Solana Beach Question
 

We are headed to Solana Beach for a week in late September. We are renting a condo through Dave Stubbs (same condo as we had last year). While we loved the condo, condo management and the location, it is not very well stocked as far as beach "toys." They had a few old beach chairs and one kids body board.

Does anyone know of a beach store that sells inexpensive body boards, chairs, umbrellas, kids toys etc? We will be buying this stuff for the week and not lugging it home on the plane. Maybe renting is an option too? When we were in Cocoa Beach FL there were a bunch of "cheap" beach shops all over, but we didn't find these types of shops in Del Mar/Solana Beach area. We'd be willing to drive up to Carlsbad or down south to pick up supplies for the week.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

ttt

anyone :)

There's a Big 5 Sporting Goods store on Lomas Sante Fe in Solana Beach. I'm not sure if beach stuff will be in stock after Labor Day but you could also try Target in Encinitas, or a Rite Aid.

Even supermarkets often carry that stuff, but possibly not after Labor Day.

The Longs right along Sierra (I think that's the street name) has beach toys etc. That's where we always buy ours when we stay at "our" condo in Solana Beach.

Thanks everyone. We did hit Longs for some beach toys (and beer :)) We also went to a Target in the area but the beach toys were gone by that time of year.

Big 5 is a good place to keep in mind.

Too us it is still beach weather, but I can see how we are a little out of season.

Can't wait - only 4 more weeks!

Just curious, which is "your" unit? We used to always get SUR116 but the past two times it's been DMBC841A.

MR,
We are in SUR94 again. Do you like DMBC841A better than SUR? I was willing to try something new, but they offered us the same price for the same unit as last year. We loved the oceanfront location and the size is perfect for us.

We are Mom, Dad and two girls, Kindergarten and 2nd grade. I have read a bunch of your posts but I can't remember - do you have kids?

Have you done Legoland? and do you think that my kids are too old? Last year we did Disney and Sea World. We will do Sea World again, maybe the Wild Animal Park or Legoland, and a trip over to Coronado. Mostly we are happy on the beach!

Thanks

We also have two girls, kindergarten and second grade! I think I like SUR as a complex better than DMBC because of that large hot tub and slightly better landscaping. But we like DMBC841 better because SUR116 is up all of those stairs and has no direct beach access. DMBC841 has a back patio that opens onto the ocean access and is very close to the stairs down to the beach. Plus it's on the same level as the parking garage which makes loading and unloading so much easier. We have done Legoland (two of my best friends live in San Diego now so we go down for a week each year and have for seven years now), and I don't think your girls are too old. Some of the rides are only for older kids. We've also jetted up to Disneyland for a day from Solana Beach, it's about a 1.5 hour drive. We don't really like Sea World that much, it seems more commercial than most places that house animals. One thing we really like to do is go to Children's Beach in La Jolla and look at the harbor seals and the pellicans. In the spring, when we go, the harbor seals are breeding and the little babies are so cute.

CVS or Longs would have some inexpensive stuff

Your problem is already stated. It is the wrong time of year, even in sunny CA! (We have had similar problems not being able to find any significant beach-type items on Cape Cod as early as mid-August!) FL is more of a year-round "beach" destination. It seems that CA does not consider themselves in that category.

Could you request that the management purchase a few of the items you want now while they still may find them in stores?

good point - they just better buy some stuff now and ship it out when they go.

See if there is a Sports Chalet. I know there is one in UTC near la Jolla. right now toysrus is selling off their beach items. Also I have good luck with the local drug stores who always seem to have that kind of stuff. Longs drugs, RiteAid, Walgreens are some choices.

Your kids are the perfect age for Legoland. Plus they just opened up a seaquarium up at Legoland that might interest your children. Discount tickets can be obtained at Costco.

I picked up some beach toys as Safeway this weekend. Big sale - not too many beaches in Denver! We will just pack them. We got our tickets on Frontier before they added the surcharge for checked bags, so two bags each is ok.

We'll have to rent body boards if needed and maybe chairs.


Monica - Sounds like we have very similiar vacations! I think we will check out legoland. Do any of the condos that you have used, have beach supplies?

What are your (and everyones) favorite places to eat with the kids. We will go back to Pipes in Cardiff and Hide Away cafe for breakfast, Pizza Port (twice), Roberto's, and En Fuego Cantina & Grill in Del Mar. We wanted to go to Brigantine for their happy hour but we never made it.

Thanks!!

The condos have beach stuff some of the time. It really matters what the renters before you have left and taken. I don't think the owners actually stock any of this stuff, and I know we usually leave what we buy, so it's hit or miss.

We don't usually eat out for dinner. Our kids do better at lunch. We do of course like Pizza Port, but because of our friends that live there we're more doing barbeques and takeout than eating in restaurants, and then eating lunch at the zoo or whatever.

Have you tried Stratford Court Cafe in Del Mar? Good for breadfast or lunch and they have an outdoor eating area.

www.stratfordcourtcafe.com

I also liked Americana in Del Mar which is open for breakfast, lunch, and now dinner.

Stratford is one of my favorite places to go to on the weekend. For a splurge, you could go to Pacifica Del Mar for lunch. I found it to be a great experience with entrees under $15 available and a good value for a high end restaurant with gorgeous views.

Also, try the Pacific Coast Grill, especially for Happy Hour, 4 or 5 to 7 pm? Amazing burgers for only $5! great value.

Encinitas has some terric places as well. Go to Bubby's in the Lumberyard for THE best ice cream in town. They have exotic flavors like roasted banana and vanilla rose.

