$2,138,825Average Value$1,182Average Price per Sq Ft21Homes For Sale
Sand and surf takes center stage
Set along the hilly coast of Encinitas, Cardiff-by-the-sea is a slow-paced surf-loving community about 20 miles north of San Diego. Known simply as “Cardiff” to locals, developer J. Frank Cullen named the neighborhood for his wife’s hometown of Cardiff, Wales when he bought the land in 1909. It’s grown a lot since then, but maintains it’s easy-chair vibe as a place where folks spend their days exploring the five local beaches; they surf at Swami’s Beach, wander the San Elijo Lagoon or look for sea critters in Cardiff State Beach’s tide pools. Ken Kaplan, Real Estate Agent and Analyst with Fox 5 Morning News, says “It’s smaller than La Jolla or Del Mar, which gives it that quaint beachy feel while being less congested than other coastal communities.”
While being one of the smaller neighborhoods in North County means that there are only a handful of immediate shopping and entertainment options around, quality takes the reins over quantity here. Cardiff is home to Seaside Market, a gourmet grocery staple since the 1980s, and a collection of waterfront restaurants known as “Restaurant Row.” Residents travel from around Encinitas to try Seaside Market’s "Cardiff crack" – a marinated tri-tip that's “a local obsession,” according to Kaplan, or to take in views of the water over dinner at Restaurant Row.
Cardiff By The Sea is known for its stunning beaches and surf culture.
Locals prefer their own one of kind grocery store Seaside Market in Cardiff By The Sea.
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Streets named for famed composers and UK cities
The neighborhood is divided into east and west sides by Interstate 5, with streets laid out in a neat grid. Residents might notice that many streets here are named after major UK cities such as Liverpool, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow (once again, a loving tribute to Cullen’s wife). Homes range from custom-built modern duplexes to 1940s ranch-style homes, sitting on steep slopes that offer ocean views from La Jolla to Dana Point; sidewalks are scarce. No homes sit directly on the ocean, though a few sit along the bluffs of the San Elijo Lagoon. Beach cottages built in 2000 can fetch $2.5 million, as can remodeled 1970s four-bedroom homes on cul-de-sacs. Residents can find one-bedroom condos throughout the community for around $700,000 or four-bedroom condos for between $1.5 and $2 million. Surrounding the Encinitas Community Park, Cardiff’s Composer District is a collection of homes that sit on winding streets with names like Mozart, Bach and Vivaldi. Craftsman and Spanish-style homes in the Composer District were built in 2003, going for between $4 million to $7.5 million.
The homes in Cardiff By The Sea vary between multi-level mansions and large duplexes.
These are brand new build modern homes with ocean views in Cardiff By The Sea.
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La Costa Canyon High School preps students for college through IB programs
Local public schools include Cardiff Elementary, Ada W. Harris Elementary and Oak Crest Middle School, all of each of which earn As from Niche. The A-plus rated La Costa Canyon High School achieved International Baccalaureate (IB) world school status in 2018, offering a rigorous program with six subject groups: language and literature studies, language acquisition, individuals and societies, sciences, math and creative arts. MiraCosta College's San Elijo campus, located in the southeast corner of Cardiff on Manchester Avenue, provides a convenient option for higher education, offering 8-week courses that combine in-person and online learning.
The monument of the Ada W. Harris Elementary in Encinitas.
The entrance of the Cardiff Elementary School in Encinitas.
The entrance of the Oak Crest Middle in Encinitas.
The monument of the La Costa Canyon High School in Carlsbad.
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The Cardiff Kook welcomes campers to San Elijo Beach
On the south end of Cardiff, the 979-acre San Elijo Lagoon features 7 miles of hiking trails through coastal wetlands. Residents can visit the lagoon to see native plants like coastal sage scrub, migrating birds or take kids on a scavenger hunt through the lagoon (they can even win prizes). Cardiff State Beach is set just off Highway 101 across from the San Elijo Lagoon, the local go-to spot for surfing, swimming and diving thanks to its two reefs. Even though it's usually busy, it stays clean and well-kept. Head north on Highway 101 to meet the famous Cardiff Kook statue at San Elijo State Beach. The Kook, officially called 'Magic Carpet Ride,' is a surfer statue that locals love to dress up for fun—he might be wearing a Hawaiian lei or even a Halloween costume. San Elijo Beach offers campgrounds on a cliff that overlooks the ocean - people often book their camping spots months ahead, usually arriving in camper vans with their dogs.
The Coastal Rail Trail, a paved path perfect for skaters, bikers, and joggers, runs along the Coaster commuter rail from Chesterfield Drive to Verdi Avenue. This trail makes it easy for residents to get from Cardiff Town Center to the beach. “You’ve got parks literally right on the San Elijo and Cardiff State beaches,” adds Kaplan, and “a nice shallow-water estuary off Manchester Avenue with 7 miles of walking trails within a 1,000-acre reserve.” Dog-lovers treat their pups to the Encinitas Dog Park at the 44-acre Encinitas Community Park which also includes a playground, sports fields and the 34,000-square-foot Encinitas Skate Park.
The unofficial mascot of Cardiff By The Sea is the "Cardiff Kook" often dressed themed.
The local pedestrian and bike path along San Elijo Ave in Cardiff By The Sea.
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Coastal upscale dining on Restaurant Row
Just west of the neighborhood, Highway 101 transforms into a culinary coastal route lined with seaside restaurants. Heading south towards Solana Beach, Pacific Coast Grill marks the first stop, serving fresh seafood and sushi. Next door, The Chart House offers upscale surf and turf, paired with ocean and lagoon views. Heading north on the 101 from Solana Beach will bring residents to Las Olas, famed for inventing the "original fish taco," where residents can have sunset meals amidst Baja-style décor.
