Solana Beach, CA Road Trips
Solana Beach, CA serves as a quiet starting point in the Pacific Coast, connecting drivers to 3 outbound routes across the area. Routes from here tend to cover serious ground — the average trip runs 335 miles, so plan for multi-day adventures. Most routes from Solana Beach, CA head west, giving the route network a clear directional lean.
Photo: Lindsey Willard
Trip Routes
5
Longest Drive
481.9 mi
San Francisco, CA
Quickest Drive
1h 50m
Riverside, CA
Plan Around Solana Beach, CA
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if Solana Beach, CA is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Continue From Solana Beach, CA
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Solana Beach, CA
Driving from Solana Beach, CA
Expect an average of 335 miles and about 6h 26m behind the wheel when leaving Solana Beach, CA. There is a healthy spread of short hops, medium drives, and longer road trips to pick from. The longest mapped route runs 482 miles (9h 5m), while the shortest is just 84 miles.
Popular Destinations
The most popular drives from Solana Beach, CA include San Francisco, CA (481.9 mi, 9h 5m), San Jose, CA (440.2 mi, 8h 23m), and Riverside, CA (83.7 mi, 1h 50m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
For the average 335-mile drive from Solana Beach, CA, expect to burn about 13.2 gallons of fuel one way at 25 MPG. Check local pump prices before you go to lock in your budget.
These are full-day drives. Start by 7 or 8 AM if you want to arrive at a reasonable hour without rushing. Most routes head west — leaving in the morning keeps the sun behind you for a more comfortable drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 3 mapped routes leaving Solana Beach, CA and 2 routes heading into Solana Beach, CA, covering 5 total connections. Distances range from 84 to 482 miles.
The longest mapped route from Solana Beach, CA covers 482 miles and takes approximately 9h 5m. Shorter options start at just 84 miles.
The average route from Solana Beach, CA runs about 335 miles with a drive time of roughly 6h 26m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
The most popular road trip destinations from Solana Beach, CA include San Francisco, CA, San Jose, CA and Riverside, CA. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Solana Beach, CA by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
12,841
Median Income
$150,820
Median Home Value
$1,934,700
Median Age
47.9
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Solana Beach, CA at a Glance
Founded
1986
Elevation
72 ft
Area
4 mi²
Notable People from Solana Beach, CA
A sampling of people born in Solana Beach, CA.
A. J. Soares
1988
American soccer player
City data from Wikidata (Q383278), available under CC0. Photos from Wikimedia Commons under their respective licenses. See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Solana Beach, CA
Solana Beach is a city on the northern coast of San Diego County in Southern California. It is near San Diego. It's a hangout for locals who love to surf, swim, and snorkel. This laid-back town offers a nice variety of galleries, shops, and trendy boutiques if shopping is on the agenda. There aren’t many tourists here, so expect plenty of room to breathe and stretch out.
Solana Beach has one of the most beautiful seashores in Southern California. The atmosphere is more relaxed and peaceful than in nearby San Diego.
Del Mar Dog Beach. Off-leash season runs October through May in the area south of 15th Street and north of 29th Street. The rest of the year, leashes are required. The Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave. Voted "San Diego's Best Live Music Venue" and has been in Rolling Stone Magazine. Fletcher Cove. From I-5, exit Lomas Santa Fe Drive and go west. Fletcher Cove is at the end.
Bongiorno's New York Pizzeria, 524 Stevens Ave Ste 11, ☏ +1 858 755-2646. Some of the best New York-style pizza in San Diego County. Pizza Port, 135 N. Highway 101. Great pizza and atmosphere. Roberto's Mexican Food, N. Highway 101. Awesome place to grab a quick burrito T's Cafe, 271 N Highway 101. Very popular breakfast destination - huge menu! 1 Tony's Jacal, 621 Valley Ave. Great family-owned Mexican restaurant and bar since 1946!
1 The Saddle Bar, 123 W. Plaza (off Lomas Santa Fe), ☏ +1 858-755-5007. Popular neighborhood bar.
Courtyard San Diego Solana Beach/Del Mar, 717 South Highway 101, ☏ +1 858 792-8200, fax: +1 858 792-2370. Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 621 S Highway 101, ☏ +1 858 350-0111. Pacific Coastal Properties, 731 S. Highway 101 Suite 1P, toll-free: +1-800-636-7368. Solana Beach real estate and vacation rentals.
Solana Beach is located about 20 miles north of San Diego on Interstate 5. Exit at Lomas Santa Fe or Villa de la Valle and head west. The Solana Beach railway station is located downtown off of Lomas Santa Fe and Cedros. The station is serviced by Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner and San Diego County's COASTER. The closest international airport is San Diego International Airport (SAN IATA). From the airport, take San Diego Transit's Route 992 bus to the Santa Fe Depot and connect to the COASTER or the Pacific Surfliner.
Solana Beach is small enough to be navigated by car. Most of the time you won't stray far from Interstate 5. The Breeze is a public bus service operated by the North County Transit District within Solana Beach and the surrounding area. The COASTER connects Solana Beach with other locations in San Diego County.
Travel tips adapted from Solana Beach on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
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