The southern-most pier on our list, Imperial Beach Pier is yet again another fishing pier and is also great for many other things. Imperial Beach is 13 miles south of San Diego but only about 7 miles from the border. If you walk on the pier and look south on a clear day you will see downtown San Diego and some Mexico islands. At the end of the pier is a seafood restaurant called The Tin Fish, and it is said to have some of the best seafood around. With the ocean breeze to accompany, you can sit inside or outside and enjoy the casual laid-back atmosphere and friendly locals.
At the beginning of the pier is Portwood Pier Plaza. The sign has “Imperial Beach” written across the top and four tall colored surfboard-shaped arches that are meant to emulate surfboards standing in the sand.
This is Surfhenge, and it is a direct tell-all of the surfer nature of Imperial Beach (IB to locals). Of all the places to go surfing in San Diego, this arguably takes the top spot.
You will always see surfers, both beginners and experts, walking the beach and riding the waves. The beach culture here is very centered on surfing. The Tijuana Sloughs provide big waves that continue to attract all kinds of people. If you don’t surf but you want to swim, this might not be the beach for you as surfing is really the biggest thing it has to offer and swimming is not encouraged due to the water quality. In addition to Surfhenge, many things pay tribute to this, including the colorful surfboard benches all around the Plaza, each with a plaque explaining the story. Even the concrete seawalls are eye-catching with glass tiles that shine in the sun and cast colored shadows much like the surfboards of Surfhenge. Around the plaza are also picnic tables and public bathrooms.
Imperial Beach hosts many unique activities including a Dog Surfing Contest and a Triathlon. There are trails to walk and places to eat and shop, and you can see wildlife here and at the Chula Vista Nature Center not too far away. If you’re feeling ambitious you can ride a bike up the scenic Bayshore Bikeway from the Ferry Landing Marketplace, through Silver Strand to Coronado and end at the Coronado Ferry Landing.
