For nearly 40 years, The Coast News has delivered independent journalism and trusted community reporting across coastal and inland North County San Diego. Today, The Coast News operates as a multi-platform local media network connecting businesses with North County’s most engaged audiences.
375,000+
AUDIENCE PROFILE
Affluent readers who support North County businesses
The Coast News reaches an engaged audience of North County residents with strong purchasing power and demonstrated response to advertising.
Reader Engagement
73% of readers say they frequently purchase products or services from ads seen in The Coast News.
Each issue reaches an average of 3.25 readers per copy.
Average estimated readers per edition: 50,346
Audience Snapshot
Age
• 71% of readers are age 45+
• Core readership spans 45–64
Household Income
• 63% earn $125,000+ annually
• 29% earn more than $200,000
Education
• 63% hold a college or advanced degree
Verified Audience Data
Audience and readership metrics independently verified through the Circulation Verification Council (CVC) readership study.
What Coast News Readers Plan to Buy
• Dining & Entertainment — 88%
• Vacations & Travel — 44%
• Medical Services / Physicians — 39%
• Furniture & Home Furnishings — 35%
• Home Improvement Services — 30%
• Home Heating & Air Conditioning — 21%
• New or Used Automobile — 22%
• Veterinarian & Pet Supplies — 22%
• Real Estate — 8%
• Financial Planner — 28%
• Jewelry — 31%
73% of readers frequently purchase from ads seen in The Coast News.
The Coast News delivers audited, demanddriven distribution across more than 330 locations throughout North County’s most affluent communities.
MARKET REACH
Deep Reach Across Coastal and Inland North County
The Coast News connects businesses with highly engaged readers across North County San Diego’s most influential coastal and inland communities. Our distribution network reaches homeowners, professionals, and civic leaders who are actively engaged in local life.
Print | Digital | Email | Social
Primary Distribution
Communities Include
• Oceanside
• Carlsbad
• Encinitas
• Solana Beach
• Del Mar
• Carmel Valley
• Rancho Santa Fe
• Vista
• San Marcos
• Escondido
• Fallbrook
• Bonsall
Reader-Driven Distribution
Unlike home-delivered publications, The Coast News uses a demand distribution model, placing copies in hightraffic community locations where readers intentionally pick them up.
North County’s Most Engaged Local News Audience
DIGITAL DISPLAY ADVERTISING
Local Digital Reach Across North County
TheCoastNews.com delivers more than 375,000 monthly pageviews and high-impact digital impressions across engaged North County readers on desktop and mobile.
Premium Display Units
Billboard (970×250)
Leaderboard (728×90)
Large Rectangle (300×500)
Medium Rectangle (300×250)
High-visibility placements appearing across article pages and key site sections.
In-Content Display Units
Display ads embedded directly within article content, placing your message in front of readers while they are actively engaged with local news.
High-Impact Sponsorship Units
Homepage Post-It Note Takeover
3D Cube Interactive Unit
Local Authority Sponsorship Placement
Premium brand placements designed for maximum visibility and campaign impact.
Digital campaigns are sold on a CPM basis with guaranteed impression delivery and transparent performance reporting.
CPM Structure
Run-of-Site Display: starting at $6 CPM
Premium & In-Content Placements: $8–$12 CPM
High-Impact Sponsorships: custom pricing
Advanced Targeting Capabilities
• ZIP-level geo targeting
• Contextual keyword targeting
• Audience segmentation
• Email retargeting
• Custom digital campaign proposals available upon request
• Transparent reporting and measurable performance tracking.
PRINT ADVERTISING
Reach North County Through Trusted Local Journalism
Print remains one of the most trusted ways to reach North County residents and decisionmakers. Each issue of The Coast News is actively read, shared and saved by households and businesses throughout the region.
Standard Display Advertising
Full Page
$1,225 - $2,405
Half Page
$775 - $1,405
Quarter Page
$405 - $780
Eighth Page
$225 - $460
Rates are net per publication and may vary based on placement, frequency, use of color, and integrated campaigns.
Premium Print Placements
High-visibility placements designed to maximize brand awareness.
Front Page Strip
Starting at $500
Front Page Double Strip
Starting at $1,000
Page 3 Strip
Starting at $450
Page 3 Double Strip
Starting at $900
Legal Advertising
Court-approved publication for legal notices including fictitious business names, trustee sales, summons, and public notices. Email legals@coastnewsgroup.com.
Obituaries
Professional obituary publishing in print and online to honor and celebrate community members. Email obits@coastnewsgroup.com
Classifieds
Affordable classified listings for announcements, employment opportunities, services, and community notices. Email classifieds@ coastnewsgroup.com
Many successful campaigns start in print and expand across digital and storytelling platforms.
SPONSORED STORYTELLING & NATIVE ADVERTISING
Trusted Storytelling with Lasting Search Visibility
We create sponsored editorial features that position businesses within The Coast News’ trusted news environment while delivering lasting digital visibility and search authority.
Digital Sponsored Features
• 550–700 word professionally written article
• SEO optimization for long-term discoverability
• 3–5 contextual backlinks
• Placement on thecoastnews.com
• Optional social amplification
Marketplace News
• Appears in the Coast News Marketplace News section
• Approx. 700 words (1/3 page) or 320 words (1/6 page)
• Web searchable archive placement
• SEO optimization for long-term discoverability
• Optional framed reprint for display
These programs combine credible storytelling with lasting digital visibility and trusted print exposure.
