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Cardiff, California

Cardiff, CA

Cardiff KookSurf BreaksBeach LivingCommunity FeelOcean Views
About the Area

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.
Public Schools

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)

  • 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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