Solana Beach: An Overview

Solana Beach is a unique California beach town where residents take pride in their community and have historically fought to preserve its defining characteristics. Unlike some coastal towns that have undergone unchecked development, Solana Beach has  maintained a strong sense of identity shaped by its fortunate history and by the continuing efforts of its engaged citizens. 

Like many California beach towns, Solana Beach began as a rest stop along Highway  101, serving travelers between Los Angeles San Diego, and points further south. Its  proximity to the Del Mar Fairgrounds made it a convenient stop, and over time, the area  grew into a small but vibrant community. The City's early years are well-documented in  two books the Solana Beach Civic and Historical Society published: The 1920s to  1930s: Early Solana Beach (Nelson, 2002) and La Colonia & Solana Beach (Nelson,  2010). These works offer invaluable insight into the City's foundations, chronicling its  growth from a quiet service stop into a successful coastal town. 

The history of these transformations has also been carefully preserved through a project led by Jim Nelson and the Solana Beach Civic and Historical Society, which placed plaques on historically significant buildings throughout the city. These markers,  linked to historical descriptions on the Society’s website, help tell the story of Solana  Beach’s commercial and cultural history. 

This Book 

As Solana Beach continues evolving, capturing recent history in a narrative story is important. There is a risk that the history of its early days and the spirit of its vibrant community may fade from memory. This book is intended to provide a broad look at the development of Solana Beach from the City’s incorporation in 1986 through to  2024. This effort seeks to preserve the City’s transformation from its 25th Anniversary celebration in 2011 through the COVID era, documenting almost four decades of local history. It focuses on the City's original commercial heart—Highway 101 and Cedros  Avenue—and their pivotal roles in shaping the later-developed community, capturing recollections, photographs, and stories that might otherwise be lost. 

Additionally, this book examines suburban development and its transformative impact on the City. This suburban expansion brought opportunities and challenges,  influencing the City's character and community dynamics.

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Solana Beach embodies the true spirit of a small town, bringing together residents,  business owners, and city officials, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose.  Community projects were often "all-hands" efforts, with volunteers from every corner of the City contributing. 

Throughout these changes, Solana Beach has maintained a strong commitment to community engagement and cultural enrichment, ensuring that its small-town spirit endures amidst growth and development. 

However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted this rhythm. Many cherished community events were canceled, altered, or experienced declining participation. At the same time, the downtown business sector was severely impacted, with noticeable changes in infrastructure, public spaces, and private development. 

The manuscript draws upon a wide range of sources, including online archives including those of the Civic and Historical Society, YouTube videos, personal research,  and the support of AI tools that have played a helpful role throughout the process,  serving as research assistants and editorial aids to refine and structure the content. 

It also incorporates content assembled initially for the City of Solana Beach’s 25th  Anniversary celebration by the Civic and Historical Society, business community members, and other citizens, as well as privately published photo books that chronicle key projects in the city’s development. 

Many of the photographs included here are drawn from those commemorative publications. While they reflect Solana Beach as it appeared up to the time of the 25th  Anniversary, several of the locations depicted have since changed—or no longer exist.  These images set the narrative scene and offer valuable historical reference points. 

Photographs are embedded within the relevant paragraphs or presented in groups at  the end of each section, helping readers connect visual context to the stories being told. 

Beyond written records, the evolution of Solana Beach—as chronicled here—has also been shaped by conversations with and the lived experiences of individuals who contributed to the transformation of the City’s business community after World War II.  Several community members reviewed early drafts of this work, and their insights and support—both past and present—have significantly enriched the result. 

To enhance the reader’s experience, Table of Contents includes links to YouTube videos published by others on the subjects covered in each chapter. By downloading 

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the YouTube app and logging in, readers can follow these links for further insights— copy the link into a browser. 

Also included are links to full-color YouTube videos: a complete recording of the  slideshow presented at the City’s 25th Anniversary celebration at City Hall, two  previously unpublished photobooks from that event, and an additional  commemorative photobook featuring various City Projects from the 2008-2012 period. 

CREDITS 

The writer wishes to thank David Ott, Sean McLeod, Brian Fuller, Carl Turnbull, Mo  Sammak, Nichole Peterson, Garrie Lynn, Jim Harker, Allen Moffson, George Fleming,  David Winkler, Joe Kellejian, Josh Guera, Greg Petre, Ron Blumberg, Rich Lieb, Laurie  Greene, Kimberly Jones, Michele Stribling, Vicki Driver, Peter House, and Carol Childs. 

Thank you for reading parts or all of this document and providing helpful comments.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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SURPRISING SOLANA 

Advertisements, such as the one above, are found on Visit Solana Beach websites,  social media pages, or real estate listings and may vary in wording. Still, they all share  the same sentiment - Solana Beach is a special place. 

Yet, beyond its coastal charm and extensive business district, Solana Beach carries a  rich and fascinating history that continues to shape its identity today.

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Solana Beach, officially incorporated as a city in 1986, had long established itself as a  unique community. Initially, its business district catered to visitors heading to the  County Fairgrounds and the Del Mar Racetrack. By the time of incorporation,  significant transformations were underway. The once-prevalent trailer parks had  largely disappeared, leaving only a few remnants. Old service stations still stood,  though their original functions had vanished over time. Meanwhile, Cedros Avenue  was undergoing a remarkable transformation. In the 1950s, defense contractor  William S. Jack constructed Quonset huts along this avenue to house his BILL JACK SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENT COMPANY. Initially used for manufacturing, these  lightweight, semi-circular, prefabricated structures have since been repurposed into  boutique shops and imaginative spaces, contributing to the avenue's evolution into a  beloved arts and design district.  

From its earliest days, Solana Beach was a City determined to define itself. Through  collaboration among residents, the business community, and city leadership, a vision  emerged that emphasized thoughtful growth, economic sustainability, and a unique  identity that distinguished it from neighboring coastal towns. 

In the following sections, we will delve into this evolution, examining the pivotal  moments that shaped Solana Beach's business community and highlighting the  various individuals instrumental in transforming this once waystation-oriented town  into a thriving coastal destination.

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INVENTING A CALIFORNIA BEACH TOWN 

When Solana Beach was incorporated in 1986, the original parcel's land covered only  201 acres of mostly undeveloped land, which had been purchased 64 years prior. Over  time, the area transformed from a rural coastal outpost into a thriving community. Its  development was shaped by land use planning, infrastructure expansion, and key  figures like Colonel Ed Fletcher, whose vision helped lay the foundation for the town’s  early growth. 

Following the construction of Lake Hodges Dam, a project led by Col. Fletcher, water  became available to the area, leading to the cultivation of farmland along the outskirts  of what would become Solana Beach. These agricultural lands produced avocados,  flowers, fruit, and vegetables. Following World War II, the nationwide housing boom  led to rapid expansion in the region, as single-family homes and small subdivisions  replaced farmland. The completion of Interstate 5 in the 1960s spurred even further  development, helping extend Solana Beach eastward. 

Early Development (1920s–1940s) - Colonel Ed Fletcher, a prominent land developer  in San Diego County, played a central role in establishing Solana Beach. In 1922, he  and his business partners acquired land in the area and began promoting it as a  desirable coastal community. The Santa Fe Land & Water Company was formed two  years later to develop residential properties and infrastructure. In 1924, Col. Fletcher  used Lake Hodges water to lower a section of the ocean bluff to provide easier access  to what became the town’s main beach. 

Laying out a new town required careful planning. Highway 101 and the Santa Fe  Railroad bisected the land, while the surrounding lagoons made access challenging.  Main roads were laid out to extend eastward from the coast, with residential streets  running north-south to maximize ocean views. This feature would later become a  defining characteristic of Solana Beach real estate. The concept of “View  Assessments,” now part of the Solana Beach municipal code, evolved from these  early considerations. 

In addition to road access and the running water that Lake Hodges provided, the town  required sewer infrastructure. Early single-family homes and businesses relied on  septic systems, while wells provided water. Over time, sewer pipelines and pump  stations were installed, beginning with the Solana Beach Pump Station, located  adjacent to Highway 101 in the San Elijo Lagoon, which moves waste to treatment  facilities in Encinitas. Today, several pumping stations serve the City.

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The expansion of electricity and telecommunications also played a crucial role in early  development. By the 1920s and 1930s, San Diego Consolidated Gas & Electric  Company extended power lines northward, supplying homes and businesses with  electricity. Telephone poles carried electrical and communication lines, which remained in place until electrical undergrounding efforts, particularly in the downtown  area, modernized these services. 

Managing stormwater runoff presented another challenge due to Solana Beach’s  naturally sloping terrain. Early drainage systems relied on culverts and natural  channels. Local children once rafted on Stevens Creek, one such natural channel, which was later partly covered to create LA COLONIA PARK. One flood-prone area  along Cedros Avenue persisted even after commercial development. This issue was  finally addressed with the "Big Dig” (a project that lowered railroad tracks below street  level), which redirected stormwater through underground systems into the Pacific  Ocean, San Elijo Lagoon, and San Dieguito River. 

Solana Beach’s connectivity improved by establishing the SANTA FE RAILROAD  STATION, now the Solana Beach Amtrak Station site. This rail link supported  commerce and real estate development, while businesses such as small markets,  cafes, and service stations along Highway 101 catered to both travelers and locals. 

Colonel Fletcher’s influence extended beyond City boundaries. In 1922, he convinced the 22nd District Agricultural Association to establish the SAN DIEGO COUNTY FAIR  in Del Mar. The Fairgrounds significantly impacted Solana Beach’s commercial  corridor along Highway 101 and Via De La Valle, contributing to the City’s economy. 

Growth as a Coastal Community (1940s–1960s) - After World War II, Solana Beach  attracted veterans and young families seeking an affordable coastal lifestyle. As  residential neighborhoods expanded, new businesses emerged along Highway 101  and Cedros Avenue, including hardware stores, grocery stores, and surf shops, some  of which became local icons. The expansion of the former Skyline Drive, now called Lomas Santa Fe Drive, improved access to inland areas, encouraging further growth. 

