Cardiff by the Sea is my personal favorite North County Beach town. I live here! This is an outdoor lover’s paradise! Cardiff by the Sea is blessed with many world class surf spots such as Swamis and Cardiff Reef. Its wide open beaches and open spaces are a paradise for those who want to live in a clean, safe, affluent beach town, but who also demand open space and a sense of the great outdoors. In addition to its lagoon and marine bird sanctuary and its amazingly beautiful beaches, Cardiff is full of parks and schools. The hillside neighborhood of The Composer District boasts some of the greatest views of the Pacific Ocean in all of California. Many of the better placed homes enjoy views from La Jolla to Encinitas. The town center is small and quaint with one of the best markets in North County. Cardiff residents enjoy a vibrant and beautiful beach town with a sleepy, slow to change feel.
With a rich history in the surf world, Cardiff boasts some of the best surf spots on the planet. The water here is peppered with surfers and the beaches are long and elegant. Looking for the perfect ocean sunset? You are likely to find it in Cardiff by the Sea. The streets here are filled with cars with surfboards on top of them. Surf shops and cafes named after surf spots are many. Whether you are a surfer or not, it is easy to fall in love with the beautiful coastline of this very special beach town.
Seaside Market is the family owned market at the center of town. It exudes the North County lifestyle. With fresh flowers and produce out front- it gives you that farmer’s market feel. Inside, you will find the freshest seafood and the choicest meats, it’s a daily stop for Cardiff residents. I’m known to occasionally be there twice the same day- for a fresh deli sandwich at noon and then to pick up a little shrimp or halibut for an evening barbeque. Also in the Town Center is a Starbucks, a very unique Surf-Art Gallery, a neighborhood gym, and a couple boutique clothing stores and restaurants. One of my favorite spots for Italian food is Ciccioti’s. A little pasta and a fine Chianti or Super Tuscan, outside by the fire pit with the waves crashing 100 feet away… now that’s Cardiff! On the south end of Cardiff, you have one of the best places to get a fish taco and Margarita, called Las Olas.
Yogis, the sports bar that was once in the Seaside Market town Center, has now moved South to a location near Los Olas across from George's beach and surf spot. We are all also interested to see what goes into the location that Yogi's left. It looks like there will be 2 resaurants that will fill the space left by Yogi's. There is going to be a trendy yet classy Sushi restaurant and a Grill as well.
A granite and bronze statue of a surfer was unveiled at the beach side of the Chesterfield intersection with Hwy 101. I took my morning coffee and strolled down for a closer look at who this was dedicated to, it looks like it wasn't dedicated to anyone in particular. It looks like it is just a gift to the town and people of Cardiff by the Sea, in general. There are plaques along the bottom of the work in memory of different people who have passed or are special to the town in some way or another. Just another reminder of how special this little town on the Pacific Ocean really is.
Here is a list of Cardiff By The Sea complexes where you will be able to find current Cardiff By The Sea Condos for sale