Cardiff-by-the-Sea is the kind of town that sounds made up until you’re actually there, sitting on the sand with a drink in hand. Tower 13 is where you do the drinking. Named for a San Diego County lifeguard tower, this Cardiff institution sits directly on the beach with ocean views from every angle and the kind of crowd that comes straight from the water without anyone raising an eyebrow. The cocktails are crafted with care, the local tap selection rotates, and the menu has enough range to anchor a full afternoon. Swami’s surf break is just up the road; the train runs along the coast a hundred yards away; and the sunset here over the Pacific is the finest free show in North County.
