Border Field State Park

Phone (619) 575-3613
Fax (619) 575-6913

Border Field Vehicle Entrance Gate Status =
August 25, 2010: CLOSED to vehicles

Update 8/25/10: The Border Field road to Monument Mesa will remain closed to public vehicles until after pruning can be done that will accommodate safe two-way traffic. This cannot take place until after September 15th, the end of nesting season for the endangered Least Bell's Vireo.

Update 8/6/10: Construction has began at Border Field. The contractors are working on fixing the entrance road so that it can safely be used by passenger vehicles. We are hoping that this won't take long. Stay tuned. Find out about the "Monument Mesa Face-lift"construction.

Update 7/1/10: Based on current conditions of the entrance road, we estimate that the flooded condition will remain for another 4 weeks (IF the temperature stays cool and IF there is no increase to the leaking and IF there’s no rain). After this we will need to at least be temporarily repair the BIG potholes for new upgrades and construction to begin at Monument Mesa. The park will be open during construction. Pedestrians should walk straight along the road and continue to the beach trail at the bend in the road.

Update 6/14/10: It appears that there was a water main damaged in Tijuana which increased the puddle created in Yogurt Canyon during rain. The problem has now been fixed, We expect the flooding to start receding soon and would like to open Monument Mesa up to vehicles ASAP. Stay tuned!

November 2009
We Apologize!
California State Parks is facing an unprecedented budget reduction and you may experience service reductions during your visit. We will work to minimize any disruptions because customer service is our priority. We sincerely regret any inconvenience.

Border Field State Park: Closed to vehicles 7 days/week until further notice, the park remains open to visitors who walk or ride in. Except on weekends and holidays, the restrooms atop Monument Mesa will be closed and no trash pick up will occur. It would be a great help if, during this time, walk-in or equestrian visitors could “pack it in, pack it out”.

Over the past 6 months, Border Field State Park has been open to vehicle access on weekends and holidays. Effective November 2, it will remain closed to vehicles 7 days/week.
NOTE: that the park remains open to walk-in and ride-in use.

Monument Mesa with Playas de Tijuana Bull Ring and Lighthouse in Background

Border Field State Park is on the very southwestern corner of the United States and 15 miles south of San Diego. Border Field is located within the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve, an important wildlife habitat. The sand dunes and salt marshes give refuge to critically threatened and endangered birds such as the Western Snowy Plover, the California Least Tern, and the Light-footed Clapper Rail.

The park provides restrooms, picnic areas, barbecues, horse corrals, and interpretive displays. Visitors enjoy surf fishing, beach combing, hiking, horseback riding, and bird watching. The Park does not recommend swimming or wading, due to hazardous conditions, such as inshore holes, rip currents, and the lack of lifeguard service within the Park.

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was concluded on February 2, 1848, officially ending the U.S./Mexico War. In 1850, delegations from both countries began surveying the boundary at this location and the border monument, number 258, can be viewed on top of Monument Mesa.

ENTRANCE FEE: $5.00 per vehicle
Please watch this website for any changes in the status of vehicular access.

PARK HOURS OF OPERATION
please also see details below
Day After Labor Day - October 30th
9:30a.m. to 6:00p.m.
November 1st - March 14th
9:30a.m. To 5:00p.m.
March 15th - Day before Memorial Day Weekend
9:30a.m. To 6:00p.m.
Memorial Day Weekend - Labor Day
9:30a.m. To 7:00p.m.

WHY IS THE ENTRANCE GATE CLOSED? The entrance gate to Border Field is closed Monday - Friday. There is no vehicle access on those days; however the park remains accessible to pedestrians and equestrians. The entrance gate is open and accessible to vehicles on Saturday, Sunday and Holidays. Vehicles can park at the Monument Mesa parking lots (at the end of the paved road). It is the weekend and the gate is still closed... This means that most likely it has rained within the last 3 weeks. Public vehicle access to Border Field and Monument Mesa may be intermittently closed due to flooding and sedimentation following rainstorms or from runoff from the City of Tijuana. During the rainy season, you should visit this website for the current status before visiting the park or call 619-575-3613 between 10AM and 5PM. for the latest update. We are currently seeking funds for a permanent solution to this flooding problem.

Flooded Road at Border Field State Park

Pedestrians
When the entrance gate is closed, the best way to reach Monument Mesa is to park at the entrance gate lot, walk on the road and when the road turns, continue straight on the dirt path to the beach. When you reach the beach, head south until you reach the border and Monument Mesa. It is advised to stay out of any puddles.

Equestrians
When the gate is open, equestrians may use the staging area below Monument Mesa. When the gate is closed, please stage at the parking area at the entrance gate to the park.

RULES AND REGULATIONS
The following rules and regulations are for your own safety and to protect the plants and animals that live in this Reserve. For additional information, please check out this brochure.

Dogs Dogs (only on leash) are allowed only atop the Monument Mesa picnic area. Therefore, only on Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays, when the road is accessible to public vehicles (when the road is not flooded). No harassing or disturbing wild animals. This is prohibited by state and federal laws.

Endangered California Least Tern

No collecting.
Shells, rocks, wood, plants or animals. As a State Park, all features are protected. Please don’t dig, collect, break or in anyway disturb the natural and historic features found in Border Field State Park. Help us save them for future generations to enjoy. And, anyhow, its against the law.

BORDER FENCE & PARK ACCESS

TRIPLE BORDER FENCE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
The project has been completed. For questions about the Triple Border Fence Construction Project, please contact the Border Patrol Public Information Office: 619-216-4182

ACCESS TO THE BORDER MONUMENT AT FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE
The Imperial Beach Border Patrol Station will allow routine public access to the Border Monument and Friendship Circle every weekend between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Occupancy with Friendship Circle is limited to a maximum of 25 individuals and a government issued photo ID is required to enter. Click here for more information and rules for entry.

Please send any questions regarding access to the park to BorderFieldAccess@parks.ca.gov

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