Berryman Village
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Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007 · Community guide
Cardiff-by-the-Sea City Guide
Everything I know about Cardiff in one place: how the town came to be, the beaches and the campground, the 13 neighborhoods, what homes here actually sell for right now, and the schools.
About Cardiff-by-the-Sea
Cardiff-By-The-Sea is a beach community located 25 miles north of San Diego, nestled between San Elijo Lagoon to the south and rolling hills to the east. Cardiff-by-the-Sea is known by the locals as Cardiff. It has warm sunny days and cool evenings which prevail throughout the year. Along with moderate temperatures, Cardiff has breathtaking views along 2 miles of pristine Pacific Ocean coastline, a 900-acre ecological reserve, world class surfing and residents who take pride in their community. Cardiff is one of five communities comprising the city of Encinitas.
The five communities making up the city of Encinitas are Olde Encinitas, New Encinitas, Olivenhain, Leucadia and Cardiff-by-the-Sea incorporated into the City of Encinitas in 1986.
- Olde Encinitas: A small beachside area featuring a mix of businesses and housing styles. The Encinitas welcome arch, the famous surf break Swamis and the early 20th century La Paloma Theater are located here. Olde Encinitas is divided from New Encinitas by a low coastal ridge
- New Encinitas: A newer region which features a golf course, many shopping centers, and is composed of larger tract homes.
- Olivenhain: A semi-rural region in eastern Encinitas, composed of mostly single family homes, an active 4-H Club, and several private equestrian facilities. Olivenhain connects to Rancho Santa Fe via Encinitas Blvd.
- Leucadia: A coastal community of the city. Leucadia features tree-lined streets and boulevards. The community features art galleries, unusual stores and restaurants, along with single family homes and views of the ocean.
- Cardiff-by-the-Sea: Encinitas’ southernmost oceanfront community, this community was named after Cardiff Wales in 1914 and features streets named after British cities and classical composers.
History
J. Frank Cullen, a painter from Boston turned developer, founded Cardiff-by-the-Sea in 1910. Hector McKinnon, who settled here in 1875, cultivated the land and was the only farmer between Oceanside and San Diego along the coast. Cullen bought the land from McKinnon and began selling plots.”
There are different accounts about how Cardiff received its name. Frank Cullen originally wanted to give his little town a Spanish name. Nevertheless, his wife persuaded him to name the community ‘Cardiff’ after her native Cardiff, Wales.”Cardiff101.com suggests that a German musician named Victor Kremer, who was developing the area above Birmingham, added ‘by the Sea’ to Cardiff’s name. This addition may have been inspired by the song ‘By the Beautiful Sea.’ Additionally, many streets in Cardiff are named after places in the British Isles.
In 1912, Clarence Cole established a kelp works along the bluffs of San Elijo Lagoon, which provided the area with an industry other than farming. This same year, Cullen built an ocean pier and a hotel overlooking the ocean. This was followed by the establishment of the Cardiff School District in 1913, the first Cardiff Library opening in 1914, and the addition of a post office and train station in the 1920’s.
Beaches, parks and recreation
Cardiff is a very active outdoor community and has some of the finest beaches, parks and recreational facilities in all of California.
Cardiff Beaches
Some of the best surfing beaches in San Diego and Southern California:
- Pipes offers a fun, peaky surf break north of the campground, attracting swimmers, sunbathers, and surfers alike.
- The beach at San Elijo, located right in front of the campground, is perfect for families.
- Cardiff Reef is a pleasant little beach park and surf spot at the southern end of the campground, where the cliffs taper off.
- Just south of the San Elijo Lagoon river mouth, George’s is a popular spot, part of “Restaurant Row.” Restaurants like Chart House, Pacific Grill, and the Beach House are perched above the beach along Highway 101.
Cardiff Parks
The campgrounds at San Elijo State Beach are on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean below. Near the entrance of the state beach is a camp store, snack bar and the Eli Howard Surf School, which offers surf camps, weekend surf schools, surf lessons and surf rentals. South of San Elijo State Beach is Cardiff State Beach, which does not have the same level of amenities, but offers a beautiful beach for surfing, beachcombing or hiking in the sand. Cardiff Sports Park is located on Lake Drive and also known as Lake Drive Sports Park. This park offers baseball fields, soccer fields, picnic tables, and a gazebo that visitors can reserve for special occasions. Encinitas Community Park, partially located in Cardiff, features a 13,000-square-foot skate bowl, a 2-acre dog park, and several fields for soccer and baseball.
The housing market: an overview
Cardiff-by-the-Sea is a picturesque coastal community in North County San Diego known for its relaxed surf culture, stunning ocean views, and variety of housing options. Whether you’re looking for an affordable condo or a luxury beachfront home, Cardiff offers a diverse range of properties that cater to different lifestyles and budgets.
Diverse Price, Size, and Style
The housing market in Cardiff is highly diverse, with options ranging from attached townhomes to expansive single-family residences.