Establishing a Town Identity (1960s–1980s) By the 1960s, Solana Beach had a well established business district and a growing residential population. While not  incorporated until 1986, the locals increasingly referred to it as a "town."

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The DEL MAR FAIRGROUNDS AND  

RACETRACK brought tourism and  

commerce to the area. Cedros 

Avenue gained recognition for its  

artistic community, setting the stage  

for what would later become the  

Cedros Design District. 

Becoming a City (1986–Present) 

As growth continued, residents sought greater control over local development. By the  1980s, concerns over zoning, municipal services, and infrastructure prompted a push  for incorporation. One of the motivations for this was the construction of condos along  South Sierra Avenue on the bluffs overlooking the ocean in the mid-1970s. Many in the  Town felt that the County did not care about the impact of these developments on the  

town's character. In 1986, Solana Beach was officially incorporated, marking the  beginning of its modern era. 

After Solana Beach became a city in 1986, it assumed responsibility for various municipal services that San Diego County had previously provided. One of the most  significant changes was taking control of law enforcement. Rather than establishing  its own police department, the City contracted with the San Diego County Sheriff's  Department to continue providing law enforcement services. Fire protection and  emergency services also became a City responsibility, leading to the establishment of  the Solana Beach Fire Department. This function created challenges for the City. From  1948 until Chief David Ott’s appointment in 2003, the City had twelve different fire  chiefs. In 2005, Ott became Assistant City Manager and was subsequently promoted  to City Manager in 2006 while continuing to serve as Fire Chief for a brief period. He  served until 2014, managing the continuing transformation of the early town into a city. Under Otts's direction, the City entered into cooperative agreements with neighboring  cities to combine the departments and management staff into a single, enhanced fire  and emergency medical services organization. 

Public works and infrastructure maintenance were transferred to the City, allowing for  localized control over street repairs, sidewalk maintenance, drainage systems, and  public landscaping. The City also took over planning and zoning, giving it the authority  to manage land use, issue permits, and regulate development according to its priorities rather than county-wide regulations.

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With cityhood, Solana Beach took management responsibility for its parks and  recreational facilities, including Fletcher Cove and other public spaces. This enabled  the City to oversee park improvements and recreational programming tailored to the  needs of its residents and visitors. Additionally, the City assumed code enforcement  and building regulation duties, ensuring that local ordinances reflected the  community's values. 

Waste management and environmental programs also became City-led efforts,  although trash collection continued to be a service provided by private companies.  The City began overseeing recycling programs, stormwater pollution prevention, and  other sustainability initiatives. Another major shift was the transfer of business  licensing and economic development planning to the City, allowing for greater control  over local business regulations and efforts to support economic growth. 

The decision to incorporate was driven by a desire for local control, better  responsiveness to community needs, and more influence over development and  services. Becoming a city also allowed Solana Beach to retain a greater share of its  local tax revenue rather than sending it to the County. 

Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Celebration (2011) 

In 2011, Solana Beach celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of its incorporation with  a citywide event. A citizens’ committee, led by a member of the City Council, took  charge of planning the celebration. 

One of the first steps was designing a special logo to commemorate the  occasion. Local artists were invited to contribute ideas, and the  

committee ultimately decided to modify the official City logo to reflect the  milestone. 

The celebration’s main event took place at City Hall, featuring a historical  photographic presentation of Solana Beach's growth and development. Residents  were encouraged to contribute images from their collections showcasing the city’s  past. The Chamber of Commerce and the Civic & Historical Society also combed  through their archives, while the San Diego Historical Society’s collection was  searched for relevant images. Additionally, The San Dieguito Citizen, an early local  newspaper, provided access to its archives. 

Civic & Historical Society members gathered at La Colonia Community Center to  review these materials, selecting and digitizing photographs of interest. The images

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were organized and paired with new photos taken in 2011 to capture the City's  evolution. The final product was a slideshow presentation illustrating the  transformation of Solana Beach, with historical images morphing into their modern  counterparts. Enlarged versions of these photos were displayed as posters during the  celebration and later placed in the Visitor’s Center near the local train station for  ongoing public viewing. 

Aerial photographs of the California coastline, taken by the California Coastal  Commission since 1972, also played a key role in the event. The committee secured  the Solana Beach coastline images from the earliest available records and the most  recent surveys. On the day of the celebration, these images were displayed around the  City Council Chambers, allowing attendees to visually compare the City’s growth over  time. These coastline photos continue to be used today at the Civic & Historical  Society’s booth at Fiesta del Sol, the City’s annual summer street fair. 

No celebration would be complete without a parade. Every organization in Solana  Beach—public and private, large and small—was invited to participate. The streets  were filled with convertibles, trucks, fire engines, bicycles, scooters, baby carriages,  and walkers, all moving in unison with their respective banners. 

Many of the photographs featured in this book originate from this community effort,  which preserves the city’s rich history for future generations.

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Public Art in Solana Beach 

From its earliest days, Solana Beach has prioritized public art as a vital part of the  community. One of the first citizen advisory groups formed by the original City Council  was the Public Arts Commission, tasked with expanding public art in the City—from  murals and sculptures to creative installations that enhance public spaces. The  Commission acts as a liaison between residents, artists, and City leaders, advising the  City Council and City Manager on all art-related matters, ensuring that Solana Beach  remains a vibrant and creative community.  

The Commission selects, places, and maintains artwork in public areas. This includes  acquiring new pieces, relocating existing ones, and ensuring current installations  remain in good condition. In 2008, however, the Commission shifted its focus from  permanent installations to a temporary art program, which allows artists to apply to  showcase their work in designated locations. Entryway markers at City boundaries are  permanent installations. 

Supporting local artists is a priority, and preference is given to those who live or work in  Solana Beach when opportunities arise to participate in City art projects. The  Commission actively seeks funding and partnerships, encourages private donations,  and collaborates with organizations to secure resources that sustain public art  initiatives. Additionally, the Commission organizes and supports city-sponsored  cultural events and art programs, ensuring that Solana Beach continues to cultivate a  dynamic and creative atmosphere. 

One notable initiative was "Arts Alive," which took various forms over the years. The  program included an annual banner contest, where artists and students designed  banners to be displayed on City lampposts along Highway 101. After several months of  public display, the banners were auctioned to help fund their programs—originally at  Fiesta Del Sol. Another version of the initiative was an art walk, such as one held along  the Rail Trail, where artists exhibited their work, met the public, and engaged with the  community through an event enhanced by live music and performances, including stilt  walkers. The Commission also reserved the first floor of City Hall for rotating art 

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exhibitions, allowing artists to display and sell their work while providing residents with  a dedicated space to enjoy local art. 

Above all, the Public Arts Commission is committed to preserving and celebrating the  artistic and cultural identity of Solana Beach. Through thoughtful curation, innovative  programs, and community engagement, they ensure that public art remains an  essential part of the City’s landscape—honoring its history, character, and creative  spirit. 

Planning for the Future: The General Plan  

Following incorporation, early City Councils developed a Land Use Plan to manage  growth within City borders. The Solana Beach General Plan, adopted in 1989, set  fundamental goals to shape development, balance economic priorities, and preserve  the City’s coastal character. 

A key objective was maintaining Solana Beach’s small-town, coastal village  atmosphere by ensuring that new development complemented the City's natural  environment. The plan emphasized protecting beaches, bluffs, and environmentally  sensitive areas while promoting coastal access and conservation efforts. The General  Plan encouraged a mix of residential, commercial, and open spaces, recognizing that  a strong local economy depended on visitor-serving businesses and tourism.  Improving traffic circulation while maintaining a pedestrian-friendly environment was  another priority, with a focus on alternative transportation options, such as biking and  public transit. Housing policies aimed to provide a variety of housing types to  accommodate different income levels. At the same time, parks, trails, and  recreational areas were preserved to ensure public access to the City’s natural  amenities. Community engagement was central to the City’s vision, emphasizing public input, transparency, and local involvement in shaping policies. Over time,  Solana Beach’s General Plan has evolved to address new challenges, such as  environmental sustainability, climate adaptation, and infrastructure modernization. 

As of 2025, Solana Beach has matured into a nearly fully developed City, with 98% of  its land in use. The business community continues to evolve, with a growing emphasis on tourism, digital presence, and economic diversification. Modern planning policies  prioritize walkability, mixed-use development, and pedestrian-friendly streetscapes,  particularly in areas like Highway 101 and Cedros Avenue. 

The City’s commitment to balanced growth and environmental stewardship remains at  the heart of its identity. Policies promoting “Complete Streets” have introduced bike 

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lanes, improved sidewalks, and enhanced public spaces to reduce car dependence and foster a more vibrant, connected community. 

Land Use Plan Update 

The Solana Beach Land Use Plan (LUP) was designed to guide the City’s development,  conservation efforts, and long-term growth strategies. It designates land use  categories, with residential areas accounting for 56% of the City, commercial zones for  4%, recreation and open spaces for 13%, public or institutional uses for 4%, and so  forth. Commercial activity is concentrated along Highway 101, Cedros Avenue, and  Lomas Santa Fe Drive, while parks, beaches, and golf courses preserve natural  spaces. 

The LUP plan emphasizes smart growth, encouraging pedestrian-friendly and mixed use developments while supporting economic vitality. It prioritizes environmental  protection through policies that preserve coastal resources, manage impacts of  predicted sea-level rise, and maintain open spaces. Transportation strategies focus on  improving mobility through biking, walking, and public transit. 

The City’s Local Coastal Program (LCP) aligns with the California Coastal Act, ensuring  that development in the coastal zone remains sustainable and environmentally  responsible. Policies address shoreline management, wetland buffers, and climate  adaptation to protect Solana Beach’s coastal environment. The overarching goal was to strike a balance between economic growth and environmental concerns while  preserving the City’s small-town charm and high quality of life. 

