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Cardiff Beaches
North County's Beautiful Coastline
Enjoy the sunset from a gourmet restaurant or rough it in a beachfront campground.
A combination of geographical features and governmental designations have kept this section of California coastline relatively wild. Leaving Swami's in
Encinitas, the highway hugs the coast along the bluffs at San Elijo State Beach and dips down across the lagoon at Cardiff State Beach. The north (San Elijo) half of Cardiff is characterized by patches of reef that tend to keep most of the wave action off the beach (which has a little more sand on it), while the south half is predominantly shorebreak pounding relentlessly on the cobblestone beach.
It's not surprising, then, that most people - swimmers, sunbathers and surfers alike - head for spots like
Pipes, a fun peaky surf break north of the campground;
San Elijo, the beach in front of the campground; and
Cardiff Reef, a pleasant little beach park and surf spot on the south end of the campground where the cliffs end.
George's is the popular name for
Cardiff State Beach, the aforementioned span of coast in front of the San Elijo Lagoon, which is also appropriately called 'Restaurant Row.' The sand here comes and goes based on the whims of the tides, but most of the time waves sculpt the stones in it into a multi-tiered berm of ankle-twisting agony. Oddly, the sand sometimes piles so high at the far south end of the beach by Seaside Reef (see
Solana Beach) that it forms dunes in the parking lot and spills over onto the highway. A favorite way to savor the beach at George's is from the comfort of one of the restaurants, especially on a stormy winter evening with the illuminated waves crashing right up to the windows.
Directions
From the 5 FWY exit Manchester Avenue west until it becomes San Elijo Avenue, then turn left at Chesterfield Drive, go over the railroad tracks and onto Pacific Coast Highway. Head south for Cardiff Reef and George's, or park along the roadside and use the campground to access San Elijo Beach and Pipes.
Offerings
There are bathrooms, a parking lot and lifeguards at Cardiff Reef. San Elijo State Beach Campground fills to capacity, so advance reservations are a must. Call 760-753-5091 for info; 800-444-7275 for reservations. Depending upon availability, day use parking can sometimes be had at the campground for a small fee. Free parking is allowed along the highway in many places on the upper end of Cardiff, and there are also a few limited pockets on the George's stretch (check the signs carefully to be sure you're in the zone).
Considerations
Parking in Cardiff can be a frustrating affair. If you end up on the inland side of the highway, it's well worth hiking to the crosswalk at Chesterfield Drive instead of trying to dodge the high speed traffic. You'll probably want to use the beach stairway in the campground anyway and Chesterfield is the entrance to the park. Don't be tempted to park in any of the private restaurant lots unless you're dining there. Cobblestones and cliffs make shoes a must for Cardiff.
Rating: 
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San Diego Beach Guide - San Diego's Best Beaches