I have been to the Stratford - cute place and good food.

The Pacific Coast Grill looks great for happy hour and within walking distance. I'll add that to the list!

Question for jd_denver and MonicaRichards --

I'm just wondering how you picked Solana Beach. I'm trying to pick a location to stay in the San Diego area in April and am having a tough time. I have a kindergartener and a preschooler. Do you like the beach there? We are looking for a beach where we can run from waves, find shells and build sand castles. I would also like a boardwalk with rental bikes nearby.

We are flying into Irvine (staying with family that night), then planning to go to Legoland, Sea World, maybe the Zoo, and a couple beach days in between. My daughter gets motion sickness so I am trying to minimize the driving as much as possible.
Thanks - Julie

I live in the ranch across the hi-way from SB and it is a lovely beach community.
La Jolla Shores is another great beach for kids.
Hotel LJ Shores has some great deals and its oceanfront..lots of great hotel deals to be had..check expedia for ideas on price.
both beaches are great for waves and sand castles, great restaurants and accesible to all.

We are looking to go in May 09. Saw the Dave Stubbs ad on line. Then read some reviews of Solana Beach/Tennis Club and Del Mar Beach Club. Reviews slammed these places. There were bunches of them too. Not just one. Are these accurate or overstated by some people who maybe were expecting the 4 Seasons @ Aviara??
Thanks.
Frank

fjs..
have never stayed at the places you mentioned but have heard that a lot of them could use some updating.
Dave Stubbs is a reputable realtor for rentals in the north county area.

julieh: We chose Solana Beach the first time because of the availability and selection of condos. I really liked that Dave Stubbs site and it was so easy to book a place. We keep going back because we like the location. San Diego is a bit spread out and there isn't really a "boardwalk" area except for someplace like Mission Beach and that's both too expensive for us and too spring-breaky for a family with young kids. The Del Mar Beach is really nice and you can walk there from the Solana Beach, and the beach that's down the cliff from the condos in Solana Beach is good for a quick "beach hit" on a day when you just want to see the water for an hour or less. We like the pelicans that fly by our windows, and I've seen sandpipers (my favorite bird) while eating breakfast and run down to the beach to watch them more closely. You're out of the traffic area of San Diego although you will hit traffic going into the city but the carpool lane helps there. And you're closer to Legoland and Disneyland if you want to fit those in. As far as Del Mar Beach Club etc. being run down, I think some people just like things fancier than we do. Sure, they're not glitzy and new but they are serviceable and well maintained. They were built I think in the 70's and 80's so sure, they're showing their age, but who isn't? ;0)

Oh, forgot to pass on another little tip. Become a Lego Brickmaster before you go. It costs 39.99 but includes a free ticket to Legoland (it says child ticket but last time they gave me an adult one so you could get lucky too) and you get six lego kits delivered throughout the year, and the magazine includes a buy-one adult ticket get one child ticket free. So it more than pays for itself to join.

julieh,

I'll just tell you what I like about SB.

We picked Solana Beach because I had been to Del Mar/SB with on a trip with a girl friend (her parents winter in SB) and thought it would be perfect for my family. We have gone the past two Septembers and stayed in the same Dave Stubbs Condo. This year my kids are 8 and 6.

We rented an Ocean Front condo. My husband and I could hang out on the balcony after the kids went to bed. We watched the sunset, watched the surfers in the morning, and had some dolphin sightings as well. We had plenty of room for the whole family without feeling like we were confined to a hotel room. The two bedroom condo we rent is the "Standard" quality, so we weren't expecting luxury. The condo was very clean and had the location we loved. The condo didn't have much in the way of beach provisions. A few rusty beach chairs, a small body board and beach toys (these were actually left from us the year before). I didn't expect the beach stuff to be provided but I suspect each condo is different.

My impression of these rentals is that majority are rented by retired person or people in town for race season. I don't think their primary renters are beach families. I'm not sure what the summer is like but September was pretty quiet. My kids were the only kids in the pools every day. Just my impression - so I maybe wrong.

As far as the beach, we liked the fact that we could go down the steps (about 100 - we counted once) for an hour or two of beach time. We'd could do naps, run up to the condo if needed, go for walks in the morning, and play on the beach after a trip to legoland etc.

Del mar beach was a little better as far as fluffy sand and lots of activity, but SB is smaller, but not as many people. The kids built sand castles, ran from the waves, this year they tried the body board, my 8 year old stood up the surf board, my husband surfed, I read books, and we found a lot of good shell, rocks and sand dollars.

We could walk or a very short drive (less than a mile) to a lot of restuarants. Pizza Port was the ours and the kids favorite. We did takeout and ate in. Roberto's was close and good for takeout. We also discovered that Brigantine was great for their happy hour menu. We loved the fish tacos. Great deal. Our favorite breakfast place is the ivy covered cafe in the parking lot down by the park. I could go for that french toast about now! We didn't cook in the condo, but had sandwiches, cereal, milk, snacks etc. There was a little cooler in the condo, so we could carry stuff down to the beach.

The drive to Legoland and Seaworld didn't seem long at all from SB. We also did short excursion to La Jolla to see the seals, Point Loma, and Coronado.

After writing all this, I hope we can go again this fall! We took my parents with us last year for part of the time and they loved it as well.

I didn't care for Mission Beach and the boardwalk area for same reason as Monica. It seemed dirty and more of a party atmosphere. La Jolla is great for a day trip but seemed more expensive. Please let me know if you have any more questions. I also have pictures of the beach in front of the condos and the condo too. Dave Stubb's pictures on their site are pretty accurate.