The City commissioned this photo as the cover for the Land Use Plan. It was captured  by helicopter, and a series of images were stitched together to create the panoramic

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view of Solana Beach. The photo was enlarged and placed over the Council table in  the Council Meeting Chambers. 

From its origins as a rural outpost to its emergence as a distinctive coastal City, Solana  Beach’s journey reflects a balance of preservation and progress, shaped by visionary  leadership, community engagement, and a deep appreciation for its unique coastal  setting. 

EARLY VIEWS OF THE PLAZA AND BLUFFS

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FLETCHER COVE 

The story of Solana Beach (which means “a sunny place”) begins on the City’s western  edge, where the ocean, bluffs, and beaches define Solana Beach’s landscape and give  the town its name. Along this coastline, the bluffs rise to one hundred feet in places,  shaping the shoreline that has drawn residents and visitors alike for generations. To  the north, a beach forms at the outflow of the San Elijo Lagoon, fed by Escondido  Creek, while to the south, another beach is shaped where the San Dieguito Lagoon meets the Pacific Ocean. At the heart of this section of coastline lies Fletcher Cove  Beach and Park, where the City’s story truly begins. Named after Col. Ed Fletcher, the  founder of Solana Beach, Fletcher Cove remains the City’s most iconic and historically  significant beachfront. 

Commonly referred to as Pillbox due to its history as a World War II coastal outlook installation, Fletcher Cove is the City’s principal beach and  

park. Located at the western end of Plaza Street and the City’s  

central Plaza. Fletcher Cove has easy public access, parking,  

and proximity to the Solana Beach train station. When Col.  

Fletcher first envisioned Solana Beach, it lacked a key  

amenity—a direct route to the ocean. In the mid-1920s, he  

solved this problem by blasting an opening through the  

bluffs using a water cannon, creating a passageway that  

connected his property to the shoreline. The bluff opening,  

along with a man-made ramp, quickly became a major  

attraction for early residents and prospective buyers. The  

new access point provided a view and a direct path from  

the railroad tracks to the ocean. 

As the town grew, Fletcher Cove became a hub for community  

gatherings and recreation, and with the Plaza further  

established it as the heart of the community. In its early days,  

the Cove was little more than a parking lot with a lifeguard  

station. Still, it soon became home to a railroad ticket station 

and a snack shack called the CALYPSO HUT. 

The site of Fletcher Cove Park was originally a parking lot for the beach, with a  lifeguard station at the western end. In 2007, the City obtained final approval from the  Coastal Commission to dedicate the Distillery parking lot across from the Solana  Beach Post Office for beach parking and to convert the original beach parking lot into a 

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park. At that time, it updated the bathroom facilities and improved the landscaping.  There was a desire to transform the area into a park featuring a playground, grassy  areas, showers, picnic tables, and a basketball court overlooking the ocean. A plan  from M.W. Peltz Associates included ocean-themed elements, such as a large sun and  a mosaic compass at the park's entrance. There were insufficient funds to build the  Park, so the community contributed funds to make the design possible. A local artist,  Betsy Schultz, decorated the Park’s retaining walls with ocean-themed mosaics and  donor tiles. 

In 2024, a second major renovation of Fletcher Cove Park was undertaken, resulting in further improvements, including refurbishing the existing tot lot and resurfacing the  basketball court.  

The Park was an immediate success. The Parks and Recreation  

Commission, comprised of residents who are part of the city’s  

citizen involvement efforts, immediately put the park to good use. 

It began what would become an annual event: a summer Beach  

Blanket Movie Night, serving as a fundraiser for the organization's 

other activities. Community members strapped on utility belts for  this event, built a stage, and prepared a movie screen. A local band provided pre sunset music. The City Council welcomes the attendees. Booths were set up to sell  refreshments, and tickets were sold for a raffle of merchandise donated by local  merchants. Among the movies were ones featuring extreme sports,  filmed by a local producer and filmmaker. The event continues  

today. 

The Park is also the locus of a weekly, family-friendly summer event  developed by the Solana Beach Foundation and City staff called 

Concerts at the Cove. The Belly-up provides the music. Attendees  sit on the lawn or in beach chairs. Kids dance to the music. It is a  

well-attended social affair. It is still going on today. 

The Parks and Recreation Commission is also responsible for the annual Christmas  tree lighting. The Commission provides funds for the tree and  

ornaments and, with the help of the City staff, decorates the tree. The  Mayor and City Council typically conduct a ceremonial tree lighting on  the first Sunday of December. Santa’s sleigh arrives by fire truck. In the  early days, Santa was played by Joe KelleJian, a City Councilman.

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A second tree lighting was recently started on the second Saturday of December at La  Colonia Park.  

Before the conversion of the Fletcher Cove parking lot to Fletcher Cove Park, Fiesta  Del Sol was held in that parking lot. After the redesign, the Fiesta was relocated to the  Plaza and the Distillery parking lots. FIESTA DEL SOL is a festival that has been a  Solana Beach tradition for over 40 years. 

The FIESTA DEL SOL is a fundraiser for The SOLANA  

BEACH CHAMBER OF  

COMMERCE, initially  

held in the Fletcher Cove 

parking lot and  

organized by Chamber  

Board members. Unlike  

other beach town street  

fairs, the Fiesta incorporated live music from BELLY UP (a  

well-known music venue), turning it into a full-fledged  

music festival. In recent years, it has attracted as many as  

50,000 visitors, and while it is now held in the Plaza area, it  

remains a defining event for the community. The  

FIESTA DEL SOL graduated from a small  

fundraiser for the Chamber of Commerce where  

the members of the Chamber's board were  

expected to staff, set up, staff the actual event,  

and take it down to a full-blown community 

engaging event. 

FLETCHER COVE COMMUNITY CENTER 

Up the hill, the Fletcher Cove Community Center has been another important  gathering place for Solana Beach residents for nearly eight decades. Originally, a  Civilian Conservation Corps barracks was relocated from the Army’s 14th Infantry  Regiment at Camp Vista. After the war, local men collaborated to convert the barracks  into a community center, adding a horseshoe pit, shuffleboard court, and outdoor  seating areas to the site. However, coastal erosion threatened the original horseshoe 

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pit, and over time, it was abandoned. Fencing was  

subsequently installed to protect the area.  

Since its inception, the Community Center has served as 

a hub for meetings,  

celebrations, and civic events.  

The SOLANA BEACH CIVIC  

AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY,  

founded in 1953, has long used the space for annual  

gatherings such as the Holiday Bazaar, as well as for classes  

and local meetings. However, by 2007, the building had  

deteriorated significantly, battered by coastal weather and years of deferred  maintenance. Recognizing its historical and cultural significance, the City of Solana  Beach launched a renovation project. Stephen Dalton Architects, working pro bono,  redesigned the building, incorporating a glass-paneled south wall to capture ocean  views and wide patio doors for outdoor access. 

Despite the City’s efforts, funding for the renovation fell short of expectations. The  community rallied together, forming the Solana  

Beach Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to raising  

the necessary funds. The campaign, a joint effort  

between the City and the Foundation, urged  

residents to support the project. 

A mailer was prepared with this message to the  

residents: 

"Over the years, the structure was rebuilt and  

maintained by the citizens of Solana Beach. It was  

the locus of town events and the meeting place for numerous groups… Many residents  still remember attending art classes, parties, and  

wedding receptions in this humble building with the  

fabulous ocean view. It became the jewel of the public  

space in Solana Beach. Today, the Community Center is  

still used by many of our citizens… still a vital and loved  

facility. Unfortunately, this gem is in need of significant 

repair… The City only has a portion of the funds needed  

to renovate the structure. This is a great opportunity for  

our City of Solana Beach to come together for a ‘Barn Raising.’”

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The community answered  

the call, successfully  

raising enough funds to hire  

a contractor. 

By 2011, the newly  

revitalized Fletcher Cove  

Community Center was  

completed. The  

shuffleboard court was  

filled in during the  

renovation, creating a  

grassy peninsula offering a panoramic ocean vista. Among its new features was an  electric piano, used by local residents who gathered each month for a community  singalong. The Center also continued to be the meeting place for the monthly  gatherings of the Civic and Historical Society, continuing its role as a cherished  gathering place for future generations.

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BUILDING THE COMMUNITY CENTER

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OVERLOOK PARK 

OVERLOOK PARK, which surrounds the Community Center, is another testament to  community-driven development and participation.  

Mike Nichols, a City Council member working pro  

bono, designed the Park. As with previous projects,  

the Solana Beach Foundation led fundraising  

efforts, and the City provided direction and oversight.  

The project was largely a grassroots effort, with  

citizens, local organizations, and contractors  

volunteering their time, labor, and materials. 

Citizens brought their garden tools and cleared the  

landscape of decades-old pickleweed, also called  

iceplant. Once the land was prepared, residents  

brought succulents from their gardens to plant the  

landscape or helped plant those brought by the  

nurseries. Nichols oversaw the placement of  

walking paths and seating areas, ensuring the park  

maximized accessibility and natural beauty. 

A defining feature of Overlook Park is its sea-themed ceramic mosaic artwork, created  by local artist Betsy Schulz. Among these intricate  

mosaics were those crafted with the help of local  

schoolchildren, adorning picnic tables. The  

mosaics decorated pathways, depicting marine  

life such as spiny lobsters, fish, crabs, and  

octopuses. The artwork visually links OVERLOOK  

PARK and FLETCHER COVE PARK, unifying the  

two spaces under a shared celebration of coastal  

life and creativity. 

Overlook Park remains a symbol of community  

collaboration and pride, a space created by the people  

of Solana Beach for future generations to enjoy. Like  

Fletcher Cove, it reflects the City’s ongoing  

commitment to preserving natural beauty, fostering  

civic engagement, and creating lasting public spaces.

