Solana Beach

 The beaches in Solana are quite rugged, and the cliffs go right to the water's edge, which in places makes them impassible. There are staircases leading to the beach at nearly every street corner. Each staircase could lead you to a different part of the beach, isolated or not.

The facilities at Pillbox are old but adequate, and include parking lots. Parking is also available at Seaside. Lifeguards are on duty at Pillbox, Tide Beach and Seaside year-round, and at Del Mar Shores during the summer. You'll find upscale restaurants on Via De La Valle near the racetrack and in Cardiff, just past Seaside, as well as the pizza parlor and Mexican takeout places along the Pacific Coast Highway.

• Seaside : A good surf spot with an outer reef called Table Tops that breaks on big southwest swells.
• Tide Beach : Has the best sand of the bunch and a patch of reef that offers tidepooling.
• Fletcher Cove: Another spot popular among surfers. (Also known as Pillbox.)
• Seascape Beach and Del Mar Shores: Situated on the north side of the San Dieguito river mouth, these two spots are frequented primarily by local residents.