Imperial Beach is most famous as the home of the U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition. Its sand is considered some of the best in the nation, so every year hundreds of contestants flock to Imperial Beach to create fantastic sculptures out of sand. The beaches themselves are quiet and uncrowded, perfect for an escape from the distractions of modern life. The Imperial Beach Fishing Pier is popular among surfers and fishermen alike, and nature lovers should check out the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge and the Tijuana River National Estuarine Sanctuary.