Imperial Beach is the southwestern most San Diego (and California) coastal community. Located just minutes from both the international border with the Mexican state of Baja California as well as minutes from downtown San Diego and upscale Coronado Island – Imperial Beach offers the condo buyer a strategic location, and miles of beaches at an affordable price compared to other beach communities further north.
Consider that a sunset viewed from your beachfront condo in Imperial Beach is the same as the one from a condo in La Jolla 15 minutes north up the 5 freeway – for a fraction of the price. Both communities are of equal distance from downtown San Diego where much of the San Diego’s best nightlife takes place.
The small community of 27,000 is tightly knit being somewhat isolated by the Pacific Ocean on the west, the large Tijuana River estuary on the south, San Diego Bay on the north and the 5 freeway on the east. Throughout the towns history – the town has battled the Surfrider Foundation, no-growth groups, city, state, federal and Mexican governments over land-use, pollution and environmental issues. If you are shopping for a bargain priced California beach condominium, Imperial Beach is a good place to begin looking as for years it has been off the radar screen of those more desirous of beach real estate communities offering golf, gourmet dining and boutiques.
Besides the beach location, Imperial Beach is convenient to clubs, restaurants and tourist attractions just 10 minutes away in downtown San Diego or across the border in Tijuana. San Diego’s Gaslamp district with over 100 clubs and restaurants, Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo are just minutes away. With a Latin population estimated at 40% - Imperial Beach restaurants and nightclubs tend to concentrate on Mexican fare – good comida (food) but if you are seeking more variety or haute cuisine – you’ll head for downtown San Diego.
The several miles long Silver Strand divides the Pacific Ocean from San Diego Bay connects Imperial Beach with famous Coronado Island to the north with its luxury homes, golf course, the Naval Air Station North Island, Navy Seals training facility and the famous Victorian era Coronado Beach Hotel. Silver Strand also features a State Park with beach side camping facilities. A pier built in 1909 originally incorporated machinery that generated electricity from wave action. Today it remains as a fishing pier located on the waterfront in the heart of Imperial Beach.
Job Corps maintains a large facility on former military property training hundreds of young men and women annually to become tradesmen or prep for college. For over 27 years the city has promoted the US Open Sandcastle Competition in July. In 2007 over 400,000 people attended and over $22,000 in prizes were awarded.
Imperial Beach for many is a sleeper – a place that will become hot property for condo buyers as it resolves its growth and environmental issues. Whether one is retired and looking for a condo to purchase, a vacation condo to rent, do business in Mexico or work in downtown San Diego – Imperial Beach real estate is worth investigating.
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