Cherry Hill (Solana Beach)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Cherry Hill is an exposed sandy beach break in Solana Beach, with generally fairly consistent surf when conditions align. Multiple reports emphasize that the break is strongly affected by sandbar configuration, with a main peak located south of the stairs and additional, more scattered peaks to the north. In terms of swell and direction, the spot is described as working best with west swell energy. When the sandbars are well formed, it can deliver higher-quality lefts and rights, including fast sections in some parts of the lineup and slower sections in others. Wave quality is generally described as good/average depending on setup, with the spot staying exposed to prevailing conditions. Wind notes point to offshore-favorable conditions when the wind comes from the east, while west-origin winds can quickly add chop and make faces less clean. Seasonal wind notes also track the warm-season pattern, with better months reported from May through September. Safety is a key concern: localism and pollution are both explicitly listed hazards, and water quality can worsen after rain due to the nearby river mouth. Avoid going out after it rains and check water-quality reporting before entering the water. Rescue availability is reported as limited at the spot level, and lifeguards are seasonal.
- Main peak reference: south of the stairs.
- Sandbar-dependent shifting beach-break peaks.
- Wind-sensitive: east winds help; west winds can chop quickly.
- Pollution/localism warnings; avoid after rain due to river-mouth effects.
- Fairly consistent surf, especially in summer.
- Main peak south of the stairs is a reliable reference when it’s breaking.
- Works with west swell energy and can offer clean left-hand faces when winds cooperate.
- Water quality can be an issue due to the nearby river mouth, especially after rain.
- Localism risk.
- Shifting sandbars can make the peak inconsistent depending on swell/sandbar alignment.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- ENE
- Offshore directions
- ENE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Thermally driven winds/sea-breeze influence.
- Reliability
- Monthly conditions skew toward moderate clean periods (52% clean) but can be blown at times (35% blown).
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Dir: W · Spot winds are consistent during the warm season; afternoon sea-breeze patterns dominate on many days.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Also described as medium by another source; overall varies with swell and sandbar.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach access with stair access; one report also describes a narrow sandy section below bluffs accessible via stairs.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — One source says easy; another reports moderate difficulty due to access/conditions.
Through the year
Can be very crowded on weekends and during good swells; quieter on weekdays (week-to-week variability).
December through March
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed shifting beach-break peak with fairly consistent surf in summer; the main peak is south of the stairs with scattered faster/hollow looks to the north. Breaks fast in some sections and slower in others.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- W
- Swell Height
- 3–8 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid-tide preference is noted.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open exposure at the beach; not sheltered from prevailing conditions.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore-favorable when easterly winds are present, but winds from the west can quickly chop up the surface; light easterly winds are needed for cleaner faces.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out on very large swells exceeding about 3 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Average to good depending on sandbar configuration and swell direction.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Spot can be punchy; quality varies with sandbar/swell alignment.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Fast sections mixed with slower sections depending on takeoff line/sandbar form.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Often short-to-medium; on good days rides can be longer.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Reported as normal (about 50 to 150 m) on good days; shorter (<50 m) on normal days. Another source reports short to medium rides depending on sandbar configuration.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Cherry Hill (Solana Beach) in the full forecast view.
Cherry Hill (Solana Beach) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–9 ktsGusts 17 kts
- Direction
- WNW294°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 259 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–1.2 m10s period
- Temperature
- 14–25 °C
Over the next 7 days, Cherry Hill (Solana Beach) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 17 kts. The prevailing direction is WNW. Waves run 0.6–1.2 m with a period of about 10s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Localism
- Pollution
- Rip currents
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards are seasonal at the area.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Spot-level reporting indicates limited rescue availability.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest emergency services are in Solana Beach and Del Mar; lifeguards are often stationed at the adjacent North Del Mar beach. Nearest major medical facility is in Solana Beach/Del Mar area with emergency access via 911 (regional guidance).
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Localism is a stated hazard.
Rules of the spot
Be aware of localism; pollution can be present. Don’t go out after it rains due to nearby river-mouth water-quality impacts.
- No surfing in designated swimming areas during summer peak hours.
- Temporary health closures can occur after heavy rain (river mouth area).
- The best peak is south of the stairs.
- Check water quality reports, especially after rain, due to the nearby San Dieguito River mouth.
- Respect how the peak can be localized; enter the lineup considerately.
- Flat rocks may appear at low tide in winter.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Solana Beach
- Nearest Town
- Solana Beach
- Parking
- Free street parking and public parking lot across the street from the beach access.
- Access
- Public access via stairway at 501 S. Sierra Avenue; free street parking and public lot across the street from beach access.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Numerous hotels and vacation rentals are available in Solana Beach and Del Mar.
- Food & Drink
- Multiple restaurants and cafes are located along Highway 101 and in the Del Mar North Beach area (nearby).
- Equipment Rental:
- Surfboards and wetsuits can be rented at surf shops in downtown Solana Beach or Del Mar.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Cherry Hill (Solana Beach)?
The best overall months at Cherry Hill (Solana Beach) are July, August, September. The best wind months are May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Cherry Hill (Solana Beach)?
Cherry Hill (Solana Beach) works with ENE winds. Offshore directions are ENE.
What skill level is Cherry Hill (Solana Beach) suitable for?
Cherry Hill (Solana Beach) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.