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Cardiff State Beach
Rating Details »
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
11 reviews for Cardiff State Beach
This is a highlight of the drive along the 101... what a great little treat and place for a time out... even if I did just accidently lose my friend within a couple of blocks over near J.
I don't come down here as often as I should. I didn't when I lived down there and well... I can't wait to drive my bike along the road and come back.
The views here are spectacular. You can go so much closer than you can in beach areas along the freeway up here in LA... and the water is far more inviting.
The drive is peaceful and a bit off the beaten path... as you approach, there are almost always surfers.
Unlike other beaches of its caliber, the water does not do a huge drop right away. You will see both adults as well as families dotting the waves. It's great for body boarders as well as the surf culture... the water is clean and so is the beach after you get past the stone entryway.
There is parking along the road and prime views of just the water if perhaps you want to go at night with a date or just collect your thoughts.
It's difficult not to get hypnotized and live there.... but this mermaid has her own siren song to sing, and it shall not be here longer than today... until we meet again m'dear. Until we meet again... oh quiet doggy beach.. you are a bit of a secret Atlantis... I just wish you had more shells on you to bring... back to that other place I call home.
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This is a wonderful long beach for walking, wading, swimming, beach combing, etc. I learned plenty about surfing after talking with a surfer on his way out to the surf.
If it had been a movie (think Point Break, Blue Crush, etc.) the surfer dude would have been all territorial about the beach and disdainful of tourists or non-surfers. There would have been shouting, swearing, some pushing and shoving...his posse would have rolled up on my posse, things would have escalated, he would have insulted my wife, I would have gone Karate Kid, they would have done a drive-by a few days later and shot up our house, I would have dressed in camo and gone Rambo on the Surfer Hangout...you know how these things always turn out.
Like most of my life, my encounter with surfer dude was not movie like at all.
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This beach is a full-on Monet: from far away it's ok, but up close it's a big ole mess.
You may be thinking, "whatever, as if!" but let me give you the 411.
Here's what I like or shall I say, LOVE:
1) I often walk my dog along the 101 from Swami's, past the campgrounds, past the statue, over the bridge and down to the beach. The view off the cliff is breathtaking and it's amazing to see how far the coast expands and how the vast ocean bleeds into the horizon. You will see amazing sunsets from the cliff. The pathway along the highway is great for walking dogs or taking a jog.
2) At night, the lights from The Beach House restaurant illuminate the water and it is another very beautiful sight. The way the light hits the waves creates a gentle sparkle.
3) Dogs are allowed at the beach (on-leash).
4) The bathrooms are pretty decent and clean, given that they are public.
Here's the bad (of no fault to the beach, but because I am a beach snob):
1) The seaweed is plentiful and infested with millions of little bugs, swarming around if you step anywhere near the seaweed.
2) The sand looks dirty, but only because I am spoiled and grew up with white sandy beaches.
3) The water is cold, too green, and looks pretty nasty coming out of that canal.
I admire from afar, but this wouldn't be my top choice beach to spend a whole day enjoying the sand and the water. This beach is a work of art, flaws and all.
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Cardiff State Beach is a great place to go relax and do what San Diegans do best: enjoy the ocean!
Some of the many things to do here include: enjoy the beach, pet the dogs, people watch, catch some zzzs, read a good book, drink some brews (discreetly), surf, body board and all other beach activities.
Cardiff isn't as crowded as most beaches, but parking can sometimes be troublesome. There's good restaurants nearby and if you like to bike there's plenty of beach to cruise or road to go down. I recommend this beach because it's very clean, friendly and laid back. Check it out, you won't be disappointed.
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Cardiff State Beach has been called the Riviera of California. It's beaches are rockier that its European sister but the color of the water and rustic nature is just as breathtaking. The beach is actually a long strip sandwiched in between Solana Beach and the south end of Cardiff-by-the Sea. There are two paid parking entrances on either end however there is street parking in between both and just north in front of San Elijo Camp Grounds.
You can expect great surfing here especially at the reef on the north end known as Cardiff Reef. The south end is referred to as Seaside Reef can also pop up pretty nicely when the swell is just right. You can surf anywhere along the strip and also swim, fish and of course sunbathe.
When it's windy you may see a few kite surfers out and about as there is plenty of room to take off and glide into shore and park the kite.
It is the only beach around where you can bring a dog provided that you have it on a leash at all times. The tickets are hefty.
