1. The Cardiff-By-The-Sea Lodge
City: Cardiff, CA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (760) 944-6474
Address: 142 Chesterfield Avenue
Description: Overlooking the Pacific in the beach town of Cardiff, this sparkling clean and luxurious inn offers lush gardens and an open-pit fire ring that is high on the rooftop. Imagine roasting marshmallows as you watch the sun shimmering in the west. These attributes are tough to top. Owned by Jeannette and James Statser, longtime Insiders themselves, the inn’s interior is graced with original art and handcrafted touches. The Southwest Room, for instance, looks like it’s straight out of New Mexico with hues of tan, pale pink, and the palest of blues. The crowning glory is the Sweetheart Room, and it’s Jim’s favorite, too. Here you’ll find hearts everywhere, from the ceiling to the heart-shaped tub for two. Breakfast is simple and good and all homemade—Jim’s the chef—with muffins, fruit, coffees, and teas. All rooms are equipped with queen-size beds, custom furnishings, oversize baths, and showers. There are 17 rooms and a roof garden that’s popular for weddings and receptions, or you can take a Jacuzzi, sit by the outdoor fireplace, and watch the sun go down. Rates here go up during holiday weekends, and you can also expect to pay more for luxury suites or a spectacular view.
2. Miracosta Community College
City: Cardiff, CA
Category: Education
Telephone: (760) 944-4449, (888) 201-8480
Address: 3333 Manchester Avenue
Description: Opened in 1964 to serve the educational needs of North County Coastal students, MiraCosta’s Oceanside campus is located on a 121-acre hilltop site with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean to the west and the mountains to the east. Seventeen miles south is the San Elijo campus, 42 acres above the San Elijo Lagoon reserve. The Oceanside campus has a student population of 6,500, and about 3,000 attend classes at the San Elijo campus. Approximately 1,000 students attend both.General education courses prepare students for transfer to a four-year university, while associate’s degrees in administration of justice, business, biotechnology, dance and dramatic arts, and many other areas are offered. Among dozens of certificate job-training courses is the CISCO certificate.
3. Trattoria Positano
City: Cardiff, CA
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (760) 632-0111
Address: 2171 San Elijo Avenue
Description: Welcoming and relaxing is the atmosphere of this cafe just a few blocks from the ocean in Cardiff. You’ll find seafood, a slew of pasta choices, and vegetarian specialties, too. The decor is California/Italian, crisp and clean with great service. Lunch Monday through Saturday; dinner is served daily.
4. Yogi’S Sports Bar And Restaurant
City: Cardiff, CA
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (760) 943-9644
Description: If you’re looking for a beach town happening, Yogi’s is the place to be. Whether you want to watch sports on one of the 32 TV sets, or mingle with the young tanned and beautiful, you can do it all here. The scene is constantly thriving; staff greet you as if you were a regular, even if it’s your first time. Located across the street from the Cardiff Reef beach, Yogi’s is an excellent place to grab lunch. During the day, it’s full of families, while after 10:00 p.m., the place is packed with active sorts in their 20s and 30s. The vibe is casual and the dress beach-friendly. The food is exceptional, prepared fresh daily. Choose from the usual pub standards (burgers, salads, or fries) or go for something a bit heartier from a full menu ranging from chili-seared ahi to prime rib stew. The main room features a large four-sided bar in the center, surrounded by lots of tables to accommodate larger groups. Music blares over the house system; for a quiet change, move outside to the heated patio, which overlooks the lagoon. North County beach towns are known to roll up the sidewalks by 10:00 p.m.; so locals know that truly the only game in town past 10 is Yogi’s. The kitchen is open until midnight, and the rest of the fun goes on until 2:00 a.m.