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PREPARING THE SITE AND THE OPENING

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ARIEL VIEW OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER AND OVERLOOK THE PARK

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THE PLAZA 

The PLAZA was the centerpiece of Col. Ed Fletcher’s  

vision for a thriving town center. Col. Fletcher sited the  

Plaza west of Highway 101, a short block from Fletcher  

Cove Beach. Fletcher saw the potential for his property  

to develop into a sustainable residential and  

business community, with the creation of the Plaza  

and other improvements increasing the value of  

individual lots. Situated along HIGHWAY 101, the primary north-south route between Los  Angeles and San Diego in the early 1920s, he began shaping the area by constructing one of  its first landmarks, a hotel. 

THE SOLANA BEACH HOTEL 

The Hotel’s iconic stone buttresses were built using  

stones gathered from the surrounding countryside, and the  

building quickly became more than just a place for  

travelers to stay—it was a community hub. In January  

1944, the Justice Court was located there. The hotel also 

hosted the first Sunday School sessions that would later  

give rise to the SOLANA BEACH PRESBYTERIAN  

CHURCH. Over the years, the building has housed various 

businesses, including a restaurant (which once raised  

chickens on-site), a photo studio, a nursery and florist, a  

shoemaker, real estate offices, and an insurance firm.  

Today, the building is home to the SOLANA BEACH  

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. 

The HOTEL has undergone several 

major renovations. The first was in  

1990. Early that year, the CHART  

HOUSE, a national restaurant chain, 

moved its corporate headquarters to  

Solana Beach, settling into a building  

on Sierra Avenue where the SOLANA  

THEATER (built in the 1930s) had been. That building had a  

colorful history—after the theater closed in the 1970s. It 

became the ORGAN POWER PIZZA PARLOR, featuring a  

historic Robert Morton organ from the THEATER, before 

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transitioning in the 1980s into the office space it is now. The building was controversial when  it was first constructed before the City was incorporated because it obstructed one of the  central views of Fletcher Cove. 

CHART HOUSE required additional parking spaces for its employees, so it leased and  renovated the nearby SOLANA BEACH HOTEL, converting the rooms into office and training  spaces for the company and utilizing the Hotel's existing parking facilities. The Hotel exterior  was also remodeled. 

By the late 1990s, CHART HOUSE had relocated to Chicago, closing operations in its two  properties in Solana Beach. The hotel property was converted for other uses. 

The Plaza’s Business Evolution 

The following information relies heavily on a book published by the Civic and Historical  Society, titled Early Solana Beach, for the location of  

businesses in early Solana Beach. It will describe  

developments made since its publication. Although the  

early structures remain essentially unchanged, the  

companies that occupy them have not. After building the  

Hotel, Fletcher located a bank (which later became BANK  

OF AMERICA) and a grocery store on the north side of the  

Plaza. The grocery store doubled as a post office.  

Both buildings were later converted into HARKER  

REAL ESTATE. Today, the real estate office still  

contains the original bank vault. The grocery store 

later became a shoe store and a hair salon, which  

now operates as DIRTY DOGS, a dog wash. 

Alongside the dog wash, various businesses have  

come and gone, including a dry goods store, a  

doctor’s office, a barber shop, and now a dental  

center.

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Across the Plaza to the south was a former auto center and gas station. The Victorian style central building, once a pool hall and bar, was then 

transformed into a series of restaurants: DeLUCAS, then  

into a DAIRY QUEEN in the 1980s, followed by PASTA  

PRONTO, then a sushi restaurant, and today it is called the  

PILLBOX TAVERN. At the southwest corner was a bicycle  

shop, which became the post office and later evolved into a  

bar named SURF AND SADDLE, then MCCAFFREY’S, then  

TIGHT END, and today is called SADDLE BAR. A beauty  

parlor and a dentist's office also share adjacent commercial  

spaces on the south side of the Plaza. 

The Plaza served as the original land office for selling  

property in the new town for a brief period. 

It was a hub of local commerce, reflecting the growing  

community's needs. 

Today, the structures remain largely intact—except for the former gas station—but their  uses have adapted to the community's changing needs. 

As for the Plaza itself, following 

World War II, local citizens—many  

of whom were members of the  

Women’s Civic Club, now the  

Solana Beach Civic and Historical  

Society —led efforts to enhance  

the Plaza. In the late 1960s, 

community members assisted in  

landscaping the  

area and installing a median featuring a  

fountain and a sunburst sculpture, which  

became a well-known City landmark.

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In 2008, the merchants on the north side of the Plaza  

collaborated with the City to revitalize the Plaza. The  

Plaza was no longer attractive. The landscape was  

overgrown, and the trees blocked the view across the  

Plaza to the ocean. The merchants painted and fixed  

storefronts, rebuilt the fountain where the sunburst  

sculpture sits, and relit the Solana Beach sign. The  

fountain had been off for years. It was used by surfers  

(before the showers were placed in Fletcher Cove  

Park to wash off the salt) and by others as well. Lights were installed in the fountain. 

Mike Nichols designed the renovation,  

creating the Veterans Memorial at the  

corner of the Plaza, moving the palm trees  

once located in the center median to  

the north and south edges of the Plaza, 

opening up the view to the ocean, and 

redesigning the walkways to Fletcher Cove. 

From Col. Fletcher’s early vision to today’s  

evolving business landscape, the Plaza has  

remained a central part of the Solana Beach story. There has been a considerable change in  the character of the commercial buildings in the Plaza area today. New structures have been  added, old ones have been removed, and others have been repurposed. Today, the  predominant use of commercial space in the Plaza and other commercial buildings on  connecting streets is office space. Though the Plaza's function as the City's commercial  center has changed, it continues to anchor the community’s history—one shaped by its  residents, businesses, and the enduring spirit of adaptation and renewal.

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PLAZA VIEWS BEFORE AND AFTER

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HIGHWAY 101 

Until the construction of Interstate 5 in the 1960s, Highway 101 was the main north-south  highway through California, significantly defining the “beach towns” of the early automobile  era in Southern California. The section of Highway 101 that runs through Solana Beach is  strategically located between Los Angeles and San Diego. During the early automobile era,  when cars were more prone to breakdowns and had lower fuel efficiency, Solana Beach  provided several convenient rest areas, gas stations, and auto repair facilities. Its proximity  to the Del Mar Fairgrounds and the Del Mar Racetrack further enhanced its appeal, as did the  town’s steady growth and ability to meet the needs of both local citizens and visitors. 

However, the elements that made Colonel Fletcher’s land valuable as a beach community— Highway 101 and the railroad—also made it challenging to develop a cohesive downtown.  Unlike many cities with a traditional town center corridor, Solana Beach had commercial  development on the west side of Highway 101. That is because there was only a narrow and  unbuildable strip of land between the eastern edge of the Highway and the railroad tracks. 

SOUTH HIGHWAY 101 

Early businesses along the southern stretch of Highway 101, near the Plaza, included a car  dealership and COCHRAN’s gas station, which  

later became SACRED SPACES, a custom iron 

making shop. Today, it's the SAN DIEGO  

ELECTRIC BIKE.

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Continuing south, KURTZ drugstore 

became the SOLANA BEACH  

PHARMACY, another early business  

that evolved into BEBE DRUGS,  

WATERS, a delicatessen, and later  

KILN, a shared office space. 

Further south was CONNOR’S, a mercantile grocery store with a  

meat market. The store also housed the town’s first library. Then, the section of the street  became a barber shop, an auto parts store, a radio repair shop, and the first library building.  Finally, it contained MASUTO, a sushi restaurant with an upstairs apartment rental,

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The location of one of the early homes in Solana Beach was later  

the site of a mixed-use restaurant  

and office complex. It housed  

BEACH GRASS CAFE, which later  

became SUNNYSIDE. In 1983-84, a  

detached garage on the property  

became home to the HIDEAWAY  

CAFÉ, a funky breakfast and lunch spot.  

Many businesses along South Highway 101 relied heavily on  

travelers passing through town rather than on local customers.  

The lower land costs on property furthest from the Plaza  

allowed larger buildings, such as motels like ANALOS (Solana  

spelled backward), which later became low-income housing.  

Other visitor-serving businesses included hotels and  

restaurants catering to pass-through travelers and visitors going to the Del Mar Fairgrounds,  the Del Mar Racetrack, or further south to Baja California.  

A heavy equipment rental lot eventually became  

REVOLUTION, a bicycle repair  

shop and business. The next 

collection of shops originally  

included a laundromat, now  

occupied by UPS, a salon, and then  

a veterinary practice that evolved into a dog care facility  

and is now a physical therapy practice. 

A large CVS store sits next to this stretch of Highway 101. The neighboring lot to the south  was a former trailer park and a gas station. After the gas station closed, it became a drive through coffee shop and a solar company, SEQUOIA SOLAR. Behind the station were a few  houses, a salon, and a trailer park. The whole property was redeveloped into the SANDBOX,  a mixed-use complex with offices, apartments, and three restaurants. Continuing south  across Dahlia Street, the former BANK OF AMERICA building (bank operations  were relocated to that building decades ago from the Plaza and ultimately to TOWN SQUARE CENTER) was converted into a private office space. 

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This southern section of the 101 has two shopping centers, 

BEACHWALK and MERCADO DEL SOL. BEACHWALK has  

historically housed several restaurants, including national chains  

such as CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN (now LANAS) and  

RUBIO’S, which were long-time tenants but have since closed. It  

was also the original home of the popular PACIFIC COAST GRILL  

before it moved to a beachfront location in a neighboring town. Its  

fourth large restaurant, named BLANCA’S, closed in 2009.  

SOLANA BEACH KITCHEN is in the location today. There 

have been three restaurants in the center since then. The  

shopping center also has cleaners, a bridge club, and health 

related establishments. MERCADO DEL SOL, the other but  

smaller shopping center, is home to BANGKOK BAY, a  

popular Thai restaurant, and SAMURAI's original location,  

which was relocated to the TOWN CENTER PLAZA shopping center. It also has a Deli called  QWIK CORNER, a bead store called OSKADUSA, and other offices. 

