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. Take A Good Close Look At Our "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 Surfers Surf Their Stuff
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
San Elijo Lagoon is San Diego County's largest coastal wetland with a brand new visitor's center that's open 7-days-a-week. The visitor's center is an excellent base from which you can explore the Ecological Reserve and its more than seven miles of hiking and jogging trails. Extensive habitat supports hundreds of species of plants, dozens of species of fish, reptiles, amphibians and mammals and more than 300 species of birds.
4. Work On Your Tan
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
The Inn at Moonlight Beach is a Bed and Breakfast Inn just 2 miles north of Cardiff. Trip Advisor calls it "a romantic seaside inn located on a hillside above Moonlight Beach." The Inn overlooks the Pacific Ocean and the little beach town of Encinitas. Be sure to ask about the Penthouse Suite with it's own balcony with private hot tub and a phenomenal view of the Pacific Ocean.
To help you capture the flavor of Cardiff, here are Eight Things You Must Do when visiting Cardiff By The Sea.
1. Take A Good Close Look At Our "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 Surfers Surf Their Stuff
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
San Elijo Lagoon is San Diego County's largest coastal wetland with a brand new visitor's center that's open 7-days-a-week. The visitor's center is an excellent base from which you can explore the Ecological Reserve and its more than seven miles of hiking and jogging trails. Extensive habitat supports hundreds of species of plants, dozens of species of fish, reptiles, amphibians and mammals and more than 300 species of birds.
4. Work On Your Tan
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
The Inn at Moonlight Beach is a Bed and Breakfast Inn just 2 miles north of Cardiff. Trip Advisor calls it "a romantic seaside inn located on a hillside above Moonlight Beach." The Inn overlooks the Pacific Ocean and the little beach town of Encinitas. Be sure to ask about the Penthouse Suite with it's own balcony with private hot tub and a phenomenal view of the Pacific Ocean.
About the Author:
Travel is the author's passion. He loves the ocean. Photographing seabirds is a passion. He and his wife own a B&B in Cardiff By The Sea. Visit: Cardiff By The Sea Hotels or Encinitas B&B.
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