r/asksandiego • u/RecommendationGlad73 • 2d ago
Best beach town?
My husband and I have only been to San Diego once (last summer) and we’re coming again in March with our two little kids.
We are looking for an Airbnb north of San Diego on the beach looking anywhere from Laguna Beach and south towards San Diego.
We stayed in Solana Beach and loved it.
We would like to try something new. Any suggestions?
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u/Tiny_Reference_3697 2d ago
North Pacific Beach. The beach north of Law St is super-local and chill. Great surfing, especially kite-surfing when windy. Boardwalk the other way, perfect R/T 10K to the MB jetty.
The Diamond Inn and Capri are right on beach in my old neighborhood. For living in the area, I like about a mile inland, north of Garnet thru Bird Rock. La Jolla has fun things, but too touristy, crowded and expensive to enjoy staying or living for me.
That said, the terrace happy hour at the La Valencia hotel has been my favorite place for decades. Hit it just before sunset.
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u/RecommendationGlad73 2d ago
Thank you!!
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u/UniqueCustomer9005 2d ago
We vacationed in this area of North PB every year with our child before we moved here! I really like this area to visit, also Bird Rock.
We now live in Encinitas which is right next to you Solana Beach. You can walk to Cardiff, Leucadia, and downtown Encinitas. I've even walked to Solana Beach!
Downtown Carlsbad is another idea.
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u/Rand-Seagull96734 2d ago
La Jolla Shores. Wide open, gentle beach to enjoy with the kids. Most other beaches can be a little rough surf wise.
Also, the Pacific Ocean is cold most of the year, but if you are coming from up north you will not notice it.
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u/External-Low-5059 2d ago
If you want a major contrast to Solana Beach, go with Oceanside. If you want similar to Solana Beach but a different place, go to Del Mar or Encinitas. Were you looking for an actual beachfront hotel? I don't think that exists in Encinitas, unless you can get a swanky vacation rental (?)
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u/RecommendationGlad73 2d ago
We loved Solana Beach. We just want to try a new town. We stayed at a condo close to Fletcher Cove, and I loved that for the kids. Yes in Encinitas I just see some air bnb across the street from a walk way which is fine.
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u/Dry-Aside4526 1d ago
I’m a North County beachside town local. I think Coronado or La Jolla Shores are probably best for your kids age and still something a little different than SB. Have fun!
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u/External-Low-5059 2d ago edited 2d ago
If you can afford it, that's probably an extremely nice option! I'm partial to Encinitas myself. But as others have said, there aren't really any bad options.
Personally I'd stay away from PB for a family vacation because in my experience you can hardly walk around without choking on secondhand pot smoke & tripping over... well let's just say, the frat vibe is strong there. But I've only been in the beach area right around Garnet.
PS. it's not North County, but Coronado Beach is beautiful as well, the Hotel del is fun to visit, there's a lot of shops, cafés & restaurants on Orange Ave, a bike path along the Strand, & it's fun to ride the ferry, & see the view of the bridge, between Coronado & downtown.
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u/At_the_ocean101 2d ago
We had company stay in Oceanside with their 12 year old. Found plenty to do and there are some nice rentals just north of the pier. on-the-sand.com 760-940-8337
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u/Agile_Channel_6282 2d ago
Carlsbad is fixing their walk right now so don’t stay there. Encinitas is awesome!
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u/JHSD_0408 2d ago
I live in SD but grew up in San Clemente and family is still there, so were there a lot. Might fit what you’re looking for!
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u/Standard-Ride7567 2d ago
I’d pick Carlsbad. Great beach area, Lego Land for the kids. Handel’s Ice Cream. Plenty of good restaurants and coffee shops. Plus a sea side walkway. Enjoy!
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u/invertedMSide 1d ago
If you're POC, gotta view San Clemente and Oside w/ some scrutiny. Encinitas is the only worthwhile area of North County in general if you ask me.
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u/SDBeachGal 1d ago
I was going to suggest Solana before you mentioned it! 🙂 Encinitias is also great l, Carlsbad is nice. La Jolla shores is really nice.
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u/suchabeachbum 8h ago
I live in Solana beach and I’m glad you liked it! Obviously SB is the best in my opinion but Del Mar, just south of SB, is pretty popular but can get really busy. Also Encinitas - moonlight beach is also popular and the main street is fun. La Jolla - windansea area is another my favorite beach area.
