Fletcher Cove(Fletcher Cove Beach Park, Pill Box Beach, Pillbox)

Located in the central part of the city of Solana Beach, Fletcher Cove Beach – also known as Pillbox and Pill Box Beach - is one of the most popular beaches of the city. The beach is located below a bluff-top grassy park called Fletcher Cove Park. The beach is named after "Colonel" Ed Fletcher, a renowned local businessman and politician who is credited for commissioning the construction of an access path to the beach along the steep bluff-sides. While the beach is not big, it’s still larger than the other beaches in Solana Beach. Fletcher Cove Beach has lifeguards throughout the year (from 8 am to 6 pm during winters and from 8 am to 8 pm during summers). Fletcher Cove Beach also has showers and restrooms. The grassy park near the beach also has picnic areas, a basketball court, and a kids’ play area. Getting to Fletcher Cove Beach is easy - the access path to the beach is located near 111 South Sierra Avenue, where there is also a free nearby parking lot.

Fletcher Cove Beach offers many fun activities including sunbathing, beachcombing, swimming, boating, jet-skiing, parasailing, surf-skiing,fishing,snorkelling, diving, wildlife watching, surfing, paddle boarding, the kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing,skim boarding, kite surfing, boating, bodysurfing, and boogie boarding. The water near the beach is home to a large array of fauna which can be explored by divers, snorkelers, and wildlife enthusiasts. It is also home to many animals including seals, sea lions, dolphins, and migrating grey whales (between December to April). However, if you are planning to go in the water near Fletcher Cove Beach, we recommend being careful as the water here is known to have rip currents. You can also fish at Fletcher Cove Beach - popular catches here include halibut, corbina and salto. As an interesting fact, there are two divergent theories on how Fletcher Cove Beach got its alternative names (Pillbox and Pill Box Beach) - many sources state that the beach got its name from a nearby World War Two coastal concrete military installation (which are also known as Pillboxes). However, an article from the Los Angeles Times from 1987 attributes these alternative names to a concrete seawall (which looked like a military Pillbox) built during the early part of the 20th century for supporting an on-site lifeguard tower and the bluff-sides located near the access path to the beach. There are many attractions near Fletcher Cove Beach. North Coast Repertory Theater often hosts excellent plays and also organizes youth education programmes. Solana Beach Heritage Museum is set in one of the oldest homes in the city of Solana Beach and features exhibits highlighting Solana Beach’s interesting history. Another attraction near Fletcher Cove Beach is Mushroom Caves, also known as Annie’s Canyon – is a natural wonder featuring exquisite rock formations which can be explored via a hiking trail.

Fletcher Cove Beach offers many fun activities including sunbathing, beachcombing, swimming, boating, jet-skiing, parasailing, surf-skiing,fishing,snorkelling, diving, wildlife watching, surfing, paddle boarding, the kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing,skim boarding, kite surfing, boating, bodysurfing, and boogie boarding. The water near the beach is home to a large array of fauna which can be explored by divers, snorkelers, and wildlife enthusiasts. It is also home to many animals including seals, sea lions, dolphins, and migrating grey whales (between December to April). However, if you are planning to go in the water near Fletcher Cove Beach, we recommend being careful as the water here is known to have rip currents. You can also fish at Fletcher Cove Beach - popular catches here include halibut, corbina and salto. As an interesting fact, there are two divergent theories on how Fletcher Cove Beach got its alternative names (Pillbox and Pill Box Beach) - many sources state that the beach got its name from a nearby World War Two coastal concrete military installation (which are also known as Pillboxes). However, an article from the Los Angeles Times from 1987 attributes these alternative names to a concrete seawall (which looked like a military Pillbox) built during the early part of the 20th century for supporting an on-site lifeguard tower and the bluff-sides located near the access path to the beach. There are many attractions near Fletcher Cove Beach. North Coast Repertory Theater often hosts excellent plays and also organizes youth education programmes. Solana Beach Heritage Museum is set in one of the oldest homes in the city of Solana Beach and features exhibits highlighting Solana Beach’s interesting history. Another attraction near Fletcher Cove Beach is Mushroom Caves, also known as Annie’s Canyon – is a natural wonder featuring exquisite rock formations which can be explored via a hiking trail.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Fletcher Cove Beach. Red Tracton’s Restaurant is an upscale restaurant that offers excellent steaks and seafood dishes. A more affordable restaurant is Claire’s on Cedros which offers delicious breakfast dishes including hash browns, eggs, and french toasts and serves excellent pastas and pastries. Another good restaurant near Fletcher Cove Beach is the modestly priced Pizza Port which offers great pizzas and salads.

If you are looking for a hotel near fletcher Cove Beach, there are many great nearby options. The 4-Star L’Auberge Del Mar offers a variety of amenities including two restaurants, a lounge with live music, a bar, an outdoor pool, a spa, a fitness center, tennis courts, and a beach equipment loaner facility. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Del Mar/ Solana Beach which offers many amenities including a courtyard with a fireplace, two restaurants, a pool, whirlpool, and an exercise room. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Fletcher Cove Beach, the 2-Star Holiday Inn Express & Suites Solana Beach - Del Mar offers many amenities including a pool, a hot tub, and complimentary breakfast.