IMPERIAL BEACH
The southernmost beach town in California, and the one with a water-quality problem you need to check before you swim.
STAYING HERE
BEST FOR
A quiet, unpolished stretch of sand with none of the Pacific Beach crowd.
WATCH OUT FOR
Shoreline closures. Sewage-contaminated flows down the Tijuana River reach the ocean here regularly, and the beach is closed to swimmers for long stretches — check the county's beach status the day you go rather than assuming.
GETTING AROUND
Car or bus. There is no trolley stop, and the Silver Strand north to Coronado is a long but genuinely good bike ride.
BUYING HERE
THE NUMBERS BEFORE THE OFFER
Median sale price
$859,532
RedfinJun 2026
ANSWERS THAT APPLY HERE
9 TIPS ABOUT IMPERIAL BEACH
Where military families live in San Diego, base by base
Near 32nd Street: National City and Chula Vista. North Island: Coronado, Imperial Beach. Miramar: Mira Mesa, Scripps Ranch. Pendleton: Oceanside. Coastal ZIPs cost more; inland trades rent for drive time.
Military · 10 min · checked 2026-10-05
Living near NAS North Island and Naval Amphibious Base Coronado
Coronado is closest but has the county's top rents. Imperial Beach is cheaper via the Silver Strand. Chula Vista, Point Loma, OB and downtown mean crossing the Coronado bridge. No Navy ferry; a public one runs free commuter trips.
Military · 10 min · checked 2026-10-05
Living near Naval Base San Diego (32nd Street): 6 neighborhoods compared
National City is closest and cheapest, Chula Vista and Bonita trade distance for space, Barrio Logan and downtown are close but costly or industrial, La Mesa and Spring Valley go inland, Imperial Beach is coastal.
Military · 9 min · checked 2026-10-05
5 easy coastal hikes in San Diego while Torrey Pines is closed
San Elijo Lagoon's Nature Center loop, the Tijuana Estuary River Mouth loop, Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, Cabrillo's Bayside Trail and the Batiquitos Lagoon Trail. All are 3.25 miles or less round trip.
Outdoors · 6 min · checked 2026-10-03
Biking the Bayshore Bikeway: San Diego Bay's 24-mile loop, with a ferry ride
The Bayshore Bikeway circles San Diego Bay in about 24 miles, much of it car-free. Take the ferry from downtown to Coronado with your bike (bikes ride free), roll down the Silver Strand, and loop back.
Outdoors · 5 min · checked 2026-10-06
Do you need a fishing license to fish off a San Diego pier?
No. California doesn't require a license on public piers, and San Diego County has about a dozen, from Shelter Island to Oceanside. Size and bag limits still apply, you get two rods, and the OB Pier is closed.
Outdoors · 4 min · checked 2026-10-06
Where can you borrow a free beach wheelchair in San Diego?
At lifeguard stations around the county. The City lends manual and power beach chairs free at Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, La Jolla Shores, Ocean Beach and Mission Bay; Coronado, Imperial Beach, Del Mar and Oceanside have them too.
Beaches · 4 min · checked 2026-10-06
Is it safe to swim at Imperial Beach?
Often not: the Imperial Beach shoreline was closed again on September 28, 2026 because sewage-contaminated Tijuana River water was reaching the ocean — check sdbeachinfo.com the day you go, and expect more closures in an El Niño winter because rain overwhelms treatment capacity.
Safety · 6 min · checked 2026-09-29
What's the sales tax in San Diego?
7.75% in the City of San Diego. It changes at the city line — Chula Vista, National City, Escondido and Del Mar are 8.75%, a full point higher, on the same purchase.
Money · 2 min · checked 2026-09-08
Official Realtor of San Diego Tips
Jocelyn Villatoro
Lead Agent, Josh Kim Team
DRE #02104648
Jocelyn Villatoro is the Lead Agent for the Josh Kim Team and has been successfully selling real estate in San Diego since 2019, with 8 years of experience.