Living in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA — Homes, Prices & Local Guide

Welcome to Cardiff by the Sea

Cardiff, also known as Cardiff-by-the-Sea, is a charming little surf town sandwiched between Encinitas to the north and Solana Beach to the south. You’ll notice most streets are English names because the town’s founder, J. Frank Cullen, a Boston painter who became a developer. Cullen supposedly purchased land that was originally developed as farmland and sold building lots. The town was allegedly named Cardiff after the city in his wife’s native Wales.

Victor Kremer developed the area north of Birmingham now called the Composer District. The names here are a give-away – Mozart, Verdi, Chopin, Rubinstein. It is believed he may have added the By-The-Sea to the name, although most people simply refer to it as Cardiff. The area east and south of the downtown area is called the Walking District with close proximity to downtown.

Cardiff is known for the surfing and hosts many surf and entertainment events around the small town and while it’s not known for its cuisine per say, they still have the famous Chart House, Pacific Coast Grill and our favorite, Las Olas with the amazing views. Pipes for breakfast is a must here and of course the beaches here in Cardiff are easy to get to and free parking if you can grab a spot.

Cardiff-by-the-Sea offers the classic seaside town lifestyle with a strong surfing history, perfect weather, a laid-back atmosphere and small-town feel, and provides eclectic Southern California outdoor living along the ocean, but at a pretty steep price.

Nearby neighborhoods

Comparing nearby areas? Read my local guides to Encinitas, Solana Beach and Del Mar.

Overview for Cardiff By The Sea, CA

11,723 people live in Cardiff By The Sea, where the median age is 40 and the average individual income is $78,053. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

11,723

Total Population

40 years

Median Age

High

Population Density Population Density
This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

$78,053

Average individual Income

Around Cardiff By The Sea, CA

There's plenty to do around Cardiff By The Sea, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.

57

Somewhat Walkable

Walking Score

29

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including Green Cross, Nutrimark, and Cardiff Chevron Food Mart.

Name	Category	Distance	Reviews	Ratings by Yelp
Visit the Green Cross page on Yelp	Dining	0.29 miles	0 reviews	0/5 stars
Visit the Nutrimark page on Yelp	Dining	0.3 miles	0 reviews	0/5 stars
Visit the Cardiff Chevron Food Mart page on Yelp Search 805 Birmingham Dr on Google Maps	Dining	0.34 miles	2 reviews	2.5/5 stars
Visit the Sundance Image Technology page on Yelp Search 2149 Newcastle Ave on Google Maps	Shopping	0.39 miles	0 reviews	0/5 stars
Visit the Ooh Fashionista page on Yelp Search 111 Chesterfield Ave on Google Maps	Shopping	0.42 miles	0 reviews	0/5 stars
Visit the Phit Group page on Yelp	Active	0.29 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the SoCal Beach Adventures page on Yelp	Active	0.3 miles	0 reviews	0/5 stars
Visit the FIT4MOM Carlsbad Encinitas page on Yelp Search 2149 Orinda Dr on Google Maps	Active	0.39 miles	1 review	5/5 stars
Visit the Glen Park page on Yelp Search 2149 Orinda Dr on Google Maps	Active	0.4 miles	20 reviews	4.2/5 stars
Visit the Turtle Reps Fitness page on Yelp Search 2207 Lagoon View Dr on Google Maps	Active	0.54 miles	0 reviews	0/5 stars
Visit the Encinitas Community Park page on Yelp Search 425 Santa Fe Dr on Google Maps	Active	0.87 miles	87 reviews	4.4/5 stars
Visit the The Confessional by The Lost Abbey page on Yelp Search 2007 San Elijo Ave on Google Maps	Nightlife	0.51 miles	144 reviews	4.4/5 stars
Visit the Hair Candy By Amanda page on Yelp	Beauty	0.29 miles	0 reviews	0/5 stars
Visit the DOUBLETAKE Makeup Artistry page on Yelp	Beauty	0.3 miles	0 reviews	0/5 stars
Visit the Bella Junior Style page on Yelp Search 111 Chesterfield Dr on Google Maps	Beauty	0.42 miles	3 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Adagio Aesthetic Medicine page on Yelp Search 100 Chesterfield Dr on Google Maps	Beauty	0.45 miles	0 reviews	0/5 stars
Visit the The Ahh Spa and Salon page on Yelp Search 230 Birmingham Dr on Google Maps	Beauty	0.48 miles	2 reviews	3/5 stars
Visit the I'amour Nails Bar page on Yelp Search 427 Santa Fe Dr on Google Maps	Beauty	1.12 miles	1 review	5/5 stars
Visit the EverSun Beauty & Wellness - Encinitas page on Yelp Search 421 Santa Fe Ave on Google Maps	Beauty	1.12 miles	99 reviews	4.2/5 stars
Visit the Gupta Plastic Surgery page on Yelp Search 351 Santa Fe Dr on Google Maps	Beauty	1.16 miles	0 reviews	0/5 stars
Visit the North Coast Medical Spa and Wellness Center page on Yelp Search 351 Santa Fe Dr on Google Maps	Beauty	1.16 miles	0 reviews	0/5 stars

