If you are out looking for the best beaches in California, Cardiff by the Sea is the place to go. It is located in Encinitas in San Diego County. What makes this beach town so special for tourists is that they get to enjoy the waters of the biggest ocean on the planet – the Pacific Ocean. Taking a stroll around the area will take you to some of the most visited tourist spots here. There is the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve which is a huge coastal wetland where visitors can go trekking and bird watching at the same time. Surfing enthusiasts can enroll at the Eli Howard Surfing School and learn the latest techniques about their favorite sport. If you have plans on spending your vacation in Cardiff, there are a number of cozy and budget-friendly accommodations to choose from. Check out the top Airbnbs in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, the USA.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 05, 2024.
1. Guest house in Solana Beach (from USD 175)
If you are looking for a beach house in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, this rental might be a great option. The property is quite spacious, almost an acre to be exact. One of the best Airbnbs in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, this rental includes a fully landscaped garden where the guests can relax and unwind after a day of visiting the sites. The San Elijo Lagoon is within reach on foot. A short distance away is where the famous beaches are located. Restaurants, groceries, and transportation lines are within reach from this property. The rustic cottage has one bedroom with a comfortable queen-sized bed. Guests are free to use the outdoor deck, kitchen, and other common spaces. Visitors have an exclusive access to the cottage so they can go in and out anytime.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
it is rustic but wifi held out so easy to communicatewe will come back great little cozy place with lots of beautiful natural lightwith minor additions to the kitchen equipment this would be a great place to stay for a couplethe beds were s (phone number hidden by airbnb) comfortablecozy and peaceful cottage on a beautiful open hilltopCleanliness:
spotless and easy communicationthe home is clean and smallthe place was clean and had everything we neededthe cottage was very clean and comfortablethe place was very clean and the decor very tasteful and welcomingHost:
host was super helpful and accommodating to any requests we hadhosts are also very friendly and communicativegreat hosts we will definitely be backwonderful place wonderful host would certainly stay here againthank you for hosting usRead more reviewsLocation:
great location excellent dining and shopping within walking distancelocation is lovely and really close to everythingthis is a great locationgreat location- close to freeway access and beachgreat little place amazing location
2. Cozy Cardiff cottage (from USD 120)
The rental is located in one of the more peaceful areas in Cardiff. The shore is just a few minutes’ walk so this is best for those who plan to stay hours by the beach. The rental itself is spacious and has a no party rule. Only a maximum of two visitors are allowed and they must state their reason for visiting with an accompanying valid photo. It comes with a huge king-sized bed that speaks of comfort and relaxation. Guests are free to use the kitchen and Wi-FI. An off-street parking for one vehicle is available for those who plan to bring their car.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the studio was immaculate and comfortable with all the amenities i’ve could ask forstaying at vicky's well exceeded my expectations - it was so comfortable stylish creative and thoughtfulthe studio is comfortable with good closet/storage spacebig comfortable bed smart tv plenty of fans to stay cool blackout curtainsalso the space is charming and comfortableCleanliness:
a clean private and very comfortable studiosuper clean super quite and stylish housethe place was sparkling clean and very nicely decorateda very safe and clean environmenther rental is clean comfortable and welcomingHost:
she is a very thoughtful hostshe is the perfect hostvicky is an amazing hostvicky was a great hostshe is an amazing host thank you vickyRead more reviewsLocation:
location is excellent many nice restaurants and stores walking distancethe location is very goodfantastic location in the heart of cardiff within walking distance of everythingvicky’s place was wonderful- great location- a couple minute walk to the beachgreat location super close to the beach and shops
3. A stylish house with ocean and sunset views (from USD 326)
The ocean and the sunset, what happens when they are brought together? You get the most stunning views you will never, ever forget. This stylish house can give you that kind of experience. Sleep like a rock in one of the two bedrooms that are equipped with percale cotton sheets and Belgian linen quilts. Two modern bathrooms are available to cater to the needs of up to six guests. After the sun goes down, head to the outdoor area that comes with comfortable seating and an outdoor fireplace. Pour a glass of wine to enjoy the night.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
beautiful furnishings bedding linens towelsthere is a great coffee machine and the tv was easy to usethe pullout couch was very comfortable as well it easily fit the 5 usa lovely large kitchen with every appliance you needwish the a/c don't make so much noiseCleanliness:
it was very clean and well-suppliednice place clean and well organizedvery clean modem updated stylewe arrived and it was sparkling cleanthe house was sparkling clean and had all the necessitiesHost:
attentive hosts were very helpfuljulio was also a wonderful hostjulio was an amazing hostjulio and alison were wonderful hostsenjoyed my staff & look forward to visiting cardiff againRead more reviewsLocation:
great place and location walking distance to everythingthe location is wonderfullocation: house’s location is far the best for a family staylocation is quiet and within walking distance from the beach which we lovedthe location hands down amazing
Superhost
4. Easy Cardiff living
This recently remodeled marvel can fit six guests in three spacious bedrooms. The master bedroom speaks elegance from the king-sized bed to all the ornaments that adorn it. The master bath offers luxurious amenities that visitors can enjoy. There is an outdoor deck on the second floor where visitors can relax and have coffee or wine. The living, dining, and kitchen have an open area design where guests can easily mingle with each other. Once guests step out, they will find themselves minutes away from destinations like Glen Park, Cardiff Reef, and downtown Cardiff. However, parking is limited to the driveway.
