Cardiff State Beach - Seaside Beach

Located on the border between the cities of Solana Beach and Encinitas, Cardiff State Beach - Seaside Beach is a part of a 507-acre state park known as Cardiff State Beach. The narrow beach has light brown sand, and there is a rocky reef present near the beach – the San Elijo Lagoon is also present near the beach. Cardiff State Beach - Seaside Beach has several amenities including lifeguards, restrooms, and showers. The beach also allows pets on leash and offers access to people with disabilities. Getting to Cardiff State Beach - Seaside Beach is easy – the access point to the beach is located near 2504 South Coast Highway 101. There is a paid parking lot available near the beach.

Cardiff State Beach - Seaside Beach offers many fun activities including swimming, sunbathing, beachcombing, surfing, skimboarding,paddleboarding, kayaking, tidepooling, canoeing, surf-skiing,surfing, bodysurfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, boogie boarding, diving, snorkelling, wildlife watching, kayaking, canoeing, boating,and jet-skiing. A surfing reef-break is present near Cardiff State Beach - Seaside Beach, making the beach a popular surfing spot. Moreover, divers and snorkelers can explore the vibrant flora and fauna present near the underwater kelp beds and the rocky reef near Cardiff State Beach - Seaside Beach. The water near the beach is home to a variety of animals including seals, sea lions, dolphins, and migrating grey whales (between December and April). You can also explore the tidepools present in the reef near the beach at low tide which contain a variety of animals including sea anemones, crabs, and sea urchins. However, if you are planning to go into the water near Cardiff State Beach - Seaside Beach, we recommend being careful since the water near the beach is known to have rip currents. Cardiff State Beach is located on the western end of San Elijo Lagoon, which is a part of a large ecological reserve known as San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve and Nature Center ( the nature center is located at 2710 Manchester Avenue, a seven-minute drive away from the beach) and which offers a variety of walking and biking trails for exploring the interesting flora and fauna of the lagoon and the wetlands around it. The nature center also has interesting exhibits on the lagoon’s natural history. 

There are many attractions near Cardiff State Beach - Seaside Beach. San Diego Botanic Garden is open from Wednesday through Sundays between 10 am to 5 pm and features interesting exhibits showcasing 5,000 different plant varieties from all over the world. San Dieguito Heritage Museum features homes built by early settlers in Encinitas and offers an interesting insight into California’s history. If you’re looking for another attraction near Cardiff State Beach - Seaside Beach, the North Coast Repertory Theater often hosts innovative and excellent plays, and also organizes youth education and community outreach programs.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Cardiff State Beach - Seaside Beach. Pamplemousse Grille is an upscale restaurant that offers excellent steaks and seafood dishes. A more affordable restaurant is Claire’s on Cedros which offers delicious breakfast dishes including hash browns, eggs, french toasts and serves excellent pastas and pastries. If you’re looking for another good restaurant near Cardiff State Beach - Seaside Beach, the modestly priced Bongiorno’s offers delectable pizzas.

If you are looking for a hotel near Cardiff State Beach - Seaside Beach, there are many great nearby options. The 4-Star L’Auberge Del Mar offers a variety of amenities including two restaurants, a lounge with live music, a bar, an outdoor pool, a spa, a fitness center, tennis courts, and a beach equipment loaner facility. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Del Mar/ Solana Beachwhich offers many amenities including a courtyard with a fireplace, two restaurants, a pool, whirlpool, and an exercise room. If you’re looking for another good and affordable hotel near Cardiff State Beach - Seaside Beach,the modestly priced 2-Star Holiday Inn Express & Suites Solana Beach - Del Mar offers many amenities including a pool, a hot tub, and complimentary breakfast.