The Cardiff community is a charming, active and beautiful beach community located in North County San Diego within the city of Encinitas. While the Cardiff footprint may be smaller than most, this beach town offers the best of what the Southern California coastline is known for: world-renown surf spots, outdoor activities for any type of adventurer, unique shops, restaurants and bars, and beautiful homes.
Situated below the San Elijo campground and Cardiff State Beach, along Pacific Coast Highway, Swami’s and Cardiff Reef are known the world over for quality waves and temperate weather. The nearby San Elijo lagoon provides hiking trails and beautiful views of the coastline. Seaside Market is the iconic grocery store that attracts San Diegans from all over the county to enjoy its barbecue and sunshine vibes.
But Cardiff isn’t a sleepy, one-dimensional beach town either. The scene from above will recall the hilly, urban ocean views of San Francisco, while the neighborhood to the eastern crest will remind long-time San Diego residents of the undeveloped valleys and open trails once common throughout North County.
The amazing thing about Cardiff is that it captures everything you could want from a town in San Diego: easy access to beaches and outdoor activities, a unique perspective to life on the coast, some of the best public schools in San Diego, and a wide variety of luxury homes capable of inspiring adventures and retreats alike.
Click through the tabs above to learn more about Cardiff-by-the-Sea and all its attractions, schools and more.
school name | type | grades | parent rating | distance | |||||
Cardiff Elementary School 1888 Montgomery Avenue, Cardiff-By-The-Sea, CA 92007 (760) 632-5892 | public | K-3 | 0.75mi | ||||||
Seaside Wisdom for Life School 1613 Lake Drive, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 753-5786 | private | K-5 | No Rating | 0.93mi | |||||
Village Gate Children's Academy 1613 Lake Drive, Encinitas, CA 92007 (760) 815-4818 | private | K-8 | 0.93mi | ||||||
Ada W. Harris Elementary School 1508 Windsor Road, Cardiff-By-The-Sea, CA 92007 (760) 632-5894 | public | 3-6 | 0.99mi | ||||||
Encinitas Country Day School 3616 Manchester Avenue, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 942-1111 | private | PK-8 | 1.25mi | ||||||
Grauer, The 1500 South El Camino Real, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 944-6777 | private | 7-12 | 1.26mi | ||||||
San Dieguito High Academy 800 Santa Fe Drive, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 753-1121 | public | 9-12 | 1.34mi | ||||||
Skyline Elementary School 606 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (858) 794-3600 | public | K-6 | 1.58mi | ||||||
Ocean Knoll Elementary School 910 Melba Road, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 944-4351 | public | K-6 | 1.59mi | ||||||
Solana Vista Elementary School 780 Santa Victoria Avenue, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (858) 794-3700 | public | K-3 | 1.59mi | ||||||
Earl Warren Middle School 155 Stevens Street, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (858) 755-1558 | public | 7-8 | 1.65mi | ||||||
Oak Crest Middle School 675 Balour Drive, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 753-6241 | public | 7-8 | 1.77mi | ||||||
Sunset High (Continuation) School 684 Requeza Street, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 753-3860 | public | 9-12 | 1.85mi | ||||||
North Coast Alternative High School 684 Requeza, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 753-3860 | public | 7-12 | 1.85mi | ||||||
Santa Fe Christian Schools 838 Academy Drive, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (858) 755-8900 | private | PK-12 | 1.95mi | ||||||
St John Catholic School 1003 Encinitas Boulevard, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 944-8227 | private | PK-8 | 1.99mi | ||||||
St. John the Evangelist School 1003 Encinitas Boulevard, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 944-8227 | private | K-8 | No Rating | 1.99mi | |||||
Encinitas Learning Center & Academy 543 Encinitas Blvd Ste 100, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 634-6886 | private | 2-8 | No Rating | 2.05mi | |||||
Pacific Academy K-6 722 Genevieve, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (858) 847-3366 | private | K-8 | 2.05mi | ||||||
Keystone Academy 722 Genevieve Street, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (858) 847-3366 | private | K-8 | 2.06mi | ||||||
