Five Fun Activities All Visitors Should Do While In Cardiff-By-The-Sea California
June 8, 2009 by Terry Hunefeld
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Cardiff-By-The-Sea California has a unique vibe compared to other SoCal beach communities on Pacific Ocean. It boasts unparalleled ocean views, an ecological reserve, a lagoon with great trails, incredible beaches and Cardiff bed and breakfasts. To make sure you don’t miss the essence of Cardiff, here are Five Things Visitors Must Do When Visiting Cardiff California.
1. Go For A Magic Carpet Ride
Look for our $120,000 surfing statue right across Old Historic Highway 101 from the Cardiff Lodge, on the bluffs above Cardiff State Beach. You’re looking for a bronze sculpture of a young surfer dude with his arms stretched out, supposedly riding a wave. The bronze is entitled “Magic Carpet Ride” and the locals have been highly steamed about the statue ever since it was unveiled July, 2008. Local surfers complain that the surfer’s pose does not capture the essence of surfing. Called sissy by some and just too dog-gone feminine by others, surfers have had a field day dressing the statue in pink skirts, stuffed animals, bikini tops, bikini bottoms, lingerie, Fruit-Of-The-Looms and glittering wands. It is one of a kind.
2. Watch Surfers Surf Their Stuff
Cardiff Reef is a highly popular stretch of sandy beach for walking, sunning and surfing. It’s located at the channel mouth of San Elijo Lagoon. Long-board surfers like it because it there is an extensive soft sandy bottom along with slow, easy waves. People enjoy great views of rookies and experts alike from the State Beach benches and picnic tables. Cardiff has a big selection of surfer talent – from rookie beginners all the way to seasoned pros. If you stay at one of the bed and breakfasts in Cardiff, be sure to reserve a table for lunch on the outdoor patios of one of the restaurants and you will have the best surfer-views in the house.
3. Take A Hike in an Ecological Reserve
San Elijo Lagoon is San Diego County’s largest coastal wetland with a brand new visitor’s center that’s open 7-days-a-week. The visitor’s center is an excellent base from which you can explore the Ecological Reserve and its more than seven miles of hiking and jogging trails. Extensive habitat supports hundreds of species of plants, dozens of species of fish, reptiles, amphibians and mammals and more than 300 species of birds.
4. Work On Your Tan
Cardiff State Beach is a wonderful place to work on that tan, enjoy a picnic, watch surfers, or try your hand at surfing, boogie-boarding or body surfing. It has been called the Riviera of the West because it has a gently sloping sandy beach with warm water. The site offers swimming, surfing and beachcombing, people-watching and relaxing after a night at a Cardiff lodge bed and breakfast.
5. Soak In A Hot Tub At Sunset
The Inn at Moonlight Beach is a Bed and Breakfast Inn just 2 miles north of Cardiff. Trip Advisor calls it “a romantic seaside inn located on a hillside above Moonlight Beach.” The Inn overlooks the Pacific Ocean and the little beach town of Encinitas. Be sure to ask about the Penthouse Suite with it’s own balcony with private hot tub and a phenomenal view of the Pacific Ocean.
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