Health & Beauty Section
• Monthly themed section published first Friday of each month
• Reaches readers interested in health, wellness, and beauty services
• Optional “Ask the Expert” sponsored columns from local healthcare professionals
• Optional newsletter inclusion
Eat & Drink Features
Restaurants may be featured in the Lick the Plate or Taste of Food & Wine columns highlighting North County’s dining scene.
Custom packages and pricing available upon request.
BEST OF NORTH COUNTY
Annual Community Recognition Platform
Best of North County is The Coast News’ annual community voting program celebrating the businesses, services and organizations that define life in North County San Diego.
The program drives nominations, voting engagement and special print and digital coverage throughout the year.
Program Includes
• Dedicated online nomination and voting platform
• Premium Best of North County glossy print magazine
• Voting promotion across Coast News digital channels
• Sponsored advertising packages during nomination and voting periods
• “Simply the Best” advertorial features showcasing winning businesses
• Event and community promotion opportunities
Best of North County delivers elevated visibility and trusted community endorsement.
TRUSTED LOCAL JOURNALISM
Independent • Community-Focused • Award-Winning
For more than three decades, The Coast News has served North County San Diego with independent local journalism that informs residents, supports local businesses and strengthens community engagement.
We reach highly engaged readers across coastal and inland communities through trusted reporting and meaningful storytelling.
Our Mission
We believe strong local journalism strengthens communities by providing transparency, highlighting local voices and supporting the small businesses that power our regional economy.
Trusted & Recognized
Circulation Verification Council (CVC) Certified
Independent auditing ensures our circulation and distribution meet verified industry standards.
Journalism Awards & Professional Recognition
The Coast News and its writers have received numerous regional awards recognizing excellence in reporting, storytelling and community coverage.
Certified Small Business
The Coast News Group is a certified small business committed to independent local journalism and supporting North County’s local economy.
What Our Partners Say
“For 25 years, The Coast News has consistently delivered new clients every week, making it the best advertising investment I’ve ever made.”
— Mary Eblen, Health Insurance Agent
“The Coast News remains one of the most trusted voices in North County.”
— Bruce Ehlers, Encinitas Mayor
“The Coast News’ targeted advertising opportunities give local businesses a powerful way to reach residents directly, turning readers into customers.”
—Carol Knight, Encinitas Chamber CEO
“Families see us week after week in The Coast News, and it builds a sense of familiarity and trust that really matters.”
— Camille Hastings, Leading Note Studios
Serving North County Since 1987
Since 1987 The Coast News has been dedicated to covering the people, businesses, and issues that shape North County San Diego.
Let’s Work Together
Businesses and organizations interested in reaching North County audiences can contact our team to explore advertising and storytelling opportunities.
The Coast News Group thecoastnews.com 760-436-9737
ADVERTISING SPECIFICATIONS
Print and Digital Ad Requirements
Print Ad Specifications
Full Page
10.25” × 14.5”
Half Page
10.25” × 7.25” or 5.075” × 14.5”
Quarter Page
5.075” × 7.25”
Eighth Page
5.075” × 3.5”
Front Page & Page 3 Strip
10.25” × 2”
Front Page & Page 3 Double Strip
10.25” × 4”
Other sizes are available upon request.
Print File Requirements
• PDF/X-1a preferred
• 300 DPI images
• CMYK color mode
• Fonts embedded or outlined
Custom ad formats and sponsorship placements available upon request.
Advertising Deadlines
Digital Placements - 2 business days prior
Space Reservation - Friday at 4PM, 1 week prior
Ad Materials - Monday at 4PM week of publication
Digital Ad Specifications
Accepted File Types
JPG, PNG, Animated GIF, HTML5, and MP4 (for select rich media placements)
Destination Links
All digital ads must include a destination click-though URL.
Maximum File Size of 500 KB
Premium Interactive Units
Some high-impact advertising formats require multiple creative assets. Final specs are provided during campaign setup.
3D Cube Interactive Unit
Up to four creative panels supported. Each panel may link to a separate destination URL. Recommended panel size is 300 × 250. JPG, PNG, or HTML5 formats accepted.
Homepage Post-It Note Takeover
Floating homepage overlay placement supporting one primary creative and destination link. Static or animated creative accepted.
Local Authority Sponsorship
Large integrated display placement supporting one primary creative and optional call-toaction link.
CUSTOM STRATEGIC SOLUTIONS
Integrated Campaign Development
Beyond traditional advertising placements, The Coast News partners with businesses to develop integrated campaigns that combine print, digital, content, audio, video, and promotional strategies through trusted local production and marketing partners.
Strategic Marketing Services
Available Through Coast News Partnerships Include
• SEO consultation
• Multi-media content development
• Search visibility enhancement
• AI-integrated digital strategy
• Strategic campaign planning
• Podcast and audio production
• Video storytelling and branded content
• Studio interview recording
Why partner with The Coast News?
• Trusted independent journalism serving North County’s most engaged coastal communities
• Reach affluent readers who actively support local businesses
• Integrated print, digital, and sponsored storytelling across Coast News platforms
• Audited distribution at 330+ locations throughout North County
• Opportunities to align your brand with community events, contests, and local initiatives
• Support the independent journalism that keeps North County informed and connected
• Sponsored podcast and audio placements These services support long-term partnerships and integrated campaigns across Coast News platforms and trusted regional media partners.
Start a Conversation with Our Team
Every business is different. Our team works with advertisers to develop campaigns that combine print, digital, storytelling, and strategic partnerships to reach North County audiences. Contact us to discuss ideas, opportunities, and upcoming campaigns.