Cardiff Beach more officially Cardiff State Beach sits on a golden stretch of coastline in north San Diego County, between Encinitas and Solana Beach. It’s the kind of place where locals roll up with sandy boards in the back of the car, seabirds ride the breeze over the San Elijo Lagoon, and the sunsets look almost too cinematic to be real. Whether you’re a surfer chasing clean reef breaks, a family hunting for tide pools, or a traveler craving a slower, salt-tinted day, Cardiff Beach quietly delivers.
Where Exactly Is Cardiff Beach?
Cardiff Beach belongs to the small seaside community of Cardiff-by-the-Sea, about 25 miles north of downtown San Diego. It forms the long sandy edge of the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve, a 700+ acre wetland that’s home to migrating birds, native plants, and marine life.
The state beach itself is split into two main areas:
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North Beach (Cardiff Reef / “Restaurant Row”) – close to Highway 101, backed by popular oceanfront eateries and known for its well-formed reef break and mellow surf scene.
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Seaside Beach (South Cardiff) – a wide sandy area near Solana Beach with easy access, great views, and classic low-tide tide pools.
Together, they create one continuous shoreline where you can walk for ages with the Pacific on one side and coastal bluffs or the lagoon on the other.
What Makes Cardiff Beach Special?
Cardiff isn’t a flashy “resort” beach. Its charm is more relaxed and organic – it feels like a real, lived-in stretch of coast.
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Surf culture without the attitude – The north end, especially near Cardiff Reef, is considered one of the better surf spots in San Diego, drawing longboarders and shortboarders alike to its consistent reef and sandbar peaks.
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Tide pools at low tide – At Seaside Beach (the south end), when the tide drops, rocky platforms emerge. Here you’ll spot starfish, sea cucumbers, anemones, and small crabs – a natural aquarium at your feet.
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Lagoon + beach combo – The proximity to San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve means you can easily pair a beach day with birdwatching or a peaceful walk on the lagoon’s trails. It’s an unusual mix of wild wetlands and sandy shoreline.
It’s also a designated state beach, so you get lifeguards, maintained facilities, and a sense of safety and structure without losing that relaxed SoCal vibe.
Things To Do at Cardiff Beach
You won’t be bored here, even if your plan is to “do nothing” on purpose. Popular activities include:
1. Surfing and Paddle Sports
Cardiff has two main reefs and several sandbars that offer long, rideable waves – ideal for intermediate surfers and longboarders, with calmer days that suit beginners. Kelp beds offshore also make it a solid spot for diving and snorkeling when the water is clear.
Stand-up paddleboarders sometimes launch from the gentler sections, especially on smaller swell days, gliding over the kelp forests with views up and down the coast.
2. Sunbathing and Beach Walks
The beach is wide and sandy, perfect for:
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Laying out with a towel and a book
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Tossing a frisbee or playing paddleball
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Taking long walks in either direction – toward Encinitas one way, Solana Beach the other
The views from the bluffs above are especially photogenic, with wooden staircases leading down to the sand and the coastline stretching out in layered blues and tans.
3. Exploring Tide Pools
At the southern Seaside Beach end, low tide exposes rocky shelves where kids and adults crouch down to spot:
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Sea stars
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Hermit crabs
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Sea cucumbers
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Little fish hiding in shallow pools
It’s a natural science lesson, plus it’s free – just remember to tread lightly and leave everything as you found it.
4. Birdwatching and Nature Time
Because the beach borders San Elijo Lagoon, you might see herons, egrets, shorebirds, and seasonal migrants hovering between ocean and estuary. Trails and a visitor center near the lagoon give you more ways to explore this side of Cardiff beyond the sand.
Facilities, Parking, and Practical Tips
Cardiff State Beach is designed for easy day use:
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Parking – Large lots line Highway 101 at both the north and south ends of the state beach. There’s a day-use fee, and lots can fill on summer weekends or during surf-heavy swells, so earlier is better.
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Restrooms and showers – Basic restrooms and outdoor showers are available near the parking areas, making post-beach clean-up simple.
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Lifeguards – State beach lifeguards typically patrol during daylight hours, especially in the busier seasons. Still, rip currents can form near the lagoon channel, so always check with lifeguards before heading into deeper water.
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Pets – Dogs are generally not allowed on the sand at Cardiff State Beach itself, though nearby areas and certain neighboring beaches have different rules, so always check the latest regulations before bringing your pup.
Across the road from North Beach, there’s a lineup of casual restaurants nicknamed “Restaurant Row,” where you can grab tacos, seafood, or a sunset drink with waves practically under your feet.
If you want to stay overnight, you’ll find San Elijo State Beach Campground just across the lagoon, offering cliff-top sites overlooking the ocean – one of San Diego’s classic coastal camping spots.
Best Time to Visit Cardiff Beach
Cardiff Beach is open year-round, and each season has its own personality:
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Spring – Milder crowds, pleasant temps, and wildflowers on the nearby slopes.
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Summer – Peak beach season: warmer water, ideal for swimming and full beach days (also busier and more lively).
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Fall – Often the locals’ favorite: warm, glassy surf, clear skies, and slightly thinner crowds once school is back in session.
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Winter – Bigger swells for experienced surfers, cooler air and water, and quiet, moody walks along the shoreline.
Because this is Southern California, even winter days can surprise you with warm sun, but evenings often call for a hoodie or jacket.
Why Cardiff Beach Belongs on Your Coastal Bucket List
Cardiff Beach doesn’t scream for attention the way some high-profile California beaches do. Instead, it’s the kind of place that wins you over slowly: one surf session, one tide-pool discovery, one orange-and-pink sunset at a time.
You get:
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Real surf culture without heavy crowds or pretense
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A rare combo of beach + lagoon in a single outing
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Easy access to food, coastal trails, and nearby beach towns
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Enough wildness in the tide pools and wetlands to remind you this coastline is alive and constantly changing
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If you’re chasing that classic Southern California beach feeling – warm sand, rolling waves, friendly locals, and a horizon that keeps pulling your eyes – Cardiff Beach is one of those spots you visit once and quietly plan to return to again.