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Cardiff-by-the-Sea: Reefs and Sunsets

Cardiff-by-the-Sea is a beach community in San Diego County, California. Technically part of the city of Encinitas, Cardiff-by-the-Sea was reputedly given its name by a Welsh expatriate who wanted to christen it after the city of Cardiff in her native Wales. Many people in the region refer to the community simply as Cardiff.

Cardiff fronts the Pacific Ocean and features both a beach and a lagoon. Although the lagoon offers a relatively secluded and calm place for visitors to frolic in the water, the most popular water sport in the city is surfing. Indeed, the ocean off the coast of Cardiff actually features surfing spots well known to residents of Southern California. These include Swami's and Cardiff Reef, as well as a location called the Pipes because it produces smooth tube-like wave formations that surfers appreciate.

Cardiff Reef is an actual reef that is exposed during low tide. The reef at this time becomes a series of tide pools that can be explored. As reefs can be sharp, tourists are advised to wear appropriate footwear during such explorations.

The Beach House

The Beach House is a restaurant in Cardiff popular with both locals and tourists enjoying holiday homes in Cardiff-by-the-Sea. The restaurant is an excellent place to spend the afternoon and evening because every table has a lovely ocean view, and since the sun sets in the west, this means tourists can enjoy breathtaking sunset views as they dine on specialties such as salmon, mahi mahi, and filet mignon.