San Elijo Avenue runs parallel to the coast, hosting shopping plazas and restaurant strips along Cardiff's western border. Seaside Market in the Cardiff Town Center is often raved about by out-of-towners who can’t believe the selection of gourmet goods. The town center also offers local retailers like Fowlers Boutique. For more grocery options, The Santa Fe Square shopping center is anchored by Vons, while the Cardiff Farmers Market is held in the MiraCosta College parking lot each Saturday.
The Waverly restaurant in Cardiff By The Sea is a favorite local spot.
There are some unique entrees at Las Olas Mexican in Cardiff By The Sea.
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COASTER Train cruises along the Pacific
Interstate 5 intersects the neighborhood, providing a direct route to Solana Beach (3 miles), Del Mar (5 miles) and Downtown San Diego (25 miles). The San Diego Metro Transit System’s (MTS) Blue Line bus has stops along the 101 that lead anywhere between Cardiff and Downtown San Diego. For healthcare, Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas sits at the northwest corner where the 5 meets Santa Fe Drive. The COASTER commuter train provides coastal scenery as it runs north and south through San Diego County. “Because the neighborhood borders the freeway on both sides, you may hear a little traffic noise or the sound of the train," says Kaplan. "But you’re also closer to the airport than you are in most other coastal communities, and there’s really no difference in the time it takes to reach the beach whether west or east. It’s easy to bike or walk to the beach from anywhere in Cardiff and never more than a 5-minute drive or closer.”
The Coaster train travels right through town and can be caught just north in Cardiff by the Sea.
Cardiff by the Sea is a quaint town thats easy to take your dog for a quick stroll to the beach.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Ryan Stafford,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Glen Park
Basketball
Picnic Area
Tennis
Mildred MacPherson Park
Basketball
Picnic Area
Playground
Cardiff Sports Park
Baseball/Softball
Encinitas Community Park
Baseball/Softball
Dog Park
Picnic Area
J Street Viewpoint
Bike Trails
Picnic Area
Trails
Sea Cliff County Park
Beach
Transit
Airport
San Diego International
31 min drive
Bus
HWY 101 & San Elijo State Beach
Bus
Santa Fe Dr & Mackinnon Av
Bus
HWY 101 & Cardiff Beach
Bus
HWY 101 & Chesterfield Dr
Bus
Santa Fe Dr & Balour Dr
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Cardiff-by-the-Sea
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Encinitas sell after 28 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Encinitas over the last 12 months is $2,331,768, down 2% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to this stunning, Palm Springs-inspired single-story home, completely transformed within the last two years. Nestled in a sought-after coastal neighborhood, just one mile from downtown Cardiff, Encinitas, and top local beaches, this 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath residence blends timeless Mid-Century Modern design with high-end contemporary updates. Step inside to an open-concept kitchen with a
Introducing 1386 Lake Drive: A Rare Gem in Encinitas! Discover one of the last remaining properties of its kind. Premier Encinitas location on the desirable high side of Lake Drive, adjacent to Crest Drive. This ocean view property spans nearly one acre, featuring a level to slight slope with over 160 feet of road frontage and 230 feet in depth. Existing improvements include a +/- 1,480 SQFT
Quintessential beach home perfectly nestled in Cardiff's very special Composer District.The ultimate in charm & old school quality construction this single level home enjoys sunny open floor plan, exquisite vaulted natural wood beamed ceilings throughout~including bedrooms. Gleaming original hardwood floors, delightful eat-in kitchen with stainless appliances, custom designed fully renovated
Sophisticated. Sleek. Elevated. Step through the dramatic glass pivot door into your private ocean-view sanctuary, where cutting-edge design meets the effortless beauty of the coast. Ideally situated just steps from world-class beaches, surf, boutiques, the iconic Seaside Market, and vibrant dining scene of Cardiff-by-the-Sea. At the heart of this newly constructed residence is a designer chef’s
Welcome to 1691 Crest Drive, a rare and remarkable opportunity to create your dream home on one of Encinitas' most coveted streets. This expansive 1.27-acre property offers a blank canvas of flat, fully usable land, perfect for bringing your vision to life. Zoned RR (Rural Residential 1), the lot provides incredible flexibility for a variety of uses, from a sprawling family estate to a serene
In the enchanting embrace of ELAN CARDIFF BY THE SEA, love blossoms amidst the caress of coastal breezes. Encinitas, a town that intertwines the allure of sun-kissed shores with a close-knit community, sets the scene for passion. Amidst the rhythm of the waves, heartbeats synchronize. Within this gated haven, lovers steal quiet moments on private balconies, their gazes lost in infinite horizons.
UNBELIEVABLE PANORAMIC OCEAN VIEWS in this amazing CARDIFF 3 bedroom 2.5 bath contemporary styled home Gorgeous quartz countertops, 2 white water view balconies, 3 fireplaces.State of the art gourmet style kitchen with stainless appliance, walk- in pantry,and custom built-ins.New Wide plank wood flooring, sun deck,laundry room, 2 garage spaces, plus 2 extra spaces.Lovely primary suite with
This 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom townhome offers modern updates, ample parking, and a great location in Cardiff by the Sea.Home Features:•Newly remodeled kitchen with updated appliances, countertops, and cabinetry•New flooring and carpet throughout the home•Spacious living areas with plenty of natural light•Primary bedroom with private deck•Covered patio for outdoor
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Ryan Stafford,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
12,611
Median Age
44
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
20.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
20.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$134,550
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$165,560
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
92.9%
College Graduates
61.5%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
30%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
66.5%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
11''
Average Winter Low Temperature
48°F
Average Summer High Temperature
74°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
9/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
16/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
