Imperial Beach Stories
On August 25 at 11 a.m., Cher M. went to Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen on Mira Mesa Blvd. — only to find out that it was closed. “A sign said they were basically sold out of …
One of the last affordable housing niches along Palm Avenue in Imperial Beach is closing. Those living at Siesta RV, Trailer and Mobile Home Park are mostly low income, elderly, living on fixed incomes. Where …
There’s nothing wrong with drinking beer in a warehouse tasting room, per se, but each year a handful of breweries embrace the idea that San Diego’s best beer lifestyle requires great outdoor drinking venues. Here …
My friend Hank and I are both desperately trying to lose weight. I can’t seem to break 210. That’s why I’m coming to meet Hank at this brekky/lunch place he told me about. It’s a …
On July 12 at about dusk, two kids scurried away from an upset man and woman, after the kids demolished parts of a sandcastle sculpture by the Imperial Beach Pier. IB-local Joey Bradley was coming …
Who knew back in 1977, when the Coastal Act was passed, that the sea would rise so quickly? Now, cities and the agency formed to protect the coastline, must deal with it - and with …
“I see about one of these cars with stolen catalytic converters a week, go through my repair shop in Rancho Bernardo,” said Justin Goen. “It pisses me off and I think recyclers need to figure …
On June 30, Rick noticed five individuals soliciting for donations on Palm Avenue and Saturn Boulevard at south San Diego — a block west of the I-5. “I saw a young man with a cut …
Summer means sidewalk sales. And now, starting this summer, even more sidewalk sales. In January, a state law took effect that makes it easier for street vendors, whether stationary or roaming, to hawk everything from …
San Ysidro residents were stunned and angry when they learned that neighboring Imperial Beach and the Surfrider Foundation are pushing a plan for an 80-acre capture basin for sewage, sediment and trash within a mile …
A shelter for legal immigrants in the South San Diego is gaining attention from anti-immigrant activists and local residents who have started a campaign of filming in front of the shelter and confronting the workers …
“These Imperial Beach cats are ballsy,” Julie said, “normally cats just freeze and run away.” She was referring to the rash of cat attacks reported on the Ring and Facebook apps. “Both of my [Pitbull …
The waves crash as if this were an episode of Poldark. Sun and spume glint through the colored plastic surfboard sculptures, here at IB’s Portwood Pier Plaza. “So I’m still looking,” says Kevin. We’re meeting …
On December 10, Marisol Castillo’s Christmas gift package was swiped from the porch of her Imperial Beach home; this was her last straw. “We’ve had this situation happen way too many times,” she said on …
The Gulf of Ulloa is south/southeast of San Diego along the Pacific coast of the Baja peninsula. It is vibrant with sea life. Whales cruise and forage the gulf during annual migratory patterns; tuna, wahoo, …
Hundreds of Imperial Beach residents showed up to a land-use workshop Wednesday night to tell their city council they are opposed to the city using eminent domain to take ocean-affected property and give them to …
The mayor of Imperial Beach has officially welcomed approximately 800 Marines arriving at a local military base as part of President Trump's response to the migrant caravan in Mexico. "I have met with the leadership …
I don’t suppose many readers have occasion to go out in Escondido’s eastern sprawl for carne asada. I doubt most of us need to travel a mile to find a choice of spots serving it. …
Bonnie’s lived by Imperial Beach Boulevard and 9th Street for the last 20 years. “I had no idea that the [EDCO trash] bins could be replaced free of charge,” she said. “I actually never really …
Thirty-six years ago, the Reader surveyed the San Diego County coastline in search of any remaining vacant, buildable land along the coast. In January of 1982, we found a scant 79 parcels of land remaining, …
You’d think elections in a town that covers about four square miles and is home to 27,400 people would be a pretty simple affair. But the races in Imperial Beach are anything but that. While …
When I get in at 6:50 am,” Jeffrey said, “it’s already here: fresh poop.” Almost every morning, Jeffrey opens up the Valvoline Instant Oil Change shop in City Heights. “When I see people with dogs, …
What happens when toxic wastewater escapes cleansing, crosses an international border, picks up more pollutants, dodges treatment again, and finds its way onto beaches? Lawsuits. After decades of spills, of human and environmental health threats, …
“The car was right there next to the pier,” said Lisa Rodriguez. “The guy was joyriding then his car got stuck; he took off and left his drunk girlfriend in the car.” On September 4, …
Back in 2013 Wally’s Marketplace, located in Imperial Beach, carried outdated and expired food on their shelves. Two years later, the nearby Save-A-Lot—run by the same owner—sold a customer 90 pounds of spoiled chicken, sparking …
On August 5, John saw a “silly” McDonald’s meme shared on his Facebook timeline “that actually, hit home.” It’s based on a photo of the fast-food restaurant on Palm Avenue in Imperial Beach. The meme’s …