RESTURANTS IN BEACHWALK

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Adjacent to Beachwalk is a large building that once housed a  

bowling alley before being converted into an office for the  

magazine Psychology Today, then changed into a fitness facility,  

first named FROGS, then FIT, and later the BXNG CLUB, which  

closed in 2025. 

South 101 is also home to two hotels, the HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS and the MARRIOTT, and  one of Solana Beach’s two time-share properties,  

the 

SANDPIPER.  

These  

properties,  

along with the  

short-term  

rentals in the  

South Siera condos (and more recently, Airbnb rentals), 

house visitors to the City.  

Between the two hotels, a large  

building housed the restaurant MON  

AMI, which later became DIEGO'S 

nightclub. While the club was popular  

among patrons, it faced opposition  

from residents and was eventually shut  

down. The building was sold to the City 

and became CITY HALL. 

Adjacent to the Marriott Hotel is the PARIOLI restaurant. The  

restaurant showed two-reel movies outdoors in the summer for  

years. Next to the HOLIDAY INN is an ENTERPRISE CAR  

RENTAL AGENCY.

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One unique feature of Highway 101 in downtown Solana Beach is that several businesses  extend to the street behind them. If the business itself did not span the entire depth of the  lot, the rear portion often housed a second commercial  

establishment. While most of these were office buildings,  

some areas near the Plaza included restaurants, such as  

THE NAKED CAFÉ. Sierra Avenue, the street that several  

of these lots backed into, contained several condominium  

complexes lining the bluff, with over six hundred 

apartments. Despite being located adjacent to shopping  

centers, the design of the centers—intended for  

automobiles rather than pedestrians—requires condominium residents to walk through  parking lots to access the businesses. An unintended consequence of the shopping centers being built to service automobile traffic years before the condos were built. 

Today, South Highway 101 continues its early pattern of catering to a mix of businesses  serving travelers and residents, featuring the same two shopping malls, hotels, a large  drugstore, numerous restaurants, and several office buildings. On the other hand, when a  building changed its original use, the closer it was to the Plaza, the more likely it was to  change into office space. 

NORTH HIGHWAY 101 

Businesses along Highway 101 heading north from the Plaza have a rich and evolving  history. In its early days, the area saw little development. The first building from the corner of the Plaza became HOMELOFT and was later transformed into a rug store with a resident  interior designer on the premises. A spearfishing shop followed; today, it is inhabited by  EPIC BICYCLES. One private home eventually became LOVE’S restaurant and the TEDDY  BEAR CAFE before becoming SUSHI STATION.

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A row of restaurants follows, including PIZZA PORT, MANDARIN COAST, then TIDEWATER  BAR, and today, CHAUNCEY’S PIZZA AND BAR), a yogurt shop (later a gelato shop), a juice  bar, and Java Depot, which briefly became ALCE and is  

now MIA’S. At the corner stood MR. T’S (later renamed 

T’S) is famous for its takeout Bloody Mary mix. Among  

these businesses was PAM’S PLACE, an eclectic shop  

offering goods for both  

tourists and residents. 

The Fuller family owns a significant portion of this block,  

extending from Highway 101 to Acacia Avenue. At the  

center of this property is the Boardwalk and Solana Beach  

Shopping Center, an arcade 

style shopping center built in  

the 1940s by the Bryer  

Company as an outdoor  

shopping center, a commercial architectural design popular in  

small towns. The arched, roofed walkways accommodated  

multiple establishments. Because the street sloped downward  

from Highway 101 to Acacia, visitors could look  

through windows at the rear of the arcade and see the  

lower-level shops accessed from Acacia Street.  

Businesses within the center included a bead shop, a  

Pilates Studio called PEGASUS, a beauty salon, a  

barber shop, BL BIKES, an electric bike rental service,  

and a toy store/postal mail drop called COASTAL  

POSTAL.

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Like South Highway 101, the back street to the west parallel to North Highway 101 also  housed retail establishments. Most were professional or beauty-related businesses, with  one flexible workspace facility and a tattoo parlor. 

Continuing north from T’s, a former gas station known as  

MURFIN’S was repurposed into a series of shops, including  

a salon, a doctor’s office, and furniture stores. 

The northern section of the street also contained a school,  

the HANNA FENICHEL CENTER FOR CHILDREN 

DEVELOPMENT, and the VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS  

(VFW) POST 5431. 

In the 1960s, surfboards transitioned from wood to fiber and foam, and movies like Gidget and Endless Summer romanticized the sport and coastal lifestyle. In the 1960s, music  groups like The Beach Boys popularized surf and car culture. Companies like SURF RIDE and MITCH’S thrived along north Highway 101, with MORELAND CHOPPERS next door to  MITCH’S surf shop, embodying California’s legendary motorcycle scene memorialized by  The Wild One. 

SOLANA SUCCULENTS is a unique  

addition to the area, a specialty nursery  

dedicated to succulents and cacti.  

Operating for over three decades, it  

remains a distinctive fixture in the  

community.  

Except for ROBERTO’S (previously JOLLY CONE), the  

northernmost end of Highway 101 is occupied primarily by  

offices. 

As with south Highway 101, some businesses on north Highway  

101 extend through to Acacia. The Acacia Street properties are  

separate businesses, when the commercial establishment does not extend from 101 to  Acacia. The commercial establishments along Acadia tend to be offices.

37 

HIGHWAY 101 REVITALIZATION 

For much of its history, Highway 101 in Solana Beach was  

more of a transit route through the town rather than a  

destination. Travelers knew they were in town only by entry  

and exit signs. The Plaza’s layout relating to the Highway  

and the pedestrian walkways on the west of 101 did little to  

create a cohesive downtown, and the road’s design further  

fragmented the area. The Highway 101 Association sought  

to transform the road and the pedestrian walkways west of 101 to capture the same vibrant  energy that the CEDROS DESIGN DISTRICT, discussed in the next chapter, had achieved. 

The streetscape on the business side of the 101, as well as the roadway itself, was quite  unattractive. The streets were scarred with cuts from constructing or repairing water,  drainage, sewer, drainage, and electric service. Except for some resurfacing, the only  repaving was done on a stretch of road going north from Via Del La Via to Lomas Santa Fe  Drive using experimental road paving material made with recycled rubber from old tires. The  sidewalks were a collage of surfaces poured by the property owners when they developed  their property. Some areas were not surfaced at all. The medians had been allowed to grow  so that the trees blocked the view of cars going north to the stores on the west side of the  highway. 

In 2013, Lesa Heebner, then the City’s SANDAG representative, helped secure funding  through a SANDAG bond. While redesign plans had been proposed and produced in the  past, there had never been sufficient funds to implement them. With the bond funding, a  designer could be hired. A considerable collaboration occurred with the 101 Association, a  group of business owners and operators along 101.  

The redesigned street featured curved concrete seating areas inset with mosaic designs.  Pedestrian crossings were added in multiple places, facilitating access across Highway 101  to the train station and businesses on 101 and Cedros. The mosaic design by one of the  pedestrian crossings is a representation of the night sky on the date of Solana Beach’s  becoming a city. A uniform design was applied to all bus stops, and the sidewalks were  standardized along the City’s length. The Plaza was also updated, incorporating seating  areas at its corners along Highway 101. Merchants along the corridor renovated their  building façades to complement the revitalization efforts.

38 

REDOING HIGHWAY 101

39 

The Rail Trail 

The existence of the rail line that paralleled Highway  

101 and cut through Solana Beach was a feature that  

contributed to its growth in the early days but also 

created a challenge for its commercial center. The  

proximity of the tracks to 101 meant that commercial  

establishments could only be built on the west side of  

the Highway. The City addressed this issue in stages.  

Initially, efforts focused on making the eastern side of  

the highway more appealing. After World War II,  

Highway 101 was cluttered with billboards and utility  

poles. In the late 1950s, the Women’s Civic Club (the  

precursor to the Solana Beach Civic and Historical Society) launched a campaign to remove  billboards along Highway 101 in Solana Beach and San Elijo Lagoon—an area known as  “Billboard Alley.” 

Once the billboards were removed  

from the railroad right-of-way in  

Solana Beach, the Women’s Civic  

Club landscaped the area with  

Torrey pines, Aleppo pines, and oak  

trees, creating a walking and  

running trail. They also succeeded  

in undergrounding utilities along  

Highway 101, the Plaza, and Acacia Avenue. The Civic and Historical Society then designed  and landscaped the 101 medians and helped establish the first bike lanes along the  Highway. 

In the 1990s, the North Coast Transit District (NCTD) 

designated Solana Beach as a primary Amtrak and  

Coaster station. 1995, the Solana Beach Train was  

constructed, replacing the Del Mar train stop on the  

bluffs. The new station became a key stop for  

AMTRAK’S PACIFIC SURFLINER and the NCTD  

COASTER. In 1994-1998, Solana Beach Councilman  

Joe Kellejian, then on the SANDAG board, secured  

funding to lower the train tracks that bisected Highway 101 and Cedros and to construct a pedestrian bridge connecting Highway 101 and Cedros Avenue. In 2007, the City obtained 

40 

funds to build a second bridge over the rail tracks at Cliff Street. This undergrounding, locally  known as “The Big Dig” project, enhanced pedestrian connectivity and safety. However, the  realignment eliminated the popular hiking, running, and biking path. 

In early 2004, Lesa Heebner was key in securing a grant to  

construct a Rail Trail along the remaining strip of land  

between the railroad tracks and Highway 101. These funds 

and some community donations 

transformed the strip into an  

inviting pedestrian and cycling  

route.  

The City also embraced outdoor art, again commissioning  

Betsy Schulz to design and build artistic entryway arches  

at the south end of the Rail Trail. Many residents  

contributed artifacts for the arches, enhancing the trail’s  

cultural identity.

