Dawn patrol surfing in Imperial Beach

Primary access is along Seacoast Drive with multiple stairway entries to the beach. The IB Pier at the end of Evergreen Avenue is the main landmark and access point. Full facilities at the pier plaza including restrooms, showers, and the Tin Fish restaurant. Lifeguards are staffed in summer. The beach is flat and wide, making it easy to walk to different peaks. Street parking along Seacoast Dr is the main option.

Free street parking along Seacoast Drive is the primary option, with spots getting tighter near the pier on summer weekends. There's a small lot near the pier plaza that fills early. Residential streets one block inland usually have open spots. Imperial Beach is more laid-back about parking than other SD beach towns—you can usually find something within a couple blocks even on busy days. No meters in most areas.

Park near the pier at the end of Evergreen Avenue in Imperial Beach and walk directly onto the sand. The pier is the landmark -- you can't miss it. The beach is flat and wide, making it easy to access from multiple points along Seacoast Drive.

Free street parking along Seacoast Drive and the surrounding blocks fills up on good days. The small lot at the base of the pier has metered spots. During the US Open of Surfing and other IB events, parking becomes extremely limited, so arrive early.