Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge

Located on the southern part of the city of Imperial Beach, Tijuana Slough Wildlife Refuge is a protected salt marsh with a beach situated in the southernmost part of San Diego County. The beach in Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge starts from the southern end of Seacoast Drive and ends at the estuary formed by the Tijuana River. The beach in Tijuana Slough Wildlife Refuge has light brown sand. There is a boardwalk present on the beach to explore the estuary formed in the southern part of the beach. The beach and the surrounding wetland are known to have a diverse variety of flora and fauna. 

The beach in Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge does not have any lifeguards or other amenities, so plan accordingly. Dogs are allowed on leash on the beach in Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge.

The beach in Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge offers few activities including sunbathing, hiking, and wildlife watching. Aquatic recreational activities including swimming, snorkeling and surfing are not recommended on this beach as the water here has dangerous currents and has a high level of microbial contamination due to the inflow of the Tijuana River nearby. However, the beach is a popular spot for wildlife watching as it is home to many interesting animals including seals, sea lions, dolphins and migrating whales (between December to April). There are also a variety of aquatic birds present on the beach including gulls, cormorants, pelicans and the western snowy plover, which is protected under the 1973 federal Endangered Species Act. You can find over 370 unique bird species in Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge (within which the beach is situated). It also has walking trails for exploring the vibrant and rare flora and fauna present in the wetlands near the beach. 

Getting to the beach at Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge is easy - you can access the beach from 1860 Seacoast Drive, where street parking is also available.

There are many attractions near Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge. Dunes Park is a grassy park which offers arbors, a basketball court, picnic tables, swings and a public artwork making it ideal for fun family visits. The Imperial Beach Outdoor Surf Museum offers outdoor exhibitions highlighting the evolution of surfboard designs over the years. The Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center features interesting exhibits of the biodiversity of the wetlands around Tijuana River and also has a gift shop.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge. SEA180° Coastal Tavern is an upscale restaurant which offers a pleasant oceanfront dining experience and fantastic serves New American Dishes. The restaurant was also awarded Tripadvisor’s Travelers' Choice award in 2020. Filippi’s Pizza Grotto Imperial Beach offers a delicious range of salads, pasta and pizzas. Another good restaurant is the modestly priced Big Kahuna’s which serves delectable Hawaiian dishes in generous portions.

If you are looking for a hotel to stay near Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge, there are many great options nearby. The 4-Star Pier South Resort, Autograph Collection offers numerous amenities including a spa, a fitness center, a pool, a sundeck, a hot tub, a bar, a restaurant, and bike and watersports rentals. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Sand Castle Inn & Suites which is located conveniently close to some of the major restaurants and attractions in Imperial Beach. Another good and affordable hotel is the modestly priced 2-Star Hampton Inn & Suites Imperial Beach San Diego which offers a restaurant, a pool, a gym, and complimentary breakfast.