On August 4, Bryna from Imperial Beach posted a Facebook video of her friend’s landscape lights getting stolen. “This happened on 14th Street,” she said, “This individual decided to go into my friend's yard and …
“You just got one [mosquito] that landed on your chest,” Sean Simmons said, “and there’s some flying around you.” “Ohhh man there’s another mosquito on my shoulder,” I said as I swatted it away. On …
On July 29 at noon, about 75 vintage Volkswagen owners rendezvoused at International Friendship Park in Imperial Beach. This was the last stop for the Treffen: “A traveling [rear-engine] Volkswagen carnival, complete with cruises, camp …
Sandcastles, typically, are not built for longevity; they are the perfect metaphor for a thing constructed that will not last. Yet, in Imperial Beach, sandcastles have survived the test of time. Founded in 1887, the …
Name: Rick Dyer From: Fallbrook Location: Imperial Beach Pier On May 20th, I saw Rick Dyer and his wife Lynne hanging out by their 1972 Volkswagen Combi van on Seacoast Drive. “The surf out at …
On May 20, Brandon and his buddy Raul, could’ve been fined $100 apiece, if they walked their two labrador-mix dogs past the jetties in Imperial Beach. “The fact that the sign is posted up there,” …
Smoking lounges, neighborhood grows, and pot dispensaries won't go on the ballot in Imperial Beach, but where exactly will they go? Anywhere? On April 27, a judge upheld the city's decision to deny a petition …
“They want the neighborhood to look pretty from the back too,” said Pete Suarez, “now that’s a crock.” Suarez bikes from south San Diego through Imperial Beach to get to Coronado. On April 28, I …
Name: Scott Age: 59 From: San Diego Location: Imperial Beach Pier Occupation: Staff at Sharp Grossmont Hospital “I went over a wave and I heard a crack,” said Scott, as he snapped his fingers and …
“It is estimated that the typical dog excretes between one half to three quarters of a pound of waste per day,” according to the City of San Diego website. “In San Diego alone, there are …
Following a model created more than 30 years ago by former Imperial Beach mayor Brian Bilbray on top of a bulldozer, crews from the International Boundary and Water Commission pushed up an earthen berm at …
I met Chris Duenas and his son Jonah on the north side of the Imperial Beach Pier. Before our interview, the waves were about three feet, and Jonah just wiped out on his boogie board …
Luis Villa-Lopez said that he catches over 20 patrons per day that come into the South Bay Swap Meet — without paying. “On Wednesday it’s only $1 to come in,” he said. “They sneak in …
Imperial Beach by the numbers: Beach closings 2016: 30 Beach closings 2017: 70 Beach attendance 2016: 3.1 million Beach attendance 2017: 2.3 million The number of beach closings in Imperial Beach more than doubled in …
Name: Paloma Aguirre Bacalski Age: 40 From: Imperial Beach Location: Imperial Beach Pier Occupation: Coastal and marine director for Wildcoast Paloma Aguirre Bacalski was one of about 12 that paddled out in honor of Doug …
The sewage stink from the beach south of Seacoast Drive in Imperial Beach started about a quarter-mile north of the Tijuana River mouth on February 17th, with the first hints marked by that pungent, green, …
“Lily was last seen being taken from our yard on Thursday [February 15] by a caucasian male, medium build, [in his] late 20s to early 30s,” Ivan Kanzaki said. “He then led [our Siberian husky] …
Name: Peter Ramseier Age: 47 From: Imperial Beach Occupation: Airplane mechanic Peter Ramseier rolled out to surf with his two sons and their friends just hours before the Christmas Eve festivities. They surfed by the …
While local, national and international media delighted in the cross-border marriage through the open border gate at Friendship Park last month, federal agents with the U.S. Border Patrol were less than delighted. In stories for …
"Mmm. Helps with the cold,” croaks Ria. She’s leaning over the steam of her wonton soup. She fishes for a wonton that’s hiding beneath the cabbage and crispy croutons she dunked in the soup. Then …
In their push for the conversion of a Super 8 motel to a transitional housing facility for up to 84 people, the city attorney's office failed to honor a public records request by the Reader …
Name: AF Age: 47 Location: Imperial Beach At about sunset, I spotted AF at the end of Date Avenue loading his 7’8″ Electric Duck surfboard into his van. “It’s shaped by Mike Richardson,” he said. …
Surfrider and Wildcoast, along with three citizens’ groups, have challenged county supervisor Greg Cox over funding for a campground included in a state bill the groups supported. The groups are asking that the $1.6 million …
The Tijuana River Estuary is unique in California as the only estuary that does not have a road, railway crossing, or bridge across the river mouth. The salt-marsh estuary has remained connected to the sea. …
P.O.D., the South Bay rap-metal band that broke out 25 years ago with radio hits such as “Alive” and “Youth of the Nation,” was on the radio recently to announce its Lower Left Fest, a …
With the governor’s signature late Monday (October 9th), $2.1 million in state funding is on its way to the Tijuana River Valley — some of it earmarked to deal with the sewage, trash, and sediment …