Downtown Cardiff
Location: San Elijo Ave and Vulcan Ave
Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA (map)
Village Atmosphere
Downtown Cardiff, has a quaint, village-like atmosphere. The town centre is located along 3 blocks of San Elijo Ave between Birmingham Dr. and Chesterfield Dr., just on the east side of Hwy 101 and the railroad tracks, in Cardiff, CA.
Cardiff Seaside Market
Seaside Market is the main grocery market in downtown Cardiff. It is family-owned and a bit offbeat, along with everything else in town. It has many specialty items, along with regular grocery food.
In the same shopping complex as Seaside Market are other specialty stores, including a Starbucks, a surf-art gallery, neighborhood gym, a couple of boutique clothing stores, and a restaurant.
Cardiff Shops
A block down the street is V.G. Donut & Bakery, also family-owned, has been baking up a storm since 1969. And across the street is Pipe's Cafe, an off-beat small restaurant with informal California cuisine and outdoor seating.
A block further down the street in Cardiff Town Center is the old Cardiff Mercantile Co Building, one of the few historical buildings left in Cardiff by the Sea. The Merchantile was the local general store. It is located at the corners of Chesterfiled and San Elijo Ave.
Good Walking Town
Cardiff by the Sea takes pride in its "walkability" with the Cardiff State Beach, San Elijo State Beach, San Elijo State Beach Campground, San Elijo Lagoon, Restaurant Row, Cardiff restaurants, markets, post office, library, and other commercial services in easy walking distance to each other. One thing that makes Cardiff-by-the-Sea Town Center unique in the county is it's direct access and openness to the ocean, without buildings blocking the view.
