Cardiff-by-the-Sea, usually referred to as Cardiff, is a beach community located between Encinitas and Solana Beach in San Diego County, California. The Pacific Ocean is to the west of Cardiff, Encinitas on its east and north, and a beach and lagoon on its south. With a population of under 12,000, Cardiff-by-the-Sea operates as part of the city of Encinitas, but has its own ZIP code (92007), unlike the other communities that comprise parts of Encinitas: Leucadia and Olivenhain.
In 1911, this former farming community began to develop Cardiff when developer J. Frank Cullen broke ground to build new homes[1]. It is reported by the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce that it was Frank Cullen's wife, a native of Cardiff, Wales, who persuaded him to name the community Cardiff. Many streets in Cardiff bear names this English-born landowner grew up with in his native UK. Birmingham, Oxford, Chesterfield, and Manchester are major streets.
Cardiff also has a school district, there are 2 schools: Cardiff Elementary and Ada Harris. Cardiff Elementary School has grades K-2, Ada Harris Elementary School has grades 3-6.citation needed
