Ugly but cool. A San Diego icon. The Cardiff Kook. On day one of our camping trip at San Elijo State Beach, someone had dressed the Kook as the "Rock Doctor". A simple costume comprised of a rock on top of his head and a stethoscope around his neck. On day two, fans of Scotland's World Cup soccer team had gotten to him. A bit more elaborate this time. He was adorned in a kilt and he was holding a sign that read "Scotland!" The orange construction cone over his head was odd, but whatever. The Cardiff Kook is a must see. read more

The Cardiff Kook - The Cardiff Kook as the "Rock Doctor". - Surfing Near Me - Encinitas, California

A goofy fun San Diegan thing. Random people dress up this statue with themes relating to whatever the latest holiday is, hot topic, news or controversial issue is in society. Basically this statue gets bombed with costumes. It's known as the Cardiff Kook. Always fun to look over to see what this Kook is dressed up as while driving along the coast. Today is the 4th of July so the Kook is dressed accordingly. Happy bday America from the Cardiff Kook! Mel M Yelp 17:72 read more

The Cardiff Kook - Happy 4th of July from the Cardiff Kook! - Surfing Near Me - Encinitas, California

Where do I begin? I love the Kook! The controversy surrounding the Kook has elements of Drama that I find entertaining. Magic Carpet Ride, known worldwide as the Cardiff Kook has been in many altercations due to his pathetic surfing ability. He looks more like a novice ballerina than a surfer and would certainly faceplant into the wave in real life. After his installation, critics blasted artist Matthew Antichevich for failing to research his subject and creating a sculpture of a limp wristed novice surfer doing the "Stink Bug" maneuver. But the unexpected happened. Artists and sculptors dressed Kooky up and he became a local hero! Some of the best pranks include Jaws, a Dinosaur Display and a massige octopus. He has had many outfits, some of them so great that the New York Times even wrote an article about this small town sculpture. I love seeing him all dressed up and get excited when somebody takes the time to do it right. But with all of the attention that he gets, there are some vultures that try to steal Kooky's pop culture glory for their own agenda. Businesses have used him for advertising and some low quality installations have tarnished our cherished kook and I fear that the city might take the vandalism more seriously if people don't stop being stupidheads. Locals and tourists alike love to make fun of our kook, let's unite and keep him classy. read more

The Cardiff Kook - Kooky Santa in 2014 - Surfing Near Me - Encinitas, California

I know there used to be a lot of controversy regarding the Kook and how his hands are positioned all wrong. I always felt sorry for the artist and wondered how hurt his feelings must be when everyone starting squawking about the hand position or how the waves looked etc. Now the Kook is a cultural phenomenon and has been featured in news reports all around the world. Why you ask because apparently some residents have been having a bunch of fun dressing the Kook up in wild and crazy outfits to celebrate certain holidays, people's birthdays, world events, their favorite charity, etc etc. I would have to say my favorite was either the paper mache shark or the dinosaur exhibit. Now there is even a Cardiff Kook run. When will it all stop? I hope never. I always look forward to seeing what the Kook will be wearing every time I pass by. I'm gonna be expecting the Kook to be dressed up with red hair, big boobs and a big mouth on my 50th. My friends better get a planning. read more

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Oh Cardiff Kook you have made a memory in my heart forever! The day we didn't go to the races and ended up kicking it with you will forever be etched in my head. Pictures of silly people next to you captured in my camera and posted while tipsy is definitely priceless. I love that you are conveniently located by a beautiful beach and the restrooms as well as across the street from VG donuts and a bar. Who am I kidding I love you. Thank you for making this lady a little happier when she sees you and remembers the great day we almost went to the races! read more

The Cardiff Kook - Oh hai it's a cheezy self shot ;-) - Surfing Near Me - Encinitas, California

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You can always tell the latest style, holiday, rage or riot simply by scoping on the Kook. Hell, he may even announce someone's birthday! Hollywood may possess the lion's share of imaginative whackos but they don't have anything on the kooky surfer-inspired whackiness down in Cardiff. Long Live the Kook! read more

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What a wonderful magical piece of love! People take great care of kook! Dressed in all sorts of styles! Loved read more

The kooks outfit is ever changing, and kudos to all those who go through the trouble of dressing him up! Annnnnnnnnnnd the Cardiff Kook is also a pokemon gym lol. So if you're camping there at San Elijo and feel the need to fight some pokemon, the statue works out just fine. read more

The Cardiff Kook - Happy Birthday whoever this was for! - Surfing Near Me - Encinitas, California

It's not the biggest statue, nor does it even look like a ballerina. Is it supposed to be some surfer or something, sheesh! But it is pretty cool how he gets dressed up by all sorts of people to send a message. The best to date is when he was in the jaws of monstrous shark, that thing was huge! That's what she said! It's just around the corner to some of my favorite food spots, Sambazon, East Coast Pizza, VG Donuts, and the Seaside Market, so add to your route on your GPS and say you did it. That's what I said! read more

