Actually had never been here before even though I was raised in SD. Definitely underrated. Definitely not as busy as San Diego beaches. There are cute shops and dining close by. Beach was clean & beautiful. We even saw dolphins!!!!

Nice pier. Not busy compared to some of the other piers around San Diego. There was some convenient 20 minute parking that allowed me to get a spot, walk out, and come back.

A walk in the middle of the sea where you can admire dolphins

We really loved visiting this pier! Saw multiple happy dolphins playing in the water just off the pier. Many people successfully fishing off the pier, with surfers catching the swells below. Relaxing and chill. Love the murals!

I really enjoyed coming to this beach, as well as the pier. Upon arrival, parking was surprisingly easy to find. I found a parking spot about a 5 minute walk to the beach and it was only $2 for 8 hours of parking. The methods of payment were somewhat unique in that I had to fold 2 $1 bills and put it into the slot number of the parking spot, so make sure to bring $1 bills as it does not give change or take card! After paying for parking, the walk to the beach was very short and simple. The beach itself was beautiful and clean. It was also not too busy which was great. There were a lot of beautiful rocks and seashells along the shore. There is also a great pier there where the views of the ocean are beautiful and the restaurant has fantastic food. I can't wait to go back and visit this beach again!

One of the best beaches! Clean, showers, long pier with restaurant, ice cream, coffee. Equipped station, towers, lifeguard! The ability to fish! A wonderful beach for a walk. The sand on the beach is altered with gold - fantastic!👏❤️👍

Took a trip down to San Diego, visited the pier twice and if you’re just doing something casual it’s probably the best time to go as the suns going down since there’s not much difficulty finding a parking space. The beaches and pier area were pretty clean except for the bathrooms which just don’t sit down on and you’ll be fine. You can fish off the pier and I believe there are fish cleaning stations, just make sure to follow the signage posted.

Besides being a beautiful classic pier, the “punny” signs along the wood railing make it a lot of fun to stroll down. If you enjoy people watching, this is the place. There are so many individuals that are fishing, eating, relaxing, tiktoking… and then throw in the relaxing nature of the surroundings…it’s a pretty simple place to visit yet you could find yourself spending an hour or more there. And it’s free, depending upon how lucky you are with parking. Want to kill some time or just go for a breather or get in some steps? This is the place to do all of the above.

We were here for the very first time. And we liked it! There is something special about this place! You can enjoy watching the sea almost 360 degrees around you and also you have a chance to taste seafood right there! Fried calamaris were delicious! Especially I would admit the service which was quick and polite! Keep it up "Tin Fish"! The beach is not overcrowded! It is a good place for spending time with children! Wind here is strong enough for a kite flying and we used this fact! By the way, you'll definitely find a parking place! The place is worth visiting for sure!

Fun and got sunburnt pretty hard. Formed a sand castle and watched nature destroy it. Seen a great dane and a small Yorkie together and buried the stepson in the sand up to his neck. Was a blast.

I have a sentimental attachment to this pier, so I'm a little biased, but I love it, especially at this time of year. It's beautifully lit for the holidays, and not overly crowded. Parking is problematic but other than that, it's worth a visit. A great place to just take a moment, watch the waves, sip some coffee per tea and just reflect. Can't wait to hit the market and get some hummus to snack on while I paint!

Love this place! And the Tin Fish at the end of the pier is so good! The pier is pretty long and bumpy but always fun to see people catching fish off of. And to enjoy an adult beverage while watching the sun set. If you’re in the area, definitely check it out!

Lovely place for a sunset walk. The pier is full of folks fishing, a fun restaurant at the end. If you're visiting, get some ice cream and go for a stroll.

A lovely pier to walk on. More Fishermen towards the end. There are some improvements being done as well. Has a place to eat and tables to chill and relax at the end. Usually quiet and peaceful and lovely view of downtown San Diego, Coronado and across the border to Tijuana.

Nice beach. Found a lot of seashells for the kids. Lots of seaweed the day we visited unlike other beaches we went to like Coronado Beach (which I recommend if you are looking for the most beautiful beach). Peir was nice to walk on with food available at the end. Stayed for a couple hours and really enjoyed ourselves.

Imperial Beach...sun, sand and rolling waves. Perfect. Right? Wrong! This beach is polluted with raw sewage from Punta Bandera, Mexico. You can walk on the beach...but don't go in the water! You can walk on the fishing pier, enjoy the view and watch individuals fishing...but I'd pass on eating any fish caught here. But don't give up hope! Apparently, when the currents are favorable and the Mexican sewage is floating away from California...the powers that be will reopen the beach for swimming. Thanks, but no thanks...I'll pass. The whole situation makes me incredibly sad and mad at the same time. It was a beautiful beach...why hasn't anything been done about the raw sewage? If your curious, the truth is out there...