New World Leadership Children's Academy 4134 Manchester Ave, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 230-6655 | private | PK-1 | No Rating | 2.06mi | |||||
New World Leadership Children's Academy 4134 Manchester Avenue, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 230-6655 | private | K-1 | No Rating | 2.06mi | |||||
Edison Academy 910 Encinitas Boulevard, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 942-1889 | private | 3-8 | 2.1mi | ||||||
Rancho Encinitas Academy 910 Encinitas Boulevard, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 942-2011 | private | K-8 | 2.1mi | ||||||
Santa Fe Montessori School 1010 Solana Drive, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (858) 755-3232 | private | PK-6 | 2.14mi | ||||||
Pacific Academy 679 Encinitas Boulevard #205, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 634-1188 | private | K-12 | 2.16mi | ||||||
St. James Academy 623 South Nardo Avenue, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (858) 755-1777 | private | PK-8 | 2.34mi | ||||||
The Rhoades School 141 South Rancho Santa Fe Road, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 436-1102 | private | K-8 | 2.47mi | ||||||
Fusion Academy Solana Beach 512 Via De La Valle, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (858) 792-2300 | private | 6-12 | 2.63mi | ||||||
Park Dale Lane Elementary School 2050 Park Dale Lane, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 944-4344 | public | K-6 | 2.7mi | ||||||
Oasis Community 216 La Mesa Ave, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 436-6797 | private | K-1 | 2.91mi | ||||||
Flora Vista Elementary School 1690 Wandering Road, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 944-4329 | public | K-6 | 2.92mi | ||||||
Village Gate Children's Academy 678 Poinsettia Park South, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 815-4818 | private | K-6 | No Rating | 3.09mi | |||||
Paul Ecke-Central Elementary School 185 Union Street, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 944-4323 | public | K-6 | 3.17mi | ||||||
Diegueno Middle School 2150 Village Park Way, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 944-1892 | public | 7-8 | 3.31mi | ||||||
The Nativity School 6309 El Apajo Road, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 (858) 756-6763 | private | PK-8 | 3.61mi | ||||||
Horizon Prep 6233 El Apajo Road, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 (858) 756-5599 | private | PK-10 | 3.61mi | ||||||
R. Roger Rowe Elementary School 5927 La Granada, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 (858) 756-1141 | public | PK-5 | 3.89mi | ||||||
R. Roger Rowe Middle School 5927 La Granada, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 (858) 756-1141 | public | 6-8 | 3.89mi | ||||||
Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary School 8000 Calle Acervo, Carlsbad, CA 92009 (760) 943-2000 | public | K-6 | 4.1mi | ||||||
Capri Elementary School 941 Capri Road, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 944-4360 | public | K-6 | 4.2mi | ||||||
Intelligent Choice Educational Center 1377 North Vulcan Avenue, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 942-6440 | private | 6-12 | No Rating | 4.21mi | |||||
El Camino Creek Elementary School 7885 Paseo Aliso, Carlsbad, CA 92009 (760) 943-2051 | public | K-6 | 4.26mi | ||||||
La Costa Valley Pre- School 2276 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad, CA 92009 (760) 436-2797 | private | K | 4.3mi | ||||||
Mission Estancia Elementary School 3330 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad, CA 92009 (760) 943-2004 | public | K-6 | 4.44mi | ||||||
Winston School 215 9th Street, Del Mar, CA 92014 (858) 259-8155 | private | 4-12 | 4.5mi | ||||||
Del Mar Hills Elementary School 14085 Mango Drive, Del Mar, CA 92014 (858) 755-9763 | public | K-6 | 4.66mi | ||||||
La Costa Canyon High School 1 Maverick Way, Encinitas, CA 92009 (760) 436-6136 | public | 9-12 | 4.71mi | ||||||
La Costa Heights Elementary School 3035 Levante Street, Carlsbad, CA 92009 (760) 944-4375 | public | K-6 | 4.74mi | ||||||
Solana Highlands Elementary School 3520 Long Run Drive, San Diego, CA 92130 (858) 794-4300 | public | K-3 | 4.77mi | ||||||
Del Mar Pines School 3975 Torrington Street, San Diego, CA 92130 (858) 481-5615 | private | K-6 | 4.88mi | ||||||
