Visitor Center 103 North Cedros Ave. Solana Beach  858-350-6006  Area: 4 sq.mi.   Solana Beach in northern San Diego County features an arts district (Cedros), a commuter train (Coaster), Belly Up Tavern, beaches, surfing, farmer's markets and fun.   Solana Beach - On The Sunny Side of the Street When song writer Dorothy Fields wrote the lyrics to, SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET, over 70 years ago, she easily could have been describing a place that got our toes tapping recently. Solana or "Sunny" Beach, a small city in north San Diego County stretches along historic Highway 101 on cliffs above the blue Pacific. Who can wear a frown when the signs as you enter town feature sunny faces?  The benefits of sunshine reportedly include a healthier body and mind.   Grab your coat, and get your hat -  Leave your worries on the doorstep Just direct your feet  -  To the sunny side of the street Cant you hear the pitter pat? -   And that happy tune is your step Life can be so sweet  -  on the sunny side of the street I used to walk in the shade  -  With those blues on parade But i'm not afraid  -  The Rover crossed over If I never have a cent  -  I'll be as rich as Rockefeller Gold dust at my feet  -  On the sunny side of the street  -By Dorothy Fields   Unlike the words to this song, you seldom need a coat and hat in Solana Beach. Enjoying some of the mildest climate in the United States, this highly desirable location is pleasant all year long and makes for a great place to visit, any time.  Located in Northern San Diego County approximately 22 miles from the City of San Diego on the coast is the picturesque seaside city of Solana Beach.  With two miles of pristine coastline, majestic bluffs and secluded coves, it is an ideal spot to reside or visit, if you like.  Tucked between Encinitas and Del Mar in San Diego County, the Pacific Ocean is on the west, golf course-country club on east, lagoon regional park on north, and Del Mar Racetrack on the south. Solana translates to "sunny."   Solana Beach starts at the Pacific Ocean, rises into hills, then levels off. Interstate 5 running north-south, divides the city.  It's an upscale beach community offering homes with ocean and golf course views.    What's really nice about Solana Beach is its public transportation system. At the Solana Beach station, you can hop on the Coaster train and visit California's second largest city with a one-way ticket costing around $5. Or stay in "North County" and explore the beaches, shops, local theatre, restaurants, dance clubs and the special events held at Del Mar fairgrounds. Southern Californians who raise their families on doses of Sea World and San Diego Zoo eventually seek new places to explore when the kids protest and say, "No more," after the happiest places become predictable. Solana Beach provides an alternate day trip, weekend getaway or extended stay with its access to San Diego via Amtrak and Coaster trains.  For information on taking this wonderful mode of transportation into Solana Beach, visit www.sdcommute.com or call 1-800-COMMUTE   From the historic Solana Beach Amtrak station where a bright, red double decker bus that can be seen making its clockwork rounds to the Del Mar race track just a five minute ride away, to Fletcher Park with its cement path that drops to a thin strip of beach eroded by the sands of time and accessible mostly during low tide, the beauty of this city is its mix of old and new.  Interspersed with the stores that form Cedros Design District are cafes and restaurants, plus a very popular night club called Belly Up Tavern, with live music that ranges from blues to rock, jazz to hip hop. A dedicated crowd frequents this large bar with a dance floor where people swing to the music all hours of the day. A special event was going on, the afternoon we passed by and dozens of couples boogied on the dance floor, on a week day, no less! While Solana Beach is a popular spot for retired folks, you'll also see kids and a fair share of what one local called "trophy babes". The description or profile of this type of individual is a person who does not work, per se, but spends much time on things that make him or her (usually her), look good such as plastic surgery, body training and sunbathing.    Solana Beach and neighboring Del Mar (where the Surf meets the Turf) have a long and rich history of beautiful people.  Del Mar racing and the Turf Club were the brain child of Bing Crosby, who entertained his friends by having them travel from Los Angeles to enjoy diversions such as thoroughbred racing and partying. So popular is the annual race season in Del Mar, that wealthy people from around the world pay handsome prices to live in condos sitting up on a hill overlooking the track. Most visitors stay at hotels in Solana Beach and Del Mar where prices are affordable. There are several nice Solana Beach hotels with our favorite being Courtyard by Marriott. Hotels can be at capacity on special event weekends during the San Diego Fair and the race season but  most of the time, rooms are available and winter rates are offered at some properties.   Getting to Solana Beach -  Take Interstate 5 to Plaza Street in Solana Beach and head west.  Included in the list of Solana Beach Parks are:  Fletcher Cove, 111 S. Sierra Ave.,  Tide Park Beach, 302 Solana Vista Dr.,  Seascape Surf, 501 S. Sierra Ave. and  Del mar Shores Terrace, 180 Del Mar Shores Terrace. Waves hit directly against the bluffs on some beaches and are breathtaking to watch.  Fletcher Cove at the foot of Plaza has a small park overlooking the water and an outlook further down next to the water. Fletcher Cove includes a free public parking lot, restrooms and a basketball court. The beach area is surrounded by attractive and quiet residential streets.  . Solana Beach is a bustling community with a library, great schools, shops and restaurants, nearby Del Mar fairgrounds and racetrack and and its own newspaper. There's Solana Beach Coaster station and the trendy Cedros Design Center located off Highway 101 or Coast Highway.    Visitor Map and Information Guide and  'Relocation Package are available through the Solana Beach Chamber of Commerce for a fee.   The Solana Beach Chamber of Commerce, 210 West Plaza Street, Solana Beach CA   92075. Internet:   www.solanabeach.com   Population: Approximately 14,360  Area: Approximately 4 square miles  Annual Average Temperature: (high)  70.8°  Annual Average Water Temperature: 69°    Solana Beach shoreline and beaches have eroded over a period of time, leaving thin stretches of sand  (at low tide) wedged between waves and towering bluffs. There are three access points to the shore.   Fletcher Cove Park at Lomas Santa Fe Drive has lifeguard service but not much sand.   The picturesque cove can be inaccessible at high tide. Off the beach, Fletcher Cove has volleyball, shuffleboard, basketball, showers, picnic tables and free public parking. The Coaster station is three blocks away. Lomas Santa Fe Drive ends practically at the water's edge.  Tide Beach Park  north of Fletcher's can be reached via stairs at Pacific Avenue and Solana Vista Drive. There's surfing and a reef and tide pools for snorkeling . It has lifeguards and  free parking is available on the streets.    Seascape Shores is located a few blocks south of Fletcher's between condos at the 500 and 700 blocks of South Sierra Avenue. It offers beach access with free street parking. Beaches are open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.    SOLANA BEACH