BajaNomad

Otay Crossing always confounds me

Hook - 7-18-2006 at 10:05 AM

This border crossing (headed north) has always been a pain to me, even though I know the wait times are usually less. The problem is that I can never seem to find the same route to get to the end of the line. Coupled with that is that I SWEAR they have changed the way vehicles line up more than once in its existence.

Can anyone describe a surefire route (maybe even a map) that will get you directly to the crossing if you have taken the conventional route along the fence to the SY crossing. Please be specific with street names or really good descriptions.

Don Alley - 7-18-2006 at 10:44 AM

Yes, please.

We took it once, northbound, and we got there OK but before we did, we had to go through the intersection of Calle Chaos and Blvd Bedlam in Colonia Anarchy. Never seen traffic like that before. :o

Tomas Tierra - 7-18-2006 at 10:45 AM

yeah Hook its a tuff one...I went through Monday morningat 6:am it was backed up bad..and I got lost getting there as well..thinking I had it wired to stay to the left when I got to the line, i was wrong..the right side was the side that split off into many lines near the front, therefor it was moving much faster....

as far as getting there from san ysidro???It is different every time for me to..hour and a half wait..san ysidro was backed up along the border fence, before the first light at 6:00 am!!! so much for missing the wait on Sunday..

Ken Bondy - 7-18-2006 at 11:17 AM

I've never been smart enough to find it. I doubt that it exists. I did make it to the airport once while trying to find it.

++Ken++

DanO - 7-18-2006 at 11:30 AM

Ha, Don got those street names exactly right. Personally, I gave up trying after going to the airport like Ken (twice) and the truck crossing (once), and getting hit up for some mordida by a motorcycle cop. BTW, I didn't pay. He was making up some BS about an additional permit needed for the motorcycle I was towing. I pulled the dumb tourist who speaks no spanish act and he got frustrated and went after someone else. I like SENTRI sooooo much better.

Dave - 7-18-2006 at 12:21 PM

Know how to get to the airport? If so, then continue Eastbound app 1/4 mile until the road turns South. At the second light turn left. Four blocks and you will merge North into the border lanes.

Sorry, I can't give street names.

Phil C - 7-18-2006 at 12:55 PM

Soon? the new Boulavard 2000 will be open from So. Rosarito and although it will take you a little east of Otay hopefully it will be easier......

Well, I'm feeling a little better

Hook - 7-18-2006 at 01:58 PM

knowing that I'm not the only one challenged by this.

The most frustrating part is that Mexico actually has it signed pretty well thru the Zona Rio.......but they never tell you which offramp to take up the hill.

I wonder if Google Earth will help.:lol:

Bob H - 7-18-2006 at 02:14 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Dave
Know how to get to the airport? If so, then continue Eastbound app 1/4 mile until the road turns South. At the second light turn left. Four blocks and you will merge North into the border lanes.

Sorry, I can't give street names.


Dave,
Isn't there usually a vendor, just to the right of where you turn left at that 2nd light, that sells auto parts (chrome things, hubcaps, rims, etc)? I always look for that guy and then I know I'm at the correct left hand turn location. There is also usually an old lady that begs at that very same corner.
Bob H

Dave - 7-18-2006 at 04:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
I wonder if Google Earth will help.:lol:


Try mapquest. Detailed TJ city map.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&ad...

bajabound2005 - 7-18-2006 at 06:30 PM

I've been checking wait times on line (have NO idea how accurate they are....but) Otay has displayed the same wait time as San Ysidro since I started checking on 7/1. And yes, getting there is a miracle in itself. Just need a few more signs!

elgatoloco - 7-20-2006 at 05:07 PM

When we have the camper on the truck as we did yesterday we can not use SENTRI. We take the old road at the north end of Rosarito and head straight thru TJ and follow the directions of Dave's to the second light past the airport-can't miss it-huge overhead sign with arrow pointing left- SAN DIEGO. Look for the chrome guy.:biggrin:

Yesterday we got in line at 4:15 crossed at 5:02 and it took us 25 minutes to cover the 8 miles back over to the 5 freeway.

More signs when approaching from the east

The Gull - 7-20-2006 at 06:59 PM

Well, first you go thru the intersection near "cinco Y diez" toward Tecate. Then you steer away from Tecate toward the airport. Before you get to the airport, there are signs from that direction to GARITA OTAY.

If you come in from the area around Heroes and the Rio Mall, there are less signs, but still a few, but you have to go past the airport and turn left.

Now how many of you can tell me where the intersection of five and dime is? And how did it get the name?

Bob H - 7-21-2006 at 09:16 AM

Hook, we went through there yesterday. 2 hours and 15 minutes as not all of the gates were open. But now there is a huge sign where you turn left that points you to "San Diego". The name of the street is Von Humbolt and there is a big bar/lounge on that same corner. We decided to get back to the US at Otay after seeing how bad the line through TJ was - it was horrible! We had never seen it backed up several miles on the road along the fence!
Bob H

[Edited on 7-21-2006 by Bob H]

bajabound2005 - 7-21-2006 at 06:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob H
Hook, we went through there yesterday. 2 hours and 15 minutes as not all of the gates were open. But now there is a huge sign where you turn left that points you to "San Diego". The name of the street is Von Humbolt and there is a big bar/lounge on that same corner. We decided to get back to the US at Otay after seeing how bad the line through TJ was - it was horrible! We had never seen it backed up several miles on the road along the fence!
Bob H

[Edited on 7-21-2006 by Bob H]

BobH - where was there? Otay or San Ysidro? Was the 2 hr 15 min at SY or Otay? If at SY how long did you wait at Otay?
And we are THRILLED if there is now a sign for that last left turn!!!!

Bob H - 7-22-2006 at 10:51 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajabound2005
Quote:
Originally posted by Bob H
Hook, we went through there yesterday. 2 hours and 15 minutes as not all of the gates were open. But now there is a huge sign where you turn left that points you to "San Diego". The name of the street is Von Humbolt and there is a big bar/lounge on that same corner. We decided to get back to the US at Otay after seeing how bad the line through TJ was - it was horrible! We had never seen it backed up several miles on the road along the fence!
Bob H

[Edited on 7-21-2006 by Bob H]

BobH - where was there? Otay or San Ysidro? Was the 2 hr 15 min at SY or Otay? If at SY how long did you wait at Otay?
And we are THRILLED if there is now a sign for that last left turn!!!!


bajabound... this was a Otay.