San Diego

Five Things Visitors Must Do When Visiting Cardiff California

What is it about Cardiff By The Sea that makes it so different from the other beach communities lining the Pacific Ocean north of San Diego? Well, there’s the ocean, an ecological reserve, a lagoon, fantastic beaches, restaurant row, surf breaks, Cardiff-By-The-Sea bed and breakfasts and never-ending sea breezes. To help you capture the flavor of Cardiff, here are Eight Things You Must Do when visiting Cardiff By The Sea.

1. Go For A Magic Carpet Ride

At the corner of Chesterfield and Highway 101 (across from the Cardiff Lodge) is a bronze sculpture of a surfer that has been the topic of much conversation and ridicule ever since it was installed. The one-of-a-kind sculpture depicts a young surfer boy and is entitled “Magic Carpet Ride.” Ever since it was unveiled in the summer of 2008, surfers and locals have been griping that the look of the “surfer” it too feminine and does not capture the essence of true surfing. Called dorky by some, “gay” by others, pranksters have delighted in adorning the statue with pink skirts, braids, bikini tops, biking shorts, high heels, flowers, lingerie and teddy bears. Take a walk by. what do you think?

2. Watch The Surfers At Cardiff Reef

Cardiff Reef is a popular stretch of sandy beach at the mouth of San Elijo Lagoon, just north of Restaurant Row. It’s popular with long-boarders because it has a soft sand bottom and slow, mushy waves. Spectators line up to enjoy the views from the State Beach parking lots and picnic tables. The rocky reefs along Cardiff sport a great selection of surfer talent from beginners to seasoned pros. If you’re staying at one of the nearby bed and breakfasts in Cardiff, have lunch on the outdoor patios of The Beach House or The Chart House restaurants, and you’ll have the best view in the house.

3. Take A Hike in an Ecological Reserve

San Elijo Lagoon is one of San Diego County’s largest coastal wetlands. It lies along the Pacific coast between Cardiff-By-The-Sea and Solana Beach, extending inland to the community of Rancho Santa Fe. This mosaic of habitats supports more than 310 species of plants, 21 species of fish, 22 species of reptiles and amphibians, 24 species of mammals and more than 300 species of birds. The new visitor’s center is open to the public seven-days-a-week from 9 am to 5 pm, and is an excellent vantage point from which to explore the Ecological Reserve and its more than seven miles of hiking and jogging trails.

4. Have Fun At The Beach

Cardiff State Beach is a great beach to have fun. You can watch surfers, work on your tan, read a book, have a picnic, or try your hand at surfing, boogie-boarding or body surfing. Cardiff Beach has been called the Riviera of the West because it has warm water and a sandy beach. You will see people swimming, surfing, bicycling, walking and jogging. These beaches area a great place to stretch and watch sunrise after a night at a Cardiff lodge or bed and breakfast in Cardiff-By-The-Sea.

5. Soak In A Hot Tub At Sunset

Just 2 miles up Historic Highway 101 from Cardiff-By-The-Sea is a romantic inn located on a hillside above Moonlight Beach in the beach town of Encinitas: The Inn at Moonlight Beach. The Inn has four lovely guest suites overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The Penthouse Suite is a favorite for honeymooners and those celebrating their anniversaries because it has its own private balcony and hot tub with phenomenal view of the Pacific Ocean sunsets.