Van camped on Silver Strand State Beach during a hurricane.. and boy was it a wild ride…read more This small beach sits on a peninsula in San Diego. It's so far down the coast you can actually spot the lights of Tijuana on your way in. While the trip didn't last long (the weather wasn't very kind) this campsite was impressive. They have access to clean water, bathrooms, and a direct view of the ocean. I really couldn't ask for more. Important to note: The road to the campsite is shut down around 8pm for security reasons. Once the entry to the road is locked, it's around a mile walk to the site itself. This was walk pretty miserable in pouring rain, so I wouldn't suggest Ubering to bars at night. Otherwise, I'd highly recommend this white sandy beach and site for anyone looking for a quick/easy getaway.

Well I'll start by saying I was unaware of the sewage issue before coming and I'm a little in shock…read morethere are signs posted to warn people when making reservations. Thankfully , we don't swim in the ocean so we are marked safe from the doo-doo . Pricing for beach front was $85 water and electric , no sewage (go figure). You're literally on the beach so we loved that with the view . Staff here needs work.. we were surprised by how rude and dismissive she was. When we arrived she said were too early ( we were THREE minutes early ). I said isn't it almost time ? She snapped at me with "ya well there nobody here to check you in so either wait in line or go park over there" and then walked away . So if you're coming here , just know you'll have to wait in line until the EXACT time. I've been camping since I was a baby and I've never experienced such strict regulations . Other than that , spaces are small so I wouldn't recommend a large trailer . But it was great for three days !

Utterly disappointing. We had to fight tons of traffic and people to get there, which would have…read morebeen ok if even ONE of the sandcastles was worth crawling for an hour and walking a mile to get to. I hopped out of the car like a kid about to go to the candy store...so excited...only to have my hopes dashed by blobs of sand so nondescript that I couldn't even guess what I was seeing despite angling my head various ways for different perspectives. Ok, a few I could actually identify but again so not worth the drive (if you can call 5 mph that) and walk. Even the food vendor area was unappealing. The lines were so long that it really deterred me from buying anything but a lemonade and that was only because I was dying of thirst from my trek to the beach. Many people were grimy from playing at the beach all day, forgetting to apply deodorant, or God knows what else. Pushing and shoving our way back to the car was no small feat, and getting out of Imperial Beach was nothing short of a miracle. It took us literally an hour and 50 minutes to go from Imperial Beach to Coronado. By then my lemonade was pushing to make a nature's call and I had to just suffer through the torturously slow crawl to Coronado. No offense, sand guys, I know some of you worked hard but maybe I was just expecting too much. This event sounds like a great idea but execution sucked. I suggest that you come with ultra low expectations and maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised. Or, better yet, don't come at all. Just watch the highlights on tv if you really feel like it.

Well, it would not be summer in Imperial Beach without the Sandcastle Contest! The largest event of…read moreits kind in the world, this US/ Imperial Beach Sandcastle Competition kicks off this past weekend with a dance and continues with live music, food, vendor exhibits, and culminating with the actual sandcastle competition on Sunday-when the official US Open Sandcastle Competition will be held. This is where the professional sand carvers vie for the title of Master's Champion, and walk away with a hefty prize check for their troubles. This is how big a deal this Sandcastle business is-professional and amateur sand carving teams throughout the U.S. compete in the sandcastle building competition with more than $21,000 in cash prizes. The weekend festivities culminate with the judges decision and the Sandcastle winners are presented with their titles and cash prizes. It is a very exciting time at the beach. The Sandcastle competition first began in 1980 after a group of Imperial Beach residents were inspired by a similar event held in British Columbia. The first U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition 30 years ago attracted about 30,000 attendees. This year is expected to see about 300,000 people crowd this charming little beach town. When I used to live in Imperial Beach, I was in the thick of all the action. The annual Sandcastle Parade went right down the street by my front door. It was awesome to be able to sit on your front steps and watch crazy KUSI's John Coleman sitting in a mustang and waving right at you. The fireworks show every year at the beach was always exciting for the kids. Even though the beaches were well beyond crowded and parking was at a premium, it was always a fun time. That has not changed over the years. It is still wild and wooly trying to park anywhere near the beach during this hectic weekend. I think budgetary restraints have put a stop to the parade and fireworks show. However, the beach is still action-packed with extraordinary creations. It is always fun to go and see the creativity of these Sandcastle teams-I love walking up-and-down the beach and gawking at how wonderfully detailed the artistic sand sculptures can get. Unfortunately the next high tide makes short shrift of all that awesome sand work. Yes-expect crowds and jostling. It can be tiresome fighting your way down Imperial Beach Blvd.to the beach shuttle stop at Mar Vista High. But what's summer without a little sand-castling action? Imperial Beach gets a bad name often enough for ocean pollution that is Tijuana's fault and all the small-town political hi-jinks that occur. For one brief summer weekend, Imperial Beach gets to shine in the sun...and the sand. 1 YELP STAR off for miserable traffic in-and-out of the event.

