Top 10 Things To Do, Activities and Attractions in Cardiff-by-the-Sea

We've collected top 10 mentioned things to do in Cardiff-by-the-Sea from other articles such as sandiego.org, westinnandsuites.com, Attractions of America, including activities with kids, adult only attractions, cheap and free events

Top 10 Things To Do, Activities and Attractions in Cardiff-by-the-Sea

Torrey Pines State Reserve
Torrey Pines State Reserve
4.8 (11036 ratings)4.5 (3514 ratings)
Acres of oceanside trails for exploring or exercising while spotting occasional dolphins or bobcats.
12600 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
Nature preserveNature & ParksParkState parkNature & Wildlife AreasHiking Trails
Seaport Village
Seaport Village
4.6 (18125 ratings)4 (4366 ratings)
Waterside complex with shops, eateries, entertainment & relaxed grounds featuring fountains & ponds.
849 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Shopping mallShoppingPiers & BoardwalksPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Maritime Museum of San Diego
Maritime Museum of San Diego
4.7 (2737 ratings)4.5 (1598 ratings)
Waterfront venue showcasing many types of restored vintage ships & historical exhibits.
1492 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
MuseumSights & LandmarksHistorical landmarkMaritime museumOutdoor activity organiserShipsSpecialty Museums
Petco Park
Petco Park
4.7 (13150 ratings)4.5 (4116 ratings)
Opened in 2004, this prominent outdoor stadium features seasonal sporting events & concerts.
100 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
StadiumSights & LandmarksEvent venueArenas & StadiumsSports Complexes
Mentioned by San Diego 3 days itinerary
3 Days in San Diego Itinerary – What to See and Do
"Afterwards, take yourself to the south east corner of the Gaslamp area and locate Petco Park (it’s kind of hard to miss). This giant baseball stadium is home to the San Diego Padres and, baseball fan or not (I’m not), is a pretty spectacular sight. If you’re in San Diego during the baseball season, tickets are affordable and make for a great night out. Otherwise, you can take a stadium tour, or just climb up onto the grassy bank opposite and have a nosey from there."
Mentioned by The Crazy Tourist
50 Best Things to Do in San Diego (California
"Right in downtown San Diego, the state-of-the-art Petco Park is lauded as one of Major League Baseball’s best stadiums. In the stands you’ll get incredible vistas of the Sand Diego skyline and San Diego Bay at one of 81 regular season games (more if the Padres have a successful season). Petco Park opened in 2004, before which the San Diego Padres had to share the Jack Murphy Stadium with NFL’s Chargers."
Mentioned by San Diego 5 days itinerary
San Diego – The Perfect Itinerary for First-Timers
"First, it’s close to Petco Park, and second, it’s rooftop bar, Altitudes, is a great spot for a sunset cocktail!. There are several Marriotts in the Gaslamp quarter, so make sure to double-check the name when you make your reservation!"
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
4.6 (19180 ratings)4.5 (5262 ratings)
Open-air museum about local life in the 1800s, with adobe buildings & interpretive performances.
4002 Wallace St, San Diego, CA 92110, USA
State parkSights & LandmarksParkHistoric Walking Areas
Mentioned by Tripster Travel Guide
15 Absolutely Free Things to Do in San Diego
"Trek through the history of California’s birthplace at Old Town, San Diego’s first downtown. There is a distinct feeling of Old Mexico within this 6-block, 12-acre park, with historical sites covering shops, restaurants, museums, preserved adobe buildings and more. It’s easily one of the most authentic free things to do in San Diego."
Mentioned by Attractions of America
Top 26 Tourist Attractions in San Diego
"There are numerous historic buildings located in this area, dating back to the early 1800s. It was the first European settlement in California. One notable building is Whaley House which Travel Channel named as the most haunted house in America."