Solana Santa Fe Elementary School 6570 El Apajo, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 (858) 794-4700 | public | K-6 | 4.92mi | ||||||
Torrey Pines High School 3710 Del Mar Heights Road, San Diego, CA 92130 (858) 755-0125 | public | 9-12 | 4.96mi |
school name | type | grades | parent rating | distance | |||||
Cardiff Elementary School 1888 Montgomery Avenue, Cardiff-By-The-Sea, CA 92007 (760) 632-5892 | public | K-3 | 0.75mi | ||||||
Village Gate Children's Academy 1613 Lake Drive, Encinitas, CA 92007 (760) 815-4818 | private | K-8 | 0.93mi | ||||||
Ada W. Harris Elementary School 1508 Windsor Road, Cardiff-By-The-Sea, CA 92007 (760) 632-5894 | public | 3-6 | 0.99mi | ||||||
Encinitas Country Day School 3616 Manchester Avenue, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 942-1111 | private | PK-8 | 1.25mi | ||||||
Skyline Elementary School 606 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (858) 794-3600 | public | K-6 | 1.58mi | ||||||
Ocean Knoll Elementary School 910 Melba Road, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 944-4351 | public | K-6 | 1.59mi | ||||||
Solana Vista Elementary School 780 Santa Victoria Avenue, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (858) 794-3700 | public | K-3 | 1.59mi | ||||||
Santa Fe Christian Schools 838 Academy Drive, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (858) 755-8900 | private | PK-12 | 1.95mi | ||||||
St John Catholic School 1003 Encinitas Boulevard, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 944-8227 | private | PK-8 | 1.99mi | ||||||
Pacific Academy K-6 722 Genevieve, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (858) 847-3366 | private | K-8 | 2.05mi | ||||||
Keystone Academy 722 Genevieve Street, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (858) 847-3366 | private | K-8 | 2.06mi | ||||||
Edison Academy 910 Encinitas Boulevard, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 942-1889 | private | 3-8 | 2.1mi | ||||||
Rancho Encinitas Academy 910 Encinitas Boulevard, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 942-2011 | private | K-8 | 2.1mi | ||||||
Santa Fe Montessori School 1010 Solana Drive, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (858) 755-3232 | private | PK-6 | 2.14mi | ||||||
Pacific Academy 679 Encinitas Boulevard #205, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 634-1188 | private | K-12 | 2.16mi | ||||||
St. James Academy 623 South Nardo Avenue, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (858) 755-1777 | private | PK-8 | 2.34mi | ||||||
The Rhoades School 141 South Rancho Santa Fe Road, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 436-1102 | private | K-8 | 2.47mi | ||||||
Park Dale Lane Elementary School 2050 Park Dale Lane, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 944-4344 | public | K-6 | 2.7mi | ||||||
Oasis Community 216 La Mesa Ave, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 436-6797 | private | K-1 | 2.91mi | ||||||
Flora Vista Elementary School 1690 Wandering Road, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 944-4329 | public | K-6 | 2.92mi | ||||||
Paul Ecke-Central Elementary School 185 Union Street, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 944-4323 | public | K-6 | 3.17mi | ||||||
The Nativity School 6309 El Apajo Road, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 (858) 756-6763 | private | PK-8 | 3.61mi | ||||||
Horizon Prep 6233 El Apajo Road, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 (858) 756-5599 | private | PK-10 | 3.61mi | ||||||
R. Roger Rowe Elementary School 5927 La Granada, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 (858) 756-1141 | public | PK-5 | 3.89mi | ||||||
Olivenhain Pioneer Elementary School 8000 Calle Acervo, Carlsbad, CA 92009 (760) 943-2000 | public | K-6 | 4.1mi | ||||||
Capri Elementary School 941 Capri Road, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 944-4360 | public | K-6 | 4.2mi | ||||||
El Camino Creek Elementary School 7885 Paseo Aliso, Carlsbad, CA 92009 (760) 943-2051 | public | K-6 | 4.26mi | ||||||
La Costa Valley Pre- School 2276 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad, CA 92009 (760) 436-2797 | private | K | 4.3mi | ||||||
Mission Estancia Elementary School 3330 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad, CA 92009 (760) 943-2004 | public | K-6 | 4.44mi | ||||||
Winston School 215 9th Street, Del Mar, CA 92014 (858) 259-8155 | private | 4-12 | 4.5mi | ||||||