The Rail Trail’s development culminated in the  

creation of HARBAUGH SEASIDE TRAILS at  

the north end of the Rail Trail. The Nature  

Collective, formerly the San Elijo Lagoon  

Conservancy, acquired this property. This  

property is now dedicated as an open space  

adjacent to San Elijo Lagoon, helping ensure  

that the northern view created by the  

earlier removal of effort to remove the billboards was preserved. It was opened in 2020.

41 

CEDROS AVENUE 

In the early days of Solana Beach,  

two of the town’s largest  

businesses and employers stood  

on opposite sides of North Cedros,  

just north of Skyline Drive, now  

Lomas Santa Fe. On the west side  

was SOLANA BEACH LUMBER &  

BUILDERS SUPPLY, and across  

the street was WILKENS RANCH  

AND GARDEN SUPPLIES, the main  

hardware store for the area. 

Today, the Solana Beach Train Station and  

its parking lot occupy the former lumber  

yard, while the SOLANA BEACH PLAZA replaced WILKEN’s. 

Near the station, the Solana Beach Chamber of  

Commerce’s Visitor Center kiosk welcomed travelers  

arriving by train for the Del Mar Fair and Races at the  

Fairgrounds. Additional information was available at the  

Chamber Office, located just off the Plaza. This setup was  

intended to serve visitors arriving by train, who 

disembarked and headed down South Cedros toward the  

Fairgrounds. Often, they looked for places to eat or drink  

before or after their visit. The Visitor Center helped guide  

them to dining options along Cedros or across the tracks on Highway 101. 

In later years, the North Coast Transit District (NCTD) 

and the Fairgrounds began to provide bus service to  

and from the Fairgrounds, thereby reducing the  

opportunity for the City to introduce itself to visitors.  

The Chamber placed a kiosk inside the train station to  

provide visitor services. In 2011, the Chamber, in  

collaboration with the City and NCTD, upgraded this  

service with a digital kiosk that provided location information on Solana Beach  businesses and featured a slideshow on the City’s businesses. However, the Chamber  still manned the Visitor Center kiosk during the Fair and Racing season.

42 

A few years later, this service was further refined by completely automating the  Visitors Center and shifting any personal interaction to the Chamber Office. 

For years, the SOLANA BEACH PLAZA parking lot across  

the street on Cedros Ave. Built in the late 1980s, the  

SOLANA BEACH PLAZA expanded with a second story in  

the 1990s. Because of Solana Beach’s sloping geography  

at this location, commercial properties had ground-level  

access to both floors. The first-level storefronts facing  

Cedros housed businesses such as CHIEFS, a burger and  

brew spot; facing Lomas Sante Fe Drive was an Italian  

restaurant-turned-health food venue; a dry cleaner; and  

what is now SOLANA FROSTY, formerly SUBWAY.  

The  

second level of the PLAZA 

includes THE FISH HOUSE,  

a seafood restaurant, an  

extreme sports shop, and a  

tailor. Now-closed  

businesses included  

a Chinese restaurant,  

the BLUE WATER fishing store, Dream Dinners, and a  

wig store. 

This Plaza also hosted a Sunday FARMERS’ MARKET before it relocated to South Cedros.

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Across Lomas Santa Fe, just opposite this building, stood a  

restaurant once known as SAM’S PLACE, now SIMILAN  

THAI. To the east on Lomas was a convenience and liquor  

store called HOPS AND SCOTCH. Also in this vicinity, over  

the stores that face south Cedros, is PEET’S COFFEE, which  

was previously an auto parts store and office space. 

Opposite the train station are car repair facilities, a consignment store, and offices.

Further along North Cedros were some offices, a bicycle shop, and 

CLAIRE’S, a popular breakfast and lunch café. The northern end of  

Cedros was once Central School and is now home to THE SOLANA  

BEACH SCHOOL DISTRICT offices. 

Further north, across Ocean Avenue, is  

a warehouse converted into bays, each housing an individual  

business. This is where TRIOS, a well-known high-end art  

store, has now closed and moved from South Cedros. 

South Cedros, often called Solana Beach’s “Miracle Mile,”  

has undergone  

significant transformations over the years. Originally a  

mix of private homes, storage, and oil tanks, the area  

became home to woodworking, cabinetry, ironworks,  

and the  

town’s  

newspaper.  

Over time,  

these  

industrial structures were repurposed into  

shops and offices,

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CEDROS DESIGN DISTRICT. 

The Quonset huts were purchased by Dave Hodges, who founded THE BELLY UP and then  rented out the other individual huts. THE BELLY UP was sold to its current owners. 

The transformation of South Cedros into Solana Beach’s  

premier shopping district was largely driven by Sean MacLeod, 

who recognized its potential and founded the South Cedros 

Property Owners Association (SCOPA). SCOPA was a  

coalition of 26 local property owners, formed by S. Cedros  

Property owners Dave Hodges, Jim King, Gerry Biddulph, Harvey  

Hertzberg, Carl Turnbull, and Henry Davis. This group  

established a system of self-assessed fees based on square  

footage, which they used to fund improvements and negotiate  

City support for their initiatives. MacLeod owned ART  

INDUSTRIA, a warehouse that he transformed into 444 (former  

TELEDYNE MANUFACTURING), a conglomerate of small  

shops, one of the first on the street. He, as leader of SCOPA,  

initiated the first major upgrades along the street in the early 1980s, which included the  installation of sidewalks, curbs, and gutters, the undergrounding of utilities, and the addition  of pedestrian streetlights, making the street more pedestrian-friendly and aesthetically  pleasing. SCOPA operated as if the street were under a single owner, keeping it clean and  attractive. 

They turned the street into a kind of “Midway” with sights and treats along the half-mile of  stores. Only one small restaurant, BELLY UP TAVERN, was on the strip. But there were a couple of coffee shops, including ZINC’S, which became LOFTY’S, a popular stop. Other South Cedros businesses include an enclave called THE VILLAGE at the south end of 

45 

Cedros with a breakfast place called LOCKWOOD TABLE CAFÉ and later, HOMESTEAD CAFÉ. These coffee houses and places like CARRUTH CELLARS, an urban wine tasting  room, and CULTURE BREWING COMPANY, a craft beer place (which used to be the  CULLIGAN WATER SOFTENER store), encouraged people to slow down and rest before  continuing to shop. Today, there are even more coffee shops and another restaurant called  RARE SOCIETY.  

Over time, the district was further enhanced with public art, bright colors, and decorative  elements that gave it a distinct and vibrant character. Even the utility boxes were painted. 

In 1997, the Cedros Design District street arches were installed. Their curved silhouette was  designed to reflect the Quonset huts. The goal was to  

attract visitors from the Fairgrounds and Races and  

establish Cedros as a destination similar to Balboa Park,  

Old Town, the Gaslamp Quarter, or Little Italy, though  

on a smaller scale. 

The Cedros Design District thrived with several key  

businesses that became major draws for shoppers. The  

DAVID ALLEN COLLECTION highlights artistic wood creations crafted from raw tree cuts  sourced from jungle forests in Southeastern Asia alongside Indigenous art from the same  regions. SOLO housed a collective of interior designers, each with curated décor  collections. LEAPING LOTUS was a multi-vendor marketplace offering what it advertised as  “100 shops” of home décor, gifts, and artisan products. The ANTIQUE WAREHOUSE, now  closed, was a converted skating rink transformed into an antique marketplace with 46 

individual vendor spaces. MIA’S GARDEN specializes in plants for both indoor and outdoor  decoration. TRIOS was one of many art stores. MUTROPOLIS caters to pet owners with  specialty pet products. 

   BEFORE AND AFTER 

JUST AFTER

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Restaurants, boutiques, jewelry stores, furniture shops, and  

coffeehouses contributed to its reputation as a place with a lively  

atmosphere, hosting events such as street parties, WWII-era 

searchlights, Italian chalk art, jazz bands, wine bottling, and street  

performers on stilts. The relocation of the Farmers’ Market to the south  end of Cedros, on the sidewalk in front of the 444 building, further  

encouraged Sunday strolls, creating a vibrant “see and be seen” spot for  locals. Marketing efforts by South Cedros Associates ensured that  

nearly every promotional material or video about Solana Beach highlighted the Cedros  Design District as a must-visit destination. 

In recent years, changes in the District’s retail landscape are altering its original character.  Office spaces replaced the 100 shops of LEAPING LOTUS, while WEST ELM FURNITURE took over the space formerly occupied by the small individual stalls of ANTIQUE  WAREHOUSE. If the advertised number of retail stores in Cedros' marketplaces was  accurate, recent transitions have resulted in fewer operating retail spaces, reducing the  variety of shopping options available to visitors. MIA’S GARDENS was redeveloped into a  mixed-use complex that includes offices, apartments, and the RARE SOCIETY restaurant.  TRIOS relocated to North Cedros but has since closed. 

As Solana Beach continues to evolve, Cedros Avenue remains an example of its commitment to blending history, commerce, and creativity, ensuring its place as a  must-visit destination for years to come.

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LA COLONIA 

Between Cedros and the suburban neighborhoods east of Interstate 5 lies LA COLONIA, a  historic community that predates Solana Beach. Established around 1920, La Colonia was  originally home to Mexican American workers who  

tended the region’s citrus groves. Today, it is well known  

for its authentic Mexican restaurants, including TONY’S  

JACAL and FIDEL’S, which grew from serving a local  

clientele to becoming popular with visitors from the  

County Fair and Racetrack and patrons from San Diego  

County. The area has also been home to skilled  

craftsmen and builders. BAKER IRON WORKS, a long 

standing Solana Beach institution since 1927, was  

responsible for producing the support structure of the  

Sunburst sculpture in Solana Beach Plaza. 

LA COLONIA RESTAURANTS

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At the heart of La Colonia is LA COLONIA PARK. 

