With promises of relaxed beachside strolls, sandy picnics (you know you love those crunchy sandwiches!), and, of course, seaside views, few people don’t at least dream of life by the water. But, unfortunately, with many popular beach towns in San Diego costing a cool $2.7 million on average (yes, we’re talking about you, La Jolla!), few of us consider that this dream could become a reality.
Luckily, while hot locations like Coronado steal the headlines, lesser-known beach locations like Imperial Beach are in a far better position to steal your heart. Of course, a much more reasonable median home value of around just $900K plays a massive part in that, but this hidden gem in San Diego has a whole lot more to offer, and we’re going to look at just a few of the wow factors that make Imperial Beach worth choosing.
A wealth of natural wonder
Imperial Beach offers an abundance of beauty across its four great miles of beach, spanning iconic locations including one of San Diego’s surfing hotspots, Boca Rio beach break, and even the Silver Strand State Beach and bikeway. This last treasured and famous icon joins IB with neighboring Coronado along some of San Diego’s most stunning views, including glimpses of the Pacific Ocean on one side and the beautiful waters of the National Wildlife Refuge on the other. The Tijuana River National Estuary also calls Imperial Beach home as the Tijuana River meets the Pacific Ocean, culminating in the largest saltwater marsh across Southern California.
An animal lover’s haven
Because of its areas of natural beauty and animal-friendly outlook, Imperial Beach is also a haven for any wildlife lover. So whether you fancy searching away with your binoculars across the Tijuana River Estuary (home to over 370 types of birds and wildlife) or are looking for a beach location that’s genuinely dog friendly, then you don’t need to look any further. In fact, for dog-loving residents, the free rein offered to leashed dogs across all of the city’s beaches is incredibly appealing. It is made even better by an annual surf dog competition that’s guaranteed to get your tail wagging!
A military melting pot
The southern California coast is home to an impressive 240,000 veterans. For military homebuyers looking for a peaceful escape, IB offers fantastic investment potential, not least because of its proximity to a range of military bases, including 32nd Street, the Amphib Base, and North Island.
Fast-forward to an active lifestyle
Imperial Beach also has plenty to offer in terms of its sporting opportunities, not least because of its famous surfing spots, including the above-mentioned famed Boca Rio beach break for surfers of all ages. Other local sporting opportunities for an active lifestyle include a range of beach-based sports, like bodyboarding, jet skiing, and boating, as well as more land-based focuses like biking and roller-blading suitable for every level across the Silver Strand bikeway.
Refreshments residents can always enjoy
Imperial Beach residents certainly aren’t stuck for choice when it comes to drinking and dining, with a range of characterful cute cafes available for daytime treats, including top-rated Katy’s Cafe and Red House Kitchen. Beach-side restaurants also provide the ideal setting for a sophisticated evening meal. They can be found across IB’s four-mile stretch in the form of iconic locations such as SEA180° Coastal Tavern (they have a great Social Hour) and the pier-adjacent Brigantine (their brunch is a MUST). If you’re more into our incredible craft brew scene, Mike Hess and Coronado Brewing Co. will be more your jam. Moving to IB could undoubtedly see you getting captivated by top-notch options like these as often as you like, either as part of a romantic date night or just as a treat for yourself, because why the heck not?
Homes to suit every need
Of course, I couldn’t honestly tell you about IB’s charms without considering the eclectic homes available across this whole charming city. Up-and-coming housing developments play a significant role in Imperial Beach’s appeal, especially as a wave of development, including the 2017 Breakwater Town Center with easy access to groceries and small restaurants, paves the way for an increasingly competitive housing market. Buyers browsing in this area can especially expect to see reasonably priced 2-3 bed homes and apartments in areas including City Center, Citrus Avenue, Imperial Beach Blvd., and beyond. So start your IB search today to find out why any one of these locations could give you the beach views and the laid-back life that you’ve been looking for!