Del Mar Hills Elementary School 14085 Mango Drive, Del Mar, CA 92014 (858) 755-9763 | public | K-6 | 4.66mi | ||||||
La Costa Heights Elementary School 3035 Levante Street, Carlsbad, CA 92009 (760) 944-4375 | public | K-6 | 4.74mi | ||||||
Solana Highlands Elementary School 3520 Long Run Drive, San Diego, CA 92130 (858) 794-4300 | public | K-3 | 4.77mi | ||||||
Del Mar Pines School 3975 Torrington Street, San Diego, CA 92130 (858) 481-5615 | private | K-6 | 4.88mi | ||||||
Solana Santa Fe Elementary School 6570 El Apajo, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 (858) 794-4700 | public | K-6 | 4.92mi |
school name | type | grades | parent rating | distance | |||||
Village Gate Children's Academy 1613 Lake Drive, Encinitas, CA 92007 (760) 815-4818 | private | K-8 | 0.93mi | ||||||
Encinitas Country Day School 3616 Manchester Avenue, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 942-1111 | private | PK-8 | 1.25mi | ||||||
Santa Fe Christian Schools 838 Academy Drive, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (858) 755-8900 | private | PK-12 | 1.95mi | ||||||
St John Catholic School 1003 Encinitas Boulevard, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 944-8227 | private | PK-8 | 1.99mi | ||||||
Pacific Academy K-6 722 Genevieve, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (858) 847-3366 | private | K-8 | 2.05mi | ||||||
Keystone Academy 722 Genevieve Street, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (858) 847-3366 | private | K-8 | 2.06mi | ||||||
Edison Academy 910 Encinitas Boulevard, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 942-1889 | private | 3-8 | 2.1mi | ||||||
Rancho Encinitas Academy 910 Encinitas Boulevard, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 942-2011 | private | K-8 | 2.1mi | ||||||
Pacific Academy 679 Encinitas Boulevard #205, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 634-1188 | private | K-12 | 2.16mi | ||||||
St. James Academy 623 South Nardo Avenue, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (858) 755-1777 | private | PK-8 | 2.34mi | ||||||
The Rhoades School 141 South Rancho Santa Fe Road, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 436-1102 | private | K-8 | 2.47mi | ||||||
Fusion Academy Solana Beach 512 Via De La Valle, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (858) 792-2300 | private | 6-12 | 2.63mi | ||||||
The Nativity School 6309 El Apajo Road, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 (858) 756-6763 | private | PK-8 | 3.61mi | ||||||
Horizon Prep 6233 El Apajo Road, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 (858) 756-5599 | private | PK-10 | 3.61mi | ||||||
R. Roger Rowe Middle School 5927 La Granada, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 (858) 756-1141 | public | 6-8 | 3.89mi | ||||||
Winston School 215 9th Street, Del Mar, CA 92014 (858) 259-8155 | private | 4-12 | 4.5mi |
school name | type | grades | parent rating | distance | |||||
Grauer, The 1500 South El Camino Real, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 944-6777 | private | 7-12 | 1.26mi | ||||||
San Dieguito High Academy 800 Santa Fe Drive, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 753-1121 | public | 9-12 | 1.34mi | ||||||
Sunset High (Continuation) School 684 Requeza Street, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 753-3860 | public | 9-12 | 1.85mi | ||||||
North Coast Alternative High School 684 Requeza, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 753-3860 | public | 7-12 | 1.85mi | ||||||
Santa Fe Christian Schools 838 Academy Drive, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (858) 755-8900 | private | PK-12 | 1.95mi | ||||||
Pacific Academy 679 Encinitas Boulevard #205, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 634-1188 | private | K-12 | 2.16mi | ||||||
Fusion Academy Solana Beach 512 Via De La Valle, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (858) 792-2300 | private | 6-12 | 2.63mi | ||||||
Horizon Prep 6233 El Apajo Road, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 (858) 756-5599 | private | PK-10 | 3.61mi | ||||||
Winston School 215 9th Street, Del Mar, CA 92014 (858) 259-8155 | private | 4-12 | 4.5mi | ||||||
La Costa Canyon High School 1 Maverick Way, Encinitas, CA 92009 (760) 436-6136 | public | 9-12 | 4.71mi | ||||||
Torrey Pines High School 3710 Del Mar Heights Road, San Diego, CA 92130 (858) 755-0125 | public | 9-12 | 4.96mi |