Imperial Beach Activities

San Diego County

Imperial Beach, San Diego County, California
Imperial Beach, San Diego County, California

Imperial Beach Activities

San Diego County


Imperial Beach Surfing

Many surfers like the waves around the pier where they can display their skills to onlookers. Consistent waves there are best in the summer and winter. The more daring surfers at Imperial Beach gravitate to the south where huge waves break along the beach by the wetlands.

One of the hottest surfing spots is at the mouth of the Tijuana River. Tijuana Sloughs is about a third of a mile offshore. It has a long history as one of the most challenging spots to surf in California. Water quality is a serious problem, especially the closer you are to the Mexican border.

Caution: Check with rangers or lifeguards that conditions are safe for your planned activities.



Imperial Beach surfers, San Diego County, California

Surf Lessons and Camps

I.B. Surf School

The I.B. Surf School offers lessons from professional surfers such as Kristy Murphy and Cat Slatinsky. They work with everyone from beginners to advanced surfers, teaching ocean awareness, surf science, and beach conversation. They also offer stand-up paddleboard lessons.
I.B. Surf School

YMCA Camp Surf

The YMCA offers a range of summer camps for children and youths, including overnight camps and day camps. Mariners is designed for grades 3-6, Watermen for grades 7-8, Beachcombers for grades 10-11, and Soul Surfers grades 10-11. Camp sessions are usually one week for younger ages and one or two weeks for high school ages. The camp was located at the northern end of Imperial Beach on Silver Stand Boulevard, but with concerns about water quality, asjustments may be made for 2024.
YMCA of San Diego Camps

Surfboard Sales and Rentals

TNT Surf Shop

Sales of surfboards, wetsuits, accessories
206 Palm Avenue, Imperial Beach, CA
TNT Surf Shop

Surf Hut

Rentals and sales of surfboards and gear
710 Seacoast Dr., Suite D, Imperial Beach
Facebook: Surf Hut Imperial Beach

Imperial Beach Junior Lifeguards

The Imperial Beach Junior Lifeguard Program was canceled last year due dto staffing shortages. It's difficult "to hire folks to be lifeguards at a beach where they can get sick from rescuing people" in polluted waters, Mayor Paloma Aguirre said. Contamination in the ocean water at Imperial Beach has forced other events to be canceled also or to be modified.

Imperial Beach pier, known as Surfhenge, San Diego County, California


Sun & Sea Festival 2024

The Imperial Beach Sun & Sea Festival began in 1960 as an annual community celebration that included a sand sculpting competition. When the very popular U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition ended in 2011, the Sun & Sea Festival was revived.

The annual festival will be held August 16-17, 2024 with a few events possibly heldon the preceding Friday. The schedule of events has yet to be announced. In past years the fesival included sand castle building, an evening Sandcastle Ball, entertainment on the Portwood Pier Plaza outdoor stage, and Kids 'n Kastles sandcastle building at Dunes Park.

In 2021 the event featured a massive professional sand sculpture that I.B. Posse took a week to create - a towering sandcastle: YouTube - IB Posse Sandcastle City 2021.

Plans are underway for the summer 2024 Sun & Sea Festival.


Imperial Beach Pier

The 1,500-foot wooden pier at Imperial Beach is especially popular with sightseers and anglers. Fishermen have been landing impressive catches from the pier since it opened in 1963. Among the fish likely caught here are halibut, bonito, surfperch, croaker, guitarfish, rays, and sharks. Water depth at the end of the pier is close to 20 feet.

Pier Facilities

Restrooms are found about half-way out the pier. Other amenities include fish-cleaning stations, night lighting, benches, and a restaurant at the far end. The Tin Fish Restaurant offers appetizers, clam chowder, salads, sandwiches, burgers, tacos, and a varied of seafood dishes.

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Ocean Safety

California State Parks and Recreation cautions that "large surf, cold water temperatures, backwash, sudden drop-offs, pounding shorebreak, and dangerous rip currents can turn what seem like safe activities such as playing near the surf line, wading, or climbing on rock outcroppings, deadly." Learn more about ocean safety at CA State Parks: Ocean Safety