Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Hot 'Nuff For Ya?

2010-09-28T10:04:00.000-07:00

So I spent an awful lot of time living in the midwest (please, don't judge me, I'm happily and deeply entrenched in SoCal now!) and when the dog days of summer rolled around and the heat was unbearable, sweltering, humid, and just plain uncomfortable, the usual greeting was, "Hot 'nuff for ya?" All day long everyone asked everyone else that question - funny, right? And how do you answer that? "Nah....could be hotter!" LOL

My point is - it's hot for San Diego! And you should come to the beach and cool off! Just think of dipping your toes in that crisp cool ocean and the immediate sense of relief it would bring....ahhhhhhh......a nice leisurely walk along the water's edge....a little bit of heaven, right?

Don't forget, you can rent surfboards right across the street at Nirvana and if you forgot your swim suit you can stop in at Patagonia just on corner 1/2 a block from us. How about taking a picnic lunch from Seaside Market with you to snack on? And after that awesome afternoon of swimming, surfing and noshing, how about an enjoying a glass of wine while watching the sunset from the patio at Wine Steals?

Did I just put together a great day for you? I think I did! LOL Now call us and make it happen!

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Smooth.....

2010-09-09T12:01:00.000-07:00

This Saturday is the Jazz88 Ocean Beach Music & Art Festival! And guess what? That's right...I'll be displaying my artwork for all to enjoy : ) Stop by and see me at Booth F3 if you're in the neighborhood...what could be smoother than excellent jazz music and beautiful art?

Directions
And Beer!

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Another day in paradise...

2010-08-26T09:40:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love SoCal? The weather has been amazing and should be into the weekend - go to the beach!! Go to Cardiff State Beach! Believe me....you'll love it : )

If the beach is not for you, here are some other options for your weekend enjoyment:

What: LeucadiART Walk
When: Sunday, Aug 29
Where: Between Marcheta and W. Glaucus Streets (Right on the 101!), Leucadia

LeucadiART Walk features “one mile of talent on Hwy 101,” with artists displaying their art on the west side of Hwy 101 between Marcheta and W. Glaucus Streets. The Event Features: Art Demonstrations ~ Live Music ~ Children's Art Activities ~ A Wine & Beer Garden (fees apply)~ Free Double-Decker Shuttle Bus Service ~ Free Parking at the Encinitas Civic Center and Coaster Station, both located on Vulcan Ave. at D. Street.
I will be displaying my art on Sunday! Stop by my booth in the parking lot of The Corner Frame Shop at 1038 S. Coast Hwy 101 - I hope to see you there!

What: Survey Select - Narrative Art Exhibition and Associated Events
When: Saturday, Aug 28
Where: Wonder Bread Building, San Diego

Contemporary art exhibition featuring 65 world-class artists, 12 authors, 10 films, 20 events and unlimited inspiration in a museum setting at the Wonder Bread Factory in Downtown San Diego, CA Eclectic by nature and selective by choice, "Survey Select" examines a new tradition of storytelling. Go to surveyselect.org and check out calendar listings.

What: San Diego Lantern Festival 2010
When: Saturday, Aug 28
Where: Eveoke Dance Theater, San Diego

3 days of Nonstop Entertainment-Carnival Rides-Martial Arts Competition-Lantern Decorating-Arts & Crafts-6,000 Breathtaking Lanterns-3 Traditional Lantern Parades-3 Nights of Lion Dances-Food Booths-Miss San Diego Lantern 2010 Pageant-FREE outdoor film screening, featuring "Enter the Dragon" for Bruce Lee's 70th Birthday!

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Good Stuff for this Weekend....

2010-08-20T11:51:00.000-07:00

Looking for something to do? Here are a few ideas for you!

A local favorite, Stone Brewing Co. is well known for it's great beers. This weekend is their 14th Anniversary Celebration and Invitational Beer Festival. Saturday, Aug 21 - 11 am

"Our biggest beer festival and fundraising event is back, and we've really upped the ante this year! Not only are we bringing you even more world-class guest breweries than ever before, we've added a Friday Night Brewers Reception, a Saturday Rare Beer Section, and more ticket options!"

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We love the Del Mar Race Track! And Saturday, 8/21 is Donut Day...mmmm...donuts!

"Visitors can catch a behind-the-scenes look at the world of Thoroughbred racing while enjoying free coffee, orange juice and donuts. Track announcer Trevor Denman will host a Q&A session with jockey Joel Rosario and trainer John Sadler during their morning workouts. Donuts Day is held from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. in the Seaside Terrace area at the West end of the Grandstand. For more information, visit http://www.delmarscene.com"

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Love Struck Inspired by A Midsummer Night's Dream at La Jolla Playhouse

La Jolla Playhouse and Jon Block Creations present a unique art and fashion event entitled Love Struck celebrating the Playhouse’s production of A Midsummer Night's Dream on Saturday, August 21 from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm. The event is part of the Playhouse’s ongoing “Performance + Cocktails” series.

The evening begins at 5:00 pm with a music-infused cocktail mixer and art exhibition on the Playhouse’s Weiss Lawn, followed by a vintage apparel showing, featuring the SDWHM collection, at 6:00 pm. At 7:15 pm will be a high fashion runway show with a special introduction from Playhouse Artistic Director and Midsummer director Christopher Ashley. The evening caps off with a performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at 8:00 pm. Admission to Love Struck is free; there Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase discounted tickets to Midsummer for $40.00.

More Information:
http://lajollaplayhouse.org/

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La Jolla Concerts by the Sea at La Jolla, California, United States

Cost: Free -

These family-friendly FREE summer concerts are fun for people of all ages, offering a wide range of musical styles for everyone's enjoyment in an ideal setting overlooking La Jolla Cove. Fantastic prizes including gift certificates for local activities and restaurants are raffled off each week. Gather your family and friends and join us for summer sun, fun, and live music!

For more information:
La Jolla Concerts by the Sea

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Did you hear that?

2010-08-18T13:32:00.000-07:00

Was that the sound of the summer flying by?! Here we are in mid August already - I can't believe it. But if you think about it, July didn't really count since it felt like we were living in Seattle, right? What crazy weather this summer! But it looks like Mother Nature has straightened herself out and August is turning out to be spectacular!

And since we have some great weather, here are a few things to do to enjoy it:

Solana Beach Farmer's Market
The corner of Cedros Ave and Rosa Street in Solana Beach
Sundays from 1pm - 5pm

Miramar Air Show
Miramar Marine Corp Base
Oct 1, 2, & 3rd
9am - 4pm

Oceanside Harbor Days
Includes the illustrious Nail & Sail Competition
North Oceanside, Oct 2-3, 9am - 6pm

These are but a few of the gems I'll find and post for you!

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Summer is almost here!

2010-04-27T13:33:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but one of the things I love best about summer is outdoor concerts. Live music, amazing weather....it's a great mix! I've gathered up some of my favorite venues (outside and inside!) to share with you and a line up artists to see...

I'll start with the venues closest to us and work my way out:

The Belly Up Tavern
Solana Beach
(only 2 1/2 miles from the lodge!)

The Del Mar Fairgrounds
Del Mar
San Diego County Fair Line Up
Del Mar Fairgrounds Summer Concert Series
(only 5 miles from the lodge!)

California Center for the Arts Escondido
Escondido

One of my favorite outdoor venues:

Humphrey's By the Bay
San Diego

These are also excellent outdoor venues:

Cricket Wireless Amphitheater
Chula Vista

San Diego Summer Pops
San Diego

And what could be better than a free show?! Here's a great link to find free concerts all summer long in San Diego County:

Free Music!

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Romance is in the air!

2010-01-21T12:52:00.000-08:00

I know it's a bit early, but have you been thinking about doing something special for that 'special' someone in your life on Valentine's Day? No? Well you should! What a great opportunity to focus on the romantic part of your life, right? Absolutely!

We thought we'd entice you to come stay with us - we love romance, too : ) We're putting a dozen roses and a box of chocolates in each room as well as offering a champagne breakfast when you stay with us for Valentine's weekend! It can't get more romantic than that can it? Well it can....but the rest is up to you!

Pssst....we were voted "Best Place to Kiss"...now isn't that romantic?

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Have you been Naughty or Nice?

2009-12-16T12:12:00.000-08:00

Blogging?! Who has time for Blogging? There are only 8 days left until Christmas and I've been out shopping! And what a whirlwind it is out there this season...I thought I'd share some of my favorite shopping spots with you, you know, just in case you are still in need of the perfect gift!

Carlsbad Premium Outlets
5620 Paseo del Norte, Suite 100
Carlsbad, CA 92008
(760) 804-9000

And the best part? It's only 10 minutes away from us!

Cedros Avenue Design District
Located in the beautiful town of Solana Beach, just 2 miles south of Cardiff.
(pssst....my favorite store is Solo....you have to check it out!)

La Jolla
Located just 20 minutes south of Cardiff (via the beautiful Coast Hwy)...amazing art galleries and boutiques - you're going to need an entire day for this one, believe me!

The Forum at Carlsbad
Another great place to shop that is only 10 minutes from us...a beautiful shopping center that is somewhat of a hidden gem! My favorite - The Paper Source - a great store for cards and gift supplies...go there now!

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Perfect for the Holidays!

2009-11-25T09:54:00.000-08:00

Skating by the Sea

The Hotel del Coronado is pleased to present in its fifth year a unique Southern California experience – outdoor ice-skating overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The Del’s 10,000-square-foot Windsor Lawn, located just steps from the sand, will be transformed into a picturesque ice rink for guests and visitors this holiday season. Holiday music will fill the air and guests can purchase hot chocolate and libations.

~ November 25 - December 18 ~
daily: 2pm - 5pm & 6pm - 9pm
weekend & holiday matinee: 11am - 1pm

~ December 19 - January 3 ~
daily: 2pm - 5pm & 6pm - 9pm
daily matinee: 11am - 1pm

Three-hour sessions cost $20* for adults and $15* for kids (ages 10 years and under); two-hour matinee sessions cost $15* for adults and $10* for kids (ages 10 years and under). Skate rental is $5 per person.

A portion of the 2009 skating proceeds will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of San Diego.

*The matinee session in the only 2-hour session. Must pay for entire session regardless of time spent skating.

Directions to the Hotel del Coronado can be found here...

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Of Local Importance....

2009-11-16T11:25:00.000-08:00

California Surf Festival
Oceanside, CA
Nov 19-22

The California Surf Festival celebrates awareness and support for surf history preservation through the California Surf Museum. It is an international event destination bringing people from all over the world to Oceanside, California, to experience surf culture through films, music, art, photography and
interaction with those who embody the culture as well as highlight the surf community of California.
The California Surf Film Festival, produced as a benefit by the California Surf Museum (CSM) in Oceanside, will include exciting and groundbreaking new surf films with many of the filmmakers in attendance.

Del Mar Antique Show
Del Mar Fairgrounds
Fri - Sun, Nov 20-22

More than 250 antique dealers from throughout the Western United States will be selling antiques and collectibles during the three-day run of the show, which marks its 50th year this fall. This year's show is subtitled the "Century of Style Design Show," with a focus on antiques from the 20th century, including Arts & Crafts, Art Deco, Mid-Century Modern and Art Nouveau pieces. There will be booths specializing in crystal, glass, pottery, art, jewelry, silver, Americana, primitives, furniture and paper ephemera. There will also be antique and restoration artists on hand for consultations on wicker, damaged glass, crystal, porcelain, pottery, rugs and jewelry.

Read the full article here....

San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival
Embarcadero Park North
San Diego
Nov 18-22

The much anticipated 2009 San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival is quickly approaching! Come join more than 8,000 tastemakers including legendary winemakers, celebrity chefs and others with great taste (just like you!) on November 18-22, 2009. You won't want to miss the five-day wine and food extravaganza featuring 170 world-class wineries and spirit producers, 70 of San Diego’s award-winning fine dining restaurants, gourmet foods, celebrity chefs, wine dinners, cooking classes, wine tasting classes, live and silent auctions, personalities, wine tastings, and unlimited food samples!

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Well, Hello......

2009-11-16T11:12:00.000-08:00

So we've been a bit busy here with weddings as of late. In fact, I have some great pics I'd like to share with you....

Please check out the rest of the pics (scroll down Fritz's blog to the second wedding!) and Fritz's great work at fritzharmon.com

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Spooktacular....

2009-10-28T10:59:00.000-07:00

It's Halloween this weekend! Here are a couple of things to do this weekend that just might be 'spooktacular'!

Dia de los Muertos
Sunday, Nov 1, 10am - 4pm
Mission San Luis Rey
Oceanside, CA

More details here...

Something that runs every Friday, but is especially cool this time of year is...

The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Midnight Showing Every Friday Night
Special 9m Show on Halloween (Saturday night)
La Paloma Theater
471 S. Coast Hwy
Encinitas, CA

And if you like creative, but definitely not spooky then check out...

Carlsbad Village Street Faire
Sunday, Nov 1, 8am - 4pm
(Grand Ave. from Carlsbad Blvd. to Jefferson St.)

More details here...

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Coast to Coast

2009-10-20T12:16:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful couple stay with us this weekend, of course all our couples are wonderful (!), but what made this couple stand out was their modus operandi for the weekend. They started their Sunday morning watching the sunrise in Boston and then hopped on a plane to be here for sunset that night! Isn't that a great way to spend a day...seeing the sunrise on the east coast and seeing the sunset on the west coast? I give them super high marks for being romantic.....

