Border Field State Park

Located in the southernmost part of the city of Imperial Beach, Border Field State Park has a beach which is situated along the United States - Mexico border. The beach has the distinction of being the southernmost beach of California. The beach has light brown sand and the Tijuana River forms an estuary in the northern part of the beach and also forms a wetland near it. While Border Field State Park does not have any lifeguards, the state park area near the beach offers many amenities including hiking and equestrian trails, picnic tables, and restrooms. Border Field State Park Beach is a bit difficult to access as the park is often closed to the public due to frequent flooding of access roads during storms. To access Border Field State Park Beach, simply turn from California Interstate Highway 5 to Dairy Mart Road and keep following it until it merges into Monument Road, which will lead to the entrance and the parking area for Border Field State Park, from where you can walk to the beach.

Border Field State Park Beach offers many activities including hiking, wildlife watching, picnicking, beachcombing, and fishing. Recreational aquatic activities such as swimming and surfing are not recommended here due to the strong water currents and high probability of water contamination by the nearby Tijuana River. However, you can fish in Border Field State Park Beach - popular catches here include salto, croaker and corbina. The water near the beach is home to a variety of marine mammals including seals, sea lions, dolphins and migrating whales (between December and April). The northern part of Border Field State Park Beach near the estuary of the Tijuana River is a popular bird watching spot. There are a variety of walking trails present near the beach for exploring the vibrant biodiversity present in the wetlands around the Tijuana river. You can view more than 370 bird species present in these wetlands and on the beach. It is important to note that a part of the beach near Border Field State Park is seasonally closed to the public since it is the nesting spot for the rare western snowy plover, which is protected under the 1973 federal Endangered Species Act. The Monument Mesa present in Border Field State Park near the United States - Mexican Border features a grassy park, picnic areas, and barbecue spots.

There are many attractions in Border Field State Park Beach. Dunes Park is a grassy park having 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 public exhibitions highlighting the evolution of surfboard designs over the years. The Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center is a part of Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve and features interesting exhibits showcasing the vibrant biodiversity of the wetlands around the Tijuana River, and also has a souvenir shop.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Border Field State Park Beach within a 25-minute drive. SEA180° Coastal Tavern is an upscale restaurant which offers a pleasant oceanfront dining experience and serves fantastic 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 Border Field State Park Beach, there are many great options situated within a 25-minute drive. 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.