We had the good fortune of connecting with Julio Sanchez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Julio, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My wife’s parents built a duplex in Cardiff-by-the-Sea; it was their home and the last place they lived. After they passed away, we came up with the idea to renovate and refurbish the condos to create a complex of luxury vacation rentals. My wife’s dream was to share with others the place built and loved by her parents.

The duplex was pretty old, so we had a lot of brainstorming, lengthy discussions, and a lot of planning since we were entirely new to the renovating and redesigning process. It was challenging but very rewarding as our condos are now featured in home decor magazines and used in various TV shows.

This is our business right now: renting our three beautifully designed vacation rentals close to the stunning California beach areas and world-famous surf spots.

What should our readers know about your business?
What differentiates us from similar businesses is that we designed and created our vacation rentals to offer a cozy home away from home feeling. We rent all three houses to tourists – couples, families, surfers – but also for professional travelers like the military, nurses, or corporate employees.

When people book our vacation rentals, I love to create a well-set itinerary for their stay in our picturesque beach town. I look up everything that’s going on in and around Cardiff-by-the-Sea, from Carlsbad to the lively city of San Diego. Then, I send out emails to our clients with lists of all points of interest in the area: local eateries, craft breweries, small gift shops, and fun daytime and nighttime activities.

At Cardiff Vacations, we do everything in our power to make our guests’ vacation experiences enjoyable and unforgettable. We welcome guests from all over the world and have built friendships with many of them over the years.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are several pristine beaches in and around Cardiff-by-the-Sea, each with its unique beauty. Swami’s Beach is definitely a must-visit place, famous for being an exceptional surfing spot. The beach has shaded areas where you can enjoy a picnic with friends and family; there are great eateries and cafes just a short walk north on Highway 101.

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is another excellent place to visit. It is within San Diego city limits but remains one of the wildest, untouched stretches of land on the SoCal coast. The reserve, home to several species of threatened plants, animals, habitats, and unique geological formations, spreads over 1,500 acres of land.

I also recommend visiting the renowned Self Realization Fellowship Hermitage & Meditation Gardens. The peaceful, lush gardens overlooking the Pacific, full of stunning plants and trees, offer serene, quiet spots where visitors can relax, meditate, or simply contemplate the breathtaking scenery. The San Diego Botanical Gardens, the Carlsbad-based Legoland California Resort, and the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve are other must-see places when visiting Cardiff-by-the-Sea.

The area boasts dozens of craft breweries; after all, we are a few miles from San Diego, the Craft Beer Capital. A brewery tour of the area’s best breweries would be a fun way to explore the local craft beer scene. As for dining options, there are many restaurants with fresh local seafood and fantastic ocean views, such as the Pacific Coast Grill, Ki’s Restaurant on Coast Highway 101, and the Herbs & Sea near Moonlight Beach in Encinitas.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutout to Kitchy Crouse, the founder and owner of KC Interior Design, who did an exceptional job helping us transform an old duplex into a contemporary, stylish complex of vacation rentals.

The houses were redesigned and renovated, room by room. The result is the Parkhouse-Penthouse duplex, a newly remodeled 3-story vacation rental with custom furnishings, spa-like bathrooms, fully equipped kitchens, and large decks.

Website: https://www.cardiffvacations.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cardiffvacations/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CardiffVacations/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl7a-thUJGAB-tDyQRZexUg

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