For those of you that don't have those kinds of plans for the weekend, here are some suggestions!

Zenbu Sushi Bar
2003 San Elijo Ave
Cardiff

They have local lobster specials going on!!

Check out the menu here...

At the Del Mar Fairgrounds this weekend:

Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show
Fri/Sat/Sun, Oct 23-25
10am - 6pm

Tickets, Hours, Location

And for you bookworms....

Dean Koontz Book Signing
Canine Companions for Independence Southwest Regional Center
124 Rancho del Oro Drive
Oceanside, CA 92057

Bestselling author Dean Koontz will do a special book signing at 124 Rancho del Oro Drive in Oceanside, California on October 24. Dean Koontz will address the crowd at 11AM. Immediately following, he will sign copies of A BIG LITTLE LIFE and I, TRIXIE WHO IS DOG. Both titles will be available for purchase at the event. Early arrival is encouraged to secure a spot in line. All author's proceeds from the books benefit Canine Companions for Independence, which provides assistance dogs to people with disabilities completely free of charge. In addition to the signing, attendees can enjoy assistance dog demonstrations, campus tours and live music. Visit www.cci.org/koontz or call (760)901-4300 for more information.

Click here for more details...

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

'Tis the Season....for Lobster!

2009-10-13T12:08:00.000-07:00

Yes folks, it's Spiny Lobster Season again! And one of our favorite local restaurants, Las Olas, is doin' it up right! They are about 1/2 a mile south of us on Coast Hwy (101) - check out their specials here!

A Really Good Cause...

This weekend is the Fundraiser for the Arts being hosted by our neighbor, Ebb & Flow. This is a benefit for the Cardiff School Arts Program that has been the victim of drastic cutbacks. We are proud to be a donating sponsor! If you 'd like to rally around a great cause and here some really good music this weekend, stop by - Ebb & Flow is just across the street from us...
111 Chesterfield Dr, Ste 117.

Sat, Oct 17th
4pm - 7pm
For more info, call 760.634.2300 or go to the website: ebbandflowcardiff.com

And as always, here's the latest in art festivals going on locally this weekend:

Old Town Art Festival
Old Town, San Diego
Sat/Sun 10:00am - 6:00 pm

Enjoy museum quality art and sculpture as you stroll through Old Town with all of it’s history and charm. The Old Town San Diego Art Festival features over 150 contemporary artists, fine craft, fashion and home décor artisans. This event brings together the essence of Southern California; beautiful San Diego weather, the Flavors of Old Town international foods, a wine tasting pavilion and continuous live entertainment. The festival runs along San Diego Avenue from Conde Street into the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.

This is their link...

32nd Annual Bernardo Winery Arts & Crafts Fair
Rancho Bernardo
Sat/Sun, 10:00am - 4:00 pm

Stroll under the olive trees on the grounds of the 120 year old Bernardo Winery at the 32nd Annual Fall Arts & Crafts Fair October 17th and 18th from 10-4 p.m. With over 130 crafters and artisans, a food court, wine and beer garden and live music all weekend, there is something for everyone in the family to enjoy! Admission and parking are free. for more information, visit www.bernardowinery.com or call (858)487-1866. Bernardo Winery is located at 13330 Paseo del Verano in Rancho Bernardo, CA.

Directions and Details are here...

'Tis Also the Season.....for Screaming!

Halloween is almost here! I have to admit that Halloween really is my favorite holiday - I mean we get to dress up as anything we want turning into someone (or something!) else completely; what's better than that? LOL If you're looking for a little bit of scary this Halloween, I feel it is my duty to tell you about The Scream Zone happening at the Del Mar Fairgrounds - you have to check out their intro to the website - good stuff!

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

2009-10-09T13:07:00.001-07:00

Now THIS is what you should do this weekend! This is Cardiff By the Sea Lodge owner Jeanette taking advantage of our beautiful weather and still very warm water in Mission Bay. Her husband James took this picture of her last weekend - he said they had an amazing time and would recommend it to anyone who loves water sports. The current water temp here in Cardiff is 66-70 degrees - that's good stuff! The weather has been beautiful; warm and clear during the day and chilly enough in the evenings to need a really great sweatshirt.

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Near and dear....

2009-10-05T12:21:00.000-07:00

So, how was your weekend? Can you believe it's already October! Is it me, or is there always so much more going on during the fall season? As always promised, I've dug up a few nuggets for you to get out and about for the weekend....

This one is near and dear to my heart as I will be exhibiting artwork this weekend!

Valley View Casino Art, Music and Wine Festival
16300 Nyemii Pass Road
Valley Center, CA 92082

Sunday, Oct 11, 12-6pm
More details here...

Another Art & Wine Festival on Saturday and Sunday for you...

La Jolla Art & Wine Festival
Upper Girard Ave
La Jolla, CA 92093

Sat & Sun from 9am to 5pm
Festival webpage here....

How about this? With a name like this, you've gotta check it out!

The 8th Annual Grape Stomp & Crush Party
Saturday, Oct 10, 1pm-6pm
Fifty Barrels Winery Group
3800 Oceanic Drive
Oceanside, CA 92056
ph. 619-871-7643

More info here....

A little music anyone?

Croce's Restaurant & Jazz Bar
Location: Corner of Fifth & F, downtown San Diego
Priority Seating: (619)233-4355
Hours: 5:30 pm to midnight Monday-Friday;
10:00 am to 2:30pm for Breakfast & Lunch
and 5:30pm to midnight on weekends.
Cuisine: Contemporary American
Music: Live Music Nightly

Here's their amazing music schedule...

If you decide to stop out at Valley View on Sunday - make sure you stop by my booth and say Hi!!

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

It's a Small Town after all....

2009-09-29T09:17:00.000-07:00

How about some nice local flavor? Here's some close to home events to tickle your fancy:

The Oceanside Museum of Art
704 Pier View Way
Oceanside, CA 92054
(Just 10 minutes north on the 5 freeway)

This Sunday is their Free Family Art Day...Check out their calendar of events here

Taste & Art Stroll in Del Mar
Saturday, Oct 3rd
Del Mar Village (Just 5 miles south of us on Coast Hwy!)

The Taste and Art Stroll in Del Mar is an annual event held in the heart of the charming village of Del Mar. The event includes a free art stroll and a ticketed restaurant and wine/brewery tastes.

Tease your palate with samples of delicious culinary creations offered by some of Del Mar and North County’s finest food purveyors and sip selections from California wineries and local breweries while strolling among artists' tents featuring juried original artwork by over 80 talented, local and regional artists.

This spectacular celebration of art, cuisine, wine and brews also includes live music, a children’s interactive art area and a pet stroll.

All the event details an be found here

Fall Festival - Keep it Local
Saturday, Oct 3rd
Wild Animal Park
Escondido, CA

Pick your own produce, or savor fresh Drumlin Farm food. Enjoy crafts from local artisans. Listen to autumn stories and meet the wildlife Feel the beat with live music by the Ancient Mariners on Saturday, and Mollies Misfits on Sunday. Buy fresh and festive fall pumpkins, wool, and more at our Country Store. Enjoy a hayride around the farm, a fall Drumlin Farm tradition.

Details Here

And for those of you looking for a little adventure, give this a try!

La Jolla Scuba Dive Tour – Guided Day Tour
@ The La Jolla Cove Ecological Underwater Park
Dive in to the details here...

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

2009-09-21T14:24:00.001-07:00

Remember that I swore to inundate you with art? Well then, here's some more!

This weekend is Carlsbad's Annual ArtSplash Festival:

ArtSplash ... is a FREE, two-day, non-profit, family event that promotes and benefits arts within the community. ArtSplash is a community-wide partnership of organizations and businesses working together to establish an Annual Family Event showcasing North County.

* Unbelievable Chalk Art Street Paintings
* Exciting Live Art - At ArtSplash we will have dozens of talented artists from southern California creating, showcasing, and selling their art
* Extraordinary Stage and Meandering Performers: Look for Musicians, Street entertainers, and Performing Artists
* Delectable Food: A variety of food to entice your palette - Taste at ArtSplash, September 26, 2009
* Spectacular Venue: Overlooking the Pacific Ocean

For more information, click here

Are you a theater fan? Sammy is currently playing at the Old Globe Theater:

One of the greatest entertainers of all time, Sammy Davis Jr. defined an era. The ultimate triple-threat – singer, actor and dancer, Sammy could do it all. With a cast of sixteen of Broadway’s best singers and dancers, this world premiere musical, written by two-time Academy Award® and Grammy Award®-winner Leslie Bricusse, takes us from Sammy’s days as a child working in vaudeville through his time with Dean and Frank as a member of the Rat Pack. Featuring the unmistakable classics that helped to make Sammy an icon — from hits like “The Candy Man,” “Mr. Bojangles” and “What Kind of Fool Am I” to new songs written just for this musical — Sammy shows us the struggles and triumphs of the man who was adored by millions.

Click here for ticket info...

And for all you music buffs, this is a great local festival:

The Carlsbad Music Festival is an annual alternative classical music festival featuring master artists and the next generation of cutting-edge, world-class musicians premiering new works and performing fresh and compelling music in concert and in the community. This year’s sixth annual festival brings together some of the country’s most talented young performers and composers, all with a keen sense of musical adventure, for our most exciting season yet.

Click here for festival schedule of events...

So which one of these will I be running into you at? See you there!

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Local Celebrity!

2009-09-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love great food? We run a special off and on that includes dinner with your stay...at Cicciotti's! They have amazing Italian cuisine and great entertainment on the weekends. So, you can imagine how proud we are of our local "celebrity" putting out his first cookbook! Here's the article on Gaetano's new cookbook"....and check out his website at www.cicciottis.com.

(Read the full article here)

The North County Times - Californian
Cicciotti's cookbook offers taste of Italy, from a true Italian

LINDSEY BESECKER - lbesecker@nctimes.com | Posted: Thursday, September 17, 2009 12:00 am

Nearly every Wednesday, Gaetano Cicciotti takes a break from his busy schedule and has lunch with a pair of customers who have followed him from restaurant to restaurant, job to job, finally tapping on the glass door of his very own restaurant in 2002 to let him know they had found him.

They first got to know Cicciotti as a waiter at several Encinitas Italian eateries (and there are quite a few), and he certainly made an impression on the couple. So now he cooks them something special once a week and shares an off-the-menu meal in his Cardiff-by-the-Sea restaurant. As the couple walked out of the restaurant last week, one of them smiled at a passer-by adn said, "You came to the right place."

That place is Cicciotti's Trattoria Italiana & Seafood, which sits on San Elijo Avenue and offers views of the Pacific Ocean to accompany the authentic Italian meals. In July, Cicciotti released a cookbook of his favorite recipes ---- some from his menu, some not. But they all come from his family or from traditional, well-known Italian dishes. And although Cicciotti comes from Naples, the dishes in his cookbook and on his menu hail from all over Italy ---- from the cream- and butter-laden dishes of the north to the garlic- and tomato-based dishes of the south.

"Everybody in Italy knows how to cook," Cicciotti said. He said he spent a lot of time growing up in the kitchen with his mother and grandmother in Naples, trying to "steal their secrets."

"I liked to be in the kitchen," he said.

Now Cicciotti has his own kitchen and a menu that includes more than 25 pasta dishes, a selection of wood-fired pizzas, seafood, and dishes he ate growing up. The Lasagna Napoletana alla Gaetano, for example, is a meatball-filled lasagna much like the one his mother used to make on Sundays.

The recipe is included in his cookbook, but the name has been changed to Lasagne alla Napoletana.

His first cookbook, a 96-page offering simply called "Cicciotti's Kitchen," includes the owner's 40 favorite recipes, including sauces, appetizers, soups, pastas and specialties, and boasts full-page pictures of each recipe, each made by Cicciotti the day of the photo shoot. Another of his favorite dishes is the Tortino di Melanzane (eggplant cake), which consists of fried eggplant slices piled between sprinklings of mozzarella cheese and smothered in marinara and besciamella sauces.

"I was very, very proud (of the cookbook)," Cicciotti said. "It came out great. Everybody loved it."

At his restaurant, which he opened in 2002, Cicciotti uses local, organic food a much as possible, but he does import some cheeses, olive oils and sauces from Italy. He's admittedly picky about his wines (there are 250 on his wine list) and has garnered Wine Spectator awards since 2003 to show for it.

Cicciotti's offers 50 percent off chicken and pasta dishes on Mondays, and hosts happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. with 30 percent off pizzas, $4.75 wines by the glass and mixed drinks, and $3 beers. But Cicciotti's wouldn't be what it is without its owner.

"When I'm not here, people say its like going to Disneyland and not meeting Mickey Mouse," he said.

Cicciotti's cookbook,l "Cicciotti's Kitchen" is available at www.cicciottis.com for $25 and includes a $20 gift certificate to the restaurant.

