Solana Beach, Hardcover/Matthew Thompson

The four-square-mile incorporated city of Solana Beach rests along the coast of northern San Diego County. The name Solana means "sunny spot" in Spanish. For centuries, native Kumeyaay Indians called this once arid, sagebrush-covered landscape home. The land remained mostly untouched until the turn of the 19th century, when a local businessman named Ed Fletcher began to turn the tiny little hamlet into a full-fledged community. Fletcher was instrumental in working with the county in paving roads, building schools, bringing water to the area, carving out a true pathway to the Pacific Ocean, and even developing the first train station. In 1986, cityhood arrived, and its civic leaders made sure that the growth of the burgeoning seaside community would continue. The Belly Up Tavern was founded in 1974, bringing local and national music to the scene. In 1982, North Coast Repertory Theatre made its mark by bringing professional theater to the cozy, picturesque beach town. The area that was once called Lockwood Mesa has flourished into a thriving community where its residents can live and play. Today, Solana Beach is one of the vibrant jewels within the county of San Diego.