Coastal American
$$$SEA180 Coastal Tavern
The town's best oceanfront dining room, right at the pier.
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South Bay coast
Imperial Beach is the most affordable beach town in San Diego County: a long fishing pier, the Tijuana Estuary's bird trails, Border Field State Park's horseback beach and sunsets without the Pacific Beach chaos.
Last updated
The best-known restaurants in Imperial Beach are SEA180 Coastal Tavern, Tin Fish IB, Nicosia Pizza & Pasta. Most sit-down meals run $15–$35 per person, and the taco shops and delis below are under $15.
Population
~26,000
Median home
~$800K
2BR rent
~$2,600 (2BR)
To downtown
20–30 min
Schools
South Bay Union (K–6) + Sweetwater Union HS (Mar Vista)
Coastal American
$$$The town's best oceanfront dining room, right at the pier.
Seafood
$$Fried fish and tacos at the end of the pier.
Italian
$Neighborhood pizza that locals defend fiercely.
Mexican seafood
$Ceviche tostadas and shrimp cocktails a block from the sand.
Brewery
$Beer garden near the pier.
Breakfast
$Pre-surf breakfast burritos.
Dive bar
$IB's classic beach dive.
Pizza
$Slices after a session.
SEA180 for an oceanfront dinner, Tin Fish out on the pier, Mariscos El Pescador for ceviche and Katy's Cafe for breakfast burritos.
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Published by the Sandi Spots Editorial team at Sleep Coast LLC. Guides combine local perspective and source research. Check the individual guide for firsthand observations and follow official links to confirm current details.