Cicciotti's Trattoria Italiana & Seafood

Location: 1933 San Elijo Ave., Cardiff-by-the-Sea

Cuisine: Authentic Italian

Owner/chef: Gaetano Cicciotti

Signature dishes: Lasagna Napoletana alla Gaetano, Pizza Margherita alla Gaetano, Spaghetti alla Carbonara, Linguine ai Due Golfi

Price range: $9-$25

Hours: Noon to 11 p.m. daily (live music Thursday through Sunday, including Italian opera, Frank Sinatra songs and more)

Seating: 70 inside, 40 outside

Info: 760-634-2335 or www.cicciottis.com

Cicciotti's is participating in San Diego Restaurant Week through Friday with a $20 menu; menu options include his favorite Lasagna Napoletana alla Gaetano, Filetto al Gorgonzola (filet mignon topped with Gorgonzola sauce) and Branzino alla Livornese (seabass sauteed with black olive, white wine, garlic and fresh tomato). Go to sandiegorestaurantweek.com.

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

2009-09-14T12:44:00.000-07:00

You know, the fun just never stops in San Diego County! This weekend is the beloved Harbor Days in Oceanside, about 15 minutes north of us...

Two event filled days of sun, sand, and surf provide an outstanding opportunity for residents and neighbors to experience fun activities including the new Beach area stage, Nail 'n' Sail Competition, Military, Police & Fire displays, and more. Click here for more info - make sure to check out the video from the Nail 'N' Sail competition!

How about a cooking class in Balboa Park? Hard to beat that, right? Listen to this...
Class description:
If you have taken any of Nadias cooking classes then you know she has the soul of Italy; and in this class she is taking you with her to the heart of the region~Tuscany! This will be an aromatic, romatic and savory class with a wine paired menu to compliment each dish. Get ready to feast on: Olive and Cornmeal Focaccia with Rosemary and Sage with Prosciutto and Grilled Peaches; Tuscan Pici Pasta with Spicy Red Bell Peppper Sauce and Baby Braised Tomatoes; Devil Cornish Game Hens with White Beans Tuscan Style (with Fresh Tomatoes and Fresh Sage); Shrimp with Spicy Tomato Sauce on Mozzarella Stuffed Polenta Timbale; finishing with Buccellato (Raisin and Aniseed Cake) with Dark Chocolate Sorbet.

Click here for more info on Nadia's class!

If you like indie music, next weekend (9/26 & 9/27) happens to be the Adams Avenue Street Fair - amazing local musicians! My faves are Gregory Page and Carlos Olmeda...here's the schedule for you to take a look at...

I love finding things for you guys to do! If you have any special requests, just send me an email - innkeeper@cardifflodge.com - looking forward to hearing from you!

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

2009-09-11T12:47:00.001-07:00

So I told you there'd be plenty of art to be had! The Artwalk on the Bay is this weekend (Sat & Sun) at the Embarcadero...get more information here.

We also have Ray at Night, a monthly art event in North Park on Ray Street. Saturday night starting at 6pm. Click here for more info.

Don't forget the great Farmer's Market in the Cedros Design District in Solana Beach - Sunday from 2-5pm, click here for the goods!

After suggesting these great ideas for you, don't tell my you can't find anything cool to do this weekend!

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

A Swell Time Returns

2009-09-08T13:25:00.000-07:00

‘It's mostly about the kids,’ Hall of Fame surfer Rob Machado says of revived Cardiff festival

By Tanya Mannes
Union-Tribune Staff Writer

ENCINITAS — Three years ago, the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce stopped organizing a surfing competition and beach fair with renowned surfer Rob Machado because it had grown too big.

This year, it's back. A group of volunteers is reviving the event. The weekend festival, with its Cardiff King and Queen of the Reef, will be scaled down with low-key, homegrown entertainment, and no alcohol.

“That's how it should be, really,” said Machado, who lives in Cardiff. “It's just about getting the whole community down to the beach and enjoying a good weekend with everybody surfing. It's mostly about the kids.”

The Rob Machado Surf Experience and Green Expo is scheduled for Sept. 26 and 27 at Seaside Reef and its parking lot.

The centerpiece of the event will continue to be an all-ages surf triathlon with longboard, shortboard and paddling categories. It's an open division, winner-take-all contest with a $500 cash prize for first place. The winners are named Cardiff King and Queen of the Reef. A surf contest for children under 16 also will be held.

The green part of the expo will feature environmentally friendly exhibits. Vendors will demonstrate products such as biodegradable surf wax and nontoxic sunscreen. There will be a surfboard-shaping contest using environmentally friendly boards.

Residents are eager for the return of the popular festival, which the Cardiff chamber and Machado hosted from 1996 to 2005.

Chamber members Betty Steele and Brenda Dizon, along with resident Betsy O'Neill, decided to resurrect the festival because they missed the tradition. They are combining it with the green expo that Steele and Dizon first organized last summer.

“We're going back to the roots of it being a community event — about the kids, about the contest, about local lore and history — and bringing people together as a community,” said O'Neill, who formerly used the last name Aceti. “It's a way of maintaining our coastal identity.”

Machado is a big name in surfing. He was ranked among the top 10 surfers for 11 years and was inducted into the Surfers Hall of Fame in 2000.

Now 35, Machado has established The Rob Machado Foundation, which through an annual golf tournament supports environmental charities — including the Cardiff Education Foundation's efforts to green the local school district.

Over the years, the King of the Reef contest was run by well-known Encinitas surfers, including “Kahuna Bob” Edwards and Linda Benson. It was held at Seaside, then moved to Cardiff Reef.

For years, the event was called the Hansen/Machado Surf Classic & Cardiff Beach Fair, reflecting sponsorship by Hansen's Surf Shop in Encinitas. Hansen is providing financial support for this year's event but is not the major sponsor.

In the festival's final year, 2005, it featured a beer garden, Polynesian dancers and a performance by the San Diego rock group Switchfoot, known for its live shows. Former festival organizer Jim Clark estimated that 30,000 to 40,000 people attended over the two days.

State officials became alarmed at the number of people, said Ed Vodrazka, a lifeguard supervisor for California State Lifeguards who reviews permit applications for surf competitions in the San Diego area.

“The major problem was the contest got too big for a very small venue and they basically had a surf contest, a community fair and a rock concert at the same time,” Vodrazka said. “It became unsafe for the public to have all that activity without adequate law enforcement.”

After the 2005 festival, state officials asked Clark to end the beer garden and live music, and said permit fees would be raised to cover security.

The Cardiff Chamber of Commerce then announced that it would stop hosting the event because it would be unable to raise enough money to cover the costs, Clark said, adding that it was a tough decision.

“Without the revenue from the beer garden and what we generated drawing people to the onstage show, we couldn't put it on,” Clark said. “We very rarely if ever made profit on that event.”

After the chamber pulled out, clothing company Roxy took over the time slot at Cardiff Reef. The company sponsored a women's surfing competition, the Linda Benson Women's World Longboard Pro, for three years.

Roxy didn't reserve the time slot this year, which made it available for the Cardiff chamber volunteers to bring back the Machado event.

Clark said he has provided advice, but isn't involved in planning this year's festival.

“I think it's awesome that they're bringing it back,” he said. “The kids loved it.”

O'Neill said the group is “on board with the state” and its restrictions.

“We don't want a super crowd swell,” she said. “We don't want a Huntington Beach-type event.”

This year, the event is expected to draw around 10,000 people, largely from Cardiff, said Dizon, one of the organizers. Local musical groups but no “big-name” acts will perform, she said.

To make up for the reduced revenue, the county Board of Supervisors approved a grant of $11,000 proposed by Supervisor Pam Slater-Price, which will cover the state permit fees — around $8,000 for the two-day event — and marketing costs.

Clothing company Hurley International is a major sponsor.

Other activities will be a photography contest, art projects, hula-hoop contests and yoga.

“It's not just for surfers,” O'Neill said. “It's for everyone.”

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Art as Entertainment!

2009-09-07T16:55:00.000-07:00

So I thought I'd throw a little culture around the blog - are you with me? San Diego County is rich with local artists and art experiences to be had. Over the next few weeks I'm going to dig up some places for you to see, some artists to look up, and some events to attend, all in the name of creativity. We here at the Cardiff by the Sea Lodge are lucky to be so close to so much of this, I just had to share!

In no particular order, here are some great places to visit....

Lux Art Institute, Encinitas
http://www.luxartinstitute.org/

The Offtrack Gallery, Encinitas
http://www.offtrackgallery.com/

The Andrews Gallery, Leucadia
http://www.theandrewsgallery.com/

And coming up on Sunday, Sept 13th is the 9th annual Art Affaire presented by the Rancho Santa Fe Art Guild. In the village parks of Rancho Santa Fe, at the street intersections of Linea Del Cielo, Avenida de Acasias, La Garcia and Paseo Delicias.

I hope you enjoy these suggestions for a local art experience...

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Dog Days of Summer

2009-09-03T16:08:00.000-07:00

So...could it be hotter here in Southern California? I'm sure it could, but we are used to such perfect weather! This heat is sweltering...it got me thinking - Why do we call the hottest days the dog days of summer? This is what I found....

The Dog Days of Summer

Everyone knows that the “dog days of summer” occur during the hottest and muggiest part of the season. Webster defines “dog days” as...

1 : the period between early July and early September when the hot sultry weather of summer usually occurs in the northern hemisphere
2 : a period of stagnation or inactivity

But where does the term come from? Why do we call the hot, sultry days of summer “dog days?”

In ancient times, when the night sky was unobscured by artificial lights and smog, different groups of peoples in different parts of the world drew images in the sky by “connecting the dots” of stars. The images drawn were dependent upon the culture: The Chinese saw different images than the Native Americans, who saw different pictures than the Europeans. These star pictures are now called constellations, and the constellations that are now mapped out in the sky come from our European ancestors.

They saw images of bears, (Ursa Major and Ursa Minor), twins, (Gemini), a bull, (Taurus), and others, including dogs, (Canis Major and Canis Minor).

The brightest of the stars in Canis Major (the big dog) is Sirius, which also happens to be the brightest star in the night sky. In fact, it is so bright that the ancient Romans thought that the earth received heat from it. Look for it in the southern sky (viewed from northern latitudes) during January.

In the summer, however, Sirius, the “dog star,” rises and sets with the sun. During late July Sirius is in conjunction with the sun, and the ancients believed that its heat added to the heat of the sun, creating a stretch of hot and sultry weather. They named this period of time, from 20 days before the conjunction to 20 days after, “dog days” after the dog star.

The conjunction of Sirius with the sun varies somewhat with latitude. And the “precession of the equinoxes” (a gradual drifting of the constellations over time) means that the constellations today are not in exactly the same place in the sky as they were in ancient Rome. Today, dog days occur during the period between July 3 and August 11. Although it is certainly the warmest period of the summer, the heat is not due to the added radiation from a far-away star, regardless of its brightness. No, the heat of summer is a direct result of the earth's tilt.

So there you have it. Try to stay cool....thank goodness we have that beautiful ocean, right?

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

15 Commandments of Vacation Travel

2009-08-26T13:25:00.000-07:00

Soooo I stole this from Bedandbreakfast.com, but I thought it was a good article. I should definitely keep some of these tips in mind!

Fifteen Commandments of Vacation Travel

We all know people who come back from a vacation feeling on top of the world, and others who seem vaguely disappointed. Here's how to put yourself in the first category, not the second.

Know yourself. A successful vacation is one that works for the person you are, not the person you think you should be. Confirmed couch potatoes who resent having to walk from the far end of the parking lot will not find true fulfillment on a trek through the Himalayas. If privacy is a top priority, a group tour or communal lodge will turn fantasy into frustration. Acknowledge your own comfort levels. Are independence and flexibility top concerns? Or being structured and secure? How essential are the creature comforts when it comes to sleeping, eating, and bathing? Would you rather have one week of luxury travel or two weeks of budget food and accommodation? And remember that while your personality doesn't change, your needs do. The type of vacation you plan for a romantic getaway is totally different from a family reunion.

Know your travel companions. Adjust your plans to accommodate your travel partners. Whether you are traveling with friends, spouse, children, and/or parents, you'll need to take their age, attention span, agility, and interests into account. If you're traveling with the kids, balance a morning at an art museum with an afternoon at the zoo; if you're spending time with elderly parents, make sure that they can stroll a country lane while you go rock-climbing; if your group includes skiers and non-skiers, pick a resort that has appealing shops and off-slopeactivities.

Plan ahead: anticipation is half the fun. Enjoy the planning process. The more you know about an area you're going to visit, the more fun you'll have. Check out destination websites; skim a guidebook; read a novel or watch a movie set in the region; talk to friends who have been there recently.

Don't bite off more than you can chew. Keep your itinerary in line with the amount of time and money available. Focus on seeing a smaller area well, rather than trying to cover too much ground and seeing nothing but interstate highways. Don't over-program; allow yourself the luxury of doing nothing.
Avoid one-night stands. Plan to stay a minimum of two nights everywhere you go. A vacation made up of one-nighters is a prescription for exhaustion. You will sleep poorly, spend most of your time packing/unpacking and in transit, and will get only the smallest glimpse of the place you're visiting.

Travel off-season. Unless your vacation dates are dictated by the school calendar, off-season travel offers many advantages: fewer crowds, greater flexibility, reduced costs, and a more relaxed atmosphere. Learn to pick the best dates for off-season travel; typically these are the weeks just before and after seasonal rates change.
Book well ahead for peak season travel. If you must travel during peak periods to popular destinations, make reservations well in advance for the key sites to avoid aggravation, extra phone calls, and additional driving time.

