History of Solana Beach

• • 9000 BC — An ancient people called the San Dieguitos first migrated to what is known today as Solana Beach from Asia via the Alaska land bridge.

• • 1769 — Spanish military officer Don Gaspar de Portola arrives, tasked with establishing Catholic missions between San Diego and Monterey Bay. He is accompanied by Franciscan fathers who begin converting the native residents of the area. De Portola would eventually forge the El Camino Real trail during his travels between the above-mentioned settlements.

• • 1821 — Mexico frees itself from Spanish rule and takes ownership of the vast acres that comprise San Diego. Much of the land then becomes privately owned.

• • 1918 — The construction of Lake Hodges Dam accelerates the development of Solana Beach. The completion of the 12,000-acre Santa Fe Irrigation District later that year further spurs the area’s growth.
  • 1922 — Colonel Ed Fletcher purchases 201 acres of land and formally develops it into Solana Beach. He envisioned this new community as the commercial hub for Rancho Santa Fe, Del Mar, and Solana Beach.

• • 1924 — The beach is opened to the public with much fanfare and celebration.

• • 1950s — Although the Great Depression and World War II stifle the area’s progress, it would find its bearing again in the early 50s.

• • 1986— Local officials incorporate Solana Beach into a full-fledged city.

Today, Solana Beach is a thriving city that offers all the conveniences of a modern city along with the leisurely lifestyle of a seaside town. With people as warm as its weather, it’s been voted as “Southern California’s Friendliest Beach Town.” And the best part? You can be part of this wonderful city by purchasing a home here.

Homes for Sale in Solana Beach, CA

With its beautiful shoreline, balmy weather, and vibrant culture, there’s no better place than Solana Beach to buy a waterfront home in. Of course, such properties are premier assets that fetch top-dollar prices. Indeed, Realtor.com notes that the median listing price in the city is $1.72 million, with the average price per square foot coming in at almost $900.

And given the real estate market’s hot streak due to the pandemic, property prices are likely to increase even more. As reported by KPBS.org, home values in San Diego County have ballooned by 11.6% over the past year, the third-biggest bump in the country. So if you’re keen on buying properties here, there’s no better time than now while mortgage rates are low and while there’s inventory left.

Speaking of which, buyers have a range of realty options to choose from, whether they’re planning to acquire a family home or an investment property. As such, no matter what lifestyle you wish to pursue, there’s an oceanfront home that will meet your needs.

Among the properties available in Solana Beach are:

• • Rentals — Solana Beach is an amazing place to live in, but if you’d like to get a taste of its lifestyle before investing in real estate, consider renting a home first. Apartments in the city typically rent for about $1,600-$2,000 a month, and range from spacious studio units to two-bedroom abodes. For around $4,500-$7,000 a month, meanwhile, you can also rent a two- to three-bedroom house with water frontage. Rental properties typically measure anywhere from 450 square feet to 1,600 square feet.

• • Condominiums — When you live mere steps from the Pacific Ocean, you want as much free time to enjoy its warm waters. Luckily, a condominium unit gives you a low-maintenance but cozy abode to live in. Unlike in bigger cities, condos in Solana Beach are bungalow-type or mid-rise properties, so they don’t block your view of the sea. Many of them are also situated in master-planned developments that offer deluxe amenities such as recreation centers, swimming pools, and spas. Starting at around $600,000, they are also among the most affordable real estate properties you can buy in the city. A typical condo has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, and measures over 1,000 square feet on average.

• • Single-family homes — Want to raise your brood in a family-friendly but laid-back community? Then a single-family home is just the property for you. These have everything you could ever want in a dream home: spacious yards, ergonomic kitchens, expansive master bedrooms, and top-notch appliances. Because of their proximity to the beach, many of these properties also have bay windows that take advantage of the view. The most coveted single-family homes are located in gated communities that offer amenities such as country clubs and golf course access. Of course, the bigger space also comes with a bigger price tag, which often starts at $1.3 million. For that price, you can get an amazing home with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a floor space of about 1,500 square feet.

