Cardiff or Cardiff by the Sea, California, is the quaint hillside community located near some of the best surf in Southern California.  The community is small and compact so many of the beach homes are relatively close together, however, the views from some of these homes are amazing.  A great many of the beach facing homes have been renovated over the years, up to craftsman standards in many cases.  The sample of homes from the Cardiff area will show you that it is a prime destination for many upscale homeowners.