Between Del Mar’s polish and Encinitas’ surf culture lies Solana Beach – sophisticated but not stuffy, beachy but not basic. We build homes that get it.
Solana Beach knows what it is. Not trying to be La Jolla. Not competing with Del Mar. Just comfortable in its own sun-bleached skin.
This is where you can walk to the Belly Up in flip-flops and nobody bats an eye. Where Cedros Design District proves you don’t need pretension to have taste. Where Fletcher Cove is still the kind of place locals bring their coffee and watch dolphins pass by.
Building custom homes in Solana Beach means understanding this balance. Yes, you want luxury. But you also want to feel like you can shake sand off your feet and walk inside without ceremony.
Solana Beach packs remarkable diversity into less than four square miles. Blufftop lots with ocean views. Hillside properties overlooking the lagoon. Beach-close neighborhoods where you hear waves at night. Each comes with its own building considerations.
The city values its small-town character fiercely. Design review matters here. Neighbors pay attention. And the coastal bluffs that make those views possible also create engineering challenges that require experienced builders.
Those spectacular ocean views come with setback requirements, erosion concerns, and foundation challenges. We’ve built on Solana Beach bluffs for decades, working with geotechnical engineers who know every inch of this coastline.
Many Solana Beach properties fall under Coastal Commission jurisdiction. We understand the additional approval process and design projects that satisfy both your vision and regulatory requirements.
Solana Beach takes design seriously. We know what the review board values and design accordingly – quality materials, appropriate scale, neighborhood compatibility. Our projects earn approval because they deserve it.
The hills above Highway 101 offer lagoon and ocean views but require sophisticated foundation work. We’ve engineered dozens of hillside homes in North County, turning challenging lots into spectacular properties.
From beach cottages to hillside estates, we’ve built across every Solana Beach neighborhood.
Solana Beach’s blufftop properties command premium prices for good reason – those unobstructed Pacific views are unforgettable. We build homes that maximize views from every room while respecting bluff setbacks and ensuring structural integrity for generations.
Near the design district and walkable to everything, these properties offer urban beach living at its best. We’ve transformed dated structures into modern retreats that embrace the neighborhood’s creative energy while providing the comforts you expect.
Above Highway 101, larger lots allow for true estate living – pools, guest houses, expansive outdoor spaces. The engineering challenges are real, but so are the rewards: panoramic views from the lagoon to the ocean, privacy, and room to create your dream compound.
Fletcher Cove and the surrounding blocks contain Solana Beach’s most desirable beach-close properties. Often, these older cottages need complete reimagining – we preserve the location’s charm while creating modern floor plans, updated systems, and finishes that handle salt air.
Building in Solana Beach should be exciting, not overwhelming. Here’s how we make it happen:
Every Solana Beach lot has its own story. Bluff conditions, view corridors, sun exposure, prevailing breezes. We study your property thoroughly, then listen to how you want to live. That combination shapes designs that work – for your lifestyle and for this specific location.
Our in-house design team creates plans that reflect your vision while satisfying Solana Beach’s design review requirements. For coastal properties, we navigate the additional Coastal Commission process, leveraging experience to avoid delays.
Four generations of craftsmanship come to bear on every detail. Marine-grade materials where needed. Finishes that handle salt air. Construction techniques that will serve you for decades, not just years.
The best part? That first morning coffee on your new deck, watching the surf break at Fletcher Cove. Or hosting friends for sunset drinks with those lagoon views as backdrop. This is why we build.
Four square miles, countless possibilities. We know them all.
Despite its small size, Solana Beach offers remarkable variety:
Oceanfront and bluff-edge properties with spectacular sunset views and direct beach access.
Walkable to design showrooms, restaurants, and the Belly Up – urban beach living at its finest.
Larger lots along the border with Del Mar, offering space and privacy.
Hillside properties with lagoon and ocean views, convenient to the Country Club.
Solana Beach attracts people who value quality without pretense. Who want sophisticated homes but maintain beach-town informality. Who appreciate craftsmanship but don’t need to show off.
That describes our clients – and our approach. We’ve been building coastal homes since 1929. We don’t need to impress with flashy marketing or sales pressure. We let our work speak for itself.
Our team includes fourth-generation builders who grew up on these beaches. Who understand that a great Solana Beach home should feel effortless, even when the construction behind it was anything but.
That’s the art of it – creating homes that feel like they’ve always belonged here, built with quality that reveals itself over decades.
Solana Beach real estate consistently ranks among San Diego’s most desirable – limited inventory, endless demand. A well-built custom home here isn’t just a residence; it’s a significant financial asset.
But coastal construction that cuts corners eventually reveals itself. Salt air exposes inferior materials. Marine moisture finds every weakness. The homes that maintain value are the ones built right from the start.
We build for longevity. Specifying materials proven in marine environments. Using techniques that prevent the moisture intrusion that plagues coastal construction. Creating homes that future buyers will recognize as quality.
Every GDC home in Solana Beach represents our reputation. We can’t afford to build anything less than excellent – and neither can you.
We’re not just builders. We’re your complete design build team.
One team. One vision. One point of responsibility. No finger-pointing, no confusion, just clear accountability from start to finish and beyond.
Architecture & Design
Our in-house team creates cohesive visions that work aesthetically, structurally, and financially.
Engineering
Critical in Solana Beach, where coastal bluffs, hillside lots, and design review standards demand expertise.
Construction
Our core team of craftsmen, supplemented by trusted specialists we’ve worked with for decades.
Project Management
Using Buildertrend technology for complete transparency and communication.
Ongoing Service
Our service department handles everything from warranty work to future renovations.
Great homes aren’t built by companies. They’re built by people.
Pancho Dewhurst leads GDC with a unique perspective. Fourth-generation builder, yes, but also world traveler, former professional snowboarder, and someone who chose this work rather than inherited it. He brings fresh eyes to traditional craftsmanship.
Brandy Dewhurst heads our design team, ensuring aesthetic vision aligns with structural reality. Because the most beautiful design is worthless if it can’t be built properly.
Heath Akers, our Vice President, represents the future of GDC. Twenty-six years in construction, following his father and grandfather. He knows building from the ground up—literally—and manages our growing team of craftsmen with the respect that comes from doing the work himself.
But beyond the leadership, it’s our craftsmen who make the difference. Finish carpenters who treat wood like sculpture. Tile setters who ensure every grout line is perfect. Painters who understand that “white” comes in 500 shades, and choosing the right one matters. These aren’t random subcontractors. They’re our team. Our reputation. Our family.
“We love our home and receive many compliments about the curb appeal and detail of the construction. GDC was very responsive during the bidding process, effectively managed the job, and produced the highest quality work while maintaining a very clean environment. The level of professionalism exhibited throughout the entire GDC team is exceptional.”
In Solana Beach, good enough isn’t good enough. That’s why we’ve developed systems that ensure excellence at every stage:
This isn't just customer service. It's partnership. Because in Solana Beach, reputation is everything. Yours and ours.
Whether you’ve found the perfect lot or you’re reimagining an existing property, let’s talk about what’s possible in Solana Beach.
We’ll walk your property, discuss your vision, and provide honest guidance about opportunities and challenges. No pressure, no obligation – just professional insights from builders who know this coastline intimately.