• • Luxury properties — A high-end house is more than just a swanky home—it’s a one-of-a-kind architectural marvel. Do you want a home with an Olympic-sized pool or its very own yoga studio? Or perhaps you want a property with a tennis court and a personal gym? With deluxe homes, the sky’s the limit when it comes to luxurious features. These properties command at least seven figures, though certain palatial estates command over $10 million. Five bedrooms and three bathrooms come standard with luxury abodes, and they often boast expansive floor plans measuring up to 6,000 square feet.

• • Vacant lots — If you’d rather build your dream house from scratch, there are also undeveloped home sites in and around Solana Beach. Be forewarned, though—there’s only a few of them left. That said, most of the available ones measure half an acre or more, giving you plenty of space to realize your vision of a perfect home. Many of them also have ocean frontage, so you can enjoy unmatched views of California’s Pacific Coast. These lots cost upwards of $1 million and are usually located in well-established neighborhoods.

• Foreclosures — Those looking for a real estate bargain would do well to check out foreclosed houses. Because these are distressed properties, they often come with steep discounts, allowing you to buy more home than your budget would have originally allowed. Since foreclosed homes are turned over to the lender, you can also rest assured that their title will have no liens against them. Do note that these properties might need a bit of work, so don’t neglect having them inspected before proceeding with your purchase. Whether you’re looking for a primary residence or a property you can flip for a profit, foreclosed houses are an excellent choice.

Homes in Solana Beach reflect the overall architectural stylings of Southern California. You’ll often find charming, European-inspired homes in the Mediterranean style—a nod to the state’s history as a Spanish settlement. There are also Craftsman-style homes, whose simple but elegant design evoke comfort and warmth. Of course, there are also contemporary homes whose sleek lines and open-plan layouts represent the best of modern living. In short, whatever your design inclinations may be, there’s a home in Solana Beach that will tick all of your boxes.

If you’d like to further explore your options, be sure to talk to a real estate agent who specializes in waterfront properties. With their help, you can find the best homes for the best price in the best communities.

Life in Solana Beach

If what you’ve read about Solana Beach piqued your interest, you’re likely asking: “What is it really like living there?” In a word: amazing. But don’t just take our word for it—here’s the inside scoop on Solana Beach’s lifestyle.

Cost of living

Beachside living is the height of luxury but it doesn’t come cheap. According to BestPlaces.net, Solana Beach’s cost of living is well over double the national average. As you may have guessed, housing is the biggest contributor to the city’s pricey lifestyle, with the median listing price pegged at $1.72 million. Luckily, essentials such as utilities, healthcare, and transportation are all below the statewide average. The steep living costs are further offset by the area’s lofty median household income, which is estimated to be around $108,000.

Job market

While Solana Beach offers a more laid-back lifestyle, it also attracts many successful professionals who work hard by day and revel in the good life at night. As per Zippia.com, Senior Resource Group, Wrapify, and GreenRope are among the city’s top-rated employers. Jobs are also poised to grow by 34% over the next decade, making Solana Beach an ideal place for the hardworking and ambitious. The city’s proximity to San Diego opens up even more opportunities, as the latter is home to Fortune 500 companies like Qualcomm and Sempra Energy.

Weather

At Solana Beach, you can enjoy all the sunshine you could ever want as the city gets 263 sunny days a year. This locale is blessed with California’s signature balmy weather, thus earning it a 9/10 on BestPlaces.net’s Comfort Index. Summers here are clear and arid, with the warm months stretching from July to October. While California does not have traditional winters, it does have an almost five-month-long cool season that runs from November through April. If you plan to visit the area, the months of July to September offer the most pleasant weather.