The Cardiff Kook - 2011 Christmas Kook - Surfing Near Me - Encinitas, California

The Cardiff Kook is the bomb! Every holiday-both big and small-someone goes out to that statue and decks it out! It is so popular and such a big hit in the coastal North County community, that the Cardiff Kook now has his own 2012 calender for sale. The Kook will soon have to deck it out with the Surfing Madonna who will hopefully be put up soon hear the entrance to Moonlight Beach, once the city of Encinitas and the State park & Rec okay it. From www.signonsandiego.com: "In the four years since sculptor Matthew Antichevich installed him on a stretch of Highway 101 in Encinitas, the statue officially known as "Magic Carpet Ride" and unofficially known as "The Cardiff Kook" has been a blank canvas for creative types who use costumes, props and even painted backdrops to create guerilla-art scenarios starring the multitalented bronze surfer. This year was no exception. In 2011, the Kook dressed up like Michael Jackson, dabbled in public-art controversy and came very close to being eaten by a pterodactyl." For Christmas, someone shoved a dolphin with a Santa hat underneath the Kook so it looks like he is surfing a stuffed animal. 1 YELP STAR was deducted for problematic parking and crowding in the Kook gawking area right outside the San Elijo State Beach campground. Many snipe that the Kook looks somewhat effeminate, not athletic or macho enough and more like a ballet dancer. I would tend to agree but who really cares when the Kook is really just a tabula rosa for people to decorate and have fun with. BTW, the Cardiff Kook 2012 quickly sold out but more are on order and will soon be available again online. read more

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Love this guy, I mean he is an icon for locals. Every time I pass by him he is dressed to represent someone or something. I mean he is the kook, he is a man that will always be solid by your side, takes great selfies and never judges what your wearing because his outfits might be worse. I enjoyed learning more about the history of this guy, and his presence every time I drive by. read more

The Cardiff Kook - He got tp - Surfing Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Cardiff Kook, how could you ever get less than 5 stars?! I love seeing you almost daily as I drive through the coastal hood-you wild and crazy guy, always wearing something ridiculous. What's not to love? What's a kook you ask? Well! according to Urban Dictionary: Kook 1. someone posing very hard as a surfer or skateboarder. 2. someone that goes to every surfing or skateboarding event to hangout, compile pictures, start conversations, and generally be seen with real surfers or skateboarders. "Dude, did you see that kook trying to drop in on me the other day?" To that I say... 1: Yes he IS posing very hard. He is a statue. Duh. 2: Although he doesn't travel much, there's a ton of pictures of him. As a conversation starter I'd have to say.. well... duh. He has his own Yelp page. I've seen quite a few REAL surfers around him too. Popular guy. Interesting Kook Facts: He is 16 feet high Made of bronze He has no actual "surf"... the society that commissioned it ran out of money. It cost 120,000 bucksish He has two websites: TheCardiffKook.info & http://thecardiffkook.org/ read more

The Cardiff kook reminds me why I live in California. It's on the coast highway and stands as homage to the SoCal lifestyle. It can be seen from the road if you're driving by but there's a path you can walk to get some great pictures. My favorite part is how the locals decorate the statue for occasions from birthdays to graduations and any other thing that needs a celebration. Stop by to see a north county legend! read more

The Cardiff Kook - Graduation time - Surfing Near Me - Encinitas, California

It's always fun to see how its decorated. The best part for me is that if I'm near the Kook I'm near the beach!

The Cardiff Kook was placed in 2007, and it is always draped with outrageous costumes usually pointing to some news events of the week. Today was a little lame with just streamers off warriors parts of the surfer's body. Here are some pictures from previous weeks and years: http://thecardiffkook.org/ read more

Located on the West side of the Coast Highway. It's fun to drive by and see this surfer dude up there for all to see. It's kind of funny when they dress him up or do something fun and festive. I remember seeing the Kook being eaten by a shark. That was funny! read more

Puts a smile on my face as I am commuting to work. Nothing better than turning on the 101 on your way to work and seeing a new interpretation of the kook. Locals like to use the statue as community art. There are few places that have the same local touchstone art, most recently seen is little girl statue in Telluride, CO. read more

I love and look forward to my weekend dates with the Kook! He is my running start/end and my excitement is not only is he known as "The Kook", but he's a surfer and there's almost always and antic that someone has put on him. He is my running and SD highlight. read more

How have I not reviewed this. I live close to the Cardiff Kook. I like when people decorate him/her with different stuff. It's annoying when people say they're embarrassed to drive by the Cardiff Kook. read more