Imperial Beach (91932) Real Estate

Imperial Beach boasts that it is the most southwesterly community in the U.S. Located 20 miles south of San Diego, just north of Tijuana, the community was started originally as a beach retreat for residents of Imperial Valley in 1887, hence the name.

The area has had a long pier for fishing since 1909 when the original pier was built to house machinery that generated electricity from wave action. The "Edwards Wave Motor" was not very successful and was dismantled shortly after it was installed. The pier has been destroyed several times by wave action. The last time it was replaced was 1988.

Imperial Beach is known for some of the best sand in the country. The community holds the annual U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition with contestants from all over the country. The sandcastles are intricate marvels of transitory architecture.

There are two wildlife sanctuaries and a state park in the area. The Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge, the Tijuana River National Estuarine Sanctuary and Border Field State Park provide recreational opportunities.