(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
“I love IB! I was raised here, and it is a great place to live, work, and play. It has a small town vibe and everyone knows each other. The atmosphere is laid back and chilled. Imperial Beach is not a crowded beach, except for once a year during Sand Castles. Sand Castles is a competition held each year during July. It brings in hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, and lasts for 3 days. If you love the ocean, love community, and like to live a relaxed lifestyle, IB is for you. The water's great, come on in! There is no place like this little jewel in the most southwest point of the United States. Few people live here, less than 50,000, and the weather is perfect. The locals are friendly, so come on out!”
KristinaB from UNITED STATES - 01 Apr 2010
Imperial Beach Ratings
Overall: 2.0. Based on 9 votes and 1 review. Vote
Quality on a good day: 3.6(1 star: Even when the swell and winds are optimum, the waves are poor quality, 5 stars: If conditions are right, the waves will be World Class). |
Consistency of Surf: 3.9(1: Imperial Beach is a fickle surf spot that only works a few times a year. 5: Reliable year-round spot). |
Regional Rating: 3.7(1: Imperial Beach is usually very poor quality compared to other spots in San Diego County. 5: the best break in San Diego County). |
Difficulty Level: 3.2(1: Suitable for Groms. 3: Intermediates. 5: Expert tow-in surfers only). |
Onshore Wind: 3.0(1: even a light onshore ruins the surf. 5: Imperial Beach can offer better rides with a light wind behind them). |
Other Options: 3.4(1: If wind or tide conditions are poor at Imperial Beach, it will be poor everywhere nearby. 5: other locations nearby provide a rich variety of wind and swell exposures). |
Wind and Kite Surfing: 3.8(1: An unsuitable spot. 5: Wind and wave conditions at Imperial Beach are often excellent). |
Water Quality: 2.2(1: Known health risks from pollution. 5: Never any pollution). |
Crowds: 3.9(1: Often too crowded. 5: Imperial Beach is an isolated spot where you are unlikely to meet other surfers). |
Access: 4.8(1: Getting to Imperial Beach requires an overland expedition or chartering a boat. 3: A 30 minute walk from the nearest parking. 5: Park a vehicle right by the break). |
Scenery: 4.1(1: An ugly industrial backdrop. 5: A spectacular setting). |
Local Attitude: 4.1(1: Locals are hostile to visitors. 5: Either there are no locals who surf, or else they are accommodating and friendly). |
Accommodation: 4.4(1: No convenient places to stay indoors. 5: A wide variety of accommodation near Imperial Beach for all budgets from hostels to luxury hotels). |
Camping: 1.8(1: Camping at Imperial Beach is not possible. 3: Camping tolerated but no facilities. 5: A nearby camp ground has excellent facilities and a good vibe). |
Entertainment: 3.4(1: Besides the surf and the solitude there is nothing to do when it is flat. 5: Imperial Beach is in such an interesting area to visit that getting wet is a bonus). |
Equipment and Repairs: 4.2(1: Nothing can be sourced, not even wax. 5: Quality surfing equipment can be purchased or hired. Major repairs can be fixed too). |
Eating: 4.2(1: Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. 5: A wide variety of places to eat and drink at Imperial Beach, from fast food and cafes to fancy restaurants). |
Drinking: 4.5(1: Alcohol is not allowed in the country. 5: There is an excellent pub near Imperial Beach where you can stay or park a camper van overnight). |
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