Take the road less traveled. Get off the beaten path and leave the crowds behind. Instead of booking a room in the heart of the action, find a quiet getaway tucked in the hills or in a neighboring village.

Ditch the car. You’ll need a car to get most destinations, but once you're there, get out and walk. You'll see more, learn more, experience more at every level, while avoiding crowds at even the most popular destinations.

Hang loose. The unexpected is inevitable. When your plans go astray (and they will), relax and let serendipity surprise you. And keep your sense of humor in good working order. If possible, travel without reservations or a set itinerary.

Carpe diem--seize the day. Don't be afraid to follow your impulses. If a special souvenir catches your eye, buy it; don't wait to see if you'll find it again later. If a hiking trail looks too inviting to pass up, don't; that museum or outlet mall will wait for a rainy day.

Don't suffer in silence. When things go wrong--an incompetent guide, car troubles, a noisy room--speak up. Politely but firmly express your concern then and there; get your room changed, ask for a refund or discount, whatever. Most people in the travel business would rather have you go away happy than to leave grumbling.

Remember--being there is more than seeing there. People travel to see the sights--museums and mountains, shops and scenery--but it is making new friends that can make a trip memorable. Leave a door open to the people-to-people experiences that enrich travel immeasurably.

Don't leave home to find home. The quickest way to take the wind out of the sails of your trip is to compare things to the way they are at home. Enjoy different styles and cultures for what they are and avoid comparisons and snap judgments.

Give yourself permission to disregard all of the above. Nothing is immutable. If you find a pattern that works for you, enjoy it!

Read the article here.

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

DK Publishing

2009-08-19T15:06:00.000-07:00

Our hotel has been named as one of the Top 10 Bed & Breakfasts the DK Eyewitness Travel Top 10 San Diego guidebook!

Since 1974, Dorling Kindersley has published a wide range of internationally acclaimed books including the award-winning Eyewitness Travel Guides. This flagship series covers more than 100 cities, regions, and countries and has been published in over 30 languages worldwide.

Wanna check out the book? Check out this link.

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Some All Time Summer Music Hits

2009-08-16T18:38:00.000-07:00

In a random burst of inspiration, I decided to look up some of the top hit summer songs in the past couple of decades. Here's what I found from about.com. I'll admit that there are a couple of these I don't know (is this a testament to my age or my ignorance?) so I best be getting my listen on!

Here's a look at some of the rock songs that best depict the (mostly) bright side of the warm weather days of misspent youth.

"Summer In the City" - Lovin' Spoonful

"Hot town, summer in the city ..." was the anthem for hot July nights in the summer of 1966 when it was a #1 single from the album Hums of the Lovin' Spoonful. It makes the back of my neck feel dirty and gritty just thinking about it.

"Summertime" - Billy Stewart

"Fish are jumping and the cotton is high ..." suggests a "summer in the country" counterpoint to the Lovin' Spoonful's homage to hot weather. Billy Stewart's rendition -- the album version with more scat and a hot sax not heard on the radio single -- is the best. Nothing says summer quite like "Brrrrrrrrrrrr-up-ch-chuck-chuck-chooka-chuck-chuck...hooh!"

"In the Summertime" - Mungo Jerry

Billy Stewart didn't have anything on these guys when it came to making vocal sound effects. Their first #1 single was imminently sing-alongable with lyrics like "Da da da dee da doo dee da dee da dee da da." They also had a solid list of great ways to waste your time "when the weather is fine ... " like swimming in the sea, driving fast, drinking, and having "women on your mind."

"Summertime Blues" - Blue Cheer

Quick. Name a band or artist who hasn't covered this classic that originated with Eddie Cochran in 1958. Blue Cheer's hard rock version is one of the best (with T Rex and The Who in a tie for second).

"Hot Fun in the Summertime" - Sly and the Family Stone

The best version of this often-covered summer song about a "county fair in the country sun" is the one recorded by Sly and the Family Stone shortly after their performance at Woodstock in 1969. The fact that "them summer days" caused English teachers to cringe just made it that much more popular with a generation of rebellious youngsters.

"All Summer Long" - Beach Boys

No self-respecting list of songs about summer would be complete without at least one song by the Beach Boys, for whom summer provided the basis for a musical genre unto itself. It's summer summarized: "T-shirts, cut-offs, and a pair of thongs ... we've been having fun all summer long."

"Summer (Can't Last Too Long)" - Asia

Remember how we couldn't wait for summer, and how quickly it zipped by once it finally arrived? "I'll be making the most of summertime, crazy nights and lazy days ..." sums it up pretty well.

"The Boys of Summer" - Don Henley

The theme is a little bit melancholy, but the summertime imagery is quite vivid, as in "Your brown skin shinin' in the sun, you got that top pulled down and that radio on ...". An electronic sound like a sea gull completes the imagery.

"Summer of '69" - Bryan Adams

"That summer seemed to last forever ... those were the best days of my life." Evenings at the drive-in and hours spent in a high school rock band give "Summer of '69" its charm.

"Daisy Summer Piper" - Joni Mitchell

This is easily the best song about summer that you've never heard. Joni Mitchell wrote, but never recorded it, nor, as far as I can tell, has anyone else. It may be obscure, but the imagery is memorable:
Daisy summer pipers come to town
Piping people out of doors
To see the magic all around
Listen now you'll hear his sound
Stare into a mirror pool
And laugh so princely vain
The skies become kaleidoscopes
With no two turns the same

Read the rest of the article here.

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Proposal on the Rooftop

2009-08-12T12:24:00.000-07:00

Just one more reason why Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge is so special:

"Brian popped the question the night before my birthday at a bed and breakfast in Cardiff by the Sea. We walked up to the B&B's roof deck to watch the sunset and Brian cracked open a bottle of our favorite wine for a so-called birthday toast. Just after the sun disappeared into the ocean, Brian dropped to one knee and proposed."

Read the rest of Elizabeth and Brian's story here.

Pictures courtesy of www.jenniferdery.com

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Another FYI

2009-08-11T17:10:00.000-07:00

Two more Street Fairs:

Escondido Street Faire: Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009

San Marcos: Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Just an FYI

2009-08-11T16:38:00.000-07:00

Pencil it in: The Fall Festival will be back this year November 22, 2009, from 9am to 4 am.

"EVERY NOVEMBER, for nearly two decades, downtown Encinitas has played host to a premier street fair – The Fall Festival. This festival, previously known as the Poinsettia Festival, is a readymade bazaar for holiday shoppers and weekend fun seekers. This year, on Sunday, November 22, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., fair-goers will enjoy a day where coastal breezes meet people gathering to shop, eat, be entertained and enjoy the community’s Historical district. The festival will feature over 450 vendor booths showcasing various arts, crafts, gifts, food and more. The 200 shops and 40 restaurants and eateries along the Coast Highway from D to J Streets will be open and ready for business. Live music will be playing at two venues; The Lumberyard Courtyard Stage, located at the Lumberyard Center, Community Stage, close to F Street, which will feature the best in local entertainment."

Read the rest of the article here.

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Tour of Cardiff!

2009-08-10T20:54:00.000-07:00

Many guests ask about things to do in the area, good restaurants at which to eat, and which beaches to visit. To help answer some of those questions, we've put together a little slide show of Cardiff-by-the-Sea and the Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge and all the great things in the area. Enjoy!

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

The New York Times likes Cardiff :)

2009-08-06T17:29:00.001-07:00

Check it out -- straight from the New York Times:

"Cardiff-by-the-Sea is north of San Elijo Lagoon, one of the few remaining coastal wetlands in the county. If you’re looking for sustenance, the colorfully decorated (and moderately priced) Las Olas has delicious Mexican fare and refreshing margaritas.

It’s no surprise that all along this gorgeous coast magnificent private homes sit on some of the best spots. But at San Elijo State Beach in Cardiff, campers can enjoy prime real estate too. Tents, vans and recreational vehicles sit just a few feet away from the edge of the coastal bluffs. A snack bar that opens at 8 a.m. serves coffee and a mean breakfast burrito."

We might be a tiny town, but apparently we're getting noticed. If you want to check out the rest of the article -- all about the tiny coastal towns down here -- click here.

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Ten Things to do Before Summer is Over!

2009-08-04T19:46:00.001-07:00

Where has this summer gone? It's so hard to believe it's already August - I feel as though summer has just begun...but school is starting again soon for many people and vacation time is running low. BIG SIGH. Soooo....with these last few weeks of summer fun in mind, here are my top favorite things to do in the area during the summer.

1. BEACH!! What is the point of being or living in San Diego if you don't take advantage of the beautiful sand and uber warm water (it's about 72 degrees right now!) Get a good book, some sunscreen, and a big old towel and head out to Cardiff Beach!

2. Surfing. Okay, okay, so I only stood up like twice. But still, it's REALLY fun if you actually know how to do it.

3. Boogieboarding. Far less complicated than surfing...and just as fun in my opinion. Once you get the hang of it, you can start trying tricks. (I'm trying to master the 360 spin...no luck yet)

4. Hiking/walking (when it's cool enough outside). San Elijo Lagoon has tons of trails all around it that are great for running or walking. Del Mar also has some neat trails along the bluffs overlooking the ocean.

5. Eating ice cream. 'Nuff said.

6. Camping. Okay so I haven't exactly gone yet, but I want to. Luckily, there's a campground right across the street from us...right on the beach. Sleeping bags and hot dogs and marshmallows...ahh...

7. Bike riding. I just love bikes. Who doesn't love bikes? Whether it's beach cruisers or mountain bikes or road bikes or whatever, roaming around on bikes brings thoughts of carefree youth and watermelon slices.

8. Watermelon slices. Also, nuff said.

9. Picnics. A few days ago my parents came to visit and we all feasted on chicken and cheese and bread and wine in Balboa Park...it couldn't have been more perfect. Bring your family and friends -- it's a great way to connect.

10. Bbqing. Yum. So I like food. Don't hate me! But burgers on the grill just can't be beat. And playing frisbee and almost hitting the burgers on the ground! Ahhhhh I mean what?

Anyway, those are my top ten for the rest of the summer. Anybody else have any other summer must-dos?

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

InnTouch

2009-07-28T19:13:00.001-07:00

Okay iPhone users, check this out: we are now listed on this great little app called InnTouch. If you're sick of all the corporate hotel hoohah, this application can help you find awesome bed and breakfasts all over the country. It's got all the info, and well, since you have an iphone, you've also got GPS (lucky bums!)

Go get it: InnTouch

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Weather Forecast for the Week

2009-07-27T21:01:00.000-07:00

10-Day Forecast

Tue Jul 28 Partly Cloudy 76°/65° 10 %
Wed Jul 29 Partly Cloudy 74°/64° 10 %
Thu Jul 30 Partly Cloudy 72°/64° 20 %
Fri Jul 31 Sunny 74°/64° 0 %
Sat Aug 01 Sunny 75°/64° 10 %
Sun Aug 02 Sunny 75°/64° 0 %
Mon Aug 03 Sunny 76°/66° 0 %
Tue Aug 04 Sunny 77°/66° 0 %
Wed Aug 05 Sunny 78°/67° 0 %

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Surfing Announcement!

2009-07-26T19:19:00.000-07:00

Don't laugh! I'm actually surfing!

I have an announcement to make: I CAN SURF!!!

This last weekend at our very own Cardiff Beach, I stood up on a surfboard! First time ever! I never thought the day would come -- I'm so excited!

Apparently Cardiff is one of the best places to surf, so why not learn there? From the lobby I can see the beautiful waves -- it's so close

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

The Races Have Begun

2009-07-23T17:23:00.000-07:00

The Del Mar Horse Races are a big event around here every year, since Del Mar is only five minutes or so from here, I've posted all the info if you'd like to go see a race for yourself!

Dates: Wednesday, July 22 through Wednesday, September 9. Dark Mondays
(Except Labor Day) and Tuesdays (37 days)

Telephone: (858) 755-1141, Information Line (858) 793-5533,
Results (888) 338-RACE

Additional phone numbers and contact information available on our Contact page.

Address: 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd
Del Mar, CA 92014

Mailing
Address: P.O. Box 700, Del Mar, CA 92014

Internet: Del Mar Racing (Home page including today's latest news)

Location: In the City of Del Mar, 20 miles north of downtown San Diego, 100
miles south of Los Angeles on I-5. Vicinity Map

Post Times: First post daily at 2 p.m. with the following exceptions:

* 3 p.m. on Fridays; 1 p.m. on Pacific Classic Day (Sunday, Sept. 6)

Gates Open: Noon weekdays, 11:30 a.m. weekends, Opening and Closing Days.

Exceptions:

* All Fridays, 1 p.m.; Pacific Classic Day (Sunday, Sept. 6) 10:30 a.m.

