Imperial Beach Pier
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
404 reviews
Excellent
214
Very good
138
Average
41
Poor
9
Terrible
2
John S
5 contributions
Oct 2021
This was a great place to get some food and see the sunset. We went around lunch time the one day, and since it's a small 3 man kitchen we did have to wait about 15 minutes to order, but the food was great too. The sunset was perfect, there were some boats out which may be a + or - depending on the person.
Written November 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sinatralis
Rocky River, OH633 contributions
Oct 2021 • Friends
Stopped here to walk on the beach and to walk the pier. It’s a nice long pier but a beautiful place to watch the sunset and to see the waves. There are places to fish on the side of the pier as well. Definitely worth the stop and to watch the sunset with friends or with family.
Written October 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
vagabondginger
Alicante, Spain1,316 contributions
Sep 2021
This is the most southern pier in the state of California just a few miles north of the Mexican border. It extends out almost 1500 ft on the long sandy beach. It's a nice walk across the wooden planks to the end where the Tin Fish is located selling food and drink and has tables to sit having it. The Pier is in the shape of an arrow and it stretches out and points into the Pacific Ocean. As with most piers there are fishermen. But the water here does get contaminated by Tijuanas sewers at times.
Written October 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Cindy M
7 contributions
Jul 2021 • Friends
At the end of peir is the best mom and pop fresh fish restaurant.... You get alot of fish not small peices but big peices with the fish and chips ...the fries are fresh also...oh man the clam chowder is the best ... The sword fish sandwich was yummy. We also had fried zuchinni . The service was wonderful they would listen and answer your questions and be polite if I asked twice...
There was live music with a he was really good. You do sit out side but the weather was perfect watching the sun go down...so beautiful. ..by the way the prices were great ... We will be back on our next time down to San Diego
There was live music with a he was really good. You do sit out side but the weather was perfect watching the sun go down...so beautiful. ..by the way the prices were great ... We will be back on our next time down to San Diego
Written August 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
tweav
Aliso Viejo, CA49 contributions
Mar 2021 • Couples
The pier is a nice walk over the water. People were fishing from the designated area. The Tin Fish Cafe is at the end. You get a good view of San Diego and Mexico from the pier.
Written April 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Donald B
Manvel, TX139 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
Found easy parking on a side street on the north end of Imperial Beach and enjoyed the sunset with a handful of other groups. Almost like having your own beach. Enjoy!
Written October 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nick C
Cincinnati, OH374 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
This beach is wide open with lots of room. Does get crowded on the weekends as one would expect but during weekdays certainly quiet. Many public access points although we stayed at a resort on the beach. Keep in mind no alcohol currently on the beach. Also watch for advisories, as the beach does close periodically due to water contamination. If you walk a mile either way from the pier it gets even more quieter with little to no one on the beach.
Written August 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Paintyhands
Sheridan, WY719 contributions
Jun 2020 • Couples
I recommend this whole area. After a delicious lunch at City Tacos, we strolled the quiet-for-a-Saturday beach to the pier, which is marked like a hwy for social distancing. Lots of people watching as many were fishing or surfing below. You can glimpse Baja, CA and Tijuana in the distance.
Written June 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Scott M
91 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Great place to look north to San Diego, South to Mexico...and west for the most awesome sunsets. No dogs allowed, unless service. No bikes. But great walk, people watching, lots of people fishing (pier stays clean). If sewer released from Tijuana, it can get pretty stinky, but if you hit blue sky, no spill, it is one of the prettiest places on the coast.
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
FunPlacesForDaniel
Imperial Beach, CA13 contributions
Feb 2020
There is more than one option to enjoy the day near the pier, I can say that sunset and sunrise can be enjoyable with good coffee from any local shops.
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Brian T
Redding, CA1 contribution
Can you get the day fishing boat off the end of the pier?
Tourist828101
98 contributions
Thetrre is no day fishing boats offered
What is the distance to the airport?
Karen O
Onaway, MI327 contributions
Internet answer maybe? Google Maps?
We are staying on Coronado Island - I hear their beach is great - but what other beaches should we visit - I just want to lay out and relax
Karen O
Onaway, MI327 contributions
Imperial Beach is good. Has a pier with a restaurant at the end. There are Friday night vendors with a variety of foods to eat and things to browse and buy (after you relax). Just walk along the beach until you find your perfect spot.
mrszlatovich
Industry, PA8 contributions
What about all the sewage, millions of gallons flowing into this beach from Mexico? Swimming or fishing can't be considered safe? Is signs posted in the areas where it is not safe to be in water of fish?
SKM
Sun City, AZ301 contributions
here now and no signs...labor day weekend and tons of families and young people swimming and surfing and tons of people catching fish on the pier...no signs
Karen G
Raritan16 contributions
How do you get from Imperial Beach to Coronado Island? And is it worth the trip? Thank you!
professorpj
Toronto, Canada148 contributions
It's a short drive...about 20 minutes and worth it.
Karen G
Raritan16 contributions
We are visiting Imperial Beach the last week in June and I have 2 questions:
1) Is it unbearable if there is no AC at the property (1 block in from beach)?
2) BIGGEST concern: Can you swim at IB? I've heard waters are really polluted and no swimming allowed. Why go to a beach town when you can't swim in the water???
Z6343VCjohnh
Honolulu, HI114 contributions
Unbearable no.... mildly uncomfortable sometimes.
Open a window & it's usually fine...
Our family swim all the time.
Years ago it was pretty polluted & they have had a couple 'mid-haps' this year but were cleaned up real quickly.
It's a decent beach & less crowded than many others- not the best but worth a trip. U may want to try other beaches (not far)....while U there too....
I wouldn't want to spend every day there (or any one beach) for a week.
Uber it if U don't have transportation
Phyllis H
26 contributions
Is the eatery on the Pier kid friendly? Serve hamburgers? How late open on Saturday nights?
KARYNLS2
San Diego, CA121 contributions
All is kid-friendly at the Tin Fish at the end of the pier, but you have to tolerate fisherman, seagulls and the occasional angry pelican--all part of the ambiance! The food is good, but not sure about hamburgers. Nearby restaurants within walking distance who have GREAT burgers are Barrels, Sea180 and Coronado Brewing Company.
Imperial Beach Pier - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Imperial Beach Pier
- Hotels near Imperial Beach Pier:
- (0.04 mi) 1 Bedroom on the Sand
- (0.08 mi) San Diego County Oceanfront 3 bedroom-heated pool/jacuzzi. Complex on the sand
- (0.16 mi) Pier South Resort, Autograph Collection
- (0.18 mi) New Listing 2 Bedroom/2 Bathroom Oceanview
- (0.19 mi) Gorgeous Large Spacious 3 Bedroom Direct Oceanfront
- Restaurants near Imperial Beach Pier:
- (0.04 mi) Cow-A-Bunga Ice Cream & Coffee
- (0.12 mi) Coronado Brewing Company
- (0.10 mi) Babycakes Bake Shop
- (0.06 mi) Brigantine
- (0.10 mi) Subway
- Attractions near Imperial Beach Pier:
- (0.60 mi) Epic Surf Tours
- (0.39 mi) Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve
- (0.07 mi) Art Wheel Studio
- (0.38 mi) Seaside Candy
- (9.66 mi) USS Midway Museum