Attached Homes
Attached homes, including condos and townhomes, typically range from $461,000 to $560,000. These properties vary in size, from 792 to 3,314 square feet, offering affordable entry points for first-time buyers or those seeking low-maintenance living near the beach. Many of these homes are conveniently located near Cardiff’s beaches, shops, and restaurants, making them ideal for a walkable, coastal lifestyle.
Detached Homes
Detached single-family homes offer a wider range in price and size, from $600,000 to $3.8 million. These homes vary from small 265-square-foot beach cottages to large 8,432-square-foot luxury estates. Larger properties often feature ocean views, modern finishes, and spacious outdoor areas designed for entertaining. The architectural styles are diverse, from mid-century bungalows to contemporary homes with open floor plans and panoramic ocean views.
Neighborhoods
Cardiff is home to several distinct neighborhoods, each offering its own character. The Walking District is highly sought after for its beach proximity and ocean views, often commanding premium prices. In contrast, the Composer District is known for its quiet, family-friendly atmosphere, larger lots, and range of home styles, from older cottages to new, custom-built properties.
For those looking for breathtaking views, homes along Cardiff’s bluffs provide some of the most desirable oceanfront properties. These luxury homes offer expansive views and direct beach access, catering to buyers seeking high-end coastal living.
Why Cardiff?
Living in Cardiff-by-the-Sea means enjoying an outdoor lifestyle with some of the best surfing, beaches, and parks in the region. The community is close-knit, offering residents a small-town feel with easy access to neighboring cities like Encinitas and Carlsbad. Cardiff’s local dining scene and vibrant culture only add to its charm, making it a highly desirable place to live.
Rental market overview
The rental market in Cardiff-by-the-Sea stands out due to its high 12.4% vacancy rate, which is well above the national average. However, this elevated rate is not necessarily a sign of low demand; rather, it reflects Cardiff’s appeal as a seasonal destination with many homes used as vacation rentals or second homes.
Seasonal Occupancy and Vacation Homes
Around 9.8% of the housing in Cardiff is seasonally occupied, driven by the town’s popularity as a coastal vacation spot. Many homeowners use their properties as short-term rentals during peak tourist seasons, especially in summer. As a result, rental rates often spike during high-demand months, making it challenging for long-term renters to find affordable options. Outside the peak season, some vacation homes sit vacant or are available at lower rates for longer-term tenants.
The presence of vacation homes contributes to the overall vacancy rate, as these properties are frequently left unoccupied during off-peak months. This seasonal fluctuation defines Cardiff’s rental market, with many properties being available only part-time.
Long-Term Rental Demand
Despite the influence of vacation homes, there is steady demand for long-term rentals in Cardiff. Families, professionals, and retirees are drawn to the area for its beachside lifestyle, strong sense of community, and excellent schools. Long-term rental options range from condos to single-family homes, but rental prices are generally higher than average due to the coastal location.
As home prices in Cardiff continue to rise, long-term rentals offer an alternative for those who want to live in the area without buying a property. The limited availability of year-round rentals and the influence of short-term vacation rentals mean that demand for long-term leases remains competitive.
Cardiff-by-the-Sea’s rental market is shaped by its mix of vacation homes and long-term residences. The 12.4% vacancy rate and 9.8% seasonal occupancy highlight the town’s dual role as both a year-round community and a popular vacation spot. For renters, Cardiff offers a range of opportunities, from short-term stays in vacation homes to long-term rental options in a highly desirable coastal location.
The market right now
What homes in Cardiff-by-the-Sea actually sell for
These are closed sales, not asking prices. I keep the full picture, including every recent sale and my own closings, on my Cardiff-by-the-Sea Realtor page, and I refresh these numbers monthly.
Updated September 8, 2026. Closings from San Diego MLS (92007, all property types, close of escrow 9/2025–9/2026, n=95). Active listings from the Altos Research 92007 report, September 2026.
95homes closed in 92007
Sept 2025 – Sept 2026
Sept 2025 – Sept 2026
$2.32Mmedian sold price
over that same year
over that same year
100%median sale-to-list
half sold at or over asking
half sold at or over asking
7homes on the market
as of September 8, 2026
as of September 8, 2026
Median asking price, homes for sale now$4,349,0007 active listings · Altos Research, Sept 2026
Median sold price, past 12 months$2,324,80095 closed sales · SD MLS
Only seven homes were for sale in Cardiff in early September, and most of them were bluff and view properties, which is why the asking median sits so far above what the typical home sold for over the past year.
Where the sales landed
95 closed sales in 92007, all property types.
Two thirds of the year’s sales closed between $1.5 million and $3.5 million. Only two homes sold above $5 million.
Neighborhoods
Cardiff is made up of 13 distinct areas. Here they are with the approximate number of homes in each, so you can see at a glance where the town’s housing actually is.