Encinitas, California, United States
3.72 km (2.4 mi) from San Diego Botanic GardenAccommodates: 6
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the beds were super comfortable and the rooms had plenty of natural lightCleanliness:
nicely designed and very cleanthe place clean and sophisticatedthis house was beautiful very cleanit's modern and cleanthe apartment was lovely and clean and had everything we neededHost:
very pleasant hostbrad was a great hostbrad was a great host and made sure we were accommodatedgreat experience from a gracious hostbrad is a fantastic hostRead more reviewsLocation:
the location is fabulousbeautiful location and accommodationsgreat location and beautiful placebeautiful location & stylish digsgreat location fully equipped and very comfortable
5. Coastal studio with heating (from USD 160)
Located 15 minutes away from the beach, this studio guest house can accommodate up to 3 guests. It is situated in a peaceful neighborhood, so guests can surely enjoy a tranquil vacation. With modern amenities such as a well-equipped kitchen, bathtub, and fresh linens, travelers are sure to have a comfortable stay.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the apartment was very clean and supplied with all the amenities (and even some extras)the king-size bed was very comfortable and the place was very quiet at night -- my top prioritiesthe bedding and bathroom are greatCleanliness:
super clean and cozyvery clean comfortable bed nice towelsthe studio was very clean and tidyvery quiet clean and comfortablevery clean quiet beautiful and well organizedHost:
the host is very responsivethank you sue for being an awesome hostvery responsive hosthost was super accommodating and easy to reach and talk tosue is an awesome hostRead more reviewsLocation:
plus a great locationideal location for a quick getawayamazing studio in the perfect locationcozy comfortable and cute great location tooperfect location short walk to a quiet and secluded beach perfect for watching the sunset
6. Contemporary home for eight guests (from USD 446)
This lovely three-bedroom home can easily accommodate up to eight guests. There is a spacious patio where you can enjoy some lovely views. If you want to stay connected, the rental features free WiFi access. It is a family-friendly place as it has a high chair, baby safety gates, and children’s dinnerware.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
bed linen and mattresses were as comfortable as a 5 star hotelthe house is so well appointed - chefs kitchen full of all itemswe were so impressed by the living room set-up as it gave us a theater-like experiencethe rooms were good size decorated very tastefully and had everything we needed for our staythe beds were so comfortable and the linens pillows etc were top-notchCleanliness:
everything is clean and extremely comfortablesuper clean organized placevery clean and accommodating for guests to keep it cleanit was beautifully decorated impeccably clean with so many thoughtful touchesthe place is so well decorated and thoughtfully provisioned- everything is clean and organizedHost:
owners are responsive and kindkelly & tyler were amazing hostshosts were attentive and consideratekelly and tyler are gracious hosts who truly want to make your stay enjoyabletyler and kelly are so friendly and there are thoughtful touches everywhere to make you feel at homeRead more reviewsLocation:
love the decor and locationsunny stylish home- great locationit’s beautiful spacious and close to everythingthere's a park/playground/skate park that is great to take the kids to super close as wellquiet and lovely neighborhood to relax in
7. Romantic suite with a full kitchen (from USD 231)
This romantic place has a kitchen with a stove, coffee maker, and cooking basics, making it easy for guests to prepare delectable meals. The place has barbecue facilities, so you can enjoy a private barbecue during your stay. There is free parking on the premises for guests who are planning to drive during their trip. If you are staying here with your partner, you can head to the nearby city of San Diego to check out some restaurants and wine bars.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
beautiful view & so comfortablethe tasteful furnishings were so comfortable and accentuated the natural theme and feelthe sheets were soft and the mattresses and pillows very comfortablevery well equipped:the kitchen: pots pans knives coffee maker utensils and a well stocked pantrysuch a cool space we loved the ocean view every morning and made fantastic use of the kitchenCleanliness:
karen's place is very nice and cleanthe place was very clean and the kitchen perfect for cooking and entertaining our familyreally artistic clean and in a great locationmindblowing views easy access to beaches restaurants and activities cozy and clean living spaceHost:
karen and craig were perfect hostsyour hosts karen & craig are very friendly & accommodatingkaren and craig are amazing hostswonderful hosts with generous local knowledge on tapkaren and craig were available and very helpfulRead more reviewsLocation:
close to shops and easy walk to the beachperfect location and only a ten minute walk for the cardiff seaside marketlocation was great for usthis is a beautiful spot located close to the beach and close to the cute little town of encinitasgreat location and close to many restaurants beaches shops & grocery stores
8. Sunny Cardiff cottage (from USD 195)