This park has a lot to offer. From various baseball/softball fields, bleachers, benches,…read moreplayground, skateboard park, recreation center, two bathroom areas, concession stand, and car charging posts. The parking has got to be the worse. Crickety looking in some areas and not enough parking stalls anywhere around the park. During games - depending which field you're playing on- parking is minimal. You may find yourself parking across the street by the high school, houses and apartments. Best you arrive early, especially during games and special events. The park is too tight and constricted. The playground is about the only area that has good amount of space, open setting and modern playground equipment. Good park overall

The old Kiki's on Coronado ask for Alexander is tremendous, and his family is adorable and…read morefantastic food. Please go and visit.

The food were delicious. Our server was helpful. Monday is an all day Happy Hour. We've enjoyed our…read morefood.

Large, uncrowded beach, south of San Diego with plenty of free parking…read more We came on a Thursday afternoon and was able to find free street parking on Seacoast Drive, which runs parallel. Being that it was unseasonably cool, and a weekday, the beach was empty, except for a few folks/families that were leisurely walking. Saw the Pier, but didn't have a chance to walk on it..assuming it was being used for fishing. There seemed to be a semi-permanent sign warning folks not to swim in the water because of sewage contamination..didn't see anybody touching the water at all.

Great pier with plenty of room for a day of fishing. The bathroom access was great. Having a good…read morekitchen at the end of the pier is super convenient.

Am I able to edit reviews? I will update this once my dad and I finally catch a fish.read more

This beach deserves more credit. It is unfortunate that it has to contend with the pollution and…read moresewer water from down south. It's a very nice beach with a great pier. Dogs are allowed in the beach area but must be on a leach but not on the beach between Imperial Beach Blvd. to Palm. Fire rings are available. There is not much of a boardwalk available here. Life guard stations are available and a public bathroom as well.

Imperial Beach is a hidden gem with a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere. The beach is beautiful, the…read moresunsets are amazing, and the pier offers stunning ocean views. A perfect spot to unwind, take a peaceful walk, and enjoy the Southern California coast. We'll definitely be back!

Glorietta Bay Marina is usually pretty busy in the summer time with party boats (mostly…read morebachelorette parties every Saturday/Sunday). It's a very peaceful yet popular spot for water activities. I've paddle boarded and kayaked here and usually the people on watercraft (motorized or non) are respectful of one another. There was only one other time when two yachts were speeding past me on each side and my paddleboard didn't handle the wake well. I fell into the water. I was fine and got back on my board. It is pretty deep here so if you're not comfortable or don't have a life vest, I'd recommend going elsewhere. Parking lot gets really crowded in the summertime and it's difficult to find a spot near the boat launch. There is usually a line of trucks waiting to drop in/load up their jetskis/boats.

This portion of The bay is beautiful. There is a public boat laugh and Seaforth rentals where you…read morecan rent boats to access the rest of the bay. The area is very clean and never as busy as some of the other areas to access the bay. There are also many different private boats docked here that are always fun to check out. I would definitely recommend giving this area a try if your launching or renting.