Border Field State Park
State Park · San Diego, California
Border Field State Park is the far southwest corner of the continental United States, in San Diego County next to Imperial Beach, where the land meets the Mexican border and the Pacific. The beach runs west to the border fence, which reaches out into the surf, and the park sits beside the Tijuana River Estuary, a salt marsh used by many birds and part of a research reserve - confirm. Friendship Park, a binational meeting place at the fence, has had limited and changing access - confirm days and hours with the agencies in charge. Horse riding on park trails is possible - confirm. Be plain about the downsides: sewage in the Tijuana River sometimes closes the beach and fouls the water, so check conditions and do not swim; Border Patrol vehicles are everywhere; wind and fog are common. It suits birders, border curiosity and quiet walkers, and is not a beach day for swimmers. Check the gate and water conditions on the day. Allow two to three hours.
1500 Monument Rd, San Diego, California, 92154, United States
The park is normally open from about sunrise or mid-morning until sunset, with the road and gates following changing schedules - confirm with California State Parks. The access road floods in wet weather and the vehicle gate is sometimes closed, which leaves a walk of a mile or more from the entrance to the beach - confirm before you drive. Friendship Park has its own access rules set by federal agencies and has been limited to certain days, windows and numbers of visitors - confirm any current schedule before you travel. The beach and parts of the estuary can close for sewage or habitat reasons. Plan for daylight hours and allow for a long walk.
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