San Diego Beaches: Fletcher Cove in Solana Beach

Share

Solana Beach is a small town north of San Diego that has about 2 miles of beach front.  Fletcher Cove, also known as Pillbox, is right in the center of town and is a classic Southern California beach.  It is right by the Amtrak and Coaster station, so it is a popular location for travelers by train.

• Beach Type: Classic wide sand beach backed by bluffs
• Access:  Walk down a ramp from parking lot
• Parking: Free street parking, small free parking lot
• Facilities: Restroom and shower area at top of ramp
• Good For: Laying out in the Sun, scenery, swimming, surfing, family day at the beach
• Not Good For: N/A

When I was talking to a friend who grew up in Solana Beach but has since moved away he claimed not to know about Fletcher Cove.  As I described it to him he said, “oh you mean Pillbox.”  During World War II this beach had a gunnery installation, hence the nickname Pillbox.

Whatever, the name Fletcher Cove is right in the center of town where Highway 101 meets Lomas Santa Fe Drive.  There is a very small parking lot at the intersection, but most of the time we find parking on the nearby side streets.

Fletcher Cove is surrounded by bluffs.  The walk to the beach is down a gently sloping ramp.  Above the beach is a plaza area complete with play areas and basketball courts.  The Fletcher Cove Community Center sits on the bluff above the beach by a Overlook Park with picnic tables and a community center.

The beach at Fletcher Cove is a great place to spend a day at the beach.  It is a wide-open beach in a scenic location with surf that is perfect for bodyboarding and swimming.  It is also a good spot for surfing.

This area also has some great shopping and restaurants.  The Cedros Design District shopping area is right across the street.  In addition to being the home of many upscale shops, it is also where the Belly Up club is located.  Many famous musicians have played here over the years, including the Rolling Stones in 2015

Our favorite place to eat after a day at Fletcher Cove is Pizza Port.  With its arcade games and surfing videos it is a fun place for the entire family.  I have been coming here since 1992 when they were building a brewery.  They are now known for award winning beer.

From Fletcher Cove, Solana Beach extends about one mile in either direction along the bluffs.  Both Del Mar Shores Beach to the south and Tide Beach Park to the north are reached by long staircases from the top of the bluffs.  These beaches can also be accessed from Fletcher Cove assuming the tide is not too high.

Be sure to check out our full guide to San Diego Beaches

Guide to San Diego's Best Beaches

The ocean is a major San Diego attraction.  San Diego County has 70 miles of beach along the Pacific Ocean.  Deciding which beach is most appropriate can be a difficult decision.  Fun Diego Family is mapping out the entire San Diego coastline.  This is our guide to San Diego’s Best Beaches. The San Diego County […]

For lodging suggestions near Solana Beach, Del Mar and other towns on the north San Diego coast check our guide to Where to Stay: North County Coastal

Where to Stay San Diego: North County Coastal

The San Diego area is huge and getting around can be a challenge.  Choosing a general location to stay is essential for maximizing the enjoyment of a visit to San Diego.  Fun Diego Family has created a detailed guide to each of San Diego’s major areas   This is our guide to staying in the beachfront […]

Share