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BEACHES / PARKS & HIKING

HomeThings to DoBEACHES / PARKS & HIKING

Solana Beach

The City of Solana Beach encompasses 1.7 miles of beach front bordered on the north by Cardiff State Beach, and on the south by the City of Del Mar. The beach front is divided into four main Beach Parks: Fletcher Cove, Tide Beach Park, Seascape Surf, and Del Mar Shores. These beaches provide a wide variety of recreational activities for City residents and visitors. Below is a description of each beach park located in the City of Solana Beach.

Fletcher Cove

Also commonly known as Pillbox because of its history as a WWII Gunnery installation, is the main beach park in the City of Solana Beach. Located at 111 S. Sierra, at the end of Plaza street where Lomas Santa Fe Boulevard meets the beach, Fletcher Cove offers easy public access. A public parking lot located at the Cove as well as free street parking ensure that parking is seldom a problem for visitors traveling to the beach by vehicle. Fletcher Cove is also conveniently located only a few hundred yards from the Solana Beach train station, providing easy access to those visitors traveling to Solana Beach via Amtrak and the Coaster rail lines. A public access leads from the parking lot to a beautiful beach with excellent recreational opportunities for surfing, surf-fishing, swimming, body-boarding, jogging, and walking. There are public showers and restroom facilities as well as picnic tables and a basketball court located on top of the bluffs next to the Marine Safety Department Headquarters. Lifeguards are on duty year round at Fletcher Cove, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during the winter months, and from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. during the summer months.
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Tide Beach Park

Located approximately 1/2 mile north of Fletcher Cove, Tide Beach Park can be reached via the public access located at 302 Solana Vista Drive, at the intersection of Solana Vista and Pacific. Parking at Tide Park is limited to free street parking. The park is equipped with showers, but there are no public restrooms. The beach itself is mostly known for its large reef, or “Table Tops,” and its beautiful tide pools located at the park’s northern border. Tide Park provides excellent recreational opportunities for surfing, surf-fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, body-boarding, jogging, and walking. Lifeguards are on duty at Tide Park only during the summer months from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
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Seascape Surf

Known to many surfers as Cherry Hill, Seascape Surf is situated approximately 1/2 mile south of Fletcher Cove. Public access to the Beach Park is provided via a stairway located at 501 S. Sierra Avenue. In addition to free street parking, free parking is also available in a public parking lot located across the street from the beach access. Public showers are located above the beach access, but there are no public restrooms. Wide sandy beaches provide excellent recreational opportunities for beach activities such as walking, jogging, and Frisbee throwing. Seascape Surf is also an excellent location for surfing, surf-fishing, swimming, body-boarding, snorkeling, and other water related activities. Lifeguards are on duty at Seascape Surf only during the summer months from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
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Del Mar

Del Mar Shores is located approximately 3/4 miles from Fletcher Cove at the City’s Southern boarder. Access to Del Mar Shores is provided via a public stairway located at 180 Del Mar Shores Terrace. There is free street parking as well as three small free public parking lots located near the intersection of Del Mar Shores Terrace and Sierra Avenue. There are no public showers or restrooms located at the beach park. However, the beach park does provide a scenic viewpoint and excellent recreational opportunities for surfing, surf-fishing, swimming, body-boarding, snorkeling, jogging, walking, and picnicking. Lifeguards are on duty at Del Mar Shores only during the summer months from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Del Mar has one of the most beautiful and enjoyable beaches in all of San Diego.  With over two miles of sandy beach, it’s a great place to relax, walk, run and play. Two coastal parks, Powerhouse and Seagrove, are located just above the 15th Street surf break; providing a great spot to picnic with friends and family.