Every year, on Memorial Day and Veterans Day, ceremonies are held to honor and  recognize military veterans and first responders' service and sacrifices. The City of  Solana Beach annually hosts the event in collaboration with the Solana Beach  Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5431, established in 1947. It is the same ceremony  every year. 

The event begins with the Camp Pendleton Young Marines presenting the national  and state flags, setting a respectful tone for the ceremony. Music plays a big role in the  gathering, with the Santa Fe Christian School Band performing patriotic songs.  Throughout the event, guest speakers, including veterans and local leaders, share  personal stories and reflections on what military service means to them and the  community. In addition to the public and City officials, the veterans appear in uniform.  The band plays a song presenting each branch of the service, and the service  members stand and salute. 

One of the most moving moments of the ceremony is the dove release, known as  “Feathers from Heaven.” This symbolic gesture honors those who have served and  sacrificed, offering a peaceful tribute. After the ceremony, everyone is invited to enjoy light refreshments, creating an opportunity to connect with neighbors, veterans, and  their families in a relaxed and welcoming setting. 

Another of the City’s tributes to those who served is in  

the Plaza. Eight palm trees are planted in the Plaza in  

remembrance of those who gave their lives. La Colonia  

has a wall of photos in its Community Center to honor  

those from La Colonia who served. In 2014, the  

Veterans' Honor Courtyard at La Colonia Park in Solana  

Beach was dedicated. This courtyard serves as another  

location to honor and commemorate them. 

La Colonia Park is also the site of another Festival, Día  

de los Muertos. This annual celebration, co-sponsored  

by the City of Solana Beach and the La Colonia  

Community Foundation, honors the Mexican tradition  

of remembering and celebrating deceased loved ones.  

The festival features traditional altars, live music, folk dancing performances,  children's activities, diverse food options, and vendor merchandise. Proceeds support 

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community initiatives, including college scholarships, food distributions, and youth and family programs.  

La Colonia also hosts its own December tree-lighting ceremony, featuring traditional  holiday treats for children, including Mexican sweet bread and Mexican hot chocolate. 

The Parks and Recreation Committee has held a Paws In the Park event for pets and  their owners. 

In 2019, the City constructed LA  

COLONIA SKATEPARK, a 5,500- 

square-foot concrete skatepark  

that features a variety of  

amenities suitable for  

skateboarders of all skill levels. 

The park has been used as a  

soccer  

field and  

for other  

sports for years. Recent renovations have included upgrading  

a half-court basketball court, Tot-Lot, and pickleball court. 

A second COMMUNITY CENTER in  

the Park was established in 1991,  

with a kitchen and space for larger 

community events.

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The Park is also home to the Stevens 

House, Solana Beach’s oldest residence,  

now serving as the City’s Heritage  

Museum. 

Today, La Colonia is seeing some gentrification. While the neighborhood retains much of its  original character, newer homes and modernized properties gradually change its  architectural landscape. However, many long-standing families still reside in the area, and  cultural traditions remain strong. It remains a vital cultural and historical landmark in Solana  Beach, preserving its rich heritage, strong sense of community, and significant contributions  to the City's character.

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THE SUBURBS 

The suburban development of Solana Beach is closely tied to the City’s post-war  expansion, infrastructure improvements, and the evolution of planned communities.  Unlike the historic downtown core along Highway 101, which grew around the railway  and coastal commerce, the suburbs emerged in response to population growth and  the demand for modern residential living. 

Before World War II, Solana Beach was a small coastal town with scattered homes,  citrus groves, flower fields, and farmland stretching from the ocean bluffs to the inland  lagoons. At the time, most residential developments were located close to the original  town center, near the railway station and the ocean. The construction of Lake Hodges  Dam in 1918 provided a reliable water source, enabling increased agricultural  production; however, the town remained largely rural. The introduction of Highway 101  in the 1920s helped establish Solana Beach as a beachside destination, and the  construction of the Del Mar Fairgrounds in 1936 further increased the area's appeal.  Col. Ed Fletcher provided the rudimentary beginnings for a town, including roads, a  grocery store, a bank, and a hotel. The town had  

to provide the infrastructure in a piecemeal  

fashion. Large-scale development did not begin  

until the late 1940s. 

Following World War II, Solana Beach  

experienced a housing boom similar to many  

parts of America. Returning veterans and their  

families sought housing, leading to the  

transformation of farmland into single-family  

homes and small subdivisions. The completion  

of Interstate 5 in the 1960s played a pivotal role  

in accelerating suburban growth, improving  

regional access, and making Solana Beach a  

convenient and attractive residential option.  

With its natural geography of ocean views,  

lagoon overlooks, and inland hills, the City’s  

development pattern followed the contours of  

the land, creating distinct neighborhoods with scenic vistas. 

At the time, Skyline Drive was a major east-west roadway through the middle of Solana  Beach. Along this corridor, larger land-use properties such as churches, schools, and 

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the BOYS & GIRLS CLUB were established. Near the intersection of Skyline and Interstate 5, commercial properties—including banks, gas stations, and office  complexes—emerged on both sides of Skyline. Another significant roadway, Via De La  Valle, defined the City’s southern border. As the DEL MAR FAIRGROUNDS area grew,  condominium developments, commercial centers, and additional gas stations replaced those that used to be on Highway 101 when it was the main north-south  route along the coast, and office buildings were built along Via De La Valle in Solana  Beach. 

The Growth of Planned Communities 

One of the most significant moments in Solana Beach’s suburban history was the  development of the Lomas Santa Fe Master-Planned  

Community by Ted Gildred in the late 1960s. Across  

the United States, planned communities like this  

gained popularity after World War II, as returning  

veterans and their families sought affordable housing  

near major cities. At the time of this development,  

Skyline Drive, initially named Plaza Street by Col.Ed Fletcher, was renamed Lomas  Santa Fe Drive, aligning the road’s identity with the new development and reflecting  the movement of the City’s population center to the east. 

Unlike the organically developed neighborhoods along the coast, Lomas Santa Fe was  designed as a structured, suburban-style community with defined residential  neighborhoods, recreational amenities, and commercial centers. The LOMAS SANTA  FE COUNTRY CLUB, completed in 1969, became a central social and recreational  hub, offering a private golf course, tennis  

courts, and a clubhouse. The adjacent  

LOMAS SANTA FE EXECUTIVE GOLF  

COURSE, built in 1973, provided a more  

accessible alternative.  

Alongside these recreational facilities, the  

LOMAS SANTA FE PLAZA and TOWN  

CENTER PLAZA emerged as commercial  

hubs catering primarily to suburban residents with grocery stores, medical offices,  banks, and essential services. Unlike the Highway 101 corridor, which, over time, was oriented towards tourism and beachgoers, these new shopping centers were designed  to meet the daily needs of local families.

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LOMAS SANTA FE PLAZA, anchored by VONS, quickly became a key shopping  destination for residents east of I-5. Over the years, this development housed a mix of  essential and specialty stores, including ANTHONY’S SHOE REPAIR, a long-standing  cobbler and leather goods service, SPROUTS, a  

grocery store. POSTAL ANNEX, a business services  

provider, and SALON WORLD SUITES, a collection of  

independent hair and beauty professionals.  

Restaurants and cafés played a significant role in  

shaping the plaza’s suburban identity. PIZZA NOVA 

and SAMAURI provided convenient dining options— 

with a STARBUCKS for those who need a coffee  

break. The plaza also became home to the NORTH  

COAST REPERTORY THEATRE, a cultural institution attracting patrons across North  County. 

TOWN CENTER PLAZA, located near the  

intersection of Lomas Santa Fe Drive and  

Interstate 5, emerged as a second suburban  

shopping hub in Solana Beach. Initially  

anchored by RALPHS, the center featured  

key retailers such as CVS PHARMACY,  

offering pharmaceutical and everyday  

convenience items, MARSHALLS, STAPLES,  

and DIXIELINE LUMBER. Over time, it  

became home to familiar national chains like  

STARBUCKS COFFEE, a favorite for early morning  

commuters, and PANERA BREAD, a well-known  

café and bakery. 

Below the plaza, the SCRIPPS MEDICAL  

SERVICES CENTER opened a facility in the  

adjacent EXECUTIVE CENTER office complex,  

providing residents with primary and specialized medical care. The EXECUTIVE  CENTER prompted other business expansion toward the edge of LA COLONIA, where  a cluster of warehouses and small shopping enclaves began to develop, reflecting the  area’s layered growth and changing commercial landscape.

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With the establishment of Lomas Santa Fe residential areas and country club,  suburban expansion continued throughout the eastern  

half of Solana Beach. Neighborhoods such as Solana  

Highlands, Spindrift Del Mar, Santa Elijo Hills, Isla  

Verde, and St. Francis Court followed in the 1970s and  

1980s. These developments were characterized by  

carefully planned streets, cul-de-sacs, and similar  

architectural styles emphasizing suburban uniformity.  

Many of these communities were built before Solana  

Beach was incorporated as a City in 1986, meaning  

their development was regulated under County laws  

rather than City ordinances. As a result, homeowners’  

associations (HOAs) played a significant role in  

maintaining neighborhood aesthetics and enforcing  

property regulations and other laws. Even after incorporation, the City worked with the  homeowners’ associations and their private CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions, and  Restrictions), which permitted some flexibility in stepping back from detailed  municipal oversight. As Solana Beach’s population grew, churches and schools  became essential to suburban life. 

Religious communities played an important role in the City’s development. The first  building of the SOLANA BEACH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, one of the town’s first  permanent places of worship, originally stood as a chapel at Camp Callan in La Jolla  before being relocated after World War II to the corner of Acacia and Estrella Streets.  The church built a larger facility on Stevens Avenue in 1957, where it continues to serve  the community. Another early church was THE CHURCH OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS on  north Granados. Other significant churches include ST. JAMES CATHOLIC CHURCH established a presence at the south end of  

Nardo Drive and remains one of the most  

prominent Catholic congregations in the  

area. ST. LEO’S MISSION in La Colonia  

was established in 1942 and became St.  

