Between San Diego And Tijuana Is An Underrated City With A Scenic Beach And Coastal Hiking

If you've been scrolling through social media and telling yourself, "This would fix me," every time you see a beach pic, there is a town in Southern California you should plan to visit. The town is less than 13 miles south of San Diego, a bit over 12 miles northwest of Tijuana, Mexico, and around 7 miles southwest of the charming city of Chula Vista. Imperial Beach is a scenic spot for a beach getaway, with plenty of shore to explore, coastal hiking, and things to see and do. It's the southernmost beach town in California and definitely worth a trip. In a thread in Reddit's r/sandiego, posters praise this underrated town, mentioning that it's not very touristy. One commenter even says, "Everyone Shhhhhhhh. First rule of Imperial Beach, don't talk about Imperial Beach."

Imperial Beach was the spot where surfers trained in the 1930s before going off to Hawaii to catch a wave. While you visit, you can take a stroll down the 1,491-foot Imperial Beach Pier. You can do some fishing, sit on a bench and relax, or watch the surfers riding the waves. Right at the end, you'll find Imperial Beach Kitchen, which serves Korean food, sandwiches, burgers, seafood, and drinks.  Portwood Pier Plaza has a free parking lot nearby. There you'll find picnic spots, bike paths and racks, and great people-watching. 

The 4-mile-long Imperial Beach is the perfect sunbathing destination and a great spot for beach volleyball. The shore offers scenic views of the Los Coronados Islands and is an ideal spot for watching the sunset. One Yelp reviewer says of the beach, "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." Cyclists can ride along the 24-mile Bayshore Bikeway loop, which goes through Imperial Beach, Chula Vista, Silver Strand State Beach, and downtown San Diego.

One great hike you can take along the water is the Imperial Beach Shoreline Trail. This is a 4.5-mile out-and-back trail along the coast, with a gentle 52-foot elevation gain for the entire thing. Dogs are permitted on this trail if you have them leashed, and it's a great place to enjoy some birding as well. It's also kid-friendly. There is no shade on this hike, so make sure you have sunscreen and water. Users on AllTrails mention that, toward the Tijuana River mouth, there can be a bit of an unpleasant smell. You may also get a glimpse of some dolphins and seals. Away from the shore, you can take the 4.6-mile easy and relatively flat Tijuana Estuary Trail. This takes you through the area's salt marshes, and it's both stroller- and wheelchair-friendly.

While you're in Imperial Beach, visit the Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center. This is a free facility where you can learn about the plants, animals, and ecology of the area, and it's an engaging activity for families. If you're interested in surfing history and culture in Imperial Beach, take a walk down Palm Avenue and check out the surfboard sculptures. There you'll find the Outdoor Surfboard Museum, which is a collection of those sculptures that teach you about the history of surfboards. (That's in addition to the colorful surfboard sculptures pictured above at the entrance to the beach.) 

Whether you need a pre-surf breakfast or a tasty lunch spot, there's Katy's Café on Seacoast Drive with items like acai bowls, bagel sandwiches, and croissants. Another prime dining spot is Mike Hess Brewing. You can get drinks, relax outdoors in the IB Biergarten, and play cornhole in the yard. The beachside brewery is dog- and kid-friendly, has bike and surf racks, and stays open late. The dishes include fish and chips, tacos, nachos, and churros, and there is a breakfast menu for weekend mornings.

The closest American airport to Imperial Beach is San Diego International Airport (SAN), which is 16 miles away — close enough to skip the rental car and take a rideshare. (If you have a car and time for a separate outing, visit San Diego's scenic waterfront village of La Jolla.) On the Mexican side, you can fly into Tijuana International Airport (TIJ), which is 11 miles away. Finally, if you're planning a broader trip through Mexico, here is the only map of Mexico that you'll need.