Goings-on this summer!

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

History of Encinitas

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

“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

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




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San Diego:Dialed In

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

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

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

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!"


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Cardiff Has a Great New Restaurant(s)

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!

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

Calling All Art Lovers!

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

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

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

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!

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

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.

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??

I like free.

Do you?

25 Fun and Free Things to Do in San Diego.

April Showers bring...more showers!

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.