Admission & Seating: To order, visit out online ticket office (beginning May 15, 2009) at http://www.dmtc.com/season/tickets/
(Admission includes official program)(daily)

Stretch Run Daily Admission
(seat not included) $6 on all days except Opening Day (Opening Day $10)

Stretch Run Reserved Seats $5 - Mon, Wed, Thu; $8 - Fri; $10 - Sat, Sun & Labor Day

$15 - Opening Day/PC day
Stretch Run Advance Sale

Discount Books
(10 daily admissions) $40
Stretch Run Admission/
Active Duty Military and Dependents
Free

Clubhouse Daily Admission
(seat not included) $10 on all days except Opening Day (Opening Day $20)

Clubhouse Crossover from
Stretch Run $4 on all days except Opening Day (Opening Day $10)

Clubhouse Advance Sale
Discount Books

(10 daily admissions) $70
Clubhouse Reserved Seats

$5 - Mon, Wed, Thu; $8 - Fri; $10 - Sat, Sun & Labor Day

$15 - Opening Day/PC day
Restaurant Tables
(Clubhouse Terrace, Cafe Del Sol, Stretch Run Grill - all-day seating for four)
Opening Day/Pacific Classic Day

$125 (plus admission)
Friday/Saturday/Sunday/Labor Day $100 (plus admission)
Monday/Wednesday/Thursday $60 (plus admission)

Parking General $8
Valet $20
Early Bird $8
Friday & Saturday Concert Parking $10

Bus parking $20 (Group Sales Buses no charge)

Please Note: All lots except Valet are General Parking only.

Children Children 17 years and younger will be admitted for free to the venue
and must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at all times.

Diamond Club Diamond Club members may purchase Clubhouse and Stretch Run
admission at half of the regular price on all days, including
Opening Day. Diamond Club discount admissions are not available for
advance purchase.

Military Active duty military personnel and their dependents admitted at main
entrance to Stretch Run free every day (please show your military ID
at Ticket Sales window).

Advance Ten (10) Stretch Run Admissions for $40 ($20 savings) or ten (10)
Clubhouse Admissions for $70 ($30 savings). Full season passes:
Stretch Run $25; Clubhouse $50. Available by mail or at Advance ale
Ticket Office. Restaurant Reservations, 858-792-4242.

VISA, MasterCard, Discover Card, American Express accepted.

Ticket Office During the racing season: Hours 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday
through Sunday. Special Monday and Tuesday hours 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Phone 858-792-4242. Toll-free 877-LETSBET.

Group Sales Groups of 20-2,000 - Infield Pacific Pavilion, Stretch Run and
Clubhouse stadium-style seating, Clubhouse Terrace Restaurant and
Stretch Run Grill (for 20 or more), Skyrooms, Seaside Tropical
Cabana, Celebrity Suites, Il Palio Restaurant and Turf Club Luxury
Suite Direct Line 858-792-4234.

Turf Club This is a private club open to members/guests only where a dress
code is enforced. Turf Club Guest Admission $60 per person per
day/$125 Opening Day (must be accompanied by member). Reservations
are required. Refer calls regarding membership to Nancy Bonforte,
858-755-1141, ext. 4291.

Early Bird Wagering 9:00-10:00 a.m. each racing day (on-track only). On Fridays
it will be extended from 9 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. due to the
later first post time.

Programs Included with paid admission. Otherwise $2. (Available on track the
afternoon prior in most instances.) Also available for free online.

Daily Racing Form $4.50 (tax included). A publication consisting of past
performances, racing news, entries, results, etc. Available
on the grounds and at many newsstands, liquor stores, etc.

Camp Del Mar Ages 5-12. Price $23 per child per day. 858-755-1141 ext. 3990 or
http://www.campdelmar.com

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Yay! Happy Summer!

2009-07-13T21:19:00.000-07:00

Eek! It's been a while since I updated. But never fear, the (not so) industrious blogger is here! This past weekend has been one of the hottest to date in a while, and everybody is happy for it! I'm back burnt and crispy but happy as a clam! If you're looking for a quiet beach getaway, I can honestly say there are few places as great as the Cardiff-by-the-Sea-Lodge. The sand is two minutes away and panoramic ocean views just two flights up. There's a jacuzzi and a firepit, and we've just planted a billion new kinds of flowers all over the place. I'll post some pictures tomorrow of the news ones. Check back tomorrow!!

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve, one of 40 San Diego County Parks

2009-07-05T14:21:00.000-07:00

The San Elijo Lagoon is a really cool place for hikers, runners, nature enthusiasts, and the like. It's only a half-mile from the Cardiff-by-the-Sea-Lodge, and totally walkable. Check out this neat article by Bob Gorden about the Lagoon and its RV visitors:

"Multitudes of RVers are searching for cool summer vacation destinations; locations where they can be comfortable in their RVs and enjoy the sights and sounds of different and exciting experiences. After spending about 5 weeks in the heat of southern Utah and northern Arizona a trip to the California coast has offered pleasant relief. RVing from the Phoenix area to San Diego is a relatively easy trip and the rewards to be received along the Pacific coast certainly make the trip a worthwhile venture.

San Diego County supports more than 40 county parks, recreation areas, community parks and centers, many of which offer RV and tent campgrounds. In addition, there are state parks and picnic areas which give access to the ocean, wetlands, lagoons and tide pools.

Few of the southern California coastal wetlands and lagoons have escaped the destructive hand of man, but the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve has initiated a reconstruction program that is designed to save the lagoon as an important link in the Pacific Flyway. Six ecological communities are represented within the confines of this 1000 acre preserve that is nestled, and almost hidden, in plain view, between Cardiff by the Sea, Encinitas and Solano Beach. Divided by the PCH, Coastal Railway and I-5 the Lagoon is nearly cutoff from the ocean and, in fact, requires an annual cleanup and dredging to allow tidal flow movement into and out of the lagoon.

The various aquatic ecological habitats ranging from the coastal strand, salt marsh and freshwater marsh yield to the terrestrial riparian scrub, sage scrub and mixed chaparral watershed systems. More than 300 species of plants, of which 18 are endangered, an additional 100+ species of fish, reptiles and invertebrates, (several endangered), 26 mammal and an estimated 300 bird species, including the small, endangered Beldings savannah sparrow, make the Lagoon their permanent home or a stopping point while migrating.

A cooling ocean breeze, many trees and shaded rest areas, the fresh aroma of seasonal flowering plants and leaves contribute to a restful, or invigorating, stroll or hike along 5 miles of well marked trails through the Reserve. The recently constructed Visitor Center boasts recycled building materials, solar heating, low moisture landscaping, recycled sewage water for irrigation and toilet usage and similar energy and water conservation features. www.sanelijo.org

For some RVers the crowded freeways, PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) and alternate roadways present challenges to those driving RVs of most any size and confirguation. However, with careful planning and timing of the routes the greatest congestion can be avoided and an astute RVer can drive directly to the beach and park conveniently on the roadside overlooking the ocean. Note that no parking is allowed along most streets between the hours of 2 and 5 am. It is not clear just where the RVers go during that 3 hour time slot, but they seem to return to their selected sites for the other 21 hours.

In an earlier article the advantages of staying in the San Elijo State Park were described. ( See: 20 neat activities near San Elijo State Park RV Campground, March, '09) Similar advantages are offered at Carlsbad State Park. These are two of the California State Parks that have not yet been closed as a part of the economic crunch."

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Happy Fourth of July!

2009-07-04T13:39:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July!! I hope all of you out there are doing something fun -- whether it's with friends, family, pets, or neighbors. It's a BEAUTIFUL day out there! When I was younger one of my favorite parts of the summer was the Fourth of July parade in Dutch Flat, CA. We'd always try to leave early (to no avail) to get a prime viewing spot and where (more importantly to me and my brothers) we could catch the most amount of candy. The parade always commenced with bagpipers and was filled with water balloons, fire engines, dressed up poodles, and all kinds of things. When we got home my brothers and I always had to spread out our candy horde on the floor and compare who had a better stash. My dad would invariably steal some when we werent looking or a fight would break out over who got the blowpop, but it was a tradition we cherished. Ahhh, good memories.

Tonight after leaving this beautiful lodge, I'll go home and sit on my rooftop with some friends to watch the fireworks. You really can't beat fireworks over the bay.
Traditions might change, but the good feelings and general camaraderie do not.

What memories are you making today?

In case you want to watch the fireworks, too, here is a listing of all the locations in the San Diego area. San Diego Fireworks

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Union and Secessionist Families Clash in Sacramento, California

2009-07-02T22:05:00.001-07:00

In a small tribute to my native Norcal, I decided to post this fourth of July story. You might get a chuckle out of it.

All research is by James R. Heintze and is taken from this website.

Union and Secessionist Families Clash in Sacramento, California

The following story concerns the display of Union and Confederate flags by two families in Sacramento, California, on July 4, 1864, and how those families almost came to blows. The event speaks to the significance of the flag as an important symbol and representation of patriotic sentiments, as well as the need for individual expression of those beliefs. Telling as well is the newspaper editor's decision to report this incident, which seems to us inconsequential if compared to other more noteworthy Fourth of July happenings. Yet, for Sacramentians it was newsworthy--two familes brawl over the flag, Union soldiers arrive, and a retraction by one of the participants occurs. The complete account was printed in two separate newspaper articles that are quoted in full below.
The day began with Sacramento residents waking up to the sounds of cannons firing and bells ringing. A sense of joy and excitement prevailed; everyone anticipated a full day's worth of parties, parades, and pandemonium. This was, after all, the 87th anniversary of the glorious Fourth and Sacramentians did up this holiday in grandier and style. The spectacle of the day was a parade consisting of both military and civilian participants. Among the notable officials processing was California Governor Frederick F. Low.

Coupled with this joy was an undercurrent of concern for the great war going on back East. The city's newspaper provided news about the conflict. Reading headlines as "The Great Contest--Army of the Potomac" and "The Trenches and Sharpshooting" on July 4 caused citizens to ponder just how the war would affect their future. Indeed, Sacramento was pro-Union; however, this story provides evidence that some residents had pro-Confederate leanings.

A Union and secession war on a small scale occurred on Monday afternoon on G Street, near Fourteenth. A double house at that locality is occupied by two families--those of John Drummond, Union, and John Clary, Secesh. Heretofore these familes have lived together in peace and quietness. On Monday morning [4th of July] Mrs. Drummond heard Mrs. Clary order her child, who had gone into the room with a small American flag, to leave, as she would not have the rag about the place. Mrs. Drummond at once called her child home. In the afternoon Mrs. Drummond put up the flag over the door. Mrs. Clary tore it down, stating that that was the only door which she could pass through, and she would not be compelled to walk under the Union flag. Mrs. Drummond put it up again, and procuring a small piece of board, which made a formidable weapon, threatened to strike Mrs. Clary with it if she attempted to tear it down again. Mrs. Clary then repaired to her room and improvised a Confederate flag, although it was not made according to regulation. This she pinned to the Union flag, when Mrs. Drummond again appeared and tore it down, leaving the stars and stripes afloat, of course. Before placing the Confederate flag up, Mrs. Clary was joined by her husband, who justified his wife in her course. Mrs. Drummond informed him that she would as soon strike him as his wife if he acted as she had done. When Mrs. Clary pinned up the flag Mrs. Drummond dealt a heavy blow at her, but Mrs. Clary dodged and escaped its consequences. Soon afterward Mrs. Drummond was joined by her husband, who, after learning what had occurred, went into Clary's room, Clary and two other men being present, took off his coat, said he could whip any Secessionist in the room, and gave them his views on the subject under discussion explicitly and without reserve. Clary defended his wife's course, and looked occasionally at a double-barreled shotgun in the room, but no blows were struck. Clary said his wife should put up a flag if she chose and he would defend it. Drummond responded that she could not put up a traitor flag on that house or any other in this city, and that he for one would shoot down him or any other man who would make the attempt. The Union flag was kept afloat until evening, when Mrs. Drummond took it down. (Sacramento Daily Union, 6 July 1864, 3.)
The second article provides some clarification and additional information. The correct address of Mrs. Drummond is cited and the fact that Union troops were summoned. It seems possible that Mrs. Drummond or her husband, upon reading the first article, contacted the newspaper and provided the following additional information-- in particular, the fact that she was the cousin of General Rosecrans, who was likely well known to readers..

That Flag.--Mrs. Drummond, the lady who persisted in keeping the Stars and Stripes afloat over her door on the Fourth of July is a cousin of General Rosecrans. Her residence is located on H street, above Fourteenth, instead of G street, as stated in a former article. The flag put up on the morning of the 5th still floats over the house, although Clary, on first seeing it, declared that it should come down. Soon after this declaration was made, several soldiers from Camp Union stopped at the house and were anxious to see the man who was going to tear down the flag. Clary, on seeing them, disclaimed being that individual, and declared that he was as good a friend to the Union as any other man. (Sacramento Daily Union, 8 July 1864, 3.)

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Places We've Been!

2009-06-29T19:25:00.000-07:00

I was updating our TripAdvisor profile today and stumbled upon this cool map:

Prague, Czech Republic

Paris, France

Dublin, Ireland

Rome, Italy

Venice, Italy

Barcelona, Spain

Cardiff by the Sea, CA, USA

San Francisco, CA, USA

View my profile

Create your own travel map or travel blog

Find Cheap Flights at TripAdvisor

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Goings-on this summer!

2009-06-28T19:35:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that July is only two days away...what has happened to this year?? It's flying by! The San Diego Fair has only a week left -- make sure you stop by! Beginning July 22, the Del Mar Races will commence. Opening day is a big deal -- don't miss it!! Fourth of July is on it's way as well - here is a list of all the fireworks locations: Fireworks!! Dog Days of Summer is coming up in August, so keep your calendars open!