The pier in clean. During the summer months it's very busy. Beautiful view 💜 It's unfortunate that people don't follow the posted rules and no one enforces the rules. People just smoke their cigarettes, walk their dogs (non service), ride their bikes and overhead cast their fishing lines and no one says anything. Still a nice place to visit.

Easy walk to the pier for kids, elderly. Great little fish take out at the end yummy food and calm atmosphere.

Love the IB pier. It's the heartbeat of this small beach town. You will always find people walking the pier or fishing off it. A restaurant at the end and ice cream shop at the beginning. Loads of special events take place here throughout the year. Bathrooms and showers available.

The highlight of Imperial Beach is its breathtaking beachfront. The golden sand stretches for miles, offering plenty of space for beachgoers to relax, play beach volleyball, or take a leisurely stroll. The warm and inviting waters of the Pacific Ocean are perfect for swimming, surfing, and other water sports. The beach is also an ideal spot for watching the beautiful sunsets that grace the West Coast.

IB is up and coming nice place for dinner and workout

It's a nice trip to see further out into the Pacific and watch people and pelicans fishing. Great long beach. Nice restaurants on the main street.

The pier is awesome.. restrooms, showers, snack shop, pullup bars, grass field, liquor store with fishing gear, you can go fishing off the pier and there's a pretty good fish and chips restaurant at the end of the pier...

Nice facility. I did not feel the pier moving even with some very big waves coming in. It was surprisingly clean too , we enjoyed a nice walk today.

Coastal charm with stunning views, perfect for a leisurely day. Enjoy a stroll down the pier, fishing, or a meal at the on-site restaurant; all capturing the essence of Southern California's ocean beauty.

Nice place to walk and look at the ocean. Tijuana and the Coronado islands in Mexico are clearly visible. The Tin Fish restaurant has great food.

This is my 3rd visit. This visit was to watch the sun set and the pier light up. I always enjoy the pier, the people, the nature. Parking can be a problem so be patient.

Beautiful beach, it wasn't very crowded although it was a bit chilly & sunset 🤷‍♂️

The IB Pier is a great spot to take a nice walk & enjoy the ocean. Plenty of parking in the area, a nice grassy park close by, the ocean's waves rolling under the pier & people fishing from the pier. You have a great view of the surfers to your right & left & there is also a delicious ice cream shop right at the start of the pier. Awesome sunsets. Sorry no pets on the pier!

Cute to walk around. The parking is easy and cheap. The beach is kept clean and the pier is nice. Has a resteraunt at the end.

We havent been here in years, so it was great to go back again! In truth, we like Oceanside Pier better (its closer to us) ... but loved Imperial Beach/IB Pier. It's very cool that they have a working Cafe at the end of the pier. As always, my hubby fishes & I walk the beach. 😁

I love going to the Imperial Beach Pier! Every day is different. I have seen dolphins, sea lions, stingrays, sardines; and musicians/bands play there often. And, of course the sunsets are breathtaking!

If you didn’t know now you know … this is sewer beach. There are many signs saying you may get sick from the water. Try the ice cream at Cowabunga it’s by the pier. I had the black cherry ice cream and it was delicious.

I don't know how this place gets many 5 star ratings. I guess maybe it is from the dinner menu. All I got was a clam chowder bread bowl because I have not had one in a while. Yes, it was afternoon, no crowds. It took a little while to get my bread bowl (don't know why), all you have to do is put some clam chowder in bread, it's not like it was being baked at the time. For all I know, they opened up a can of Campbell's soup and poured it in there. That would not have been bad, but the chowder was warm, not hot! Oh well, I ate it, just ok, no more. As other reviewers stated, the music was kind of loud. Enjoy the pier and the beach, they are fantastic. Maybe the food is better as a meal.

Absolutely loved it especially now Summer started it's filled with all sorts of activities. They have a farmers market on the weekend. Then at sunset it's a beautiful place to take pictures

It's a great hidden treasure in Imperial Beach. Always beautiful. Superior offers fishing and many great restaurants in the area.

Very clean. Pretty views of San Diego. It was not crowded like other beaches in San Diego, but it was a Monday morning and it was a colder day for Southern California. I have lived in San Diego for 30 years and never been there before. I will be going back.

Sand Castle contest did not disappoint this year. They have been holding this event for as long as I can remember. For I believe 40 years now, perhaps a little more or less. It’s one of the many things IB is famous for. Incredible art with sand!

Beautiful scene with entertaining quips along the pier. Windy and chilly when I visited and bathrooms on the pier were closed. Access onto the pier and fishing on the pier is free, and there are several stations available to clean your catch or prepare bait. There are also posts for your fishing rod. There's a restaurant at the end of the pier and a nice view for photos as well as a mural.

One of the less visited but totally awesome San Diego County coastal places is the Imperial Beach Pier. Parking is mainly streetside, but it is not often crowded. There is a cool little diner at the end of the pier. The walk out on the pier has great views of the coast to Tijuana to the south and the city of San Diego to the north. A definite gem in the many jewels of the San Diego County coastline.