Finally! It’s the perfect time of 12 months to go to San Diego.
Labor Day put a cap on vacationer season. Out-of-state license plates are nowhere in sight, the climate remains to be heat, and now the seashores are solely full of locals unwinding after a busy summer time.
As a seasoned San Diegan myself, one factor has turn into clear — guests don’t know what they’re doing, and rightfully so.
I discovered myself in the identical pickle a few years in the past earlier than making the plunge to stay right here full-time.
“Which beach is best?”
“Is the San Diego Zoo worth the price of admission?”
“Where are the best tacos?”
“Will I die I if I cross into Tijuana?”
All of those questions are in quotes as a result of I’ve been requested time and time once more.
So, permit me to allow you to in on a secret…
You do not should observe the crowds to a bank-busting resort in Coronado, the place the seashore is usually off-limits due to bacteria, or snap seal-fies with La Jolla’s seals in the event you may even overcome the insufferable stench.
Instead, you’ll be able to go to my favourite coastal stomping grounds situated simply north of San Diego correct, and it is largely missed by vacationers.
At Travel Off Path, we’re right here to let you know USA Today nailed it by highlighting none aside from Solana Beach as a must-visit hidden gem.
Where San Diegans Enjoy Beach Days Without Hordes Of Tourists
Look, with so many journey guides obtainable these days, I would not say that vacationers have not found the attraction of Solana Beach.
What I can say is neighboring Del Mar, along with La Jolla and ever-so-trendy Oceanside, attracts way more of the aforementioned out-of-state plates than Solana Beach does.
And in the event you do see an Arizona or Nevada plate, it is seemingly they’re simply passing via to mark off the historic Highway 101 from their wishlist, with a few of Southern California’s finest views of the Pacific.
It’s extremely unlikely that vacationers are choosing Solana Beach. Not that it is unworthy — it simply would not obtain plenty of hype, which is why it’s possible you’ll come throughout some well-known faces too.
In reality, well-known actor Scott Eastwood co-owns the Saddle Bar within the midst of a pleasant essential drag, and it isn’t unusual to see Blink-182’s Tom Delonge hanging out round city both when he is not knee deep in UFO lore, amongst others.
Postcard Shores Away From Tourist Magnets
They say magnificence is within the eye of the beholder, and I’ve had LASIK since my final breakup, so good luck to my ex’s new man.
I personally imagine Solana Beach has San Diego County’s prettiest seashores, and I’ve felt that method from the second I walked down the seemingly unending stairs on Solana Vista Drive at Tides Beach Park.
Surrounded by towering bluffs, hidden caves, and most frequently bacteria-free shores appropriate for swimming, browsing, and taking part in fetch with Fido (when the lifeguards aren’t wanting 😉), it is the closest factor to a textbook paradise in SoCal.
There’s virtually all the time room to sprawl out on a seashore towel, toss the pigskin round, and in the event you’re the sort to go for jogs alongside the seashore, there is no want to fret about weaving out and in of crowds.
Unlike Mission Beach, which is by far a magnet for vacationers with seaside curler coasters and a buzzing boardwalk, Solana Beach is the proper spot to chill out in astounding surroundings.
Tides Beach Park is considered one of many attractive seashores to scope out, nevertheless it’s personally my favourite because it appears like a hush-hush cove vacationers do not learn about.
Others to contemplate could be Fletcher Cove and Solana Beach County Park, holding a near-perfect Google ranking.
Plus, Solana Beach is without doubt one of the few San Diego seashore cities and not using a flashy resort — it feels extra genuine, such as you see within the films.
You know — shaggy-haired skate boarders screeching sidewalks, chiseled lifeguards scanning the horizon, and hardly anybody sporting sneakers, so anticipate a soundtrack of click-clacking flip-flops (responsible as charged).
No one is in a rush right here…ever — and it is fairly refreshing.
San Diego’s Middle Ground: Day Trip Or Main Stay?
Solana Beach is just 25 minutes from the newly revamped San Diego International Airport. If you are flying in, it isn’t unreasonable to make Solana Beach your base, even in the event you nonetheless plan to take a look at the world-famous zoo, the always-buzzing Gaslamp Quarter, and even make a visit throughout the border, the place I can all however assure you will not die.
Rather than hire a automotive and pay California’s sky-high gasoline costs, you would additionally hop aboard the scenic Amtrak Pacific Surfliner departing from each San Diego’s Little Italy and Old Town districts.
There just a few acquainted names in Solana Beach, however in the event you’re useless set on luxurious then it’s possible you’ll need to go to Solana Beach as a day journey as Courtyard and Holiday Inn Express are the perfect choices inside the metropolis limits.
Maybe take a look at my neck of the woods in Chula Vista because the model new Gaylord Pacific Resort is all the craze!
As for meals, there are some wonderful choices in Solana and throughout San Diego. In reality, it is all the time humorous to overhear Dodgers’ followers speaking smack with a mouthful in enemy territory — the meals right here is bomb, equivalent to considered one of my most typical hangouts, Pizza Port.
I gotta let you know about my 3 favourite eating places I’ve visited currently, all simply reachable from Solana:
Staying round downtown San Diego? Skip Little Italy’s meatballs for an unsuspecting shock — Michelin-recognized Cloak & Petal, a hip sushi spot on the sting of Little Italy’s essential drag.
Get the Notorious P.I.G. roll. You’ll thank me later. 🍣
Or possibly you are craving a beachside dinner. Truth be advised, Mission Beach’s Miss B’s Coconut Club has higher Caribbean meals than anyplace I’ve been within the Caribbean, and it is steps from the seashore — plus they’ve grown-up dimension “Capri Sun”. Need I say extra?
But my most up-to-date new fave is in Oceanside, one other of San Diego’s underrated seashore cities. You gotta take a look at The Lobby Tiki Bar, paradoxically serving as a foyer to Oceanside’s oldest constructing, which has been reworked into the self-service Brick Hotel with an ocean-view rooftop you will by no means need to go away.
Every chunk and sip was an ideal 10/10. Come hungry, go away pleased, and undoubtedly seize an Uber after ordering a Level-3 Painkiller cocktail (if ya know, ya know).
The Travel Off Path Advantage: Your Travel Toolkit
Subscribe To Our Latest Posts
Enter your e-mail handle to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s newest breaking journey information, straight to your inbox.