This is a real guest house so visitors will enjoy facilities similar to what they have in their homes. Located in a quiet street near the beach, the place has a comfortable loft-style design. Unique skylights let the sunshine in to warm the living room area. Because of the high ceiling, air movement is not restricted which makes the room much cooler. The flight of stairs has an eye candy design which can easily capture the attention of every visitor to this rental. This place is perfect for tourists who love their privacy since it is located in a secluded area where people and vehicles rarely pass by.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the wifi worked great and there was endless hot waterthe cottage is beautifully designed well-equipped super-comfortable flooded with natural light and overall a lovely place to chillthe bed was super comfy and the cottage had everything you could needthe space is very comfortable including the bedthe bed was super comfyCleanliness:
sparkling clean and everything you could need in the bathroom and kitchenher place was very stylish clean and comfortablewe absolutely loved everything small yes but so clean and cozythe house is serene and extremely cleanthe rental was as described very clean and in a great locationHost:
lauren is an awesome hostlauren is a wonderful hostgreat place & a great hostlauren is an awesome host helpful and graciouslauren is thoughtful and was an amazing hostRead more reviewsLocation:
the location is perfectand the location is perfect — within walking distance of the beach and diningsuper quiet great locationit was a great location that was close to all of our preferred destinationsdefinitely go to the mexican stand right by gas station
9. Beautiful home with free parking (from USD 219)
This luxurious home has one bedroom and one bathroom, perfect for two guests. The rental features a full kitchen, so guests can cook delicious meals during their stay. It boasts a beautiful garden where guests can enjoy their morning coffee. For those who plan to drive, there is free parking on the premises.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
comfortable beautiful room--the bathroom was large and the amenities were plentifulcomfortable sitting chairs too extra thought went into the setup of the entire placefrom the amazingly cozy bed to the soft robes it was everything we needed for a relaxing stayloads of natural light beautiful decor comfortable seating and a great little outside space to hang outit's very difficult to find such a quiet comfortable space that has the charm such as thisCleanliness:
so clean and beautifulit was very clean and modernit was super clean and very cozyspacious shower and super clean bathroomit is beautiful clean and spaciousHost:
tina and bill were wonderful hoststina and bill were perfect hoststina and bill are wonderful hosts and are happy to share with you local tips and insightstina and bill were generous and caring hoststhe hosts were very friendly and instantly responsiveRead more reviewsLocation:
i loved the convenient locationgetting to this location is very easy coming up from the airporta perfect setting and close to everythingthe neighborhood is cute and very safe to walk throughlocation is central to most everything and easy access to the 5
10. Cardiff surfers' retreat (from USD 78)
This rental is ideal for travelers who are into surfing and sunbathing. Just a few minutes away on foot from sandy beaches and cool waters, this place has a lot going on for it. First of all is the space. Though it is not that big, it offers privacy since it is a studio unit with its own living, kitchen, and bathroom areas. Located nearby is the freeway which allows visitors the flexibility to travel elsewhere other than the beach. Guests can go to the brand new park which offers relaxation and respite and is just a few steps away.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
there are a lot of extra amenities very comfortable bed and plenty of street parkingit is spacious modern light and comfortablethere were snacks left for us extra blankets a fan clean towels and linenspositives: the space itself is like a studio apartment in a converted garagethe bed was cozy and the bathroom was a good size for a studioCleanliness:
impeccably clean and setvery clean as welloverall it was clean and tidyit was clean and super cutesteve and amanda do an amazing job at keeping their rental clean and tidyHost:
hosts are very nice and accommodatinghosts were friendly and the place itself was greatgreat place to stay hosts were greatthe hosts were incredibly nice and friendly as wellit’s connected to the host’s home but it felt super privateRead more reviewsLocation:
a perfectly sized and comfortable place near the beachthe location was easy to find and very centrally locatedgood place and perfect locationthe location is very easy to accessthe location is wonderful and the neighborhood is quiet
11. Spacious three-bedroom house
This place is huge. All of its 2,200 square feet are divided into three bedrooms, two living rooms, a kitchen and one dance studio. The theme that dominates the décor is Native American. But that is just the interior. On the outside is a hot tub that faces the ocean to the west. The patio is bedecked with furniture and an umbrella for protection against the sun’s rays. All windows in the rental provide panoramic views of the outdoors. The kitchen is always fully stocked with the basic needs.