Del Mar Lifeguards

Located at: 1700 Coast Blvd, Del Mar, 92014
Lifeguard Emergency: 858-755-1555
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North Beach

Affectionately called “Dog Beach” by dog owners, is located north of 29th Street (3006 Sandy Lane, Del Mar, CA 92014) and stretches nearly one half mile to our border with Solana Beach.
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Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

Located at 12600 North Torrey Pines Road, San Diego, CA 92037. You’ll enjoy amazing hiking trails, views and stunning overlooks in this truly beautiful and clean environment.
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Scripps Coastal Reserve

Located above Dog Beach and is a relatively steep climb, BUT the view is worth every step. Savor the sunset at this lesser-known preserve. This bluff gives you a 360-degree view of the coastline and the inland lagoons. To access the bluff, use paid parking at North Beach along Camino del Mar. As you walk onto North Beach, look for a wooden staircase to your right. Follow the staircase up to a trail that leads you to the top of the bluff.

Encinitas

Moonlight State Beach

At the end of Encinitas Boulevard is where the shore drops down nearer to sea level, and is the easiest of Encinitas’ beaches to find and use. With a large sandy area, a recreational playground, snack bar, bathrooms, showers, fire pits, volleyball courts and ample parking, this is a popular beach for families and vacationers looking to spend the whole day at the beach.
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D Street

The access point to the mile-long beach also known as Boneyards that runs below the bluffs from Moonlight Beach south to Swami’s point. D Street is a rocky cobblestone-encumbered spot better suited to surfing than sunbathing, although some of those dedicated enough to make the pilgrimage are also devoted enough to bare it all, despite state law.
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Swami’s

A popular surf break at the southernmost end of Encinitas, set below bluffs where the golden-spired Self-Realization Center is located—an enduring symbol of Encinitas’ positive and spiritual vibe. A great surf break, this spot is highly coveted by local surfers.
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La Jolla

Windansea Beach

Underwater reefs and jutting rocks create fierce waves at Windansea; you’re more likely to find experienced surfers than families with small children. The secluded, breathtaking scenery attracts admirers as well, particularly the romantic type. The historic and often photographed surf shack on the beach makes a popular backdrop for wedding photos and richly colored sunset shots. Located at the end of Nautilus Street, with a small parking lot as well as street parking.
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La Jolla Children’s Pool

Originally conceived as a protected swimming area for children, the sea-walled cove began to fill with sand and eventually, harbor seals. There is still ongoing debate over who is more entitled to this spot—children or the seals—but it does not diminish its appeal to tourists and locals. It’s a great place to take a photo. Free parking along Coast Blvd, accessible from nearby paid lots as well.
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La Jolla Cove

San Diego’s most desirable spot for swimming, snorkeling and diving. The water is calm and ecologically protected, providing a safe home for colorful garibaldi, yellowtail, rays and even leopard sharks. Because the water is protected, surfboards, boogie boards and other floatation devices are not permitted. The beach itself is small, but nearby Scripps Park offers a nice grassy expanse for spreading out. Parking is available in nearby paid lots, with a few street spots available for the lucky.
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La Jolla Shores

A long, wide beach with soft sand, clean water and gentle waves, La Jolla Shores is an ideal spot for families, sunbathers and beginner surfers.
The beach is cozy and comfortable, with a nice picnic area at the adjacent Kellogg Park. The beach offers a large parking lot and free parking on nearby residential streets.
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Black’s Beach & Ho Chi Minh Trail

Beautiful and isolated, Black’s is located north of Scripps Pier, beneath the Torrey Pines Gliderport and close to UCSD. Access it by walking from Shores or descending the rough cliff path from above. The north portion of Black’s is clothing-optional, where nudists bask in the sun and play volleyball without bathing suits.
The Ho Chi Minh trail is quick, but a bit of a challenge for those who are up to it that leads to Black's beach. With sights of naturally formed canyons and waterfall, this is something to add to the list as a unique hike to Black's.
In general, dogs are not allowed on beaches during the day. Alcohol, smoking, and beach fires are not permitted. No overnight camping. Please check each beach’s posted rules.
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