Solana Beach is a charming, eclectic, affluent beach town about 20 miles north of San Diego. Just north of Del Mar and south of Cardiff, Solana Beach offers a terrific shopping experience in the Cedros District. There will be more about Solana Beach housing, restaurants and things to do in a later article.

Located just one block east of Coastal Highway 101, the Cedros District offers an array of shopping options for home, garden and patio, with a smattering of clothing boutiques and eateries.

The area is well known throughout North County San Diego for the shopping and design options it offers. The Cedros District is a great place to spend the day, say a Saturday or Sunday, exploring the many shops catering to every room in your home, and finding a quaint café to satisfy your hunger for breakfast, lunch or a Sunday brunch (e.g., Zinc Café [also in Laguna Beach and Corona del Mar], Wild Note Café).

There are a number of shops that focus on artwork, home furnishings and interior design, displaying glass creations, paintings, sculpture, woodwork, textiles, and more. Trios, a fine art gallery at the beginning of your journey just south of Lomas Santa Fe, should be your first stop if this is what you are seeking...and even if you are not. What a feast for the eyes, with fine art that should appeal to every taste and style preference. Solo is a collective of interior design merchants featuring photography, curios, books, stationery, gifts and much more.

But if you passed by Timeless Furnishings and Patio, go back (it's on the east side of the street). The handmade furniture, much of it teak, here is wonderful, with a broad range of styles, materials and prices to suit every budget. Perhaps your patio needs a new look! Or choose something for the bedroom or living room.

Another favorite of mine is the David Alan Collection. There are actually three locations offering sculpture, rare art, furniture (benches, armoires, beds), planters, lanterns, accessories, and so much more, primarily from Indonesia, the South Pacific (e.g., Bali), China, Thailand and Vietnam. The collection offers a wide range of furnishings for your home or garden, many of them old or even antique. Bring a feel of Asia to your lifestyle from this wonderful, ever-changing collection.

Along the way, across from Trios, is a series of shops that offer solutions to your decorating needs, including your bath and kitchen. There is a great assortment of tile (glass, ceramic) for either room, some wonderful sinks, and so much more. As you continue down the west side of the street you will come to the Belly Up Tavern (with an interesting offering of live music performances by well-known and lesser-known artists). Their Wild Note Café is a great place for a quick appetizer and glass of wine. Or a more leisurely brunch to replenish your energy.

Not far past the Belly Up you will see the Leaping Lotus, on the east side. What an amazing place to visit. This is a collection of over 50 vendors on two levels offering an incredible selection of home furnishings, art work, clothing, furniture, jewelry, bar ware, dishes, and much more. Even if you don't buy, it is well worth a stop to ooh and aah. If you can't find the perfect gift here for the most difficult person to buy for, then it probably doesn't exist.

The Object Trove offers an interesting selection of outdoor furniture, old doors and windows, and more. How creative can you be designing your outdoor space? Unusual stuff to be sure, and many are old and one of a kind.

There are a number of galleries here, too. As an art collector, this is a big appeal for me. The Susan Street Gallery is a favorite because of the contemporary focus (at least for me). Another gallery I enjoy is the Galerie D'Art International, with a fabulous collection of works from around the world, terrific receptions and shows during the year, and an inventive music series. Artwork includes prints, drawings, paintings and sculpture. Another attractive fine art gallery is Daryl Millard, showcasing plein air California paintings by Millard and others. If you are an art lover, there are plenty of other options here, too. Perhaps an evening of exploring the galleries during the Thursday evening Art Walk, every 3^rd Thursday of the month.

Are you a flower lover? Well, Cedros offers that too, in abundance. Looking for flower arrangements, vases and flowers? Stop in The Flower Gallery. Just a bit further down the street, past Leaping Lotus, is the Cedros Gardens. Once you get past admiring their gardens on the street, step inside to admire the offerings for your home and garden. They have a wonderful selection of plants, flowers and planters.

Last, but not least...Muttropolis offers designer gifts for dogs and cats. among other things. What more can you ask for in a pet boutique?

I could go on and on, but perhaps it's best if you simply take a tour yourself, in person. Or, for now, take a visual tour.

************************

If I can provide more information about Solana Beach, Carlsbad and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360
or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

All content copyright © 2008 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits