Between the scans and the appointments and the version of exhausted that does not have a name yet, there has not been much room left for a slow morning or a friend who gets it without an explanation.
This weekend is for that. Savannah and I are teaching two afternoons built specifically for what your family is carrying, with free childcare so you can sit and listen instead of bouncing a toddler on your hip.
Then Saturday afternoon, we trade the classroom for the sand, no hospital gown in sight. Food and drinks are covered. A photographer will be there capturing your family exactly as you are right now. And you will be surrounded by other parents who already understand this road, without you having to explain a single thing.
Come for the teaching. Stay for the friendships you did not know you needed.
Oh, Mama. I know how loud this year has been.
Thrive Beach
Weekend
Thrive Beach Weekend is a collaboration between Thrive Through and Beyond Cancer and KICKcancER Movement.
Two days for families walking through pediatric cancer, in treatment or in remission, to learn something useful, breathe for an afternoon, and stand next to other parents who already understand.
October 2–3 | 2026 Solana Beach/Fletcher Cove, CA | Free for cancer families
The Weekend at a Glance
Two teaching afternoons. One family beach day.
You are welcome to come for one session or both, they cover different ground. Childcare is free and provided on-site during each session.
How to walk into every appointment prepared, ask the right questions, and make sure your child's voice, and yours, gets heard by the whole care team.
- Teaching + live Q&A with Season & Savannah
- Free childcare at the park next door
- Light refreshments provided
Education Session I -
Advocating for Your Child
Friday, October 2
What it takes to protect your marriage while you are both fighting for your child, and why that fight matters as much as the one happening in the hospital.
- Teaching + live Q&A with Season & Savannah
- Free childcare at the park next door
- Light refreshments provided
Education Session I -
Advocating for Your Marriage
Saturday, October 3rd
11:30 AM · Fletcher Cove, Solana Beach
Right after the morning session, we are all heading down to Fletcher Cove. Food, drinks, and snacks are on us. Our photographer will be there capturing your family on the sand, free of charge. Bring your suits, bring your kids, and get ready to make some real friends who already understand this journey.
Beach Day
Saturday, October 3rd
One important thing: if you invite a family, please make sure they register too. We plan childcare, food, and time with our photographer around the families who sign up, so every family needs their own registration, even if you are coming together.
🔗 Copy & share this link:
If you know another family with a child in active treatment or in remission, however you know them, please tell them about this weekend. The more families in that circle, the better this weekend works.
Share this page with them directly. Everything they need, the schedule, the topics, and the registration form, is right here on it.
This weekend is open to any family walking through pediatric cancer, not just ours.
Time next to other parents who are walking this same road, without having to explain it.
Community
A photographer will be on the beach Saturday, free for any family who wants portraits.
Family photos
Light refreshments Friday and Saturday, plus a full beach BBQ Saturday afternoon.
Food & drinks
On-site at the park next to our office during both education sessions.
Free childcare
What's Taken Care Of
You do not need to bring anything but your family.
Free for families with a child in active cancer treatment or remission. Registration helps us plan childcare, food, and photo scheduling.
Reserve your family's spot
Only worth it for a big fare difference. This is a long drive after a flight.
~95 miles, 2–2.5 hr drive
LAX, Los Angeles
Notes
Distance to Solana Beach
Airport
An option if fares are notably cheaper. Otherwise stick with SAN.
~60 miles, 70–90 min drive
John Wayne (SNA), Santa Ana
Notes
Distance to Solana Beach
Airport
Closer on paper, but limited carriers and routes. Worth checking if it happens to have a direct flight from your city.
~9–14 miles, 15–20 min drive
McClellan-Palomar (CLD), Carlsbad
Notes
Distance to Solana Beach
Airport
The recommended airport for almost everyone. Most direct flight options and the shortest drive.
~20 miles, 25–30 min drive
San Diego Intl (SAN)
Notes
Distance to Solana Beach
Airport
San Diego International is your best bet for most travelers. If you're chasing a cheaper fare, the other two are worth a look, just budget more drive time.
Nearby airports
Getting Here
Weather in early October in Solana Beach usually runs mild, 70s in the day and cooler once the sun drops. Bring a layer for the beach afternoon and evening.
The Del Mar Fairgrounds nearby can drive prices up and availability down during certain weeks. Booking a few weeks ahead is worth it, especially for the more affordable options, which tend to sell out first.
Two things to know:
Encinitas · ~12 min drive. Most budget-friendly. One of the more budget-friendly options in the area if you're traveling as a bigger group and want to keep costs down.
→ Book your stay
Days Inn by Wyndham Encinitas
Encinitas · ~10 min drive. Reliable mid-range chain option near San Elijo State Beach, on the pricier side of "affordable" but consistent.
→ Book your stay
Hampton Inn Encinitas–Cardiff
Encinitas · ~10 min drive. Free breakfast and parking, and some rooms have a mini-fridge or kitchenette, useful if you're managing a specific diet on the road.
→ Book your stay
Comfort Inn Encinitas
Located in Solana Beach and is slosest to BW. The closest budget-friendly option to our office. Free breakfast, straightforward, no surprises.
→ Book your stay
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Solana Beach–Del Mar
San Diego International is your best bet for most travelers. If you're chasing a cheaper fare, the other two are worth a look, just budget more drive time.
Solana Beach and Del Mar run expensive right on the coast. These options sit a short drive from our office and Fletcher Cove, without the beachfront price tag. Rates change often, so treat these as a starting list, not exact prices.
Where to stay
More affordable hotels nearby
Often a cheaper and more flexible alternative to a traditional rental, with pickup options closer to where you're actually staying.
Turo
Best if your family wants full flexibility, especially with kids and gear for a beach day. Pick up at SAN for the most options.
Rental car
Easiest option if you're only here for the weekend and don't want to deal with parking. Widely available throughout Solana Beach, Del Mar, and Encinitas.
Uber / Lyft
You don't need a car for everything, but you'll likely want one if you're staying more than a day or want the flexibility to come and go from the beach on your own schedule.
Parking at Fletcher Cove: street parking nearby is metered with enforced time limits, so plan to feed the meter or check current signage when you arrive.
Getting around Solana Beach
Once You're Here
- Sprouts Farmers Market in Solana Beach
- Whole Foods Market in Del Mar
- Lazy Acres in Encinitas
- Jimbo's in Encinitas
If you'd rather prep your own food during the trip, these are the closest health food grocery stores.
Encinitas + Solana Beach locations. 100% plant-based, gluten-free, certified organic. Cold-pressed juices, smoothies, and smoothie bowls.
→ View Menu
The Choice Juicery
Encinitas, N Coast Hwy 101. Grass-fed beef, organic free-range chicken, and wild-caught fish and shrimp. Corn tortillas naturally gluten-free.
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Haggo's Organic Taco
Encinitas, on N Coast Hwy 101. Bold Southeast Asian flavors with fresh, quality ingredients. Easy to accommodate lighter, cleaner orders.
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Bird's Eye Kitchen
Encinitas, S Coast Hwy, a few blocks from the beach. A little treat for the kids after the beach. Small-batch, organic dairy, homemade cookies, gluten-free option available.
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JoJo's Creamery
Solana Beach, Cedros Design District. Organically certified ingredients, house-baked pastries, fresh bowls, and locally roasted coffee. A calm stop off the beach.
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Lofty Coffee
Encinitas, S Coast Hwy 101. Nearly 100% organic and non-GMO, real food cooked in healthy oils. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, seven days a week.
→ View Menu
GOODONYA Organic Eatery
Solana Beach + Encinitas locations. Fully gluten-free cafe and bakery. Organic, well-sourced, and genuinely good, not just "good for gluten-free."
→ View Menu
Nectarine Grove Cafe & Bakehouse
All of these are places our own family and clients actually eat. Most are used to accommodating gluten-free, dairy-free, and other restricted diets without a fuss.
Where to eat
3020 Children's Way, San Diego, CA 92123 · ~20–25 min drive. The dedicated pediatric hospital and trauma center, if your family needs specialized care.
Rady Children's Hospital & 24/7 Emergency Care Center
380 Stevens Ave Suite 100, Solana Beach, CA 92075. Right in Solana Beach, for ages 5 and up, non-emergency needs. Mon–Fri 7am–9pm, Sat–Sun 8am–5pm.
Scripps Coastal Medical Center, Solana Beach urgent care
24/7 ER: 354 Santa Fe Dr, Encinitas, CA 92024 · ~10 min drive. The closest full emergency room, open around the clock, treats all ages.
Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas
