Welcome to Cardiff-by-the-Sea
Small, hyper-local, tight community. This ocean, cliffside community rises from a long stretch of sandy beach which is filled daily every month of the year with surfers, runners, walkers, and ocean-gazers.
Located just north of Solana Beach this community hugs the Historic 101. The Cardiff coastline is renowned for wide-open sandy beaches, gorgeous cliffs, and great surfing.
There’s even camping, in a spectacular oceanfront setting, a favorite spot for many San Diego locals and visitors but remember to book well in advance.
Cardiff starts at the river mouth, flanked by San Elijo State Beach and Cardiff State Beach, and extends north to Swami’s Point in Encinitas. At extreme low tide, the reef reveals itself with tide pools, where plants and sea creatures expose themselves for an up-close look.
What to Expect
A family and dog-friendly community with sublime surf and a laid-back vibe. Capturing the essence of this community is the Cardiff Kook.
A surfer statue located at the intersection of 101 and Chesterfield Drive is sometimes criticized, and often revered, showcasing California’s iconic sport.
The Lifestyle
Casual and unpretentious, the locals support their oceanfront community.
Places like Seaside Market, Rimel’s Rotisserie, or Pipe’s Café are teeming with locals. Restaurant row offers world-class dining with views of surfers, sunsets, and if you are lucky, dolphins and whales.
What Not to Expect
Noise, congestion, late-night action. Cardiff is a morning town, this town’s residents love mornings, cherish sunsets, and then lights out.
The Market
Cardiff offers a variety of housing options from stunning contemporary homes to townhomes and beach cottages. Remarkably, Cardiff offers ocean views at many different price points, a unique attribute for a California oceanfront town.
You’ll Fall in Love With
The beaches and the serenity. When you are at the beach in Cardiff, the hours drift away as you gaze at the waves and stroll on the sand.