Imperial Beach

Located very close to the California-Mexican border, Imperial Beach is the southwestern-most city in the United States, a small, unpretentious beach town not nearly as affluent or well-known as Coronado. Which is probably how they like it.



Located close to the beach is the Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center, where there are miles of trails and abundant bird-watching.

We had the reserve to ourselves, except for a birder who had already spent the entire morning waiting to see something. He became very excited by the appearance of a rare bird, which he pointed out to us (seen below). We have to admit, rather sheepishly, that we are not birders and therefore don't know how momentous viewing this bird was. We also can't say what it was (although it may have been a bar-tailed godwit). If anyone can positively identify this bird, please let us know.

Walking across to the uncrowded beach, we came across one of those scenes that defines the archetype of Southern California--surfers. One had brought his black Lab, who was ecstatic to get out in the water, rush back to shore, and repeat the process. He may have had a better time than his master, who wiped out.