Cardiff starts at the river mouth, flanked by San Elijo State Beach and Cardiff State Beach, and extends north to Swami’s Point in Encinitas. At extreme low tide, the reef reveals itself with tide pools, where plants and sea creatures reveal themselves for an up-close look. Cardiff is also home to the Cardiff Kook—a surfer statue that’s often criticized, and sometimes revered, as a parody of California’s iconic sport.

Where to go

• Cardiff State Beach and its two reefs create excellent breaks for surfing, while its kelp beds are well-suited for diving.
• San Elijo, the beach in front of the campground, is open for day use and is ideal for families.
• Pipes is a fun peaky surf break north of the campground, popular with swimmers, sunbathers and surfers alike.
• Cardiff Reef is a quaint beach park and surf spot on the south end of the campground where the cliffs end.
• George's is just south of the San Elijo Lagoon river mouth and is the area’s “Restaurant Row,” located right above the beach on Highway 101.

Parking

• You can park at any of the designated lots, but be sure to purchase a parking pass, available at the ranger station at Cardiff State Beach camping grounds.
• Street parking along Highway101 is free but can be a busy stretch of Interstate.

Popular Activities

• Surfing, paddle boarding, boogie boarding.
• Body surfing and swimming are allowed in designated areas.
• Snorkelling and scuba diving.
• Spearfishing.

What to love

• There can be strong currents and rip tides, especially around the river mouth.
• Big waves are possible during swells.
• Use caution when walking on bluffs and cliffs, which can be unstable.
• Alcohol and smoking are prohibited on beaches.

Managing a rental property is an uphill journey with many twists and turns. Don’t make the trek alone. At Jensen Properties, we perform extensive market research and analyze each property on macro and micro levels to develop a detailed plan for success.

We are your go-to property manager for all your Cardiff by the Sea property management needs. All our management fees are based on a percentage of incoming monthly rent. That means that we only get paid when you do. We also GUARANTEE our zero hidden fee management.

We never charge extra for leasing your property, coordinating maintenance, or managing large projects or insurance claims. When you become a Jensen Properties client, we will take care of your property like it is our own investment.

Click on the “view details” buttons below to learn more about the services included with each option. Don’t hesitate to contact us with questions.