Cardiff State Beach
Cardiff State Beach
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
87 reviews
Excellent
60
Very good
22
Average
5
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Hed300
San Diego, CA49 contributions
Apr 2016 • Solo
I run at this location whenever possible. It's a perfect location for a nice run after work. Start at the Seaside State Beach parking lot and run north along the coast to Swami's State Beach and back. The views are incredible....especially when you get up the hill and can look out from the cliffs over the pacific ocean at sunset. Beautiful.
Written April 11, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RavenneX
Denver, CO10 contributions
Jun 2019 • Family
Cardiff is such a cute lil sea side town. The beach is clean, with a small little tide pool to explore. Be sure to watch out for lifeguards' warnings, signs, flags, etc.
Written July 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Douglas P
Encinitas, CA7 contributions
Mar 2017 • Solo
Fantastic stretch of beach to walk. Dogs are allowed on leash. Great surfing spot right out of the parking lot. They have the Rob Machado invitational there each year. Parking lot requires pay.
Written March 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mara R
Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA68 contributions
Jan 2017 • Couples
This beach is like your best quirky friend. Also known as Cardiff Reef, this beach has consistently good surf and on occasion great surf. Unlike most of our beaches you can park right next to the beach (if you can find a spot) which makes it a super spot for surfers, stand up paddlers, kayaks, kite boarders, families and just about anyone.The beach usually has sand but this changes with the seasons and the tides. The surf is good for beginners when it is small (use caution and go when the lifeguards are working.) Out in front of the parking lot there is a reef. You will see the surfers there but if you are a beginner it is sometimes better to walk a little ways south to avoid the crowds and the reef. Several times a year they let the water from the slough out through the area at the North end by the bridge. This generally makes the seawater disgusting especially at low tide. It becomes that quirky friend in these moments because during high tide you cannot smell the stinky water but at low tide the sewage smell makes it quite unbearable. Local Doctors warn people to avoid this spot during storms and during these run off periods. While many people go swimming and surfing there constantly I would not recommend these times. Sometimes they post signs when it is terribly polluted but the smell is enough to keep a discerning watersportsperson avoiding the area. I also never recommend the area under the bridge. It is polluted. Ask local lifeguards for recommendations or enter water at least a half mile away from any large run off areas. Cardiff State Beach (actually there are two State beaches in Cardiff; this one is known as Cardiff Reef which is near the Pacific Coast Grill, and the other State beach is on the south end of Cardiff bordering Solana Beach and is better known as Seaside. Both of these beaches are run by California State rangers and lifeguards and the parking is also run by the State of Ca. This means that, yes you can use your State park parking pass for both lots or you can pay by the hour. And yes they both are patrolled so make sure you pay and post your pass in your car window. Note that the parking lots close at sundown and otherwise cars are ticketed. Dogs have to be on a leash at all times.
Written January 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
empowermentor1
Phoenix, AZ350 contributions
Sep 2015 • Couples
To be fair, Cardiff Beach was crowded for Labor Day weekend. We had trouble finding a parking spot after paying $15 for all day parking.... We also had to make a extra trip because there was no food or boardwalk near this public beach...
The beach has a lot of rocks and was a long narrow strip with high cliffs and plenty of locals and tourists alike. We walked the beach and enjoyed the strong ocean currents due to the high surf advisory that weekend.
Make sure to bring everything you need as the parking is paid parking with no re-entry. We needed an extra chair and more food and there was nothing but a parking lot and bathrooms once we parked... The bathrooms were dirty on this crowded weekend and we didn't see any state workers cleaning them the entire time there.
You would think for $15 to park they could check the bathrooms twice a day.. since the floors were covered in urine it made changing more difficult for my wife... lol
We had a better experience at Moonlight State Beach which was less crowded and had less rocks and more white sand... The surf was incredible and there was free parking and stores nearby...
The best beach was Stone Steps Beach in Encinitas... The awesome staircase that descends down to the beach at Stone Steps Beach made for some awesome photos and video...
The blue ocean views and ocean breeze at the entrance to Stone Steps is breathtaking and it was an extremely clean beach with less crowding...
Both Stone Steps and Moonlight State beach are far less crowded and with more lifeguards and access to town without the hefty $15 mandatory parking fee at Cardiff State Beach.
We had to setup our umbrella and chairs literally on top of other beach goers but we still had a good time.
The waves were high as their was a surf advisory on labor day weekend and the breeze helped in the heat...
This beach has a lot of rocks we noticed and sits next to wildlife preserve areas. There are public bathrooms in the parking lot and the beach has sectioned off areas for boogie boards and swimmers apart from the surfers...
We had hoped there would be a boardwalk and vendors for food and beach supplies like sunscreen, umbrellas, tourist type souvenirs and t-shirts... but there is no shopping or food nearby... Its just a short drive to the seaside market where we bought fresh fruit, sunscreen and breakfast from their deli...
Overall a nice, but rocky lesser known beach, along the San Diego coast...Definitely smaller than Laguna, Newport or Huntington Beach which have their closer restaurants, boardwalks, music, shopping and piers respectively.
The beach has a lot of rocks and was a long narrow strip with high cliffs and plenty of locals and tourists alike. We walked the beach and enjoyed the strong ocean currents due to the high surf advisory that weekend.