Cardiff Cove
176 units
Cardiff Highlands
73 homes
Cardiff Park
79 homes
Composer District, Upper and Lower
608 homes
Ocean Crest Estates
37 homes
Park Place
628 units
Poinsettia Heights
482 homes, east of I-5
Sandy Point
107 homes
Sea Crest
92 homes
Sea Village
108 homes
Seaside
44 homes
Walking District
932 homes
The Composer District
The Composer District derives its name from 15 streets named after famous composers – Rubenstein, Chopin, Bach, Mozart, Verdi, Rossini and Liszt, to name a few. Streets in the Composer District tend to wind gently up and down the hills, offering sneak peaks of the ocean just a few blocks away, and a broad mix of housing in a range of styles. Access to the ocean, while close, is not straightforward due to the presence of railroad tracks and the coast road. Specifically, the nearest road that crosses these barriers is Chesterfield, located in the heart of town. Nevertheless, beach-goers and surfers typically navigate winding paths and cross the tracks and road with relative ease.
The Walking District
Walking District area derives its name from the close proximity to the beach and downtown amenities, including shopping and restaurants. The Walking District lies south of Birmingham, with the Coast Highway and the ocean to the west and Glascow, Edinburg, and Mackinnon to the east, at the peak of the hill.
What each of these areas costs today, with every recent sale, is on my Cardiff-by-the-Sea Realtor page.
Schools
Schools serving Cardiff-by-the-Sea 92007
Cardiff has its own two-school elementary district, one of the smallest in the county: Cardiff Elementary for kindergarten through second grade and Ada W. Harris for third through sixth. The rest of Encinitas is Encinitas Union. Both send their students on to San Dieguito Union for middle and high school, which assigns high schools by attendance area, so check the address before you assume Oak Crest and San Dieguito Academy.
Cardiff SD (K-6)Encinitas Union SD (K-6)Solana Beach SD (K-6)San Dieguito Union HSD (7-12)Elementary school
How the public schools performed, 2025
The State tests every public school student in grades 3 through 8 and grade 11 each spring. The figures below are the share of students who met or exceeded the state standard on the 2025 Smarter Balanced tests, with the district average and the statewide figure for comparison. I update this table each autumn when new results are released.
| School | English | Math |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiff School DistrictGrades K-6 · 641 students · district average | 78% | 69% |
| Ada W. Harris ElementaryGrades 3-6. Cardiff Elementary (K-2) is not tested. | 78% | 69% |
| Encinitas Union School DistrictGrades K-6 · 4,298 students · district average | 72% | 67% |
| Capri | 66% | 66% |
| El Camino Creek | 87% | 85% |
| Flora Vista | 71% | 65% |
| La Costa Heights | 80% | 74% |
| Mission Estancia | 76% | 65% |
| Ocean Knoll | 61% | 54% |
| Olivenhain Pioneer | 80% | 76% |
| Park Dale Lane | 63% | 55% |
| Paul Ecke-Central | 64% | 61% |
| San Dieguito Union High School DistrictGrades 7-12 · 12,055 students · district average | 80% | 69% |
| Carmel Valley Middle | 82% | 80% |
| Diegueno Middle | 77% | 68% |
| Earl Warren Middle | 78% | 73% |
| Oak Crest Middle | 72% | 58% |
| Pacific Trails Middle | 86% | 81% |
| Canyon Crest Academy | 93% | 86% |
| La Costa Canyon High | 74% | 51% |
| San Dieguito High Academy | 73% | 51% |
| Torrey Pines High | 80% | 56% |
| California, all public schools | 49% | 37% |
Source: California Department of Education, CAASPP Smarter Balanced results, spring 2025, via EdSource. District enrollment from CDE, 2024–25. Test scores are one measure among many; visit the schools.
Addresses and contacts
Cardiff School District
Cardiff Elementary School District1888 Montgomery Avenue · Cardiff, CA 92007 · 760-632-5890 · www.cardiffschools.com
Cardiff Elementary School1808 Montgomery Avenue · Cardiff, CA 92007 · 760-632-5892
Ada W. Harris Elementary School1508 Windsor Road · Cardiff, CA 92007 · 760-632-5894
San Dieguito Union High School District
San Dieguito Union School District2150 Village Park Way · Encinitas, CA 92024 · 760-944-1892 | dg.sduhsd.net
Oak Crest Middle School675 Balbour Drive · Encinitas, CA 92024 · 760-753-6241
Earl Warren Middle School155 Stevens Avenue · Solana Beach, CA 92075 · 858-755-1558
San Dieguito High School Academy800 Santa Fe Drive · Encinitas, CA 92024 · 760-753-1121
La Costa Canyon High School1 Maverick Way · Carlsbad, CA 92009 · 760-436-6136
Next step
Buying or selling in Cardiff-by-the-Sea
If you are thinking about actually buying or selling here, I keep a Cardiff by the Sea Realtor page with current prices, what each neighborhood costs, and every recent sale in 92007. I update the numbers monthly.
Kelli Miller
Realtor, Compass · DRE 01840131
1953 San Elijo Ave, Ste 101, Cardiff, CA 92007
858.784.1674
miller.kelli@gmail.com
Realtor, Compass · DRE 01840131
1953 San Elijo Ave, Ste 101, Cardiff, CA 92007
858.784.1674
miller.kelli@gmail.com
Market data from San Diego MLS. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. School boundaries and test results are published by the districts and the California Department of Education and are subject to change. Kelli Miller, DRE 01840131. Compass, DRE 01527365. Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws.