Cardiff State Beach - North Beach(Cardiff Reef, George's, Restaurant Row)

Located in the city of Encinitas, Cardiff State Beach - North Beach is very popular among visitors and tourists. It is a wide beach and is situated in the beach community of Cardiff-by-the-Sea. This beach was awarded the nation’s Best Restored Beaches Award by the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA). Cardiff State Beach - North Beach is a pet-friendly beach with several amenities including lifeguards, restrooms, showers, ATMs, picnic tables, and barbecues. This beach is also known as Cardiff Reef because many professional surfers, including Rob Machado, gather here to surf. If you are a fan of beach activities, this beach has you covered with camping, kitesurfing, paddle-boarding, scuba diving, and snorkeling. You can also swim here, but be careful of the rip currents, especially at the lagoon channel. There is also a tide pool here where visitors can see the sea life, especially starfishes and sea cucumbers, during low tides.

If you are looking for nearby attractions, you can drive six minutes to San Elijo Lagoon, the largest remaining coastal wetlands in San Diego that is home to many species of plants, fish, mammals, reptiles, invertebrates, and birds. San Elijo State Beach Campground has more than 156 campsites, a camp store, boogie-boards and RV supply rentals, and a fast-food restaurant. You can reserve campsites here through Reserve America up to six months in advance. If you like hiking, Annie's Canyon Trail provides hiking areas great for both beginners and experienced hikers because of the natural climbing walls with single-pitch rock climbing routes. Encinitas Ranch Golf Course is an 18-hole beachfront golf course offering a driving range, golf shop, and restaurant. As another option, San Diego Botanic Garden features the nation’s biggest bamboo collection and 29 uniquely themed gardens including, the well-known Hamilton Children’s Garden. It has been awarded ‘Readers’ Choice 2019’ and ‘Top 10 Botanic Gardens in North America’ awards by USA Today 10Best.

To access the beach, after you get off of Highway 101, you will find its small paid parking lot near San Elijo Lagoon entrance.

If you are looking for nearby attractions, you can drive six minutes to San Elijo Lagoon, the largest remaining coastal wetlands in San Diego that is home to many species of plants, fish, mammals, reptiles, invertebrates, and birds. San Elijo State Beach Campground has more than 156 campsites, a camp store, boogie-boards and RV supply rentals, and a fast-food restaurant. You can reserve campsites here through Reserve America up to six months in advance. If you like hiking, Annie's Canyon Trail provides hiking areas great for both beginners and experienced hikers because of the natural climbing walls with single-pitch rock climbing routes. Encinitas Ranch Golf Course is an 18-hole beachfront golf course offering a driving range, golf shop, and restaurant. As another option, San Diego Botanic Garden features the nation’s biggest bamboo collection and 29 uniquely themed gardens including, the well-known Hamilton Children’s Garden. It has been awarded ‘Readers’ Choice 2019’ and ‘Top 10 Botanic Gardens in North America’ awards by USA Today 10Best.

If you're looking for a restaurant, you can drive two minutes to Ki’s Restaurant, an American restaurant that serves burritos, French toast, burgers, sandwiches, tacos, and nachos at very reasonable prices. Chart House is a vegetarian-friendly eatery offering many seafood items including oysters, shrimps, groupers, and shrimps. Another great option is Pacific Coast Grill, an upscale restaurant that was mentioned in "The 100 Most Scenic Restaurants in the US" by Business Insider and "7 Beachfront Bars" by Visit San Diego.

If you are looking for a place to stay, there are many hotels within a 20-minute drive. If you are looking for a luxurious option, the 5-Star AAA Five-Diamond hotel Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa was named #1 Best Hotel and Resort in California and #5 Best Resort in the US by U.S. News & World Report in 2019. The upscale 4-Star pet-friendly hotel L'Auberge Del Mar has a pool, bar, sauna, spa, and restaurant. Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Del Mar/Solana Beach is a 3-Star hotel featuring a pool, lounge, and fitness center. Another good option is the affordable 2-Star hotel Holiday Inn Express & Suites Solana Beach-del Mar that allows pets and has a gym.