BajaNomad

San Ysidro Sentri Lane

bajasammy - 4-3-2007 at 05:32 PM

Can anybody give us some tips on how to easily get into the SENTRI Lane? We found it last time after several double backs and crossovers, but there's got to be an easier way!
Thanks.

bajabound2005 - 4-3-2007 at 06:31 PM

Nope, there is no easy way if coming from the South....your best bet is Otay Mesa -- EZ to get to, avoid TJ traffic as well.

bajasammy - 4-4-2007 at 07:05 AM

Thanks Bajabound!

That makes me feel better. We've been 'pushed' to Otay quite a few times (pre-Sentri, when San Y was closed off), but we were so far back in the line I wouldn't know how to access Sentri from there either. Is there a hot tip on how to streak through to Sentri without getting clogged up?

Pstreet1 - 4-4-2007 at 08:38 AM

Take the free road from Rosarito to Tijuana. Follow it into town to the first round-about. Turn left (which is 3/4ths of the way around the round-about.

On that road, drive past the mall (Zona Rio) to the next round-about. Make a right turn (1/4th of the way around the round-about). Cross the bridge. At the next round-about, turn left (3/4th of the way around).

Go straight ahead (1/2 way around the round-about) at the next round-about.

Continue straight until you see the signs for Sentri lane.

That's as easy as it gets.

Pstreet1 - 4-4-2007 at 08:43 AM

Coming off the new highway and heading to Otay, the only tip I can give is to stay to the right (east) as you enter the traffic to go to the border. Signage is lacking. We asked a vendor where the turn off was--but you can only get there if you're in the right hand lane.

DanO - 4-4-2007 at 12:17 PM

Get on Ave. de los Heroes, take left at the first roundabout, another left at the next roundabout, and you drive right into the Sentri lane.

bajasammy - 4-4-2007 at 12:24 PM

Thanks Pstreet1 and DanO - this will help tremendously!

Hey bajasammy

fdt - 4-4-2007 at 03:16 PM

Sorry for the delay in answering, hav'nt been on, but it's realy simple, just don't follow the heard. here are a couple of maps that should help you.
From the toll road to the border, do not go all the way, you can exit to the right on Revolucion or on Ocampo, believe me, it's easy


And if you are comming from the free road, it's even easier

As for beeing redirected to Otay, there is no such thing, it's just that they block off traffic temporarily going into the border lanes so that Calle 2a can be clear and as soon as it is they re-open, so if you think you are beeing sent to Otay, just go back and it will be open again.
Remember what you step on when you follow the heard :yes:
saludos

bajasammy - 4-4-2007 at 04:22 PM

This is exactly what a directionally challenged person like me needs. Thanks once again fdt!!!

Pstreet1 - 4-5-2007 at 08:03 AM

If you go straight to Padre Kino and make a left......there's a problem. There's a big sign that says no left turn is allowed. People do it--and we've done it--but it gives me visions of Gringo traffic tickets; the sign does say you can't turn left.

Anyone have an explanation for how to navigate that turn?

fdt - 4-5-2007 at 08:17 AM

You do not want Pare Kino, you want Paseo Independencia, and yes, you are right no left but you make a slight right and go arround the small circle to make the left. Signs are clearly posted with arrows. Remember making a left to enter Loreto?

David K - 4-5-2007 at 08:22 AM

Ferna, you have two streets showing marked to cross the river canal... One is just past CECUT, and the other is the next bridge a block south of CECUT...?

fdt - 4-5-2007 at 05:46 PM

Yes DK, and it also sais 1.- from toll road and 2.- from free road.

elgatoloco - 4-6-2007 at 09:48 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pstreet1
If you go straight to Padre Kino and make a left......there's a problem. There's a big sign that says no left turn is allowed. People do it--and we've done it--but it gives me visions of Gringo traffic tickets; the sign does say you can't turn left.

Anyone have an explanation for how to navigate that turn?


Great map and directions Fern!

When going over the bridge get in the right lane and you will see what Ferna desribes as a slight jog to the right and a semi circle turn back to the left and straight onto the road of choice. The last five years of Sentri we made that illegal left turn because we always saw the locals doing it and I always wondered what the deal was. Finally I took note of the sign that directs you around to the right the 'legal' way. The last year or so we only use that method. A few months ago we saw someone actually get pulled over for making an illegal left turn.

We travel in an F-250 and we always take the free road north of Rosarito to access the Sentri. I have done time studies and found that it is about the same or maybe a bit quicker especially if they are re-routing traffic on a very busy day.