Make sure to bring everything you need as the parking is paid parking with no re-entry. We needed an extra chair and more food and there was nothing but a parking lot and bathrooms once we parked... The bathrooms were dirty on this crowded weekend and we didn't see any state workers cleaning them the entire time there.
You would think for $15 to park they could check the bathrooms twice a day.. since the floors were covered in urine it made changing more difficult for my wife... lol
We had a better experience at Moonlight State Beach which was less crowded and had less rocks and more white sand... The surf was incredible and there was free parking and stores nearby...
The best beach was Stone Steps Beach in Encinitas... The awesome staircase that descends down to the beach at Stone Steps Beach made for some awesome photos and video...
The blue ocean views and ocean breeze at the entrance to Stone Steps is breathtaking and it was an extremely clean beach with less crowding...
Both Stone Steps and Moonlight State beach are far less crowded and with more lifeguards and access to town without the hefty $15 mandatory parking fee at Cardiff State Beach.
We had to setup our umbrella and chairs literally on top of other beach goers but we still had a good time.
The waves were high as their was a surf advisory on labor day weekend and the breeze helped in the heat...
This beach has a lot of rocks we noticed and sits next to wildlife preserve areas. There are public bathrooms in the parking lot and the beach has sectioned off areas for boogie boards and swimmers apart from the surfers...
We had hoped there would be a boardwalk and vendors for food and beach supplies like sunscreen, umbrellas, tourist type souvenirs and t-shirts... but there is no shopping or food nearby... Its just a short drive to the seaside market where we bought fresh fruit, sunscreen and breakfast from their deli...
Overall a nice, but rocky lesser known beach, along the San Diego coast...Definitely smaller than Laguna, Newport or Huntington Beach which have their closer restaurants, boardwalks, music, shopping and piers respectively.
Written September 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andy M
Chandler, AZ65 contributions
Jun 2018
Beach has decent parking lot where you can buy an all day pass or pay by the hour. Good for surfing and for walking your dogs. Great Sunsets all down this coast. Take what you need with you for the day as it's a mile or two from restaurants etc..
Written March 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dr3w66
Bingham, UK173 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
On the recommendation of a local we visited here a few times and were not disappointed
Don’t be put of by the old highway or the train line, you cant here them over the terrific surf.
The beach here dips away gently so is better for younger children than some of the beaches nearby
Surf is good, sand is clean and the view is magnificent
Don’t be put of by the old highway or the train line, you cant here them over the terrific surf.
The beach here dips away gently so is better for younger children than some of the beaches nearby
Surf is good, sand is clean and the view is magnificent
Written August 31, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephen K
7 contributions
May 2018 • Business
Cardiff state beach is one of our favorite places in SD! We go here to photograph engagement sessions and adventurous families because the sunset is so lovely and parking is steps from the great photo spots!! (convenient for elders) Make sure to go during low tide, that's the most fun time to explore!! Photos by Bree and Stephen Photography
Written June 2, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
on_the_go_98765
Tucson20,581 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
The sand is coarse dark gray with black streaks of mica black sparkles running through and up and down the sand. There are very heavy gravel/sea stone deposits everywhere. In our travels (and living) in California, this beach did not measure up to others. It is flat and uninteresting.
The saving grace is across the highway where Cardiff by the Sea business community is located. High on our list was the exceptional grocery store called the Seaside Market with a seafood/fish selection to which we have not seen the equal. We would travel this way again just (and only) to shop here again.
Again, across the street from this disappointing beach is a very interesting and somewhat vibrant business district with great shops and a public library with a book store. Surf oriented shops comprise about 90% of the remainder.
For us, this was a realy nice extended walk down the highway from our place at the Sand Pebbles in Solana Beach. The Cardiff State Beach did disappoint us.
Normally we would have loaded our TA review with many pictures but, sadly, this left us totally uninspired and devoid of interest.
Cross the street and do some neighborhood sightseeing. It worked for us.
The saving grace is across the highway where Cardiff by the Sea business community is located. High on our list was the exceptional grocery store called the Seaside Market with a seafood/fish selection to which we have not seen the equal. We would travel this way again just (and only) to shop here again.
Again, across the street from this disappointing beach is a very interesting and somewhat vibrant business district with great shops and a public library with a book store. Surf oriented shops comprise about 90% of the remainder.
For us, this was a realy nice extended walk down the highway from our place at the Sand Pebbles in Solana Beach. The Cardiff State Beach did disappoint us.
Normally we would have loaded our TA review with many pictures but, sadly, this left us totally uninspired and devoid of interest.
Cross the street and do some neighborhood sightseeing. It worked for us.
Written February 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Poly_Grr
Porto Alegre, RS280 contributions
Oct 2017 • Family
We had an enjoyable morning at Cardiff State Beach! There is a small river that meets the ocean and become a lagoon (kind of), really nice for the kids! There is a paid parking lot, but you can park on the road before the bridge (if you are heading south, it is permitted). Fires are not allowed anymore, but you can barbecue in a camping ground before the bridge.
Written December 14, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
For tide-pooling in April which is better: Swami's or Cardiff
Written April 5, 2019
Neither are outstanding spots for tide-pooling, because neither place is really rocky like the village of La Jolla.
I would say Swami's, but only on a really good, very low, daytime low tide. Get a tide table from a surf shop or supermarket, and look for a minus tide or a tide close to 0.
Written April 17, 2019
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