Cardiff Reef is a big longboard surf spot and the locals like to hang out all day and barbecue in between sessions.
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This beach is tied with Del Mar Beach under the category of "my most favorite beach ever!!!" :)
I like how it's less crowded than other beaches, and how I could take a walk and then spend my time jumping over the seaweed and petting cute little puppies.
Whenever I drive past and I glance out onto the water, I'm always reminded of bright suns and warm bodies and a feeling of contentment that seems to extend as far out as the waters end :].
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We spent the better part of 3 days at this beach. Mainly because it was the only beach that is dog friendly.
The beach is beautiful. No short supply of waves or surfers. And the life guards were very attentive to the shifting of the water and moving the water dwellers to stable water. I seen them rescue 4 people. I guess I'd say this beach is probably better for people familar and comfortable with the ocean.
To say this beach is rocky is an understatement. I hardly saw any seashells, though I did find a sand dollar. Make sure to bring your beach shoes with you, becuase you'll be sorry you didn't.
The water is warm. The sand is nice. The view is incredible. The bathrooms are clean. The whole beach was clean. We BBQ'd. But I didn't see any fire pits.
There was 2 entrances for paid parking . But the 3 times we were there, there was never anyone collecting money.
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I'm so glad it's nearby. Even though I live a few minutes away, I come here to get away. A night or two in the campgrounds is enough to charge my batteries as if I had gone away, but I don't have to. That's the beauty of it. Gotta love those bonfires and smores.
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Cardiff is one of the prettiest, chillest towns you will find in San Diego or California for that matter. I used to live up on the bluff overlooking Cardiff Reef, three doors down from Rob Machado's place and loved every minute of it! As a lifelong surfer, I could walk across the road, hop over the train tracks and voila....surfing heaven! The reef tends to get crowded, but depending on the time of day and season you go, you can find uncrowded conditions from time to time. Three distinct peaks consist of the main peak breaking right, Suckouts- the left, and Tippers which is about 75 yards north of Cardiff Reef. There are nice enough bathrooms and facilities within the pay parking lot in front of the main break. Be wary of the water quality coming out of the Rivermouth leading into the break. The water coming out of the lagoon is highly suspect at any time of the year, NOT just during the rainy season. I often warn the tourists and their kids about the water issue as they unknowingly wallow directly in the Hep "B" turd zone of the inner canal. The Cardiff Campgrounds is a very popular option for Zonies and inland locals alike as it spans in a linear fashion just west of the PCH from the southern end of Swamiis down to the northern fringe of Cardiff reef. I am quite nostalgic of the campfire smells emminating from this place, but you'll need to reserve a spot well in advance as this place books quickly!
In the central portion of Cardiff State Beach you have what is called "Restaurant Row", with a good assortment of seaside restaurants and eateries. The Kraken is a biker bar, you have Ki's, Yogi's, Charthouse, BeachHouse, and Charlies. Too much to say here but check out their individual reviews if you find yourself getting hungry or thirsty after a long day at the beach. Probably my favorite part of the beach, known as "Georges", this central expanse of beach meets Army Corp of Engineers rockpile is a great place to hang with friends and family, pick your own beachbreak peak for surfing, and play your assortment of beach games at low tide. You will often see stacked rock sculptures along this stretch of the PCH.
Lastly, you have Seaside Reef at the southern expanse of Cardiff. They recently renovated the parking lot last year but besides a few cosmetic improvements, the parking lot seems about the same as it was before. The waves at this break almost always offer something to ride, even on the smallest days, and there is a very technical, suckout left that will keep you on your toes during a good swell and a low tide. In fact, Seaside Reef is where surfing's Momentum crew featuring locals such as Taylor Knox and Rob Machado got their start to surf stardom back in the 90's. The talent level in the lineup here still blows minds so be prepared to bring your A-game in the surfing department or surf elsewhere as this break gets territorial for good reason.
All in all, Cardiff is probably one of my favorite beaches but get there early in the Summertime as parking can be a biatch. See you with the sunnies on......
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My favorite beach to walk my dogs...especially in the winter when you have the beach pretty much to yourself except for the surfers (which is a big plus for me because there is nothing I like to look at more than a man in a wet suit!)That being said...your dogs have to be on a leash at this beach but my dogs don't mind...they just love having the beach to themselves to take their time sniffing every little piece of kelp they can (-:
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Best place to drive by, over and over and over again!! Spectacular view. If you can find parking and sit and watch the surf, even better!!!
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