Finally! It’s the best time of year to visit San Diego.
Labor Day put a cap on tourist season. Out-of-state license plates are nowhere in sight, the weather is still warm, and now the beaches are only filled with locals unwinding after a busy summer.
As a seasoned San Diegan myself, one thing has become clear — visitors have no idea what they’re doing, and rightfully so.
I found myself in the same pickle many years ago before making the plunge to live here full-time.
“Which beach is best?”
“Is the San Diego Zoo worth the price of admission?”
“Where are the best tacos?”
“Will I die I if I cross into Tijuana?”
All of these questions are in quotes because I’ve been asked time and time again.
So, allow me to let you in on a secret…
You don’t have to follow the crowds to a bank-busting hotel in Coronado, where the beach is commonly off-limits due to bacteria, or snap seal-fies with La Jolla’s seals if you can even overcome the unbearable stench.
Instead, you can go to my favorite coastal stomping grounds located just north of San Diego proper, and it’s largely overlooked by tourists.
At Travel Off Path, we’re here to tell you USA Today nailed it by highlighting none other than Solana Beach as a must-visit hidden gem.
Where San Diegans Enjoy Beach Days Without Hordes Of Tourists
Look, with so many travel guides available nowadays, I wouldn’t say that tourists haven’t discovered the appeal of Solana Beach.
What I can say is neighboring Del Mar, in addition to La Jolla and ever-so-trendy Oceanside, draws far more of the aforementioned out-of-state plates than Solana Beach does.
And if you do see an Arizona or Nevada plate, it’s likely they’re just passing through to mark off the historic Highway 101 from their wishlist, with some of Southern California’s best views of the Pacific.
It’s highly unlikely that vacationers are opting for Solana Beach. Not that it’s unworthy — it just doesn’t receive a lot of hype, which is why you may come across some famous faces too.
In fact, famous actor Scott Eastwood co-owns the Saddle Bar in the midst of a delightful main drag, and it’s not uncommon to see Blink-182’s Tom Delonge hanging out around town either when he’s not knee deep in UFO lore, among others.
Postcard Shores Away From Tourist Magnets
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I’ve had LASIK since my last breakup, so good luck to my ex’s new guy.
I personally believe Solana Beach has San Diego County’s prettiest beaches, and I’ve felt that way from the moment I walked down the seemingly never-ending stairs on Solana Vista Drive at Tides Beach Park.
Surrounded by towering bluffs, hidden caves, and most often bacteria-free shores suitable for swimming, surfing, and playing fetch with Fido (when the lifeguards aren’t looking ), it’s the closest thing to a textbook paradise in SoCal.
There’s almost always room to sprawl out on a beach towel, toss the pigskin around, and if you’re the type to go for jogs along the beach, there’s no need to worry about weaving in and out of crowds.
Unlike Mission Beach, which is by far a magnet for tourists with seaside roller coasters and a buzzing boardwalk, Solana Beach is the perfect spot to relax in astounding scenery.
Tides Beach Park is one of many gorgeous beaches to scope out, but it’s personally my favorite as it feels like a hush-hush cove tourists don’t know about.
Others to consider would be Fletcher Cove and Solana Beach County Park, holding a near-perfect Google rating.
Plus, Solana Beach is one of the few San Diego beach towns without a flashy resort — it feels more authentic, like you see in the movies.
You know — shaggy-haired skateboarders screeching sidewalks, chiseled lifeguards scanning the horizon, and hardly anyone wearing shoes, so expect a soundtrack of click-clacking flip-flops (guilty as charged).
No one is in a hurry here…ever — and it’s quite refreshing.
San Diego’s Middle Ground: Day Trip Or Main Stay?
Solana Beach is only 25 minutes from the newly revamped San Diego International Airport. If you’re flying in, it’s not unreasonable to make Solana Beach your base, even if you still plan to check out the world-famous zoo, the always-buzzing Gaslamp Quarter, or even make a trip across the border, where I can all but guarantee you won’t die.
Rather than rent a car and pay California’s sky-high gas prices, you could also hop aboard the scenic Amtrak Pacific Surfliner departing from both San Diego’s Little Italy and Old Town districts.
There a few familiar names in Solana Beach, but if you’re dead set on luxury then you may want to visit Solana Beach as a day trip as Courtyard and Holiday Inn Express are the best options within the city limits.
Maybe check out my neck of the woods in Chula Vista as the brand new Gaylord Pacific Resort is all the rage!
As for food, there are some amazing options in Solana and all around San Diego. In fact, it’s always funny to overhear Dodgers’ fans talking smack with a mouthful in enemy territory — the food here is bomb, such as one of my most common hangouts, Pizza Port.
I gotta tell you about my 3 favorite restaurants I’ve visited lately, all easily reachable from Solana:
Staying around downtown San Diego? Skip Little Italy’s meatballs for an unsuspecting surprise — Michelin-recognized Cloak & Petal, a hip sushi spot on the edge of Little Italy’s main drag.
Get the Notorious P.I.G. roll. You’ll thank me later.
Or maybe you’re craving a beachside dinner. Truth be told, Mission Beach’s Miss B’s Coconut Club has better Caribbean food than anywhere I’ve been in the Caribbean, and it’s steps from the beach — plus they have grown-up size “Capri Sun”. Need I say more?
But my most recent new fave is in Oceanside, another of San Diego’s underrated beach towns. You gotta check out The Lobby Tiki Bar, ironically serving as a lobby to Oceanside’s oldest building, which has been transformed into the self-service Brick Hotel with an ocean-view rooftop you’ll never want to leave.
Every bite and sip was a perfect 10/10. Come hungry, leave happy, and definitely grab an Uber after ordering a Level-3 Painkiller cocktail (if ya know, ya know).
Sam Sears
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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