Visit Imperial Beach

Get Social with Imperial Beach

Take a Hike or Do Some Birding at the Tijuana River National Estuarian Research Reserve

Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center

301 Caspian Way
Imperial Beach, CA 91932
(619) 575-3613
Oneonta slough North to South The Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve preserves, protects, and manages the natural and cultural resources of the Tijuana River Estuary by focusing on research and education with compatible recreation and resource use. The Reserve encompasses beach, dune, mudflat, salt marsh, riparian, coastal sage scrub, and upland habitats surrounded by the growing cities of Tijuana, Imperial Beach, and San Diego. Some of the best birding in the world is found here, so stop at the visitor’s center and borrow a pair of binoculars before heading out into the reserve. Directions: From Coronado: Take 75 South. Turn right on Rainbow Drive. Turn right onto Palm Avenue. Turn left on 3rd Street at the stop sign, then left on Caspian Way which leads into parking lot. (parking is free)

Things to Do While in San Diego

Whether you’re in San Diego on business or visiting one of our beautiful destination communities like Coronado or La Jolla, you won’t want to miss out on a trip to one of the few remaining authentic California beach towns: Imperial Beach.  Often billed as the beach town that time forgot, Imperial Beach has remained true to the ideal of coastal California living and remains unscathed by the rampant development other beach communities have seen over the years. One of the reasons for the community’s local atmosphere is also one of it’s greatest attractions; it is virtually surrounded by state and national parks and wildlife refuges that attract hikers, bikers, bird watchers as well as surfers.  Home to more than 6 miles of unspoiled sandy beaches, a wooden fishing pier, a YMCA surf camp and a variety of local businesses catering to adventure seekers, Imperial Beach has something to offer everyone in the family whether for a day or for those wishing to stay a bit longer in the relaxing environment of old-school California. Below are just some of the things to do in Imperial Beach.

Biking and Birds – Imperial Beach on the Bayshore Bikeway

The Bayshore Bikeway is a 24-mile bicycle path around the San Diego Bay. The bikeway runs through five of the Port of San Diego’s member cities: San Diego, National City, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach and Coronado. The route takes bikers, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts through some of the most beautiful scenery in the entire region. From Coronado, the bikeway passes through bird sanctuaries and wildlife refuges, Silver Strand State Beach and stretches with views of San Diego Bay on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. Hop off the path just as it curves around the end of the bay and bike along Old Palm Avenue to Seacoast Drive and Pier Plaza for an afternoon at the beach. Imperial Beach is building a Bikeway Village rest stop on the bikeway where bikers, hikers and birders can take a break, get a snack and take a moment to enjoy panoramic views of San Diego Bay and it’s vibrant bird sanctuaries and national wildlife refuges. The View from the Imperial Beach Bike Trail from Jim Karnik Films on Vimeo. BikewayMap