Cardiff-by-the-Sea gets 12,100 monthly Google searches by name. That's not a typo, and it's not because of a viral TikTok. People search for Cardiff because it's the part of Encinitas that feels like its own town. It has its own ZIP code (92007), its own beach culture, its own restaurant row, and its own grocery store that locals defend like a family member. If you've driven South Coast Highway 101 between Del Mar and Encinitas, you've driven through Cardiff. You just might not have stopped. You should.
Restaurant Row: South Coast Highway 101
The stretch of South Coast Highway 101 through Cardiff has a concentration of restaurants that punches well above its weight. Ki's Restaurant pulls 880 monthly searches and has been the health-conscious anchor for years, with ocean views and a menu heavy on fresh fish and vegetables. Pacific Coast Grill has nearly 3,000 reviews and a patio that overlooks the coastline. Chart House draws the occasion-dinner crowd with over 2,000 reviews. Cardiff Beach Bar @ Tower 13 does exactly what the name promises: drinks and food next to the beach lifeguard tower.
Fish 101 and its second location both serve sustainable seafood with 4.7 and 4.6 ratings respectively. Encinitas Fish Shop, despite the Encinitas name, sits right in the Cardiff corridor with 2,316 reviews. Honey's Bistro & Bakery handles breakfast and lunch on the south end.
Cardiff Seaside Market
Cardiff Seaside Market isn't just a grocery store. It's a community institution with nearly 2,500 reviews at a 4.7 rating. The deli counter, the tri-tip, the wine selection. People drive from other neighborhoods specifically for the prepared food case. It's the kind of market that makes you wonder why you ever go to a chain grocery store.
Beaches and Trails
Cardiff State Beach at 14,800 monthly searches and San Elijo State Beach at 27,100 are the two biggest outdoor draws. San Elijo also offers campgrounds directly on the bluff above the ocean, making it one of the most popular coastal camping destinations in Southern California. Annie's Canyon Trail cuts through the San Elijo Lagoon reserve and takes about 30 minutes to hike. It's one of those trails that looks small on a map but rewards you with views of the lagoon, the 101, and the ocean all at once. Over 2,000 reviews at a 4.8 rating.
Where to Stay in Cardiff
Cardiff by the Sea Lodge sits on the 101 with a 4.5 rating and 430 reviews. Hampton Inn Cardiff Beach is a reliable chain option at a 4.3 rating. Both put you within walking distance of Restaurant Row and the beach.
Cardiff-by-the-Sea is technically part of Encinitas, but it operates like its own village. The full Encinitas dining directory covers every restaurant across all five districts, from Cardiff to Leucadia, Old Encinitas, New Encinitas, and Olivenhain. For visitors heading south after Cardiff, Del Mar picks up right where the 92007 ZIP ends, with beachfront dining at Poseidon on the Beach and Jake's Del Mar.
