
Cardiff, CA
Living in Cardiff
Cardiff-by-the-Sea is a beach community within the City of Encinitas. Its best known landmark is the surfer statue locals call the Cardiff Kook.
San Elijo State Beach, with its bluff-top campground, and Cardiff State Beach line the coast, with a row of restaurants along Highway 101 right on the water. The San Elijo Lagoon reserve borders the town to the south.
- Homes
- Beach cottages and older homes near the coast, and single-family homes on the hills east of Highway 101, many with ocean views.
- Schools
- Cardiff School District for elementary grades and San Dieguito Union High for middle and high school.
- Getting around
- Interstate 5 runs through the east side. The Coaster stations in Encinitas and Solana Beach are a few minutes away.
Homes in Cardiff
2371 San Elijo Avenue
2516 San Elijo Cardiff By The Sea
1839 Freda Lane

2372 Oxford Ave
1632 Brahms Cardiff By The Sea
2556 Ocean Cove Dr. Cardiff By The Sea
1248 Evergreen Dr

1805 Mackinnon Avenue
Schools in Cardiff
Public schools with an address in Cardiff, and the share of their students who met or exceeded the state standard in reading and math on the 2024-25 state tests. Best results first.
Elementary schools (2)
| School | Students | Met reading | Met math |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ada W. Harris Elementary Cardiff Elementary · Grades 3-6 | 373 | 78% | 69% |
| Cardiff Elementary Cardiff Elementary · Grades K-2 | 237 | No tested grades | |
| California average | 49% | 37% | |
- Ada W. Harris Elementary
Cardiff Elementary · Grades 3-6
- Met reading
- 78%
- Met math
- 69%
- Cardiff Elementary
Cardiff Elementary · Grades K-2
No tested grades
California average: 49% reading, 37% math.
Source: California Department of Education, 2025-26 school list and 2024-25 CAASPP results. Private schools are not included. Which school serves a specific address depends on the district's attendance boundaries, so check with the district before you buy.
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