Overview
Imperial is a city in Southern California.
1 things to do
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Imperial
California Mid-Winter Fair
In early March; showcase for local agriculture and ranching, as well as the usual "fun zone".
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Nov–Apr. Summer highs reach about 107°F; winter lows dip to about 41°F. Very hot (May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jan and Feb. (climate data from nearby Salton Sea)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- IPL Imperial County Airport, Imperial — 1 mi away. Directions
- YUM Yuma International Airport / Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Yuma — 57 mi away. Directions
- PSP Palm Springs International Airport, Palm Springs — 87 mi away (major hub). Directions
Highway 86 bisects the city and connects Imperial to Brawley (10 miles north) and El Centro to the south. Highway 86 also provides access to the Palm Springs area and Los Angeles. Other major routes include I-8 connecting the area to San Diego in the west and Yuma to the east.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Food for you
There are a few restaurants in Imperial, and one fast food drive-thru. They are all low-priced and worth it.
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Understand
Imperial is a small community in Imperial Valley with a population of 14,758 according to the 2010 US Census. It is known in the area to be a bedroom community as most residents work outside of Imperial. The City experienced tremendous growth during the 2000s, ranking in the top five of the fastest growing cities in California. As a result close to sixty percent of the housing was built after 1990 mostly consisting of single family housing common in large residential subdivisions across California. El Centro is just south of Imperial and serves as the commercial destination for Imperial residents.
Get in
By car
Highway 86 bisects the city and connects Imperial to Brawley (10 miles north) and El Centro to the south. Highway 86 also provides access to the Palm Springs area and Los Angeles. Other major routes include I-8 connecting the area to San Diego in the west and Yuma to the east.
By plane
(IPL) operates as a general avaition airport with limited commercial flights from Los Angeles and Phoenix on Southern Airways/Mokulele. It may be cheaper to fly into San Diego International Airport (SAN) and then rent a car or take a Greyhound bus to get to El Centro. From Mexico the nearest airport for commercial flights is in Mexicali (MXL)
By bus
The nearest Greyhound station is located in El Centro to the south.
Get around
Imperial Valley Transit has several bus routes that connect passengers to the neighboring cities, however routes are not designed to be used to effectively travel within the Imperial.
See
If you want to take a fulfilling drive, drive through the Anza-Borrego State Park, located around 70 miles from Imperial. There, you will see the desert life. Anza-Borrego is full of beautiful colorful flowers and lovely wildlife. Rattlesnakes are known to survive there so take precautions.
Pioneers Memorial Museum is another place to see. Pioneers Memorial Museum is full of old artifacts found around the Imperial Valley and see how the Imperial Valley became as it is today.
Do
Buy
The Imperial Valley Mall, located about 20 miles south of Imperial, is an excellent way to shop. Holding many well-known shops and brands there (such as PacSun, Hollister, American Eagle, etc.), the Imperial Valley Mall is well known by locals and is visited often.
Eat
There are a few restaurants in Imperial, and one fast food drive-thru. They are all low-priced and worth it.
Drink
There are no bars in Imperial.
Sleep
Travel into El Centro for excellent hotels.
Nearby
El Centro
City / town · 29 listings · 4 mi away
Brawley
City / town · 3 listings · 9 mi away
Calexico
City / town · 6 listings · 12 mi away
Calipatria
City / town · 1 listings · 19 mi away
Niland
City / town · 1 listings · 27 mi away
Slab City
City / town · 9 listings · 29 mi away
Bombay Beach
City / town · 1 listings · 36 mi away
Salton City
City / town · 1 listings · 38 mi away
My experience
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