Imperial Beach Named San Diego's Best Beach Town to Live In

San Diego Magazine, known for featuring “the best of” in San Diego has just listed Imperial Beach as San Diego's best neighborhood to live in if you want to “wiggle your toes in a front yard of sand.”

In other words, Imperial Beach is named the best beach town in San Diego to call home.

Imperial Beach resident Patrick Bechdolt, a resident for 22 years, said this distinction shows how far the city of Imperial Beach has come.

 “It says that we are improving slowly with smart growth,” said Bechdolt.

The article cites Imperial Beach as the last affordable “funky beach town” in Southern California. The magazine also credits Imperial Beach’s redevelopment projects, such as the Outdoor Surf Museum, for revitalizing the city. Katy’s Café and the Mexican eatery El Tapatio were mentioned in the article for being independently owned family businesses that bring character to the city.

The article also said there are 11 affordable beachfront residences on the market.

Bechdolt said Imperial Beach is “absolutely the most underrated beach community in San Diego County” and that the community has a feel of its own.

 “I just like the small town feel of Imperial Beach,” Bechdolt said.

The article is part of a feature that ran in its March 2011 issue titled “Get Happy.”

Other cities that made the list include Coronado as the best neighborhood to live in if you want to dock and dine and Point Loma as the best neighborhood if you want to plant the ultimate garden. 

Real Estate agent and longtime Imperial Beach resident Gary Treischman said people want to move to Imperial Beach because of the people and affordability.

 “It is the last beach community where you can afford to live that has a very diverse population and you get free parking at the beach,” said Trieschman.