Imperial Beach is a hidden gem with a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere. The beach is beautiful, the sunsets 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! read more

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This beach deserves more credit. It is unfortunate that it has to contend with the pollution and sewer 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. read more

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IB is one of my favorite hidden gems in all of sd. For one, it's lowkey, not overly crowded like most of the city. There's a nice long pier, beach, shops, and restaurants nearby for people to enjoy. This place has a special place in my heart! I've been coming here for years and it never disappoints. There's also a small playground for the kiddos to enjoy nearby. Just be advised from the signs and don't swim in the water. That's the only downside is not being able to swim here due to the contamination of the water in TJ. read more

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A nice beach to take a walk, it was a little bit of a drive to get here, but you get to see a lot of things a long the way like Coronado Beach, the bridge and Silver Strand State Beach, etc I would say park right by the statue called Spirit of Imperial Beach if you can, then stroll around, not a crowded beach which I like, if you have handicap parking, perfect to find a spot. read more

One of the most used places here in San Diego that has a long line of history to the years of the history that the Imperial Beach has. For the manyany years that of the many changes the City of Imperial Beach has turned to be one of the hazardous area. For the many that think of the city of Imperial Beach the years of the the surfers and the kids on the beach for that will not be anymore . Taking a trip out to the Imperial Beach area was one that of the things on the news yet I wanted to see it first hand. When I had arrived in Imperial Beach the beach was bare. For this is one of the largest problems here in San Diego to see a Biological Chemical Sewage Spill that has polluted the the water to see the do not enter the water signs that is dangerous.Takibg q walk from the bus stop at the front of the entry to the price you could smell the chemicals and the sewage that has polluted the air and the water. I was looking to see more people when I walked the pier I could smell it he chemicals the sewage which floats in the ocean. Seeing many businesses that have left and some have closed the many chemicals that have polluted the air that made me dizzy on the pier having to get off the pier any longer I could feel myself getting sick from being at the Imperial Beach area Asa Yelp Elite Reviewer for the many places that I've traveled to I've seen those area from Mount Saint Helens and the Grand Canyon. For this is one of the most horrible that the City of Imperial Beach is Getting Sick . read more

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Imperial Beach is known for its 3.5 miles of uncrowded, white sand beaches and big waves. Set off with a magnificent wooden pier and views of both downtown San Diego and the Coronado Islands, Imperial Beach is ideal for swimming, jogging, sunbathing, world-class surfing, and sand castle building. We loved walking on the sandy beach for a long time, enjoying the view of the surfers and people relaxing on the sand. There was ample parking and restaurants and retail shops in close proximity to the beach, one can pick up a quick picnic lunch or dine in a restaurant with an ocean view. Just a nice relaxing beach and town to chill..... read more

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It's too bad Imperial Beach can't keep their holiday lights on all year long. As the winter season arrives, the excitement of Christmas and all the stuff that goes along with it, gets me hyped up. Alas, the holiday has arrived at Imperial Beach. Not exactly Hallmark standards, but hey, Imperial Beach has lights and a Christmas tree that's lit Nice read more

Imperial Beach - 516pm past sunset - Beaches Near Me - Imperial Beach, California

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Beautiful beach, and great place to relax and sleep lol. Loved it hard to find parking but once you do you'll enjoy.

I just love this city and watching how its come along. I started renting back in 2008 and ended up purchasing in 2013. The parks are large and vast, my kids favorite is Veterans but the skate park is so nicely done and well maintained. I love the schools and there's so much to do in this city. It's quiet at night and very low on crime. read more

Imperial Beach - Beaches Near Me - Imperial Beach, California

The beach was beautiful but kids playing baseball by the parking was uncomfortable. Pretty jam packed area, but the waves are great. Good for a 1 time visit. read more

I haven't gone into the water but beach itself but the grounds were clean. Individuals and families of all ages were enjoying the gorgeous day. Clean and pleasant! read more

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IB has really come along way over the last few years. I come here a few times a year to get away from stress, to relax, and spend time with family and friends. Plus, I love the Ocean, the sound of the sea, and wet sand below my toes!! The Pier is a wonderful site to see while visiting this beach. A few nice shops and restaurants are also near this beach along with a couple breweries if you like fresh beer! Many of the condos have been updated and remodeled and there is now an upscale Autograph Hotel with wonderful restaurant close to the pier. On Thursdays they have a farmers market where you may buy homemade crafts or buy fresh produce. Other activities take place that are great for families year round, in this park-like setting. For the most part, it's less crowded than many other beaches in San Diego. They provide life guards during the summer months. I do suggest you check the water quality before you go, since being close to the border, it sometimes is not healthy due to bacteria content. But, most times, it hasn't been a problem for me. Today is beautiful here, and I will enjoy my walk on the beach, and take a dip to cool off if I wish. I will be back..Life's a Beach!!! read more

Imperial Beach - Beaches Near Me - Imperial Beach, California

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It is a good stretch of beach with free 2 hour parking or meter options. Across the street are a few eateries and drinking spots. Laid back area. read more

