BajaNomad

San Ysidro closed on Mexico side 5/31?

bajabound2005 - 6-1-2006 at 03:59 PM

Heading to San Diego for some shopping on 5/31 and found the border crossing ramp closed on the Mexico side yesterday at 10:00 a.m. We finally made our way to Otay Mesa (seems to be more signs now but that one critical one for that last left turn was non-existent!). The US Immigration folks at OM did not know anything about the closing. It was open when we returned at approx 3:00 p.m.

Bajaboy - 6-1-2006 at 08:19 PM

Was this the off-ramp from the road that parallels the border fence? If so, they close it often when there's too much traffic backed up. Just continue on and make a right further up and then another right on the main street and follow the traffic.

Zac

Sallysouth - 6-1-2006 at 09:03 PM

I think Zac got it right, but the question of the Otay crossing and lack of signs, seems to be a concern.We have done "follow traffic "before and
a few years ago, before we figured it out,got very lost!Why don't they post the Otay directions clearly? It surely would help the visitors find their way home!:?:

David K - 6-1-2006 at 09:16 PM

Would the GPS of Otay help?

Sallysouth - 6-1-2006 at 09:25 PM

No David, sorry to say, many visitors, or even seasoned Baja travelers do not have the "goodies" you have! I was kind of referring to the people that visit Baja without the help you and many others have. Kinda a scarry experience for maybe the first timer, going to baja to see and feel what its like .:wow:

Bob and Susan - 6-2-2006 at 04:10 AM

back-up route...

Bruce R Leech - 6-2-2006 at 05:42 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob and Susan
back-up route...


good job on the map Bob.




[Edited on 6-2-2006 by Bruce R Leech]

jeffg - 6-2-2006 at 11:06 AM

They temporarily close the border lanes to off when traffic is heavy, then you get forced to Otay (or you can try to loop around as someone shown above, but that doesn't always work). They are 1 sign short of good signage to get there... as you continue down this road following the signs to Otay and also Tecate, at some point (past the Costco) there is an exit that only refers to Tecate. That's the one you want, then once you get headed north on that road the signs will pick back up.

Jeff

DianaT - 6-4-2006 at 02:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jeffg
They temporarily close the border lanes to off when traffic is heavy, then you get forced to Otay (or you can try to loop around as someone shown above, but that doesn't always work). They are 1 sign short of good signage to get there... as you continue down this road following the signs to Otay and also Tecate, at some point (past the Costco) there is an exit that only refers to Tecate. That's the one you want, then once you get headed north on that road the signs will pick back up.

Jeff


Can't believe I just read this post yesterday---must be karma. Today on our way home to Imperial Beach from San Diego, we decided to go further south to the last exit to a cheap Chinese Buffet. Well, we were talking and not paying attention, and opps, we passed the last exit.

Yes, there is that one more quick last, last, exit, but it was too late-=--we were headed into Baja. I can't wait to get back to Baja, but not today! We, of course, were driving the vehicle with no Mexican Insurance.

We looked over at the line coming back into the US and decided to try Otay Mesa. We usually return from Baja through Tecate, and have only tried Otay Mesa twice and both times got confused. But now I knew where we screwed up in the past --- I remember, past Costco, one exit that says only refers to Tecate.

No insurance and all, we headed east. Of course we almost ran into an accident that happened right in front of us. John stopped quickly, and quickly moved into another lane---not easy to do with a very underpowered little Toyota Echo. But, we both quickly found a little religion.

As we followed the signs, I remember----last one says Tecate only, and there it was. That is where we made our mistake in the past. Found the line and waited over an hour---lots of traffic with the race.

Lots of cars in secondary, but being old helps.

"Where are you coming from?'
"Tijuana"
"Why were you there?'
"Sightseeing."
"Did you bring anything back?"
"No"
"Have a nice day."

Thirty years ago it would have been secondary,

Still can't believe we did this as we go to the stores on the border a lot, so we know the area well. But, I was sure glad I had read this thread!.

Diane

[Edited on 6-4-2006 by jdtrotter]