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Happy Father's Day!

2009-06-21T21:35:00.000-07:00

A big thank you and a big hug to all of the amazing dads out there. Thank you!

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Haunted Bed & Breakfast Stories

2009-06-18T17:37:00.000-07:00

I don't actually think I believe in ghosts...but some of these stories certainly make even the most skeptical of skeptics think twice.

Check out these stories of haunted Bed and Breakfasts throughout the United States.

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Blessed by Rain

2009-06-16T16:50:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was one of those Mondays when it really feels like a Monday. Cranky people, neverending phone calls, and a lot of loose ends I had no motivation to tie up. As I was making the final rounds and closing everything up, it began to sprinkle. Once I got up to the rooftop to turn out the firepit, though, it began to pour! I was drenched! Racing around trying to put away the cushions and hide anything that shouldn't be getting wet, I paused for a moment to glance over the edge of the roof. What I saw made me stop in my tracks, because Cardiff had never looked so beautiful. A soft gray mist of rain and fog blurred all the streetlights, creating a hazy glow as far as I could see. The smell of fresh waterdrops cleared out all the dust and pollen from the air, and the whistle of the train punctuated the growing chorus of silence and rain. All I could think was how lucky and blessed I was...and am...what a beautiful gift on a now-perfect Monday.

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

History of Encinitas

2009-06-14T17:38:00.000-07:00

While Cardiff does have its very own postoffice and zip code!, did you know that it is actually a part of the bigger city of Encinitas?

Shamelessly stole from the Encinitas's website, here is a brief history and explanation of our beautiful coastal community.

"This place called Encinitas sits on the coastline of the Pacific Ocean and is embraced by the Batiquitos Lagoon to the north and the San Elijo Lagoon to the south. The first inhabitants were Indians called the San Dieguitos, the La Jollans, and the Dieguenos. It was the Diegueno's group who were mission converts and helped to build the Spanish Missions. In 1669, the Governor of Baja California, Gaspar de Portola, led an expedition throughout the San Diego and Monterey areas. His mission was to build several "presidios," establishing a teaching base for schools and religion. When the expedition made its way through Encinitas on the El Camino Real, he named the area for the small oak trees on the surrounding hills. He named this area "Encina Canada," Spanish for "Hills of Live Oaks." The area changed governmental hands from Spain to Mexico and in the 1800-s the Mexican government issued land grants to ranchers who would establish settlements in the San Diego area and who were willing to be under Mexico's rule.

In 1881, Jabez Pitcher settled in Encinitas and is considered to be the father of the town. Pitcher came to San Diego and filed a claim for 160 acres on a mesa near the railroad tracks where the Encinitas Civic Center is now located. In 1870, a few miles north of the railroad tracks, English spiritualists named their settlement Leucadia after one of the Greek Isles. The name means "Isle of Paradise" or "Place of Shelter." The five-acre tracts were named after Greek gods and mythical figures.

The modern history of "Cardiff" began in 1875 when the McKinnon family homesteaded on the north shore of the San Elijo Lagoon. In 1909, J. Frank Cullen bought a large tract in San Elijo, had it surveyed, and established streets and lots. He named his town in 1914, calling it "Cardiff-by-the-Sea," after Cardiff, Wales. The "Olivenhain" portion of Encinitas was established as a community in 1884 by a small group of German immigrants. The old Olivenhain Meeting Hall is still used today for social events and meetings.

The City of Encinitas was founded over 100 years ago and is now made up of five communities that take pride in their own distinct personalities. "Historic Encinitas" fills the Highway 101 Corridor that parallels the beautiful beaches and ocean. "New Encinitas" centers on El Camino Real ("The Kings Highway" founded by the early missionaries from Spain). "Cardiff-by-the-Sea" is made up of quaint homes dotting the hillsides overlooking the sea. "Leucadia" is famous for its giant eucalyptus trees that line the main thoroughfare on the Coast Highway. "Olivenhain" (which means "olive grove" in German) boasts plenty of open horse country, pastures, and a rural way of life."

- taken from this website: http://www.ci.encinitas.ca.us/Visitor/AboutE/EncinitasHP/

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Seaside Hotel

2009-06-09T19:36:00.000-07:00

“The pleasures of afternoon tea run like a trickle of honey through English literature from Rupert Brooke's wistful lines on the Old Vicarage at Grantchester to Miss Marple, calmly dissecting a case over tea cakes at a seaside hotel.”

-Stan Hey

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

San Diego Quick Trips

2009-06-07T18:26:00.000-07:00

I just ran across this today -- and it's a great little breakdown of some of the great things to do, places to go, things to see, and places to eat in San Diego and the surrounding areas.

Check it out: San Diego Slices

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

San Diego:Dialed In

2009-05-28T21:06:00.000-07:00

Wow -- this site has A TON of ideas for places to go.

Here's what's on the list for tomorrow, May 29:

Transfer, Stripes and Lines, Helen Earth Band @ Belly Up
Che Underground presents The Answers,The Gay Dennys (featuring members of the Tell-Tale Hearts and the Crawdaddys),Manual Scan,Everybody Violet, DJ Tony the Tyger @ Casbah
The Spits, Personal & The Pizzas, The Points @ Ken Club
The Spits, Atoms, Personal and the Pizzas, The Points, Braaiins!, Francis Bacon @ Che Cafe
A Scribe Amidst the lions, Bella Novela(longbeach), Vinyl Film, Someday Assassin @ Radio Room
Jamuel Saxon, Sex Mannequin, Wallpaper, DJ Groundfloor @ Beauty Bar
Trashcan Fires, Primitive Noyes, SunInWinter @ Tin Can Ale House
Bartenders Bible @ Whistle Stop
The Drowning Men, Cat Party @ Hensley's Flying Elephant
Happy Hour with Atomic Groove @ Belly Up (5:30p)
Critical Mass Footdown, Fatlip @ Ruby Room
Feel The Noise: DJs Gabe Vega & Saul Q, Sparrow Love Crew, Roy G. and the Biv. @ U-31
The New Fidelity, Wooden Bird, The New Trust @ Bar Pink
Inmost, Disaster Magnet, IDS @ O'Connell's
Heads Down For Takeoff (CD Release), Society Setback, All Star, Dress To Kill, The Spill @ Epicentre
L.A.O.S. (Finland), Whizard b2b Circuit (LA), Rebellion b2b Shawnliu, DJ Intrigued, MC Dino @ Brick By Brick
C Money & The Players Inc. @ Winston's
Blackbone Child, Ralphene, Gran Sasso @ Soda Bar
West of Memphis @ House of Blues (Voodoo Stage)
Ryan Calhoun, Kim Divine (CD Release), Kim Garrison @ Lestat's
Tragedy and Triumph, Casino Madrid, Hello Marquee, Imperil, Eighth Round, Forever Ends Now @ Soma
Official, Black Bone Child, Sutton from The Wagon, Jesse Johnson, Joe Tran @ Dream Street
Shooter Jennings @ Viejas Dreamcatcher
Arm The Angels, Flight To Athena, Goodnight Caulfield @ 710 Beach Club
Hot August Night (Neil Diamond Tribute), Jumping Jack Flash (Rolling Stones Tribute) @ Canes
Dennis Jones @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge
Panterad, Diary of Ozz @ 4th & B
EvoPro Underground with DJ Professor CC & DJ Brother Darkness @ Stout House
The Flatlanders @ Anthology (Early Show 7:30pm)
Of Mice and Them, The Elephant Project, The Somatree, The Phantom Tollbooth, Unknown Motive @ Channel Twelve 25
Plow, Grand Canyone Sundown @ Portugalia
Faded Chroniclez @ Surf n Saddle
Bunny (Rabbit In The Moon) @ Spin
Dane Cook @ San Diego Sports Arena
DJ Ramsey @ True North
FilmOut San Diego 11th LGBT Film Festival @ Birch North Park Theatre

Check out the site here.

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

18 Things You Dont Need on Your Packing List

2009-05-24T18:14:00.000-07:00

Apparently, we don't need underwear, electric toothbrushes, and, well, about 16 other things:

1. Too much underwear.
2. Soap.
3. Jeans
4. Books/reading material
5. Money belt/pouch
6. Towel
7. Water filter
8. Jackets
9. Chargers and cables
10. iPod
11. Vintage Hermes scarf
12. Zip-off convertible trousers
13. Shoes
14. Huge stash of toiletries
15. Converter for your electronics
16. Makeup and jewelry
17. Electric toothbrush or electric coffee grinder
18. High expectations

Curious about why some of these are on the list? Check out the full article on Travelblogs.com

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Memorial Day in San Diego

2009-05-19T19:37:00.000-07:00

The beloved three day weekend is coming up, and I've found a list of some things to do in the area that are a bit off the beaten (i.e. Seaworld, Legoland, Beach, etc) path.

Explore Memorial Day Weekend in San Diego. There is stuff to do all over San Diego and in North County as well.

Oops! Just found another link for More Things to Do on Memorial Day.

Of course, if you're looking for a quiet getaway, we still have some rooms open at the amazing Cardiff by the Sea Lodge! We are 800 feet from the beach, and we have a rooftop garden with a fire ring and jacuzzi!! You can't beat a getaway like that!!

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

More Good Eats

2009-05-14T19:26:00.000-07:00

Looking for somewhere romantic, tasty, classy, casual, and beachy to eat? Well look no farther. Cardiff boasts one of the three Beach Houses known for their great food, location, and decor. The Beach House in Cardiff has even been compared to a Hawaiian setting! Check out Jim Morris's review:

"Everytime I go to The Beach House Restaurant I feel like I am in Hawaii. Located on the beach on Cardiff’s “restaurant row” The Beach House is by far the best of the seaside venues with excellent service, a varied menu, and $4.00 happy hour Mai Tais. Valet parking is available or you can park to the north and walk down. The Coconut Shrimp is wondeful starter as are the Mahi Stack or Ceviche. I reccommend any of the fresh fish dishes but ask your server for the best choices of the day. The steaks are generally good quality and cooked to the proper doneness without mistakes. But it is the location on the beach that really makes this restaurant special for that romantic or special event. Eat your heart out Hawaii!"

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

10% Discount for Military

2009-05-14T19:00:00.000-07:00

Being as we are so close to several military bases, we would like to make a special notice of everyone in the services. We really appreciate all the hard work and sacrifices they've made for us and our country, and we'd like to say thank you by offering a 10% discount off any stay (with valid military ID).

Thank you from the Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Cardiff Has a Great New Restaurant(s)

2009-05-07T20:20:00.000-07:00

NOW SERVING: Zenbu and Rimel's give new meaning to fresh and local

"Grabbing a bite to eat in Cardiff has been limited to breakfast burritos, doughnuts and market sandwiches for years. But the dining scene in this sleepy beach town just elevated a few notches, thanks to the opening of Zenbu and Rimel's Rotisserie in February."

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Mother's Day Special!

2009-05-06T16:00:00.000-07:00

Treat your mother to a relaxing getaway at the quaint coastal Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge, and we’ll treat her to dinner and breakfast!

With seventeen uniquely decorated rooms, each with their own charming theme and décor, we have a peaceful escape for moms of every style and persuasion. A private guests-only rooftop garden, complete with Jacuzzi and fire ring, is the perfect flower-filled place for her to enjoy our golden sunsets or read a book in the warm afternoons.

In the morning, she will enjoy a delicious extended Continental breakfast served in our stone-laid courtyard; and at night she will receive a voucher for dinner at Cicciotti’s, a local Italian restaurant known for its great dishes.

Let us help you thank the mothers of this world by booking a stay at the Cardiff Lodge. Gift certificates available. Not valid with any other offers. Valid through 5/31/09. Mention MOTHER'S DAY BLOG when making the reservation.

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Goings-on (AND 31 CENT ICE CREAM!!!)

2009-04-28T19:53:00.001-07:00

What a change it is down here! I've just returned home from a mini visit home to norcal to visit family and friends, and boy is it different! Lots of trees and mountains and rivers...but no beach! I was very happy to see the ocean today from the airplane.

I arrived back at the lodge today to find some interesting goings-on in the area. If you get a change, check em out!

Arts Alive Banner Project
Live Art Auction on May 31

Wine Tasting
Wine Steals Cardiff offers wines from Argentina, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, at 1953 San Elijo Ave., Cardiff. $5. (760) 230-2657

31 Cent Scoop Night!
"Baskin-Robbins hosts its third annual 31 Cent Scoop Night to thank customers, 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, at all locations. During the event, 2.5-ounce ice cream scoops will be 31 cents. As part of the event, Baskin-Robbins will make a $100,000 donation to the National Volunteer Fire Council's National Junior Firefighter Program. Visit baskinrobbins.com"

101 Coast Highway Begins in Cardiff -- Some Interesting Socal Coast History
"Come take a look at one of the scenic stetches of the 101 Coast Highway where it enters Cardiff by the Sea in Encinitas. Historic Highway 101."

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Calling All Art Lovers!

2009-04-22T15:54:00.000-07:00

This weekend, April 25 & 26, our very own James Statser (owner, designer, and builder extraordinare!) will have a booth at the Encinitas Street Fair! He will be showcasing many of the photos he has taken here at the lodge, in Cardiff, and all around the world. James has an amazing eye for beauty and detail, so make sure you stop by and check them out. Photos will be available for sale as well.

