San Diego
  Cardiff
  Carlsbad
  Coronado
  Del Mar
  Encinitas

 Imperial Beach

  La Jolla

  Mission Beach
  Ocean Beach
  Oceanside
 Pacific Beach
  Point Loma

 Solana Beach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Cardiff, California
San Diego Beach Vacation

Cardiff or Cardiff-by-the-Sea is a beach community tucked between Encinitas and Solana Beach in San Diego County, California. It has the Pacific Ocean on its west, Encinitas on east and north, and a beach and lagoon on the south. Operating as part of the city of Encinitas, the town of under 12,000 still considers itself a separate entity. Like so many other towns around the region, locals prefer the small town atmosphere and most want to keep it like that. It's hard to believe it is located just 25 miles north of California's second largest city, San Diego. Conveniently located just west of Interstate 5, many residents live on hillsides with gorgeous ocean views but are still within commute distance to downtown San Diego.

Over eighty years ago, this farming community in the hills north of the San Elijo Lagoon, began to take root and grow as Cardiff when developer J. Frank Cullen broke ground to build new homes. Many streets in Cardiff bear names this English-born landowner grew up with in his native UK. Birmingham, Chesterfield and Manchester are familiar streets to Cardiff residents. See the history of Cardiff.

Primarily residential, there are two hotels in town, fine dining, shops and the beautiful Pacific Ocean which attracts tourists to the region. San Elijo State Beach Campground, provides opportunities for tent camping right on the ocean. Locals and travelers alike, enjoy bird watching and hiking along the trails in the San Elijo Lagoon and running and biking along the beachside highway. 

One of several restaurants lined up side by side on Restaurant Row is The Beach House. The unique building complete with stained glass bathroom windows looking to the ocean was designed by famed architect, Hubble (not related to the Hubble telescope).

Dishes are served with a colorful flower. The Cobb Salad pictured contained a mix of gourmet greens, lots of avocado, turkey, bacon, tomato and bleu cheese with fresh bleu cheese dressing on the side. Fresh round loves of hot sourdough bread come to the table with soft, whipped butter. 

The day I ate there, dolphins swam by, a wind surfer skimmed across the water and birds sat on the rocks, watching diners and hoping for a morsel of food. It was a most relaxing lunch, watching and listening to the waves. 

Cardiff offers a range of water-related activities; swimming, surfing, sunbathing, wind sailing and strolling along the shore. Also enjoy hiking, jogging, boating, tennis, fishing, hang gliding, bicycling, or nearby golfing. There is a residential and business district and a Chamber of Commerce office in Towne Centre. Drop by when they are open to purchase souvenir gifts such as T-shirts, ball caps, license plate frames and postcards.

Cardiff-by-the-Sea is a great escape. Known for its charm, village hospitality and warm, sunny weather, it offers everything unique to those who seek the beauty of a small ocean side town.
 

Annual events include:
 
Cardiff's Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church Greek Festival every September. 
A Chili Cookoff in October.  
Cardiff by the Sea Chamber of Commerce 2051 San Elijo Ave. Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Ca. 92007 Located at Cardiff Towne Centre Phone: 760-436-0431
http://www.cardiffbythesea.org/

History of Cardiff San Elijo State Beach Campground North County Map