Imperial Beach...

San Diego Metro KOA

Chula Vista, CA

January 16, 2024 

"Surfhenge",a colorful art piece, welcomes you to the pier. It is a tribute to the history of surf board design.

Imperial Beach is a little further than a stone's throw from the KOA at just under 10 miles.  It has often been described as a Southern California retro beach vibe that can be lost in the glitzier towns to the north.  Imperial Beach was first developed in 1887 as a summer retreat to entice Imperial Valley residents to visit.  The area was also a draw for the military beginning in the early 1900s when a 10th Calvary troop was stationed nearby to suppress conflicts along the border.  The city was incorporated in 1956...the tenth city to do so in San Diego County. 

Imperial Beach Pier

At just under 1,500 ft long, the wooden Imperial Beach Pier is the focal point of the community.  The first pier and boardwalk date back to 1909. That pier finally gave way to nature in 1948. Today's pier was originally built in 1963 and restored and enlarged in 1989.   

 

At the end of the pier is the Tin Fin Seafood Restaurant and painted on the back wall is a sign that reads, "You have reached the most Southwesterly point in the Continental United States". 

The beach was not crowded...a few walkers, a few birds.  

Located a few blocks south of the pier is a wonderful walking and birding area...Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge.  It is a 1,072 acre wetland located where the Tijuana River meets the ocean.  The refuge was established in 1980 and is part of the 2,800 acre Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve...one of only 30 such reserves in the United States. The purpose of the NWR is to conserve fish, wildlife, and plants which are listed as endangered or threatened species.  We first visited the refuge two years ago when Jeff  suggested it might be a birding spot of interest for us.  It sure was of interest and it sure is nice to have friends who are locals and gracious enough to take the time to point out such treasures.  

I took this photo of a Yellow-crowned Night Heron on January 18, 2022.  What a photo session it was!

We arrived at the slough much later in the morning than when we visited in '22.  Like the photos from Torrey Pines, the sunlight cast a glare and was not very suitable for photographing the landscape or the birds.  

A sweet little Anna's Hummingbird

A sweet little Allen's Hummingbird

An elegant Snowy Egret

What I thought was a stump turned out to be a Yellow-crowned Night Heron...way far away for photographing, but none the less a sighting.

There were lots of Coots...not the doddering old curmudgeons one usually associates with the word coots, but charming charcoal gray waddlers.  

And lots of beautiful, hard working, and sometimes amusing ducks. Mallards...

Northern Pintails...

and Green-winged Teals. 

Splashes of color here and there...

Radish

Firecracker/Fountain plant

Cliffrose

Prickly Pear

Toyon

California Brittlebush

I'm not sure how many miles of trails there are at the Slough.  So far we have been twice, walked two different trails.  There is one more trail left to do.  Also, there is Imperial Beach Shoreline Trail (5.0 miles round trip) that begins at the pier and ends at the mouth of the Tijuana River that we have not done yet. 

The VC is closed on Monday and Tuesday, but the trails at the refuge open for visitors to enjoy. 

  

And to top off the day, we stopped at Rally's for burgers and fries.  We don't have a Checker's/Rally's in Tucson and jump at the chance to devour our favorite Champ cheese burger and crispy fries when ever we pass by one.  

 

A bag full of yummy!

Back at Belle...

Until next time, 

HAPPY TRAILS !

Seaport Village and Beaches

San Diego Metro KOA

Chula Vista, CA

January 12, 2024

Harbor Drive in San Diego

Wednesday's destination was Seaport Village.   It's a fun outing...we can walk, shop, eat and never have to move the jeep and it's less than 10 miles from the KOA.  

The walk along the harbor passes by store fronts, patio cafes, a very green park with trees and picnic tables and benches, and a marina on one side. The beautiful bay with various size boats going out or coming in, Bay Bridge, Coronado Island and the Navy shipyard are on the other side.

Fun stores to browse...

 

A beautiful green park...

Looking toward Bay Bridge which connects San Diego and Coronado Island...

Looking toward San Diego...

 

Navy shipyard across the bay...

Getting closer to the marina...

Passing by the marina, we always take time to read the names of the sea going vessels..."Snaphappy" was our favorite this time...

The history of Seaport Village's reclaimed land can be traced as far back as 1782 when sailors aboard a pair of Spanish expedition ships anchored in the bay.  As the story goes, the sailors began to fall ill from scurvy and were buried there.  Then in the 1930s, train tracks were laid along Harbor Drive when the land was converted into a railroad yard to ship goods and materials to San Diego.  

It wasn't until the late 1970s that someone had a vision for Seaport Village which officially opened in 1978.  Today it is a 14 acre waterfront complex with lots of color, a laid-back vibe, and unique shopping and eating choices.  

And while there, don't forget to look up or you might just forget you are right smack dab in the middle of downtown...beautiful San Diego !

Walking and shopping sure makes me hungry.  Our lunch choice was Edgewater Grill...they serve brunch until 3:00 !  It was little chilly for the outside patio, but we had a very nice window table with a really nice view of the bay.  

Joe patiently waiting while I washed my hands...

The service was stellar and the food was yummy.  Joe chose fish and chips served on a bed of mixed greens with fries and malt vinegar.  I had brunch...not a surprise...and chose crab Benedict with local crab, poached eggs, house hollandaise, english muffin, avocado, and breakfast fries.  I ate every morsel ! 

We did make one small purchase...

Friday's destination was Mission Beach.  We joined Ronnie and Carol for a much needed beach walk...I was in heaven!  Our walk began at a grassy knoll somewhere at Mission Beach and ended past the Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach.  Some of the walk was sandy ocean and some on the boardwalk where beach reparation was in progress.  

One of the last of San Diego's beach communities to be developed, Mission Beach got its start in 1914.  It is built on a sandbar between the Pacific Ocean and Mission Bay. 

 

Mission Beach...glistening rocks

This family friendly beach spans nearly 2 miles of ocean front.  A boardwalk runs along the beaches on both the ocean and bay front areas.  Since our arrival and thru this morning there has been a high surf advisory with winds gusts up to 45 mph and breaking waves between 12-18 + ft. high with water finding its way to nearby boardwalks and roads.  Piers were closed and I even read that the sea wall at the Children's Pool in LaJolla has damages as well which is not good for the seals and sea lions who birth their pups this time of year.  

I have always enjoyed the challenge of capturing waves as they roll over...

I'm guessing this surfer feels the same. 

Crystal Pier, first built in 1927, is an 872 ft long wooden pier.  

It is usually open to the public for fishing, people watching or just relaxing to the sounds of crashing waves, but that portion of the pier was closed due to the high surf.   But, Crystal Pier Hotel and Cottages were open for rentals. Imagine a night of sleeping over the ocean... 

Each cottage features a private deck on the pier...

Also built in 1927, the hotel primarily features original cottages...restored, renovated, and rustic...a reminder of days gone by. 

Past the pier, the glistening rocks disappear and we enjoyed the shore birds and their funny antics scooting in and out, chasing each other and probing for tasty morsels.  Lots of Marbled Godwits... 

and Willets.

Back at Belle,  we had a really nice rainy Wednesday night.  Rain in Belle is awesome especially when it's a good steady rain and no winds are involved. 

The three of us enjoy the flowers and the grass here at the KOA and get plenty of walks around the resort.     

Of course an afternoon nap is nice too !

I'll close with a few photos...

Until next time,

 

HAPPY TRAILS!