Encinitas, California, United States
3.63 km (2.3 mi) from San Diego Botanic Garden
12. Ocean-view house
Guests in this rental can take in the cool gusts of wind from the ocean from the wonderful open deck. Both the living room and breakfast nook offer the best vantages to look at the waves. Guests can use the fully-equipped kitchen and cook the freshest ingredients they can get from the seaside market. Nearby, visitors can easily walk to the aforementioned market, restaurants, boutiques, the city library, and Glen Park. Four guests can easily fit in this rental with lots of room to move in. The owner is willing to lend his surfboard, a couple of beach chairs, and a boogie board for kids.
Encinitas, California, United States
3.79 km (2.4 mi) from San Diego Botanic Garden
13. Bright and beautiful ocean view
With 1500 square feet and a balcony with a barbecue to boot, guests have all the space they want in a rental. But the real treat comes in the view that welcomes them every morning – it’s the Pacific Ocean. The room is all about outdoor living as it imitates the colors of the waters in its décor. White and blue hues dominate the walls and ceilings giving guests a comforting ambiance. A king-sized bed awaits those who get tired from the day’s activities. Just minutes away from the front door are grocery stores and clothing shops making this an ideal place for shopping.
Encinitas, California, United States
3.59 km (2.3 mi) from San Diego Botanic Garden
14. Ocean-view rental in Cardiff
If you are looking for a great vacation rental in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, this might be an ideal option. Just a few minutes’ walk from the Pacific Ocean stands this beautifully decorated room within a home. The bedroom comes with a working table for those on a business trip. Free use of the shared spaces is allowed. This includes the living room, the kitchen where guests can find a complete stock of breakfast and coffee items, and backyard terrace with a barbecue grill. The views are what sets this rental apart. It allows the guests to take in the scenery from Dana Point to La Jolla and during clear weather, one can see some of the islands in the middle of the water.
Encinitas, California, United States
3.43 km (2.2 mi) from San Diego Botanic GardenTop guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
lovely room with a ceiling fan and lots of drawers and closet spacefabulous apartment wonderful views and just a lovely stay with norathe apartment was exactly like the photosnora's home was comfortable and cozy with an amazing view of the oceanawesome view very clean extremely comfortable bed; pictures 100% accurateCleanliness:
extremely clean and homeyeverything was very clean and comfortableevery thing was very clean and modernthe house is very clean and the bed very comfortablenorris place is very nice very clean and we had lots of privacyHost:
she was a wonderful hostshe is a wonderful hostnora was a wonderful hostnora was such a wonderful hostshe was so kind and helpfulRead more reviewsLocation:
great location for walking to beach restaurants and storesgreat location 4 blocks from the beachright in the middle of cardiff by the sea walking distance to seaside market and some great restaurantsperfect location a few blocks from great restaurants and a really good food-storeit's easy to walk to shops/grocery/restaurants and the beach
15. Cardiff beach retreat
This rental just underwent some remodeling for an upgraded look, making it a great rental in Cardiff-by-the-Sea. The result is a luxurious décor with an artistic touch and contemporary furniture all blended into one. The place can accommodate six guests which makes it good for honeymooners and families alike. Looking out the windows, one can take in the views that stretch from Dana Point to La Jolla. They might even see whales from afar. Those who want to go on a food adventure will delight in the fact that a number of restaurants and a food market are all nearby.
Encinitas, California, United States
3.45 km (2.2 mi) from San Diego Botanic GardenTop guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the kitchen looks out to the great room with a view of the oceanthere is a very inviting and open great room with an awesome table chairs and couchesthe common space was comfortable and roomybeds were very comfortable including the pullout sofait is clean well cared for with a fully stocked kitchen and amenitiesCleanliness:
it was really clean and cozyso clean and beautifulthe place is clean one of my top considerationsit is very very clean spacious and quietlarge and very cleanHost:
nora was a wonderful hostnora is a wonderful hostnora is a fantastic host and made us feel most welcomeshe was very attentive and easy to communicate withnora is a wonderful host and made everything so easyRead more reviewsLocation:
location is also greatbest location in san diego countynora’s place is perfect great location great aptthe home is super cute very well located and very comfortableamazing place and wonderful trip
Stunning oceanside retreat
Enjoy an unforgettable holiday in this stunning oceanside retreat. With spectacular views and a tranquil appeal, you’re bound to be entranced by this destination’s allure. Whether you are staying here with your partner to be close to the best romantic places in San Diego or just want to chill by the beach, Cardiff-by-the-Sea offers various accommodation options. Go ahead and book a vacation rental from the list above.
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