Cardiff State Beach
Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA
Free beach; paid lot
By Simir Shah
★★★★★4.8(192 Google reviews)
What parents say
AI summary of 5 Google reviews — not a first-hand visit. How we write these
There is a paid lot with bathrooms right by the sand, plus street parking that fills fast, so on holiday weekends expect to circle or walk a few blocks. Reviewers describe a mix of surf and calmer water for swimming, room to spread out and restaurants nearby. Plenty of kids surf here.
Mellow beach known for beginner surf, tide pools, and the famous "Cardiff Kook" statue nearby. The bronze sculpture, officially titled "Magic Carpet Ride," was installed near Cardiff Reef in 2007 and quickly earned its nickname from local surfers who mocked its awkward pose; it's since become a favorite target for costume pranks, dressed up as everything from Zorro to Uncle Sam. The beach sits flanked by San Elijo State Beach to the north.
Good for
- Ages 0–2
- Ages 10+
- Works for a wide age range
Happening near here
- Movie in the Park: Monster House (Cardiff)Encinitas · <1 miFree
- Pumpkin Station at the Del Mar FairgroundsDel Mar · 3 miFree
- Halloween Aglow at Birch AquariumLa Jolla · 11 mi
- La Jolla Open Aire MarketLa Jolla · 12 mi · Sun 9am–1pmFree
Cardiff State Beach, Encinitas, CA 92007, USA
Map
Tides today
Next low tide
2:47 PM
0.1 ft
Next high tide
8:16 AM
5.7 ft
Predictions from NOAA · La Jolla station
What visitors say
- Zach Fry★★★★★
The waves here are pretty consistent, so this beach is a popular place to surf. There are bathrooms in the paid parking lot of the beach. Lots of street parking as well, which can fill up quickly. Very pedestrian and dog friendly area.
8 months ago
- Erin Kelley★★★★★
Great beach for all ages, offering a mix of decent surf and calmer swimming areas. There is plenty of space to spread out, and the location is convenient with on-site facilities and several nearby restaurants. It can get very busy (especially on holiday weekends), so be prepared to circle the lot or walk a few blocks for parking, but it’s worth the effort.
6 months ago
Showing 2 of 5 Google reviews · Read them all on Google Maps
Nearby places
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Eat nearby in Cardiff-by-the-Sea
- Las Olas Mexican RestaurantMexican & Tacos · $$
- VG Donut & BakerySweets & Treats · $