Discover Imperial Beach Beaches
San Diego's South Bay Playground
Imperial Beach Beaches Basics
Surfing, Fishing, Wildlife and More
Located in San Diego's South Bay region, and the southernmost beach town in California, Imperial Beach is just five miles north of the Mexico border, and includes a 4-mile stretch of beach offering a host of activities including great surfing, sport fishing, beach volleyball and horseback riding along the coast. The Imperial Beach pier provides sweeping views of the Los Coronados Islands and is a popular spot for strolling, pier fishing and watching the sunset. Imperial Beach is connected to Coronado by way of the Silver Strand, a narrow, 7 mile long isthmus, popular for camping, bird watching and bicycling.
What to Know
- Steer clear of the beaches close to the border as they can be unsuitable for swimming due to large, hazardous surf, lack of permanent lifeguards and contamination from the Tijuana River.
What to Love
- Imperial Beach is home to 370 species of birds and considered one of the best birding areas in Southern California.
- Visit the Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center for maps of public trail systems and guided tours of the area.
- Nearby Living Coast Discovery Center is a low cost aquarium experience for families.
The bike path that runs from Imperial Beach to Coronado provides beautiful views of southern San Diego bay, the salt flats and Silver Strand State Beach.
Where to Go
- The Pier in Imperial Beach, a few blocks south of Evergreen Avenue is a popular spot for beach-goers, with grassy parks, recreational facilities, shopping and eateries in the area.
- Tijuana River National Estuary for great birdwatching.
- I.B. Outdoor Surf Museum, a public art project located in and around the pier. Below the 10 surfboard benches, look for the plaques that tell the story of what surfing means to the community.
Services
Lifeguards
- The area around the Pier has year-around lifeguard service.
Bathrooms & Showers
- Amenities are available at the beaches around the pier.
Directions & Parking
Directions
- From the I-5 freeway, exit Palm Avenue west, left on Seacoast Drive. The Imperial Beach Pier is a few blocks south at the foot of Evergreen Avenue.
Parking
- A mixed bag of street parking in residential neighborhoods and some public lots are also available.