The trail leading to the beach

Border Field State Park is where delegations from both the U.S. and Mexico began the survey of the border in 1850 after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was concluded on February 2, 1848, officially ending the U.S./Mexican War. From 1929 until the early 1960s, the park was home to a military base that included a radar installation, shore battery, auxiliary landing field, and fire-control station. The flat area to the south was the site of an aerial gunnery target range, and a metal track was constructed to provide aircraft pilots with moving targets.

Border Field State Park monument

Border Field State Park and Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Preserve has the designation as a “wetland of International importance” by the International Ramsar Committee and is one of the 35 “Ramsar sites” in the U.S.A. The Tijuana River watershed starts in the Laguna Mountains where it originates at the confluence of Cottonwood Creek and Tecate Creek then flows into Mexico where the third major tributary of Rio Las Palmas system joins before the Tijuana River turns north and reenters the U.S. near San Ysidro.

Over time, the river created a 3-mile wide valley. A bay existed in the valley over 7000 years ago. The sea level was much lower and the shoreline was located 0.75 mile offshore. Sea levels slowly rose, and sediments were carried downstream by the river and deposited near its mouth. These sediments gradually blocked the river mouth and restricted tidal flushing, and over time created the estuary that is present today.

Sea lavender grows at the base of Monument Mesa

The hike along the beach and nearby dunes will surprise visitors with its beautiful views and diversity of animal and plant life. Once in the southwest corner of the continental United States, the trail system consists of the South Beach, North Beach, and Beach trails. The South Beach and North Beach trails follow the tide line along the coast and lead to the mouth of the Tijuana River, while the Beach Trail connects the beach to the park entrance road near the kiosk.

The South Beach trailhead is located on the beach at the west end of the road and turnaround below the north face of Monument Mesa, 200 yards north of the international border, and leads northward along the shoreline. The surface consists of soft beach sands. During spring and summer, hikers and others are restricted to walking along the wet portion of the sands to prevent disturbance to a least tern and snowy plover nesting area that has been set aside in the dune area east of the trail. These small shorebirds hunt small fish near the shore and nest in open areas on the beach. Many other shore birds are visible as the trail passes along the beach, including pelicans, willets, gulls, and plovers. Seals, sea lions, dolphins, and whales can occasionally be spotted offshore.

Border Field State Park trail map

At the intersection of South Beach and North Beach trails, approximately 0.6 mile north of the border, is the Beach Trail that serves as an access road for research sites in the area and leads to the gate entrance. It is near an abandoned concrete outfall remnant on the beach with the intersection marked with a wood and metal signpost. The Beach Trail is on a packed earth surface that leads east through the dune area and crosses a series of salt flats. Here the vegetation includes elderberry, bladderpod, crystalline ice plant, pickleweed, grasses, Shaw’s agave, and other coast sage scrub and other wetland plants.

The North Beach Trail continues along the shoreline for another 0.6 mile until it reaches the mouth of the Tijuana River. Bring binoculars to better witness the abundance of bird life, which includes migratory species on this Pacific flyway that extends from Alaska to the southern end of South America.

Border Field State Park

Distance from downtown San Diego: 18 miles. Allow 35 minutes driving time (Imperial Beach). From I-5 S, exit at Coronado Ave. and continue south through the intersection on Hollister Street for 2.2 miles until it ends at Monument Rd. Turn right (west) and proceed 1.3 miles on Monument Road to the Border Field State Park entrance gate. After entering the park, drive past the entrance kiosk and follow the paved road as it turns south for 0.5 mile and then west 0.4 mile. The road leads to the top of Monument Mesa, where parking is available at Friendship Park. Note that the entrance gate is frequently closed due to flooding, but the park remains open. There is an alternative lot near the south side of the entrance gate. Proceed to the trailhead on foot or take the Beach Trail that intersects with the entrance road. There is a vehicle fee charged past the gate.

Hiking Length: 1.5 miles, out-and-back.

Difficulty: Easy with elevation gain/loss less than 200 ft. Trails open to hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians, dogs (on leashes) restricted to picnic area. Hours open: 9:30 a.m.–6:30 or 7:00 p.m. Usage restricted to wet sand near shore from March 1 through September 30. Swimming not recommended due to possible water-quality issues, rip tides, strong currents, and no lifeguards. Facilities, barbeques, and horse corrals available.