Like some comedians, some towns get no respect. In a tourist mecca like San Diego, some of the surrounding communities have had to build some tall pillars to stand up against the waves of attention that San Diego, Coronado or La Jolla receive.

Back in 1909, this town did build just that. They built an attraction they could call their own. Whatever the case, in 1909, the town of Imperial Beach was becoming popular. Imperial Beach was the coastal retreat for the desert-dwellers of Imperial County. The folks would escape the heat and head west to the sparkling shoreline of what became Imperial Beach.

Build it and they will come. Soon the connection was made that to accommodate the tourist's needs, more electricity would have to be generated. Sound familiar? Imperial Beach started to look for energy solutions. Eerily familiar, now? Some things never change or maybe the more things change the more they stay the same.

Imperial Beach Pier - 1904

The South San Diego Investment Company baited potential investors by constructing a dual-purpose fishing pier to attract crowds. The idea sparked interest because it would also provide a platform for the "Edwards Wave Motor," a giant machine that would convert the wave energy into electric energy. The pier was called the "Edwards Wave Motor Pier." The town would get electricity, the people would bask in light and revelry and investors would be be pleased as punch. Imperial Beach was aglow with promise.

Unfortunately, darkness fell on this bright idea. The "Edwards Wave Motor," missed the boat on delivering as promised. It was kaput. History. What remained was the wooden pier, boardwalk and bathhouse - all serving the public for years to come. The pier took some licks over the next 40 some odd years and came to its demise in a bad storm back in 1948. It, literally, became adrift in the angry seas below.

It took some time, but in 1963 a new 1,500-foot pier was constructed and rightly named the Imperial Beach Pier. As fate would have it for this pier, the 1963 pier was also destroyed in the 1980's.

The current pier, built in 1989, rises above 20-feet deep water and is 24-feet wide. It is due for some tender lovin' care and so in mid-2009, the pier will get a $1.2 million makeover. The Port of San Diego has ponied up the cash and will be plunking it down to replace planks and 3 pilings, other structural maintenance issues and they'll correct the unevenness of the pier which has always been a sore spot for the pier.

Imperial Beach Pier

Imperial Beach gets no respect. Often is it simply disregarded and almost considered the distant step-child of San Diego. Whether it is its' proximity to the Mexican border (5 miles) or just lack of appreciation, it rarely gets much attention. It deserves more than that.

This quiet beach front community of about 28,000 people has many things to offer including the Tijuana Estuary. Make a trip to explore Imperial Beach.

The entrance to the pier is highlighted by the colorful "Surfhenge" public art project. The Imperial Beach Pier is a great escape from crowds. Unlike the overly-commercialized Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles and other more crowded piers in San Diego, the Imperial Beach Pier is quiet and does just what great piers do for the soul. It gets you above the water to let your thoughts float through the wind. Walking out to the end of this fishing pier you can get the views of Point Loma, Tijuana, downtown San Diego and the Coronado Islands. Be careful, though, of the fishermen as they cast their fishing lines!

Brown Pelican

Despite all the local fishermen who spend hours waiting for their fish to come in, the pier is clean and easily accessible. The California Brown Pelican will catch your eye on the pier or flying over head. The California surfers suit up and ride their passion below.

Tin Fish

If you get hungry, you can stop by the Tin Fish at the end of the pier. While not the most polished place in town, the Tin Fish does offer food and beverage, if you have a hankering. Outdoor seating is available.

There's nothing like taking a short walk on a long pier. It certainly is safer than taking a long walk on a short pier. Pick a beautiful day, drive south on I-5 a few extra miles beyond San Diego and enjoy the Imperial Beach Pier.