Favorite color wall mural
Favorite color wall mural
4.4 (5 ratings)4.5 (22 ratings)
Public mural by Roy McMakin featuring a large wall with a grid of squares painted in bright colors.
7596 Eads Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
MuseumSights & LandmarksPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Sunny Jim's Sea Cave
Sunny Jim's Sea Cave
4.3 (135 ratings)4 (183 ratings)
La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
Nature & ParksCaverns & Caves
Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park
Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park
4.6 (547 ratings)4.5 (255 ratings)
Secluded & meticulously-landscaped park is home to peacocks, bird of paradise & more.
6200 Flying Leo Carrillo Ln, Carlsbad, CA 92009, USA
ParkSights & LandmarksHistoric Sites
Mentioned by 10Best
Beachy Carlsbad Offers Up Much More than Awesome Theme Parks
"This park was once part of the original 2,538 acre working ranch and vacation retreat of Leo Carrillo (who acted in almost 100 films from 1927 to 1950 and co-starred in the TV series The Cisco Kid). Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park's 27 acres opened to the public in 2003. You can take a guided or self-guided tour of historic ranch structures including the hacienda, reflecting pool, cabana, cantina, carriage house tack shed, stable, barn and foundry, equipment shed and hand-crafted adobe buildings."
Mentioned by Family Destinations Guide
17 Best Things to Do in Carlsbad, CA (for 2021)
"The Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park was built originally as a weekend retreat for a famous actor. Today, it’s a 27-acre park that’s listed on the US National Register of Historic Places."
Mission Bay
Mission Bay
4.5 (555 ratings)
Centered on its namesake waterway, the Mission Bay neighborhood is more than 50% water and known for SeaWorld, which has rides, aquariums, and animal shows. A huge manmade water sports zone, popular for sailing and kitesurfing, occupies the western bay. Stand-up paddleboarders ply the calm waters off Fiesta Island, a peninsular park with a long beach. To the north, salt marsh preserves attract wading birds.
San Diego, CA, USA
Nature & ParksBeaches
Mentioned by Fodor's Choice
Sights in San Diego
"San Diego's monument to sports and fitness, this 4,600-acre aquatic park has 27 miles of shoreline including 19 miles of sandy beaches."
Waterfront Park
Waterfront Park
4.7 (6770 ratings)4.5 (69 ratings)
Public park featuring spray fountains, grassy areas & lots of play equipment for kids.
1600 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
ParkNature & Parks
Mentioned by Red Tricycle
Soak Up the Fun at These Splash Pads & San Diego Water Parks
"San Diego has its own version of Central Park: The Waterfront Park, located along the Embarcadero in Little Italy. Opened in 2014, it's become a family-favorite destination for locals. The 12-acre park is just a stone's throw from the bay and is decked out with tons of innovative ways to entertain kids including a splash pad and slide––but it's the giant fountain, with its many jets, that is the park's main attraction."
Mentioned by La Jolla Mom
100 FREE Things to Do in San Diego, CA: Fun Museums, Attractions, Tours & More
"Located in downtown San Diego along the bay near Little Italy San Diego, Waterfront Park is perhaps best known for its interactive splash fountains and its extensive, family-friendly open spaces. Outdoor movies in the park and other free events are held here in summer. (Location: Downtown San Diego)"
Mentioned by Sidecar Photo
Great Places to Take Pictures in San Diego
"If you can’t make it across the bridge to Coronado, you can walk along Harbor Bay to get a photo as well. The angle is a bit different and it’s a good deal harder to park but it can be done."