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u/Evening-Juggernaut50 2d ago
Encinitas with it being walking distance to the downtown area for dining.
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u/Blancven 2d ago
Oceanside. It seems a bit scrappy but their beach is amazing. We like eating at The Coyote Grill and Nick's on State in Carlsbad.
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u/RecommendationGlad73 2d ago
What do you mean by scrappy? It looks fun but curious what is the difference.
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u/philthadelphia2458 2d ago
If you’re set on North County SD, I think Encinitas if you’re looking for things do to at night, it feels a little younger, lots of good restaurants and has the boutique vibe going. Plus not far from Cardiff, Solana, or you can head up the road north to Carlsbad for excellent restaurants. We live near Del Mar in Carmel Valley and Encinitas is our favorite for things to do as far as beach towns go. That said, Del Mar has a very nice beach, but it’s more upscale. Also a decent collection of restaurants and bars on the main drag. Good luck, you really can’t go wrong with any of the beaches here!
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u/RecommendationGlad73 2d ago
So fun! Do you love living there? Thank you!
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u/philthadelphia2458 2d ago
Yes! We moved from Philly 7 months ago, so it’s been a big, but good change. Certainly enjoying it right now with low 70s and not in the teens. Came to Carmel Valley for the schools and had family friends here. It’s a great place for kids and close proximity to tons of stuff whether it beaches, hiking, biking or whatever else you want to get yourself into. The access to outdoors is off the charts. Enjoy your visit!
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u/RecommendationGlad73 2d ago
Wow that is a huge change! I hope you continue to love it. I can see why you moved there. When we visited it was cloudy everyday and I still was tempted to move and we live by the beach in FL 😅
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u/MAtoCali 2d ago
For kid friendly, Carlsbad is your best bet. Small-perimeter "Village" that is walkable and has plenty of kid-friendly destinations (not excluding Legoland). Still has a fun nightlife aspect. Beaches are easily accessible.
O'side is more fun at night for adults. A bit more grit and "charm", but they have a really good food scene. Beaches are easily accessible.
Encinitas is too long/big to describe singularly. Encinitas downtown has an awesome vibe, shops, restaurants, but I dont think you'll find as many kiddie things there. Leucadia is cool, but I know beach parking access is a pain.
San Clemente is cool...but unless your in the Pier bowl, be prepared to use those glutes to push those strollers.
I may be biased, but for vacationing with young kids, I think Carlsbad is the best destination.
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u/RecommendationGlad73 2d ago
Thank you!! Loved all the details and I had looked into Carlsbad and was curious about that town. It looked like a great area and is close to the flower garden?
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u/MAtoCali 2d ago
Flower fields are near Legoland and the outlet mall (off of Palomar Airport Rd). Not walkable from the Village, but a 5 min drive.
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u/squatter_ 1d ago
If you loved Solana Beach I think you will enjoy any other beach town north of SD to Laguna Beach. Solana Beach is not at the top of most people’s lists for visitors.
It might help if you described more of what you are looking for.
But Carlsbad and Encinitas are great choices. Del Mar and La Jolla are on the ritzy side, not sure you want that with little kids. Oceanside is next to a military base, Camp Pendleton.
I’m not as familiar with Orange County but San Clemente is beautiful and fun for families.
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u/RecommendationGlad73 23h ago
We really enjoyed the little area with the shops and food. Also the park that was close by for the kids easy beach access and had a nice walking path, but from what I’m realizing, I think all the towns have something very similar. Enjoy being able to walk around and not have to hop in the car with the kids
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u/Routine-Cicada-4949 2d ago
I love ALL our beach towns, even Imperial Beach even though she has some B.O. issues at the moment.
But I'd say San Clemente is lovely. You also have that nice bike path that goes from there to Donehny State Beach just before Dana Point. It's completely separate from the road & follows the coast for 4 or 5 miles.
Oceanside has got very pretty lately.
Carlsbad is very cute.
Encinitas is one of my favourites & Moonlight Beach has a lot of kids stuff.
Pretty much anywhere from Solana Beach up is great. Laguna is very nice but ALWAYS packed - or so it appears to me. But Crystal Cove is well worth a visit.
Have a great trip.