Solana Beach is a small city, and most things to do are beach-related or within easy walking or cycling distance of the coast. Fletcher Cove is the main beach access — a good surf break and, at low tide, some interesting tide pools along the base of the sandstone bluffs. The cliffs above are good vantage points for spotting California gray whales during their southbound migration in December and January and their northbound return in March and April.
The Cedros Avenue Design District, a few blocks inland from the beach, is the most distinctive part of town: a stretch of galleries, furniture showrooms, antique shops, boutiques, and cafes that has genuine character without being over-curated. It is worth an hour of browsing even if you are not buying. The San Elijo Lagoon to the north is one of the largest remaining coastal wetlands in San Diego County — a good spot for birdwatching and kayaking. The Coaster commuter rail and Amtrak stop at Solana Beach station, making it an easy base for exploring the rest of coastal San Diego County.