About This Beach
Imperial Beach is the southernmost beach town in California, situated just north of the Mexican border. The wide, sandy beach stretches for 4 miles and features the 1,491-foot Imperial Beach Pier, a popular fishing spot offering panoramic views of Los Coronados Islands, Point Loma, and the Mexico coastline. The Tijuana Estuary, one of the few remaining wetland areas in Southern California, borders the beach to the south and provides critical habitat for over 370 bird species, making it an important destination for birdwatchers. Imperial Beach hosts the annual U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition and is known for its laid-back atmosphere and welcoming surf culture, including the Surfboard Museum that celebrates the area’s surfing heritage.