Imperial Beach

Welcome to Imperial Beach

Laid-back beach town at the southern end of California.

Imperial Beach is the southernmost beach town in California. This laid-back San Diego County city is located just five miles from the Mexican border and Downtown Tijuana. Imperial Beach has four miles of idyllic sandy beachfront and enjoys a great climate that is remarkable even by California's high standards. The city averages 323 days of sunshine each year and temperatures rarely break above the low 80s during the summer or below 60 in the winter. Housing options in Imperial Beach mostly consist of attractive single-family homes built in the 20th century. There are also some townhouses and condominium developments as well as luxurious coastal properties at the high end of the market.

What to Love

Four miles of beachfront
Local bars and restaurants
Residential community
One of America's best surf breaks

People & Lifestyle

Imperial Beach's gorgeous coastline attracts visitors from other areas during the summer. The completion of the $22 million Pier South Resort in 2013 has increased tourism in the city but Imperial Beach is still mostly a residential community. Given its close proximity to the Mexican border, it's little surprise that Imperial Beach is one of the most culturally diverse cities in San Diego County.

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

Imperial Beach has lots of great bars and restaurants dotted along the oceanfront and Palm Avenue. SEA180 serves innovative seafood dishes in a refined setting with mesmerizing ocean views. Mike Hess Brewing offers an extensive selection of local craft beers in a lively beachside location with a dog-friendly beer garden. Regular events at Mike Hess Brewing include live music performances and trivia nights. Close to the pier, Brigantine is a relaxed surf & 'n' turf favorite with specialties including fish tacos and oysters on the half shell. The Tin Fish is a casual spot serving fish tacos, oyster po' boys, burgers, and chicken dishes at the end of the pier. Palm Avenue runs east to west from the oceanfront through the heart of Imperial Beach. The diverse eateries here include authentic Mexican restaurant El Tapatio, Filippi's Pizza Grotto for delicious pizzas and other classic Italian dishes, and Siam Imperial Thai Kitchen for flavorful Southeast Asian fare.

Things to Do

The four-mile sandy stretch of Imperial Beach City Beach is a popular spot for surfing, fishing, beach volleyball, and sunbathing. Imperial Beach Pier extends 1,491 feet into the Pacific Ocean. Visitors can fish from the pier or take a stroll and enjoy incredible views out to Los Coronados Islands. To the south, the Tijuana River National Estuary has a visitor center and bird watching trails where you can see 370 distinct bird species. Border Field State Park straddles the Mexican border in the southwest corner of the estuary, making it the southernmost beach in the entire United States. Close to the mouth of the Tijuana River, the Boca Rio surf break has been named as one of the best surf breaks in the United States. The Imperial Beach Outdoor Surfboard Museum lines Palm Avenue with steel surfboard outlines illustrating the evolution of surfboards since the 1930s. Imperial Beach hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the IB Sun & Sea Festival in July. The highlight of this annual festival is a sandcastle competition where world-class sculptors craft incredible creations. The festival begins with a pancake breakfast and includes a kids zone, food vendors, and live music.

Schools

Imperial Beach is served by the South Bay Union School District.