Demographics and Employment Data for Cardiff By The Sea, CA

Population Households Employment

Cardiff By The Sea has 4,379 households, with an average household size of 3. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Cardiff By The Sea do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 11,723 people call Cardiff By The Sea home. The population density is 6,610 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

11,723

Total Population

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

40 years

Median Age

53 / 47%

Men vs Women

Population by Age Group

0-9:

0-9 Years

10-17:

10-17 Years

18-24:

18-24 Years

25-64:

25-64 Years

65-74:

65-74 Years

75+:

75+ Years

Education Level

Less Than 9th Grade
High School Degree
Associate Degree
Bachelor Degree
Graduate Degree

4,379

Total Households

3

Average Household Size

$78,053

Average individual Income

Households with Children

With Children:

Without Children:

Marital Status

Married

Single

Divorced

Separated

Blue vs White Collar Workers

Blue Collar:

White Collar:

Commute Time

0 to 14 Minutes

15 to 29 Minutes

30 to 59 Minutes

60+ Minutes

Schools in Cardiff By The Sea, CA

All ()

Primary Schools ()

Middle Schools ()

High Schools ()

Mixed Schools ()

The following schools are within or nearby Cardiff By The Sea. The rating and statistics can serve as a starting point to make baseline comparisons on the right schools for your family. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Type

Name

Neighborhoods

Learn what makes each of these neighborhoods unique.

Oceanside
Encinitas
Cardiff By The Sea
Del Mar
Ivey Ranch / Rancho Del Oro
Carlsbad
Vista
Solana Beach
San Marcos
Temecula
Fallbrook
San Clemente & South Orange County

Explore Oceanside

Known for its beautiful beaches and a historic wooden pier, which is the longest pier on the California Coast. For years, Oceanside was the town people drove through on their way to Carlsbad. Nobody says that anymore. Between the restaurant scene downtown, the resorts by the pier, and a wave of buyers priced out of Encinitas and Carlsbad discovering what three miles of coastline actually costs here, Oceanside has become the most interesting market in North County — and I say that as someone who works all of them.
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Explore Encinitas

Home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Southern California and is known for its excellent surfing conditions.
Read More
Explore Cardiff By The Sea

A charming little surf town sandwiched between Encinitas to the north and Solana Beach to the south.
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Explore Del Mar

Del Mar is centered along Camino Del Mar, lined with upscale shops, galleries, boutique hotels, some of the best restaurants and spectacular oceanfront views in this exclusive pocket of San Diego coast just steps to the sand.
Read More
Explore Ivey Ranch / Rancho Del Oro

Oceanside's hometown side: established single-family streets in Ivey Ranch, condos and townhomes in Rancho Del Oro, great parks, the Sprinter, and the 76 and 78 at your doorstep.
Read More
Explore Carlsbad

Carlsbad is a step up from Oceanside and a step down from Encinitas, and that middle position keeps demand relentless. Roughly speaking: condos and townhomes from the $700s into the low millions, detached homes mostly from the low-$1Ms to $2M+, and coastal or view properties beyond that. I keep it broad on purpose — this market moves, and the spread between zip codes is the real story. Call me and I'll tell you what this month actually looks like.
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Explore Vista

Inland enough to escape the coastal gloom, close enough that the beach is fifteen minutes away. Vista is where North County buyers get the most house for their money without giving up the location.
Read More
Explore Solana Beach

Barely three and a half square miles between Cardiff and Del Mar, with a real design district, one of SoCal's best music venues, a beloved cove beach, and a market that punches at Del Mar's weight.
Read More
Explore San Marcos

Between Vista and Carlsbad in price and between coast and inland in feel. San Elijo Hills, Lake San Marcos, Discovery Hills and Twin Oaks Valley, with honest talk on schools and what your budget buys.
Read More
Explore Temecula

Where the money that buys a condo on the coast buys a five-bedroom with a pool. Old Town, Harveston, Redhawk, Wolf Creek, Morgan Hill, wine country and De Luz, plus the honest commute math.
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Explore Fallbrook

The country version of North County: avocado groves, acreage and room to breathe, twenty minutes from the coast without a gate code or an HOA newsletter.
Read More
Explore San Clemente & South Orange County

A guide to San Clemente and South OC from someone who lived a decade in the Pier Bowl, from the pier to Dana Point, Capo Beach, Ladera Ranch and Rancho Mission Viejo.
Read More

View All

Cardiff By The Sea

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Portfolio

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