| Border Field State Park | |
|---|---|
Border Field State Park sign | |
| Location | San Diego County, California, United States |
| Nearest city | Imperial Beach, California |
| Coordinates | 32°32′36″N117°6′23″W / 32.54333°N 117.10639°W /32.54333; -117.10639 |
| Area | 1,316 acres (5.33 km2) |
| Established | 1972 |
| Visitors | 62,000[1] (in FY 2014/2015) |
| Governing body | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
| Website | http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=664 |
Border Field State Park is astate park ofCalifornia, United States, containing beach and coastal habitat on theMexico–United States border. The park is within the city limits ofImperial Beach inSan Diego County, next to the suburb ofPlayas de Tijuana in Mexico. It contains the southernmost point in the state of California.[2] The refuge forms the southern part ofTijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Border Field State Park containsFriendship Park, which is just inland from the place where the border meets the ocean. Immediately adjacent is theInitial Point of Boundary Between U.S. and Mexico.
TheTreaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was concluded on February 2, 1848, officially ending thewar between theUnited States andMexico. It provided that the new international border between the two countries be established by a jointUnited States and Mexican Boundary Survey. The commission began its survey at Border Field. DuringWorld War II it was base forBorder Naval Outlying Landing Field[2][3][4][5]
The park was closed to the public in 2020 during theCOVID-19 outbreak. After the COVID-19 threat passed, the park remained closed, ostensibly due to flooding and sewage issues. In 2024 the park remained closed, purportedly due to construction on newborder fence. The park remains closed as of January 2025.[6]
TheTijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve contains much of Border Field State Park and is an important wildlifehabitat. The salt and freshwatermarshes give refuge to migratingwaterfowl and residentwading birds, such asblack-necked stilt,American avocet,green-winged teal,American wigeon andpelicans. The park offers hiking, horse trails, surf fishing and birding.[2]
Forfiscal year 2014–2015 61,799 people visited the Border Field State Park,[1] up from 45,633 in FY 2011–2012.[7]
| To the East: San Ysidro | California State Beaches | To the South Tijuana |