Dawn patrol surfing in Solana Beach

From I-5, exit Lomas Santa Fe Dr and head west. Turn south on S. Coast Hwy 101 and look for Tide Beach Park or Seaside parking on the west side. The main access is via the stairway at Tide Beach Park at the end of Solana Vista Dr. You can also access from the stairway at the south end of Plaza St. It's a steep bluff descent—about 100 steps. The reef is directly in front of the Tide Beach stairway, slightly to the south.

Free street parking along S. Coast Hwy 101 and the surrounding residential streets in Solana Beach. The Tide Beach Park lot has about 15 spots and fills before 8am on good days. Street spots on Solana Vista Dr and Plaza St are your best alternatives. No meters, no fees, but 72-hour limits are enforced. Don't park in the Fletcher Cove lot and walk south—it's too far and Fletcher fills up on its own.

The main access is at Fletcher Cove Park at the end of Plaza Street, where a paved ramp leads down to the beach. Tide Park at the south end of Solana Beach has stairway access. The Pill Box area to the north has informal bluff trails, but stick to marked paths as the bluffs are actively eroding.

Fletcher Cove has a free parking lot that fills up by 9 AM on weekends. Street parking along Plaza Street and Sierra Avenue is free but limited. The Cedros Avenue design district area a few blocks east has more availability if you don't mind a short walk.