Yes, Border Field trails are open to hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians every day until sunset. The gate closes due to flooding from urban and storm water runoff, restricting vehicle access during the wet season. This contaminated water is a health hazard and should not be entered by foot, bicycle, or vehicle. The gate opens, on weekends only, for vehicle access during summer months when Monument Road is completely dry.

You have every right to be in the state park as long as you are on a designated trail. You do not have a right to be on the federal property immediately along the border which includes Border Monument #258.

A Special Event Permit is required for any company, society, organization, or group of persons greater than 25 individuals that wishes to hold, conduct, or participate in any celebration, service, picnic, exercise, or other special event in any park or beach in accordance with State Park rules and regulations (California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 4301(j).  Any group that has alcohol or catering is required to have a permit for any size group.

A Special Event Permit is also required for the use of state park lands for commercial photography (advertising, documentary, etc.).

Contact Information:

Anyone inquiring about a special event, group hike, film permit, beach cleanup, or any other activity that may require a permit can contact the San Diego Coast State Parks Special Event Office by the following methods:

Website: https://www.parks.ca.gov/sdspecialevents (this website provides general information about special event permits and also has an inquiry form to fill out and submit directly to their office)

Email: 

In Person: The District Office is located at 4477 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92110. Staff is typically onsite Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m..

*Due to a large number of inquiries, it may take up to five business days to receive a response from a special events representative.

School groups and other groups should contact the TRNERR Education Department for guided and non-guided visits.

Not exactly, this document will explain the difference between each and the other places found within the larger Reserve.

Wet Season
Go through the metal gate and head west to the beach. Once at the beach, turn left towards the south and head to the mesa. There is a trail up to the mesa on the north and west side.

Dry Season
Go through the metal gate and follow the paved road. Monument Road eventually turns into a gravel road; follow this uphill into the picnic area.

We painfully recognize that since the storms of 2005, the Monument Mesa portion of Border Field State Park is inaccessible to public vehicles for, typically, 5 months of each year. In 2005, sediment flowing from intense storms changed the topography of that part of the park such that the park entrance road is the low spot in the surrounding area and there is nowhere for the water to flow to. We would love to provide a permanent fix to this problem, but it will involve major earth-moving in a wetland area and costs may exceed $4 million. We continue to search for a source for these funds.

The border fence is along the southern boundary of Border Field State Park. Close up access is on Monument Mesa, which boasts views of the Tijuana Estuary and Playas de Tijuana, Mexico. The first monument marking the U.S./Mexico border is still visible through the border fence. Interpretive signs around the picnic area describe the history of the monument and this unique border area. The best time to visit Monument Mesa is during the summer when Monument Road is not flooded and vehicle access is permitted.

Over 370 species of birds have been observed in the Tijuana Estuary and Tijuana River Valley. A bird lists is available at the Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center in Imperial Beach. Raptors such as the Northern Harrier, American Kestrel, and Red-tailed Hawk frequent the mesas. As you walk by willows and mulefat, listen for Least Bell’s vireo, Yellow-breasted chat, and Common yellowthroat. The endangered light-footed Ridgway's rail and sensitive Belding’s savannah sparrow live in the marsh.

The endangered California Least Tern and threatened Western Snowy Plover nest on the dunes. Chicks hatch out at the size of a walnut and camouflage with the beach. Keep horses out of dunes, salt marsh and fenced areas. Riding on the hard-packed sand reduces risks to chicks, nests, and eggs.

Border Field supports several species of snakes, many non-venomous. Rattlesnakes, however, may be found on trails or Monument Mesa in Spring and Summer. They are important members of the natural community. They will not attack, but if disturbed or cornered, they will defend themselves. Give them distance and respect.

Sewage contamination continues to be an issue in the Tijuana River Valley, but much has improved in recent decades. International partnerships and the development of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant have largely limited sewage contaminated flows to the rainy season. During drier summer months, there is very little flow and the estuary remains one of the healthiest coastal wetlands in the region.