We would love to have you stop by and visit!

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

This Day in History

2009-04-21T16:56:00.000-07:00

If you've got a minute (literally), check out this video. It gives a brief synopsis of the major events that happened on April 21 throughout history:

"Rome is founded by Romulus and Remus, Sam Houston shouts "Remember the Alamo" during the Texas Revolution, German flying ace, the Red Baron is shot down, and Annie the play debuts."

This Day in History: April 21

One of the most interesting things that happened...about 2,762 years ago...was the founding of Rome:

"According to tradition, on April 21, 753 B.C., Romulus and his twin brother, Remus, found Rome on the site where they were suckled by a she-wolf as orphaned infants. Actually, the Romulus and Remus myth originated sometime in the fourth century B.C., and the exact date of Rome's founding was set by the Roman scholar Marcus Terentius Varro in the first century B.C.

According to the legend, Romulus and Remus were the sons of Rhea Silvia, the daughter of King Numitor of Alba Longa. Alba Longa was a mythical city located in the Alban Hills southeast of what would become Rome. Before the birth of the twins, Numitor was deposed by his younger brother Amulius, who forced Rhea to become a vestal virgin so that she would not give birth to rival claimants to his title. However, Rhea was impregnated by the war god Mars and gave birth to Romulus and Remus. Amulius ordered the infants drowned in the Tiber, but they survived and washed ashore at the foot of the Palatine hill, where they were suckled by a she-wolf until they were found by the shepherd Faustulus.

Reared by Faustulus and his wife, the twins later became leaders of a band of young shepherd warriors. After learning their true identity, they attacked Alba Longa, killed the wicked Amulius, and restored their grandfather to the throne. The twins then decided to found a town on the site where they had been saved as infants. They soon became involved in a petty quarrel, however, and Remus was slain by his brother. Romulus then became ruler of the settlement, which was named "Rome" after him.

To populate his town, Romulus offered asylum to fugitives and exiles. Rome lacked women, however, so Romulus invited the neighboring Sabines to a festival and abducted their women. A war then ensued, but the Sabine women intervened to prevent the Sabine men from seizing Rome. A peace treaty was drawn up, and the communities merged under the joint rule of Romulus and the Sabine king, Titus Tatius. Tatius' early death, perhaps perpetrated by Romulus, left the Roman as the sole king again. After a long and successful rule, Romulus died under obscure circumstances. Many Romans believed he was changed into a god and worshipped him as the deity Quirinus. After Romulus, there were six more kings of Rome, the last three believed to be Etruscans. Around 509 B.C., the Roman republic was established.

Another Roman foundation legend, which has its origins in ancient Greece, tells of how the mythical Trojan Aeneas founded Lavinium and started a dynasty that would lead to the birth of Romulus and Remus several centuries later. In the Iliad, an epic Greek poem probably composed by Homer in the eighth century B.C., Aeneas was the only major Trojan hero to survive the Greek destruction of Troy. A passage told of how he and his descendants would rule the Trojans, but since there was no record of any such dynasty in Troy, Greek scholars proposed that Aeneas and his followers relocated.

In the fifth century B.C., a few Greek historians speculated that Aeneas settled at Rome, which was then still a small city-state. In the fourth century B.C., Rome began to expand within the Italian peninsula, and Romans, coming into greater contact with the Greeks, embraced the suggestion that Aeneas had a role in the foundation of their great city. In the first century B.C., the Roman poet Virgil developed the Aeneas myth in his epic poem the Aeneid, which told of Aeneas' journey to Rome. Augustus, the first Roman emperor and emperor during Virgil's time, and Julius Caesar, his great-uncle and predecessor as Roman ruler, were said to be descended from Aeneas."

-- as excerpted from history.com

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Cardiff Chamber of Commerce

2009-04-20T21:38:00.000-07:00

For you history buffs and lovers of random trivia bits, check out the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce page. It has some interesting facts and figures about Cardiff and the goings-on of its residents and tourists. It also has good recommendations for places to surf, camp, and places to help out.

Cardiff by the Sea Lodge

San Diego for Families

2009-04-16T19:17:00.000-07:00

For those of you traveling with children, this link might be a good one to check out:

San Diego for Families

Cardiff Lodge

American Diabetes Association's San Diego Tour de Cure to begin in Cardiff!

2009-04-16T18:12:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, cyclists from all over San Diego county will meet in Cardiff for the American Diabetes Association's San Diego Tour de Cure bike ride and fundraiser.

The ride, held in over 40 states nationwide over the course of the year, is put on every year to raise money for researching a cure for diabetes.

Over 33,000 cyclists will ride between 10 and 100 miles each on one of four courses, and last year over $16 million dollars was raised from these participants.

Read some stories about locals suffering from diabetes who are riding to join the cause:
Their Stories

To see race times and more information on the Cardiff location, go here: Tour de Cure San Diego

For more information on the Tour de Cure, check out their homepage: Tour de Cure

And of course, you can always stay here at the Cardiff Lodge the night before or after if you'd like to come see the action up close and personal!

Encinitas Street Fair 2009

2009-04-15T17:10:00.000-07:00

The 26th Annual Encinitas Street Fair is coming soon! On April 25th and 26th, over 450 arts and crafts booths will hit the streets, complemented by four live stages, kids rides, and a Beer Garden hosted by Stone Brewery.
Encinitas Street Fair 2009

Over 100,000 people are expected for this two day event, so make sure to get there early! Hey! You could even go both days and stay Saturday night here: Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge Located a mere two miles from the Fair location, we're the perfect place to unwind after a day of festivities!

Yep, another weather post.

2009-04-15T14:58:00.000-07:00

We hope everyone had a really wonderful Easter with all their family and friends! The warm weather is trying to make an appearance, it seems, but these winds aren't having any of it!

At least the crazy weather gives us clouds that look like this:

La Jolla Sunset Timelapse from Alexander Matthews on Vimeo.

Also, for those of you who like sunrises and sunsets, check out this neat website: it gives the time for sunrise and sunset for any day of the year in any place, as well as weather and other random facts. Timeanddate.com

Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge

Who doesn't like free??

2009-04-08T16:38:00.001-07:00

I like free.

Do you?

25 Fun and Free Things to Do in San Diego.

April Showers bring...more showers!

2009-04-08T12:31:00.000-07:00

Last night was the first our the themed April showers...and there are more to come!
Check it out: http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/92007?from=36hr_topnav_undeclared

This morning I got into work earlier than usual, and wow! was it beautiful. You know that amazing after-the-rain smell? Where everything is fresh and clean and fragrant? Well multiply that times a billion and that's what this morning was like.

Here are some pictures I took around the lodge.

Nickel Creek to Play on Wednesday

2009-04-05T21:13:00.000-07:00

So this Wednesday: Hump day, the middle of the week, yuck yuck...not any longer! I propose a fabulous way to get past Wednesday -- a fabulous concert and then a quick drive up the coast to a relaxing stay at the Cardiff Lodge!

Take a look:

San Diego's own Nickel Creek is back...albeit briefly. This Wednesday they'll be playing at UCSD's Rimac Arena.

Not familiar with this insanely talented progressive acoustic angelic mandolin fiddle bluegrass band trio? Check em out:
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/bands/nickel-creek

Wanna hear their music? Here you go:
http://www.rhapsody.com/nickel-creek

And of course, you'll wanna pick out a fabulous room to stay in after the fabulous concert: www.cardifflodge.com

It's inexpensive fun that's not too far from home -- so go on, find a babysitter and have a fabulous Wednesday. See you then!

We're getting noticed! Tanks for Traveling!

2009-04-02T18:46:00.000-07:00

On bedandbreakfast.com, we are doing a really great promotion: Tanks for Traveling!

Check it out:
Need a break but don't have much time or moolah? Come visit us at the Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge, your ultimate getaway that's not too far away! Not only are we easy to get to and lovely to find, but we are paying for you to get here, too! For every stay made between now and April 31, 2009, we'll take $30 off your reservation so you can fill up your tank (and maybe even grab a burger somewhere if you drive a Smart car!). Just mention the TANKS FOR TRAVELING special when booking and we'll be sure to help you fill 'er up!

Even better? Other people are noticing!

http://healthcaretraveler.modernmedicine.com/healthcaretraveler/Online+Only/Bed-and-breakfast-inns-offer-spring-savings/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/590985?ref=25

Get 'er filled before we're all filled up!

With April Showers...

2009-04-01T14:26:00.000-07:00

....come May flowers? Hmm. I think the saying may be a bit late for us! All over the lodge flowers are blooming - out of pots, up the sides of buildings, from behind rocks - in wild pinks, exotic reds and yellows, and springy whites. Hibiscuis and daisies and azaleas are all abloom!

At the beginning of each new month I like to research what interesting facts and figures I can discover. As it turns out, April is just chock-full of surprises. It is home to almost 60 monthly observances, about 50 weekly observances, and about 100 daily observances (Did you know today is April Fools, Boomer Bonus, St. Stupid, Sorry Charlie, National Day of Hope, National Fun Day, National Fun Day at Work, Paraprofessional Appreciation, Poetry & the Creative Mind, and US Air Force Academy Day?) Thanks to Brownielocks & the 3 Bears for this unique information! http://www.brownielocks.com/april.html

On a more local basis, I'll be adding a blog every week or so with some fun things to do in San Diego for the week. Here are your 5 Best Bets for the Week of April 2-9:
http://sandiego.about.com/od/familyfun/tp/weekof_april02.htm

Happy April!
-Laurie

Things to Do in San Diego

2009-03-30T20:32:00.001-07:00

I just stumbled across this site tonight as I was looking for interesting things to do in San Diego: http://www.randomsandiego.com/

This blog has all kinds of interesting information about things going on in San Diego and the surrounding areas, including movie releases, auditions, the Flower Fields, and other "random" things to do. Might just be worth a look if you're wanting something a bit different to do!

The Grunions are Coming!

2009-03-26T17:47:00.000-07:00

Beginning this Saturday at 10:30pm, the La Jolla Birch Aquarium at Scripps (http://aquarium.ucsd.edu/)in La Jolla will host its first grunion-run of the year. Every spring, the silver fish come to the SoCal beaches for their annual spawning ritual.

According to Grunion.org, "California grunion are a species of marine fish found only along the coast of southern California and northern Baja California. They are justifiably famous for their unique spawning behavior. Grunion spawn completely out of the water and lay their eggs on many sandy beaches in California. Shortly after high tide, on specific nights, sections of these beaches sometimes are covered with thousands of grunion dancing about on the sand. The eggs remain buried in the sand throughout incubation, fully out of water for approximately 2 weeks. The larvae hatch when the eggs wash out by high waves during tides before the new and full moons. Grunion spawn at the age of 1 year, and live for 2 to 4 years."

The dates of the grunion runs vary each year depending on the lunar calendar. The Birch Aquarium offers five different grunion runs throughout the season. For $12, participants will be educated about the fish ritual, shown the hatching process, and then led to optimal spawning-viewing beach areas. Call for reservations as the groups are limited to 90.

Of course, adventurous grunion-lovers can always grab their own flashlight and hunt out the silvery fishes by themselves! Happy hunting!

Happy First Day of Spring

2009-03-22T18:37:00.000-07:00

The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month. ~Henry Van Dyke

This morning, I woke up to gray clouds and a warm breeze. Two hours later, I was rushing around my backyard scooping up radios and couches while the rain soaked through everything in sight, and by the time I got here to the lodge it was blue skies and sunshine everywhere. Looking out the window now we have a mini tornado going on and I think I just saw a person flying down the street. Just kidding! The first day of spring has certainly not disappointed its reputation, and would we really have it any other way?

March 22, 2009 has also ushered in many other new beginnings as well. Kite surfers are beginning to take full advantage of the windy season out on Cardiff Beach, and the Flower Fields in Carlsbad are beginning to bloom in full force. http://www.theflowerfields.com/

Our own rooftop garden is beginning to flower in earnest as well. It's the perfect time to enjoy a warm spring weekend at Cardiff by the Sea Lodge and all the great attractions nearby!

Foggy Day in March

2009-03-18T19:04:00.000-07:00

I got a random urge to stir my legs tonight, so I grabbed my camera and snapped a few pictures around the lodge. It's been a strangely foggy day in Cardiff, but it adds a bit of mystery to the air.

We also got a comment today about the super size of our Calla lilies by the fountain, so I thought I'd post a picture of those too!

Meet the Owners!

2009-03-16T18:54:00.000-07:00

James & Jeanette Statser
Owners, builders, designers, and dreamers!

Opened in May of 1991, the Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge is the creative beauty of James and Jeanette Statser. When the couple first bought the property near the corner of San Elijo and Chesterfield, they had some ideas for a small hotel. Before commencing the building, however, they took a twenty-fifth anniversary trip to Great Britain and stayed at various bed and breakfasts throughout their travels. By the time they returned to Cardiff-by-the-Sea, they had decided that they would turn the property into a lodge based on their wonderful bed and breakfast experiences.

With their combined effort and skills, they created the beautiful lodge that exists today. An award-winning designer and builder, James crafted a unique layout for the lodge, rooms, and rooftop. Jeanette fashioned each room with its own unique theme, ranging from Victorian to Paradise to Southwest.

