"Portwood Pier Plaza!" Beach / Pier Tip by lmkluque

Beyond the "Surf Henge" sculpture by Malcom Jones, Portwood Pier Plaza, a park area, the Pier, the Dempsey Holder Safety Center, shops and the Pacific Ocean are the focal points of Imperial Beach on Seacoast Drive.

It is a great place to stop for a picnic, sit on the grass, people watch or to view the ocean. There are picnic tables--first come first serve and a lawn area that is suitable for spreading out a blanket. On the south side of the park is located the Dempsey Holder Saftey Center, lifegaurd headquarters and Sheriff Station providing information and help. On the north side is located the Portwood Pier Plaza shops where you can buy a bathingsuit, ice cream and a meal of Italian Cuisine California Style! Also here you'll find public restrooms and a public shower to wash off the salt water and sand after bathing in the Pacific Ocean.

If that isn't enough, there is an open air surfing museum to be found throughout. Below the ten "surfboard" benches there are bronze plaques telling the surfing history of Imperial Beach from the 1930's to 1950's. This is when the big surf in IB was a training ground for surfers wanting to compete at Makaha and the North Shore of O’ahu in Hawaii.

Address: 10 Evergreen Avenue
Directions: West of Seacoast Drive at Evergreen Ave.
Phone: (619) 628-1488
Website: http://www.cityofib.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7BB5217DFC-6F0F-43C8-B295-F4B2D4A63F42%7D