Leo’s Mission Church in 1966 under the  

pastorship of ST. JAMES. CALVARY  

LUTHERAN CHURCH, SOLANA BEACH  

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, and HORIZON CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP also  became important spiritual centers, serving a diverse Christian community. As Solana 

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Beach grew, additional religious institutions and non-denominational congregations  such as CHURCH BY THE SEA emerged. 

Education was another key factor in the development of the suburbs. In the early  years, students in Solana Beach had to travel long distances to school, as the first  local elementary school did not open until 1925. As the population grew, the City established a more robust educational network. SKYLINE SCHOOL, located near the  suburban heart of Solana Beach, became one of the primary public elementary  schools. SOLANA VISTA SCHOOL served younger students before they transitioned to  Skyline. For middle school students, EARL WARREN MIDDLE SCHOOL provides education for grades 7 and 8. Early on, high school students primarily attended SAN  DIEGUITO UNION HIGH SCHOOL (now SAN DIEGUITO ACADEMY) and then other  high schools when they were built, including TORREY PINES HIGH SCHOOL in nearby  Carmel Valley, LA COSTA CANYON and CANYON CREST ACADEMY when it opened in  the early 2000s. 

Private schools also emerged to serve families in the area. SANTA FE CHRISTIAN  SCHOOLS, a college preparatory institution, was established along Academy Drive and became one of the most well-regarded private schools in North County, offering  education from kindergarten through 12th grade. FUSION ACADEMY SOLANA BEACH provided a more specialized approach with one-on-one instruction for middle and high  school students. 

The SOLANA BEACH LIBRARY opened its doors in 1925, housed in one of the  city’s earliest stores along Highway 101. By 1946, the library began a nomadic  journey, relocating from one shop or residence to another, until it found a  temporary home just a few doors away—again along Highway 101—by 1953. 

During this period, Solana Beach experienced dramatic population growth, expanding tenfold  between 1925 and the 1950s and doubling again between 1950 and 1960. The modest  Highway 101 location soon proved inadequate for the reading needs of a rapidly growing  community. 

In response, a group of dedicated residents formed the FRIENDS OF THE SOLANA BEACH  LIBRARY, united to find a larger, more permanent home. Their search led to the LOMAS  SANTA FE SHOPPING CENTER, where the library gained more space—but even that  location was quickly outgrown.

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With the support of the City Council and the FRIENDS OF THE SOLANA BEACH LIBRARY, a  campaign for public funding was launched. The FRIENDS also contacted the wider  community, gathering support for a new facility. 

In June 2000, a contract was awarded for the construction of a 10,500-square-foot library  located on the Earl Warren Middle School campus at 157 Stevens Avenue. This innovative  shared-use facility was designed to serve both the San Diego County Library system and the  San Dieguito Union High School District. 

The new SOLANA BEACH LIBRARY was officially dedicated on June 22, 2001. It  opened to the public on July 5, 2001—a lasting testament to the Solana Beach  community's vision, perseverance, and unity. 

The Impact of Suburban Growth 

As suburban Solana Beach matured, it created a dual-core economic structure. The  original downtown centered around beach access, tourism, and local businesses  along Highway 101. At the same time, the suburban east became virtually self sufficient with its shopping centers, medical offices, churches, and schools. Despite  its growth, estimated as of 2024 to cover 98% of available land in the City, suburban  Solana Beach has retained a low-density, family-oriented character. The planned  communities east of I-5, particularly Lomas Santa Fe, transformed the City into a  suburban hub while the City also maintained a connection to its coastal resident and  visitor-serving roots. 

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COVID ERA 

Solana Beach was the brainchild of land developer Col. Ed Fletcher, who recognized  the potential of its prime oceanfront location, where the main north-south highway  and railroad run closely parallel. A century ago, he laid the foundation for the town by  introducing essential infrastructure, including a reliable water supply and a train  station, and also helped to create a key economic driver: the Del Mar Fairgrounds. We  have seen that these investments catalyzed growth, setting the stage for the  community’s evolution through major historical events, including the Great  Depression, World War II, and more recent challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Solana Beach has evolved through distinct phases, which can be seen not only in  residential growth patterns over time but also as shaped by new businesses, shifting  business centers, and changing community needs. The City initially grew around a  central core that provided essential services, including beach access, a hotel, a  grocery store, a bank, a train station, and a gas station. As the town developed, a dry  goods store, a market, a bar, and a restaurant followed, forming the foundation of a  small but vibrant commercial hub. The Plaza soon became the heart of the  community, home to a theater, a dance hall, drugstores, and offices. 

As the town expanded, new attractions emerged, including a bowling alley, a skating  rink, a nightclub, shopping centers, an arcade, more restaurants, and additional office  spaces. Businesses served both residents and travelers, reinforcing the area's mixed use nature. However, as the years passed, the skating rink, bowling alley, theater, and  nightclub closed and were adapted to different purposes. 

The arrival of Interstate 5 and the growth of suburbanization further altered the City’s  commercial landscape. New shopping centers, hardware stores, stationery stores,  banks, clothing and home furnishing stores, boutiques, and drugstores appeared.  These developments moved the residential and commercial center of Solana Beach  eastward toward its geographic center, drawing business activity away from the Plaza,  Highway 101, and even Cedros. 

Solana Beach is undergoing another transformation, shaped by the long-term impacts  of the recent COVID-19 pandemic and by the continuing and accelerating growth of  the Digital Age. How people live, work, and interact with brick-and-mortar businesses  has undergone significant changes, dramatically altering the City’s economic  landscape.

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The arrival of COVID-19 brought an abrupt shift in economic activity across the  country. Travel slowed, people stayed home, and in-person activities, whether for  work, shopping, entertainment, or socializing, stopped or slowed noticeably. This  contraction profoundly impacted the entire community, with local businesses  struggling to stay afloat. In response, federal, state, and local governments introduced  loan and grant programs to help companies weather the crisis. 

The early Digital Age had already introduced online shopping and telecommuting, but  the COVID pandemic accelerated these trends. Video conferencing platforms like  Zoom have become the new standard for meeting spaces. At the same time, e commerce giants like Amazon and services like DoorDash have eliminated the need  for in-person shopping and dining. Delivery trucks became the modern-day  storefronts, offering same-day convenience and seamless returns. 

Retail businesses in Solana Beach were among the hardest hit. Although we have seen  that it is common for specific retail businesses to change at any particular location  over time and for many reasons, storefronts reopened more slowly coming out of  COVID, and those that did often transitioned into office spaces or service-based  businesses. Despite benefiting from relaxed outdoor dining regulations, restaurants  continued to experience fewer customers and difficulty keeping staff. Interestingly,  throughout the years, restaurants in this City that have gone out of business tend to  reopen as other restaurants have. Part of this must be an assessment that the original  location was basically a good one. More realistically, it is likely influenced by the fact  that the previous restaurant had a liquor license or that redesigning a kitchen was less  expensive than creating a new one. Today, commercial space in Solana Beach is  becoming increasingly used for offices or health and beauty-related services, with  restaurants ranking third in importance. 

This shift in the type and number of City businesses has broader financial implications for Solana Beach. Unlike most cities in the United States, which rely heavily on  property taxes, California cities primarily depend on revenue from sales taxes, hotel  occupancy taxes, and various business fees or grants from other sources. As business  patterns continue to change, so does this City’s revenue structure. Adapting to these  economic shifts while supporting the local business community is essential for  maintaining financial stability and fostering long-term growth. 

Solana Beach has always been a dynamic and evolving City. As it navigates the post pandemic world, the challenge lies in striking a balance between its historical charm  and the realities of a digital and decentralized economy. 

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THE CITY TODAY 

In a century, Solana Beach grew from a wedge-shaped 201-acre plot of land that gently  sloped toward bluffs of around 300 feet into a roughly square-shaped parcel ten times its  original size—2,182 acres, or just about twice the size of Balboa Park. As a place to live and  conduct business, it is highly desirable, with 13,000 residents and only about 1% of its land  remaining undeveloped. 

The picture above the map on the inside back cover shows a City nestled between two  estuaries—lagoons to the north and south—with the Pacific Ocean to the west and rising  hills to the east. The City offers breathtaking views in all directions. Adjacent to the City’s  southern border is one of California’s fifteen county fairgrounds, home to the Del Mar Fair  and the Del Mar Racetrack. Solana Beach also boasts a railroad station; the rail line runs  through the City parallel to Scenic Highway 101. The City is easily accessible via Interstate 5. 

Like many coastal California cities, Solana Beach exudes a friendly, small-town vibe. It hosts  parades, street fairs, and annual celebrations such as Memorial Day. In summer, the City comes alive with free concerts and movie nights at the beachside park, and in December,  with a festive holiday tree lighting and a Santa parade. 

Solana Beach offers a full range of infrastructure, including six churches, three public  schools, two private schools, a library, a Boys & Girls Club, Scripps Coastal Medical Center,  and several specialty clinics and urgent care facilities—ensuring the comfort and  convenience of residents and visitors alike. 

Outdoor activities abound. The City provides numerous trails and paths for hiking, biking, and  walking. Residents and visitors can swim at five beach access points or several pools. There  are two golf courses, horseback riding facilities, tennis courts, gyms, and a variety of parks,  ranging from large to small, featuring basketball courts, tot lots, skateboarding areas,  baseball diamonds, and soccer fields. 

There are over half a dozen shopping centers, a racetrack, the county fair, music venues, and  a theater for the less athletically inclined. Over ninety City-licensed businesses specialize in  physical wellness and enhancement—from hair stylists and nail salons to skin care  specialists—and the City boasts four full-service spas. 

Or, you can relax and enjoy the near-perfect climate and unforgettable sunsets.

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