Check us out on Twitter!

2009-03-11T21:12:00.000-07:00

http://twitter.com/Cardiffsealodge

New Yelp Listing

2009-03-09T20:47:00.000-07:00

Check us out!

http://www.yelp.com/biz/cardiff-by-the-sea-lodge-cardiff

Sound Proofing the Lodge

2009-03-09T20:40:00.000-07:00

There is a reason our guest say “It’s so peaceful here.”

Sound control was of a top priority when designing and building the lodge. The goal was to make each room as quiet as possible. There are different ways sounds can be transmitted, mainly through the air and through objects.

In order to keep the sound from transmitting from room to room we did the following.

Between each room there are two walls. The first wall was raised and 5/8" drywall attached, taped and sound caulked around all edges and joints. We were careful that no plumbing or wiring penetrated that layer of drywall. The second wall was then raised, leaving a two inch space between walls. Both walls were fully insulated, and sound caulking pads were applied to the electrical boxes. Then drywall was applied, taped and all edges were sound caulked, making a total of eight inches of insulation and three layers of 5/8" drywall. There are no TVs on any party walls.

Between the upper and lower floors we also applied sound controls. The floor/ceiling joists and plywood were increased by one size in order to stiffen the floor. Also one and one half inches of concrete (not light weight) was poured on top. The stiffer and denser the floor the less sounds transmitted. R-30 insulation was put between the joist in order to absorb sound. R-C channel (a Z-shaped metal) was attached to the bottom of the joist and the ceiling drywall was screwed to that. This in effect lets the drywall float as it is not attached directly to the joist. The R-C is designed to act as an isolation spring. The drywall edges were sound caulked and taped. We used a heavy carpet-pad and carpet to isolate and absorb sound even more.

Between the upper floors and the roof garden we did the same treatment as between floors, except we added a 3/8" mat before pouring the concrete.

On the outside walls 5/8" drywall was applied prior to the siding in order to make the walls more dense. This helps block sound transmission. The walls are all fully insulated and sound caulked.

The windows are dual paned glazed - this blocks four times the sound of a single pane window. Of course if the windows are open the sound comes right in, including the ocean breeze and the sound of waves.

The doors are solid and weather proofed, which helps keep out sound. However it does make the doors harder to open and close -- Sorry! When unlocking the door pull the handle as if to close it even tighter while turning the key. We also laid out the rooms so that the entry doors are not next to each other where possible.

All the plumbing pipes were carefully insulated. The soil lines are cast iron, as it is more dense and transmits less sound than ABS plastic pipe. The closet bends (below each toilet) were wrapped with insulation then encased in concrete. The water pipes were over sized and put in a full loop in order to keep the velocity travel distance of the water down. All piping is isolated to the bathrooms. All hot and cold copper pipes were insulated. All valves have an air cushion in the wall. It is a 3/4" pipe about 12" long that is an air chamber. The air compresses (water does not) this prevents the hammer sound that is made when a valve is closed rapidly. Even with all this effort some muffled sound may still be heard, Sorry!

The AC units were the quietest on the market at the time we built. They are a split system, which means only the fan unit is in the room. The compressors are on the roof or ground (hopefully not heard in the room).

We made our best effort to make you stay as quite and enjoyable as possible. Please Enjoy!

I studied sound transmission and had over 30 years of construction experience (at the time the lodge was built). What made me interested in the sound control, was an incident that happen years ago, I was still in my 20s and trying very hard to design and build with the best quality and craftsmanship. I had designed and built a duplex for a friend in Leucadia. After it was finished we had just sold our house and so we rented one side of the duplex. I had built it per code which required the party wall have staggered studs. 2 x 6 top and bottom plates were used with the 2 x 4 studs stagged so the drywall on each side was not attached to the same stud. It was a very nice place and we were lucky to live there. It had a few down sides. After a few weeks living there the elderly couple next door got into a verbal fight. We heard her say, well if you have your knife out go ahead and use it. We didn’t know whether to call the police or pretend we didn’t here it. In just a short time we could them both snoring. They may have had too much to drink. After that I never designed or built another staggered stud party wall, even if met code. Therefore the two separate walls, extra insulation, drywall and two inch space. We used to leave a one inch space, but after adding the extra sheet of drywall found it only left a small space and the studs could warp and touch.

In that same duplex when someone would knock on our door or the neighbors door we could not tell which door had visitors. Now I design where doors are at a distance where possible.

The unit had two bathrooms one upstairs and one downstairs. Our guest would use the one upstairs thinking it more private. Wrong! From the living room and kitchen you could hear them use the toilet and when it was flushed you could here the water rush down the kitchen soffit and the wall. After that, all buildings I designed and or built sound was a huge consideration. I now make sure the closet bend is either cast-iron or ABS wrapped with insulation and at least three inches of concrete or plaster of Paris poured around that. ABS wrapped and encased, recommended. At that time (in the 1960s) insulation was not required, by code, in the exterior walls or ceilings. I apologize to the people living in the duplex. May you always have quite neighbors and discreet guest!

I hope you enjoy your stay at The “Cardiff by-the-Sea Lodge”

www.Cardifflodge.com

- James Statser Sr.

March Madness

2009-03-03T18:57:00.000-08:00

March Madness means getting away and enjoying the off season at the Lodge. Daylight savings time is just around the corner, sunny days are in the forecast the suf is great, and the local restaurants are showing off fresh spring time menus. Come join the madness!
-Jane

Welcoming March

2009-03-02T21:27:00.001-08:00

It's coming to the end of another day here at Cardiff Lodge, and I'm about to make the final rounds. My favorite part of the night here will happen in about fifteen minutes, and that's when I go upstairs to sit by the fire for a few moments. If you flip your chair to face the ocean, you can just about hear the waves; and high on the rooftop, the breeze is soft and tireless. sometimes the smallest moments of all are the ones that stand out, and Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge is really a place of those memorable moments.

We're already into the third month of 2009 -- can you believe it? I welcome you in this month of flowers and whale watching and almost-spring to visit the lodge and make memories of your own, be they on the rooftop near the firepit, in the garden with a cup of coffee, or in the smiles shared in the discovery of our unique rooms.

Welcome to Cardiff, and welcome to March.

-Laurie

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T21:57:00.000-08:00

Whether it be with a loved one, good friends, or a fuzzy pet, we hope you all are spending a happy Valentines Day with someone special. It is days like these that help us refocus and remember how important the little things are! Thanks to all who chose to spend this special day with us, and we welcome those soon to visit!

Congratulations to Linda!

2009-02-03T21:53:00.000-08:00

Linda of Cardiff-by-the-Sea was the winner of our 2008-2009 Holiday Gift Basket Drawing. She took home a basket full of great lodge mementos, treats, and other great gifts. Thank you to all who stopped by our Christmas Open House, and congratulations Linda!

Events & Happenings!

2009-01-04T21:50:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! Four days into 2009 and already it's been a great year. We hope you had a wonderful holiday season with all your friends and loved ones.

We've added an Events & Happenings page on our blog, so now you can stay updated on all the goings-on here at the lodge and in the surrounding areas. We'll keep it updated regularly, so make sure you keep checking back!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-23T21:38:00.000-08:00

It's only two more days until Christmas, and I am headed home to the snow! We here at the lodge just wanted to send out a very merry Christmas to all our guests past, present, and future. We really appreciate all of you! May your holiday be full of laughs, family, and friends, and we hope to see you in the new year!

Pictures of our Christmas Decorating

2008-12-07T21:03:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the pictures from our recent Christmas decorating. The lodge looks absolutely beautiful, so make sure to stop by and visit on December 13, our open house day!

Christmas decorations

2008-12-06T20:59:00.000-08:00

The lodge is decorated!!! Come see our twinkling stars, beautiful lights, and pretty windows! Jeanette and I even learned how to paint wreaths and snow on the windows! It made me want hot cider and eggnog and yummy holiday snacks...mmmm....Anyway! Hahah! Guess I'm hungry! The lodge is beautiful, so come see for yourself!

Dinner by Candlelight under the Stars

2008-10-21T20:55:00.000-07:00

Here at Cardiff Lodge, we go out of our way to give our guests the most amazing experiences ever. Check out this story from a recent guest:

http://findsandy.wordpress.com/2008/10/20/anniversary-week-no-1/

It really does look like this!

2008-10-15T20:49:00.000-07:00

I know it's hard to believe, but these kind of sunsets don't only come in postcards!

360 Virtual Tour of the Rooftop

2008-10-13T20:43:00.000-07:00

We've got some great news! Below is the link to our brand new 360 Virtual Tour of our Rooftop, Lobby, and two of our newest rooms -- the Paradise room and the Southwest room. There is also a Slideshow link that shows some more close-ups of various amenities and areas of our lodge (located on the pink bar underneath the 360 Tour -- after you open the Virtual Tour link). We really hope you enjoy these new additions, especially for those of you wanting a better idea of our wedding facilities!

http://www.circlepix.com/home/74M4PF

Engagement Shoot in the Sweetheart Room

2008-09-20T20:42:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago our spectacular Sweetheart room was used as home base for a very unique engagement shoot!

Here is the link to Amy's (the makeup artist) blog:

http://amyclarkesfaces.blogspot.com/2008/08/engagement-shoot-with-erica-in-san.html

It made me wonder what other uses our unique rooms might serve? Maybe architectural catalogue pictures? Or themed birthday parties? Specifically the Paradise room, which has a very Tommy Bahama/Tiki Room feel to it; or the Southwest room, with its recessed fireplace and desert theme.

Summer is Never Over in Cardiff-by-the-Sea

2008-09-14T20:38:00.000-07:00

It might be back to school time, but there is still a lot going on under the sun! I've made out a calendar of all the great events going on in Cardiff and the surrounding areas for the next month. Maybe check out a wine tasting or an art exhibit during the day, then head over to our inn for a spectacular sunset on the roof!

Things to do in San Diego -- September

Rooftop pictures

2008-08-20T20:36:00.000-07:00

Until we get the new pictures on our website, I thought I would post the link to the information and pictures on our rooftop so that you would be able to at least get a better idea of what it looks like.

http://www.herecomestheguide.com/location/detail/cardiff-by-the-sea-lodge

Hope this helps!

Laurie

Beautiful Sunsets!

2008-08-18T20:33:00.000-07:00

I wanted to start off today by saying how incredible the sunsets have been lately. Last week was a bit muggy and cloudy, but the past few evenings have been truly spectacular. Looks like summer is going to be going out with a bang this year.

Speaking of summer leaving...come visit us before the year starts again! Get in your vacation before the kids start up with hectic school and extracurricular activities. Cardiff is so peaceful that you really can't go wrong getting away, even if it's just for a staycation.

Possible new updates: We are thinking of adding a wine&cheese night to our weekends...and maybe a daily thing depending on the response to it. Any ideas?

Return to Action

2008-08-14T20:31:00.000-07:00

After a bit of a blog hiatus, we're back in action!

The lodge has recently been undergoing a lot of really great renovations, and today should be the final day of updating the lobby!! The whole floor is now a green marbled tile and it looks really fresh and inviting.

We're also thinking of adding new items to our boutique. Anybody have any suggestions as to additional items we might promote?

Really Hot Beach Weather

2007-09-04T20:25:00.000-07:00

We have been having some amazingly hot weather here in Cardiff! Perfect for the beach but not for much else, of course, who needs anything else when you're on vacation?? Thankfully, the lodge has ac or I would be literally melting. LOL. Us, San Diegans are not used to such hot weather :)

Amazing Weather and Water!

2007-08-28T20:19:00.000-07:00

No matter how much working here is amazing, days like this make me wish I didn't work at all. The ocean is about 76* right now and it is a perfect day to lay on the beach, surf, or just take a swim! The water is beautiful right now and is supposed to stay this temperature for a while. The weather is supposed to get warmer and more perfect for the beach by the weekend! When people are checking in they may be surprised to find no one working at the desk because we will all be out in the ocean! Just kidding, but we hope our guests enjoy the water and weather!

Upgrade to Southwest Room

2007-08-27T20:22:00.000-07:00

The newly refurbished Southwest Room has quickly become a guest favorite. The open feel of the room with a custom built fireplace, two person Jacuzzi tub, and ocean view becomes a place to get away from daily routine. Come experience it yourself. Jane

Welcome to our Blog!

2007-08-02T20:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Cardiff by the Sea Lodge's first blog! The postings done here will be done by all of us here at Cardiff Lodge; as we all have different areas of expertise and interest. This site will be undergoing a lot of work while we learn how to blog and get the most out of it as we can. We hope that everyone will stay up with us to learn more about our amazing place. There will be pictures posted of our lodge, including the roof top garden that we host weddings on and much more. We look forward to this process and getting this site ready for all interested potential guests!

Amy

Southwest Room Gets a New Look!

2007-08-02T20:14:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of room 208 the Southwest, our most requested room right now. It has been under renovation and is finally ready to be slept in on Friday!! Congulations to the first people to sleep in this amazing room! :)

Saul signing his hard work!

The room in one of the stages.

Mixing the mud!

Hanging the wall mural!

Finishing the fireplace

Cutting the stone is hard work!

The wonderful bathtub!