Imperial Beach - Beaches Near Me - Imperial Beach, California

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So. I'm not a NATIVE San Diegian, but I mean I've been here for almost three decades, I am *almost* native. I am not new to IB. I've been here many a times. I am sup familiar with the water warning. I've violated it often. This week tho....... actual raw sewage. I saw TP. You know that stuff folks were fist fighting over a few months ago. Yah. It was floating in the water. So, beautiful to look out. Just. Don't go in right now. Listen to the lifeguards. We were at the beach for four days, here was the best lifeguard announcement, "Raw Sewage (heavy sigh), lifeguard recommends exiting now, (long pause), wash with fresh water" So. Go for the sunrise or sunset. Stay out of the water. No one needs to get extra sick during a pandemic, or ((eww)) swallow poop. read more

Imperial Beach - Beaches Near Me - Imperial Beach, California

Love this little town. If you want to get away from the crowds this place it'll do it. Why the 3 stars, the beach was a let down. If the water from Mexico is bad it also pollutes the water at imperial beach. We didn't know this and when we booked our hotel close by to do some beach time, we found out the water was bad and can't swim. Yuck! But if you're not planning on touching the water, definitely go because it's still beautiful. Friendly people and lots of local foods to try! read more

I feel like Imperial Beach is one of the best kept secrets in California. The beach is never crowded. The restaurants are never crowded and it is a great place to just sit back and relax. They are many houses to rent now for the weekend or week long vacation, or even for a month. Since the beach is never crowded, you always have a good eye on your children. read more

Imperial Beach - August 2023 - Beaches Near Me - Imperial Beach, California

Imperial beach is a good beach to go to soak in some sun all through out the year in Americas finest city! Parking is easily accessible with numerous parking spots all along the strip for your parking needs. They even have paid parking as well in a lot but I would recommend driving the extra minute or 2 to find that free parking. The strip is laced up with restaurants, bars, and coffee shops for all your dining needs. They even have outdoor markets on certain days of the week. You can also take the silver strand from the beach to get to Coronado island where either you cross the bridge or take the beautiful stip. The beach is super close to Mexico waters and if you go further down you can see the dividend. What I like about the beach is the fishing pier they have where you can walk all they way down the pier with your rod and bait and catch some fish! They have a lot of mackerel and many other Pacific coast fish! The sand is decent where you can pull out your sand toys and build nice sand castles or get buried under the sand soaking in that gorgeous sun. The beach is also a great place to go even during December where the breezes are nice and cool and very refreshing! They have a little children's park at the front of the pier where kids can run around and play on the bouncy little animals and also have a full park right up the street. Great beach with scenic views and a lovely fishing pier for all your fishing needs. Get here early or come late since the pier can get crowded with fisherman trying to catch that big catch in this be lovely beach! read more

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SOFT SAND AND CRASHING WAVES Chasing sun.sets at the most southern part of California a human can legally go without crossing into another country. Going lengths to get that prefect Instagram story... doing it for the "gram" and "yelp". The beach location that I'm referring to is the furthest south you can go on Seacoast Drive. It ends at a small parking lot and the ocean front is parallel to the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge Shoreline. Only people there are a few surfers, few photographers, and a handful of sun.set chasers (me included). I'm a sucker for sun.sets!!! 1. Away from tourist 2. Hidden within its own neighborhood 3. Beautiful views 4. Very clean beach Until the next chase... read more

If you want to walk and gawk at the water, cool. This beach has a private vibe and parking isn't impossible but I can't get over the idea that I'm looking at a huge sewer. I'm sure the locals are all familiar with the Tijuana runoff but I can't hold my dry heaves back when I see kids splashing around in the water despite all the yellow warning signs. Reading saves lives. Please stay out of the water. If you want to sport around, travel far up Northern San Diego where all the pee and poo and pharmaceuticals and vomit gets diluted. read more

Our second time here. Kids love the playground. Saturday afternoon & amazingly not crowded. Maybe cause people don't wanna drive so far south. Lots of new & trendy bars & restaurants in the area. Parking can be tough. For sure we will be going to Imperial Beach more this summer. Good job to the developers & businesses in improving this area. Salute. read more

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Love this beach! Super secluded which I enjoy sometimes! The water is so beautiful! You're at the edge of California at this beach! Mexico is literally on the other side! Great beach for kids and dogs! Always a go to spot when I'm in the San Diego area! read more