Dining

If you appreciate a good bottle of beer, you’ll be glad to know that Solana Beach boasts several world-class craft breweries. Culture Brewing Co., for instance, offers signature brews such as Manhattan Beach Hazy and Milk Stout. Foodies will also feel right at home in this seaside city as it features many noteworthy restaurants. For the freshest seafood, head over to Solana Beach Fish House, whose food is prepared only with locally sourced ingredients. To enjoy a casual yet elegant meal, book a table at Pamplemousse Grille, a chef-driven restaurant inspired by the flavors of the French countryside.

Shopping

Despite being a fairly small city, Solana Beach has everything you could ever need. Often considered San Diego County’s shopping mecca, this city has it all: from upscale fashion stores, to trendy art galleries, to stylish furniture shops, and more. Fashion-forward shoppers flock to Highway 101 and Cedros Design District, where boutique stores sell one-of-a-kind apparel. Have a penchant for all things vintage? Head over to Antiques On Cedros, a 5,000-square-foot mall that features aisle after aisle of antique finds. And for rustic furniture that will instantly give your house a homey and relaxed vibe, drop by David Alan Collection.

Schools

When you move to Solana Beach, you can rest assured that your kids will get only the best education. The city’s public schools are run by the highly-rated Solana Beach School District (SBSD), which operates seven elementary schools that serve 3,000 students. SBSD provides a well-rounded education to children, marrying rigorous academics with experiential learning, all while providing social-emotional support to students. Niche.com gave the school district an “A” rating, calling its academics, teachers, and health and safety top-notch. Furthermore, the site says that SBSD ranks third among school districts with the best teachers.

Transportation

Solana Beach achieves that rare balance of being both secluded and accessible, and this is made possible by the city’s excellent public transportation system. The North County Transit District operates the Breeze and FLEX buses, making it easy to travel in and around the city. Solana Beach Train Station, meanwhile, lets you hop aboard the Amtrak / Pacific Surfliner or COASTER trains, which connect the city to key locations up and down the California coastline. This little oceanside city is highly walkable, too, earning a score of 85/100 from WalkScore.com.

Recreational activities

As a quintessential beach town, Solana Beach offers a broad range of water activities to enjoy, such as swimming, boating, and fishing. That said, you can also look forward to many life-enriching amenities that will make everyday life that much more leisurely. Fletcher Cove Community Center and La Colonia Community Center have playgrounds, gardens, and event venues that make them the social hub of the city. If you love the outdoors, you can hike the Coastal Rail Trail and Annie’s Canyon Trail, both of which provide stunning views of the ocean. You can also rent a bike and explore the city as well as nearby regions on two wheels.

Attractions

A city as fascinating as Solana Beach is bound to have more than its fair share of great attractions. To get a taste of local history, visit the Solana Beach Heritage Museum, which is located in a lovingly restored historical home dating back to 1887. Want the freshest produce in town? Just head over to the Solana Beach Certified Farmers’ Market on Cedros Avenue to get access to locally grown organic fruits and vegetables. For a night of drinks and music, there’s no better place to be than Belly Up Tavern, a premier live venue that has hosted everyone from up-and-coming acts to legendary performers.

Your beachside home beckons

Indeed, Solana Beach is everything you could want in a seaside city and more. And you, too, can be part of it by investing in real estate here.

We, Mickey Booz, Tina Polansky and Associates, are here to help make your dream come true. Armed with two decades of real estate expertise, we handle all aspects of a home purchase, ensuring a smooth transaction.

A consistent top-producing team, we are the #1 top-producing large team for Coldwell Banker in San Diego County in December 2020 and February 2021. We have also garnered the Sterling Society Award, making us among the top 11% of all agents internationally. A member of Luxury Home Marketing and Million Dollar Guild, both our principals are Certified Negotiation and Marketing Experts, so you can be confident that you will get the best deal possible.

To get your home search started, just call 760.505.5554 or send an email to mick@mickandtinahomes.com. Rest assured that you will receive nothing less than VIP treatment when you work with us.