fidel's Little Mexico
Opened in 1960 by Fidel Montanez, who still runs it, in a characterful multi-level hacienda space. A true local institution.
Local shops in Solana Beach
SoLo on Cedros
Design collective of eight women in a 1940s Quonset hut with decor, books, and kids' treasures.
Leaping Lotus
21,000-sq-ft two-level marketplace of 50+ vendors with furnishings, art, and gifts.
Antique Warehouse
15,000-sq-ft antiques mall (a former roller rink) of collectibles and memorabilia.
Kern & Co.
Interior designer's shop with custom furniture and luxury home accessories.
Suzan's + Parravi Jewelry
Mother-daughter fashion-and-jewelry boutique with monthly trunk shows.
Cedros Soles
Cedros Ave women's boutique with shoes, unique clothing, handbags, hats, fine jewelry, and gifts.
Cedros Design District
85+ shops, galleries, antiques, and home-goods showrooms, many in 1940s Quonset huts; a walkable, all-independent district with a weekly farmers market.
Seasonal & outdoors near Solana Beach
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Solana Beach.
More San Diego family guides
Solana Beach family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Solana Beach with kids?
Family favorites in and around Solana Beach include Fletcher Cove Beach & Park, Tide Beach Park (Table Tops tide pools), Seascape Surf Beach and La Colonia Park & Skatepark, and more. Our guide lists 5 spots, each with a price note and practical tips where we have them.
Are there free things to do in Solana Beach?
Yes — free family spots near Solana Beach include Fletcher Cove Beach & Park, Tide Beach Park (Table Tops tide pools), Seascape Surf Beach and La Colonia Park & Skatepark. Our free things to do page lists more across Southern California.
Where can families eat in Solana Beach?
Local, family-friendly spots in Solana Beach include Tony's Jacal, Pizza Port, T's Cafe and Fidel's Little Mexico — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Solana Beach guide cover?
Our Solana Beach family guide includes 5 things to do, 4 local eats, 7 local shops and 1 farmers market — with independent, non-chain eats and shops.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Where to stay in Solana Beach
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Solana Beach on one map — then book on your favorite site.