Imperial Beach - Beaches Near Me - Imperial Beach, California

My favorite beaches are further north. In Encinitas. Oceanside. Huntington Beach. Even Long Beach can make for a decent sun-filled stay sometimes. But I have grown to enjoy this beach -- the southern most beach on the west side of the country before hitting the U.S.-Mexico border. In fact, you can see parts of Mexico from the beach. A highly populated Tijuana coastal line. Imperial Beach stands in sharp contrast, with a modest row of beach homes and what appears, on many days, to be an underutilized dining and shopping hub. In comparison to what? Venice Beach, Santa Monica, Hermosa, La Jolla Cove for example. In all the times I have been there -- weekdays and weekends; holidays and not -- Imperial has presented a wonderful, quiet reprieve. Parking is always easy to find, as is a sizable seat on the beach. It's a draw for folks with families and people in their young adulthood for certain. But it doesn't get obnoxiously loud or crowded. It seems always easy to find a spot just out of earshot of the music and laughter of the family over. And I appreciate the mostly sandy shores. The shoreline isn't piled with stones, so its an easy -- albeit, long -- wade into the water without abusing your previous feet. And, bonus, the beach is adjacent to the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve (part of the massive Tijuana River Watershed), which is great for animal watching. There's even a lovely boardwalk, but bring a foldout chair. No permanent seating is offered. read more

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Super cute beach. Not as nice as La Jolla or Torrey Pines but I liked the vibes and the beach reminded me of Huntington Beach.

Great beach, never too over crowded when we come. Great ice cream shop right. Eat the pier, life guards are present, volleyball nets, and park near by for kids. Downside tons of seaweed at times and current can be very strong at high tide. My family has a blast every year. read more

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The beach is nice but I was unable to go in the water on my trip in August . I can't say if it's better now but there were warning signs everywhere regarding bacteria. Apparently there is sewage spilling over from A plant in Mexico as the town boarders the country. read more

There are lifeguard at every beach stations, it's just a place to relax. You certainly will enjoy the sea breezes, and the oceans wave at this area. read more

Imperial Beach - Beaches Near Me - Imperial Beach, California

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Beautiful and peaceful beach. I has tons of fun shooting here. The rock is very unique and perfect for photos. read more

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Imperial Beach is absolutely beautiful. You can stay there all day and just look out over the serene calm beach and waters. However after a rain you can't go into the water for at least 72 hours because of raw sewage runoff from Tijuana. And I wouldn't advise taking your dog because one they can't go on the beach except for a certain spots and to the aforementioned raw sewage issue. But it's a great place to just go and chill. read more

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I haven't been to this beach in years since all the beaches I prefer to go to are in North County, I am a regular at Carlsbad state beaches and even Oceanside's, but we were in the area and came here to have a family day. It was a nice beach, the sand is soft, not too crowded, and the bathrooms aren't bad. There's a playground nearby for the kids and there's shops and the pier nearby for you to enjoy as well. I was thoroughly impressed with how clean the beach is compared to some of the other southern beaches I've been to. read more

Worth the 5 hour drive to spend the weekend. Came just in time to watch the sunset. We were blessed to find a parking spot right up front that was 20 steps from the beach. Easy to get in and out and not crowded. read more

Imperial Beach - Beaches Near Me - Imperial Beach, California

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Very nice and clean beach to swim, surf or picnic. I hardly find it super crowded though the park next to it can be sometimes. Annual sand sculptures competition is also held here. A few shops next to the restrooms are also situated. And there are, otherwise, a road full of restaurants and shops. There is street parking, a little parking area with very affordable rates. But if it's busy then one has to find around residential. read more

Great beach to chill during the day. Great, soft sand, overall clean except for the washed up seaweed. There's also the pier with an ice cream shop you can visit with the family. Bathrooms have metal toilets but it's not bad. 2 outdoor shower stations. It's more of a family beach, but I went solo and it was really nice and relaxing still. It's not as beautiful or tame as La Jolla or Coronado beach, but I agree that's it's underrated! read more

Imperial Beach - Voted as most underrated beaches in SD Union Tribune - Beaches Near Me - Imperial Beach, California

What a nice calm and quiet beach with soft sand and a calm ocean! I loved it and I went when the sun was setting - so peaceful. When it gets warmer, I definitely want to go back and soak in all the sun! Parking was decent and had lots of restaurant options! read more

One of the great beaches in San Diego county. I went here with a friend that was showing me around the parts of where he frequents. We went here in the middle of the day so for us, it wasn't really that crowded. We came back the same week or so to a different part of the beach and it was a bit more crowded, but overall not like Mission Beach for example. The sand and water was overall clean and serene. So as the bonfire pits. We had absolutely no problems with parking and I plan on making a lot of memories here with family and friends! read more

It's not Cornado and it's not trying to be. We selected IB for a chill vacation and that is exactly what we got. It's not pretentious or crowded. It's a beach and we had a great vacation. If you want nightlife or lots of shopping this isn't your spot. If you want a relaxing chill beach this is your spot read more

This is a pretty great beach. The one thing I hate about California beaches is the "no drinking" law. Now I'm a law abiding citizen and don't try to sneak alcohol in a cooler to go to the beach. However, people not too far from me were clearly yelling "Shot!!" and drinking. They were sitting in front of a lifeguard post and when two officers that work for the sheriffs department came over guess what happened? They chatted with them for 30 min and didn't take away their bottle of liquor like I thought they were going to. The people continued to be loud and obnoxious after the police left. Is this what my tax dollars that strip me of half my paycheck go to? read more