November 15th, 2011 
There’s no mistaking the fact that the stretch of Coast Highway 101 sandwiched between Via de la Valle and Encinitas Blvd. is ridden with gems of all genres. From eateries to specialty stores, wine bars to boutiques, this strand along the Pacific Coastline is full of places just awaiting discovery.
Photo Credit: Andrea Culver
Well just call me Sherlock, because after enthusiastic recommendations from two dear friends, I sought out and “discovered” Noon in Solana Beach (just north of Surf Ride and Pizza Port) for myself this past weekend. And with the holidays literally knocking on our doors (I mean, once the Starbucks Red Cup arrives, it’s official), this quaint store has plenty of trinkets and “little somethings” that any girlfriend, cousin, aunt, mother, sister or co-worker would be more than pleased to receive come December 25th.
One needn’t even step through its doors to realize Noon is adorable, the whimsical window decor acts as a harbinger of the items you’ll encounter once inside. But once you do step foot inside this quaint boutique, you are greeted by an interior that more resembles the personal living room of your artsy best friend than a stark showroom, which makes sense seeing as the store was opened by two designers themselves. A myriad of hand-made goods are playfully displayed in unconventional ways – necklaces hang inside an empty wooden frame on the wall, tote bags line a plush sofa in the main entryway, and stationery finds a home in a converted armoire. It’s almost as if the popular website, Etsy.com was brought to life in this North County boutique.
And if you can’t make it into the Solana Beach location (they also have a store in Ocean Beach), Noon also offers online shopping on their website. But trust me when I say this, part of the gift of giving a custom Noon creation is getting the chance to personally visit the store itself.
WHERE:
Noon Solana Beach
349 N. Highway 101
Solana Beach, CA 92075
Ph. 858-436-7417
HOURS OF OPERATION:
Monday-Saturday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sundays: Closed
I couldn’t agree with you more – half the fun of each purchase is the time spent in the store with the ladies. The Ocean Beach store is also just down the street from Pizza Port (!) and just half a block from the main avenue filled with other adorable boutiques!