Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA
Location: 25 miles north of San Diego, Cardiff-by-the-Sea is a beach community within the city of Encinitas. (Map)
Like its sister, Leucadia, to the north, Cardiff-by-the-Sea retains its own self identity and small-town, village-like atmosphere.Called Cardiff by locals, many of the city's streets are named after places that the first developer, J. Frank Cullen grew up with in his native UK.
Some features of Cardiff are it's town village, beaches and state beach campground, San Elijo Lagoon and restaurant row.
Activity Hubs
Cardiff Town Village/Beaches HubCardiff State Beach & Tide Pool, San Elijo State Beach, San Elijo State Beach Campground, Cardiff Restaurant Row, Cardiff-by-the-Sea Town Centre,
Cardiff Beaches
Cardiff State BeachSan Elijo State Beach
Long sandy beaches, with a tide pool, a popular campground, and excellent surfing.
Cardiff Attractions
COASTAL CAMPGROUNDS
San Elijo State Beach Campground
This campground resides atop ocean cliffs overlooking San Elijo State Beach. Within walking distance to Restaurant Row and Cardiff Town Village.
LAGOONS / NATURE CENTERS
San Elijo Lagoon
Good hiking trails and a brand new nature center. Large variety of plants and animals.
San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center
New, mulit-million dollar 4-230-square-foot, two-story nature center with extensive exhibits, view deck and garden roof.
TIDE POOLS
Swami's Tide Pools
Popular for school field trips. Large reef formation, just north of stairs.
SHOPPING AREAS
Cardiff-by-the-Sea Town Centre
A block from the beach, this quaint, village-like atmosphere is mainly mom and pop shops.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS
Cardiff Restaurant RowSix restaurants straddle both sides of Coast Hwy 101, next to Cardiff State Beach.
Cardiff Events
Dog Days of Summer Contest & Canine Festival
Mid August
Adoptions, contests, and custom products for your dog.
Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church Greek Festival
September
Greek imports, crafts, game booths, an open marketplace, and a traditional Greek coffeehouse.
