"Not Popular and Not Expensive" Imperial Beach by lmkluque

Imperial Beach Travel Guide: 80 reviews and 112 photos

IMPERIAL BEACH: SOUTH OF SAN DIEGO, CA.

Welcome to my Imperial Beach page,

Most southwesternly point of the continental USA, IB is located about fourteen miles south of downtown San Diego and two or three miles north of Tijuana, Mexico.

The US Navy had an air base here, Reem Field, and the town was home mainly to it's personnel. The base closed and is now a US Marine Corps Outlying Landing Field, used mainly for Helicopters.

Second to the Naval Base, the beach is the biggest draw, but it probably seems to be the least interesting beach in all of San Diego County. However, for those interested in the history of surfing in the USA, this might be the place you'd like to visit.

In the creation of Portwood Pier Plaza the city officials of Imperial Beach have created a monument to the big waves of IB that became testing ground, from 1930 to present, for those famous and not so famous surfers, planning to compete in Hawaii.

Imperial Beach is also the home of internationally known, Novak Design Surfboards. Beach, surfers and surfboards, what could be more Californian than that?

Details, such as how much bigger the waves are in IB, are not widely known and too often this beach is overlooked.

So, if seclusion sounds interesting to you, this is your kind of place! The city of Imperial Beach is not very attractive, but it does have a few places I like and here I'll share them with you.

Photo Comment:

The arch at the beginning of IB pier, with it's colorful acrylic surfboards "standing in the sand," and titled: "SURF HENGE," was created and designed by Malcom Jones. A fitting monument to all surfers, great and small who reconized the beauty of Imperial Beach, California.

Along Seacoast Drive there are shops, restaurants and motels which have been spruced up for tourist trade, now it's the nicest part of I. B., and the accommodations are probably the least expensive of any place near a beach in San Diego County.

I hope you enjoy your visit,
Linda

City Facts!

An Old IB Sign

Today the population of Imperial Beach is about 30,000 and one interesting fact is that Imperial Beach can never expand. The Pacific Ocean, the San Diego Bay and the Tijuana River Valley refuge area surround Imperial Beach on all sides. It could go up, but seems the voters don't really care for high rise buildings. You might notice that when visiting.

It was in June 1887 that a real estate developer got ahold of the area then known as, South San Diego Beach. It was to be a summer retreat for people then living in the Imperial Valley, so this area was named, "Imperial Beach."

It wasn't until 1909 that sidewalks were installed and a wooden pier built.

About 1917 the U.S. Army had developed the Aviation Field, which is now Reem Field operated by the U.S. Marines.

Allen "Dempsey" Holder began big wave surfing at The Sloughs in 1937. The Imperial Beach Civic Group was formed in 1945 and by 1956 the city was created and the beach became a mecca for the surfing community.

The Fishing Pier was rebuilt in 1960. After a huge rain storm destroyed the pier, again, it was rebuilt in December 1988.

Today, the city of IB is working hard to attract businesses to add to the economy and to build up the quality of the beach area to attract tourists. I hope they succeed, but will be sad if the casual, friendly attitude changes, maybe it won't.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Not So Expensive Beach Town
Cons:Not So Active Beach Town
In a nutshell:Quiet and Inexpensive!

Last visit to Imperial Beach: Feb 2006
Intro Updated Feb 13, 2006
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (43)

On a busy corner but economical. - Imperial Beach

Budget Minded! Hotels (3)

Though technically this Days Inn is located in South San Diego, it is just three miles east of the beach in IB, almost... more travel advice

Under he Long Blue Awning is where you'll find it. - Imperial Beach

A Glorified Liquor Store Shopping (4)

Argus is basically a liquor store and what beach community would be complete without one? Logo-ed hats, snacks,... more travel advice

Another meaning for Doggie Bag! - Imperial Beach

Refresh Your Dog! Local Customs (6)

Dogs are not allowed on most of the beaches in San Diego. Imprerial Beach has a section of beach where you can walk your... more travel advice

Refresh Yourself! Local Customs (6)

Showers and restrooms--toilets--are open to the public and located at the foot of the pier. This is the place to get... more travel advice

Things to Do (5)
See All Go To The Beach!
Sports & Outdoors (2)
See All Surfing
Warnings Or Dangers (5)
See All Esturary and Slough; Off Limits!!
Restaurants (9)
See All A Slice of Italy California Style!
Off The Beaten Path (1)
It's Not Where, It's When

Favorites (4)
See All Cafe Miro
Transportation (2)
See All On The Wings Of A...
Nightlife (1)
Where The Locals Hang
Tourist Traps (1)
FUNNY PHOTO OP!
Been to Imperial Beach?
Share your travels with the world!

Travelogues (4)

1 - 4 of 4

Comments (18)

Yaqui Nov 27, 2011 at 12:24 PM Report Abuse

Excellent page Linda! There is something so special about California beaches and their beach communities. I enjoyed the reading them!
BruceDunning Nov 16, 2010 at 1:25 PM Report Abuse

A wonderful place to get some sun and feel the nice beach sand in the toes. You did a nice job of describing the sites and scenery is very appealing.
Acowboy Jan 15, 2010 at 12:04 AM Report Abuse

Good News !!!! Happy Trails Horse Rentals has moved to Imperial Beach located close to where the old Sandys stable used to be. We can now rent horses and go to the Beach. Nice Place and great horses!
Keshka Dec 16, 2008 at 12:38 AM Report Abuse

I went to Sandy's Stable. One mare kept freaking out tried backing us over a cliff. Normally the horses went in the ocean or rolled in sand. I did buy a Awesome buckskin bred there. I wish Sandy's was still open, so I could get some kin to my boy.
SLLiew Jan 15, 2008 at 8:26 PM Report Abuse

Great beach destination. Interesting tips like sand castle contest and facilities for dog owners. Cheers, SL :)
ULsterkw Jun 21, 2007 at 12:37 AM Report Abuse

The Plank's liquor license is fine now, to avoid confusion
Annapet Mar 25, 2004 at 8:53 AM Report Abuse

Thanks for your IB page, it brought back memories...
shrimp56 Mar 25, 2004 at 8:47 AM Report Abuse

Those sandcastles are STUPENDOUS!!!! I enjoyed seeing what we missed on our quick drive-thru last Saturday :)))
KaiM Feb 27, 2004 at 6:25 AM Report Abuse

Great page! Looks like a nice place - as long as the sewage water from Tijuana doesn't float north. The sandcastle pics are nice!
deecat Feb 8, 2004 at 9:57 AM Report Abuse

A quite helpful group of pages with detail, personal insight, the "human touch" and some humor to boot! Enjoyable.