Top Rated Concerts and Shows in Cardiff-by-the-Sea

Spreckels Theatre
Spreckels Theatre
4.5 (473 ratings)4 (36 ratings)
Classic, early-20th-century theatrical venue hosting ballets, musicals, comedians & symphonies.
121 Broadway #600, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Performing arts theaterConcerts & ShowsAuditoriumTheaters
Spreckels Organ Pavilion
Spreckels Organ Pavilion
4.7 (698 ratings)4.5 (311 ratings)
Home to the world's largest outdoor pipe organ, this venue hosts year-round concerts & other events.
2125 Pan American Rd E, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Event venueConcerts & ShowsTheaters
Mentioned by Fodor's Choice
Sights in San Diego
"The 2,400-bench-seat pavilion, dedicated in 1915 by sugar magnates John D. and Adolph B. Spreckels, holds the 4,518-pipe Spreckels Organ,…"
Patio Playhouse Community Theatre
Patio Playhouse Community Theatre
4.7 (71 ratings)5 (4 ratings)
116 S Kalmia St, Escondido, CA 92025, USA
Performing arts theaterConcerts & ShowsNon-profit organizationTheaters

Top, Best & Fun Rooftop Bars in Cardiff-by-the-Sea

Mavericks Beach Club
Mavericks Beach Club
4.2 (971 ratings)
Lively watering hole with a beachy vibe features an expansive patio, TV sports & a bar bites menu.
860 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
Bar & grillBarNight clubRestaurant
Mentioned by There San Diego
Outdoor Dining Updates From Your Favorite San Diego Restaurants
"Mavericks Beach Club, along Garnet Avenue, is set to reopen the doors on Thursday, January 28th and has an excellent lineup of daily specials to get excited about!. Monday through Friday, from 2PM – 6PM, Happy Hour will consist of $4 beers, wines, and well cocktails, $6 margaritas and Mai Tais, and $2 off all snacks. And if you missed brunch as much as we did, you can now enjoy Mavericks’ Weekend Brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 10AM– 1PM with $15 bottles of champagne and rose, $7 Absolut Bloody Mary’s, $7 Bloody beers, and $20 Bubble Slushie Buckets."
Island Prime
Island Prime
4.6 (1472 ratings)
Waterfront restaurant & lounge with modern decor & bay views specializes in Californian cuisine.
880 Harbor Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Steak houseBarFine dining restaurant
Mentioned by American Eats
The Best Romantic Restaurants in San Diego, CA
"If you and your sweetie love a gourmet meal in a slightly refined atmosphere, Island Prime is the place to visit when you’re in San Diego. Start your meal with the seafood platter that includes oysters, crab, and shrimp, or try the crab cakes with lemon aioli. You can enjoy entrees like prime rib and mashed potatoes, salmon roulade with a basil potato puree, or fire-roasted cauliflower with Japanese eggplant."
Mentioned by San Diego Explorer
Best Outdoor Restaurants in San Diego With Stunning Patios
"Location: 880 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92101Phone: (619)- 298-6802Website. Resting on stilts atop San Diego Bay on Harbor Island, overlooking Coronado and the city skyline, Island Prime has one of the best views in all of San Diego. It’s totally relaxing, chilled-out experience."
Mentioned by restaurantji.com
The Best American Restaurants in San Diego, CA
"The food is still very good, and like everywhere else, prices here have risen, but additionally days of operation have been reduced, so it requires more ..."
Sierra Madre Cantina
Sierra Madre Cantina
4.1 (474 ratings)
Mexican fare & cocktails served in a relaxed setting with booth seating & flat-screen TVs.
329 W Felicita Ave, Escondido, CA 92025, USA
Mexican restaurantBarCatering food and drink supplierTaco restaurant

Best Shopping Malls in Cardiff-by-the-Sea Area

Del Mar Plaza
Del Mar Plaza
4.5 (528 ratings)4 (11 ratings)
High-end, dog-friendly shopping plaza with specialty boutiques, gourmet restaurants & beauty salons.
1555 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014, USA
Shopping mallSights & LandmarksPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Mentioned by sandiego.org
Outlet Malls and Shopping Centers
"1555 Camino Del Mar Del Mar, CA 92014 858-847-2284 32 Stores Monday - Saturday: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM  Sunday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM  Major Retailers: Specialty shops, Il Fornaio, Pacifica Del Mar, gourmet market"
Westfield Horton Plaza
Westfield Horton Plaza
3.6 (4979 ratings)
Massive outdoor mall with chain retailers, department stores, casual eateries & a movie theater.
324 Horton Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Shopping mall
Mentioned by San Diego 1 day itinerary
1 Day San Diego Itinerary for First Timers
"Horton Plaza Shopping Center, a multi-story, open-air mall, is known for its eclectic architecture, people-watching opportunities and more than 100 stores and shops. Make a purchase here and you'll get three free hours of parking—ample time for shopping and exploring the surrounding Gaslamp Quarter."
Costa Verde Center
Costa Verde Center
4.3 (1996 ratings)
This shopping complex has some 40 stores & dining choices, plus beauty services & a gourmet market.
8510 Genesee Ave, San Diego, CA 92122, USA
Shopping mallGrocery storeRestaurant

Vacation Rentals, Airbnb, Hotels & Cabins near Cardiff-by-the-Sea

Lagoon to Ocean views beach house in Cardiff!
Guest Suite · 5 Guests · 3 Bedrooms
$650 /night*
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Surfer Hideout in Leucadia 2 blocks from beach-sleeps 2-4
Apartment · 4 Guests · 1 Bedroom
$280 /night*
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Quiet Hilltop Encinitas Apt: Patio + Sunset Views
Apartment · 4 Guests · 1 Bedroom
$263 /night*
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* The displayed nightly rate may be estimated based on a future travel date. Narrow down your search with checkin and checkout dates to see the exact price.