DK Publishing

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

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.




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Proposal on the Rooftop

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

Ten Things to do Before Summer is Over!

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

Surfing Announcement!

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

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