BajaNomad

Sentri in Otay mesa ?

tunaeater - 7-7-2007 at 09:14 AM

How do I get to the Sentri lane in Otay Mesa. I will be coming from the airport in Tijuana ?

Thanks

bajabound2005 - 7-7-2007 at 10:06 AM

Do you know your way around TJ at all -- as in would be you be able to find Ave de las Bellas Artes?

tunaeater - 7-7-2007 at 10:52 AM

I do not know the area very well.
I do know how to get back to Otay Mesa border from the airport but have not been through the sentri lane there.

bajaguy - 7-7-2007 at 11:22 AM

I think....go east on Industrial Blvd past the intersection that you would use for the regular crossing....past the McDonalds.....turn left on the first major intersection. go about 2 or 3 blocks to another east/west major blvd (Ave de Bellas Artes), turn lefy (west) and you should see the signs. There is a car wash on the corner..................

disclaimer edit......stop at the McDonalsd and get some food and something to drink in case I am wrong

[Edited on 7-7-2007 by bajaguy]

[Edited on 7-7-2007 by bajaguy]

bajabound2005 - 7-7-2007 at 11:45 AM

The major road where the car wash is, that is Ave de las Bellas Artes. The road to the SENTRI lane runs right next to the car wash perpindicular to Bellas Artes. It's JUST BEFORE the overpass for the regular lanes. Don't remember seeing any signs (street signs, yet, signs to SENTRI, no).

[Edited on 7-7-2007 by bajabound2005]

bajaguy - 7-7-2007 at 11:49 AM

BB...if I remember correctly, the signs are over the "car wash road" at the intersection of Bellas Artes. You drive under them as you head to the border

tjvagabundo - 7-7-2007 at 12:04 PM

Find the street map of TJ at:
http://www.maps-of-mexico.com/mapquest.shtml

You take the airport road Blvd Aeropuerto East to Blvd Tercera Oeste/Av Belles Artes. Go East on Belles Artes under the overpass for Blvd Garita De Otay. I believe the road to sentri is the second road on the left after the overpass. It's easy to see because there is a big sign that says sentri over the road.

Bajafun777 - 7-7-2007 at 05:56 PM

Tunaeater, I came through Otay Mesa crossing and swear it won't happen again even if I do have a Sentri card. What a mess and I thought I knew the way to the Sentri or at least would see a sign directing me if I got turned around. No such luck got on the overpass to hell and looking down I did see the car wash and signs saying Sentri but it was too late and inch by inch by little inch almost 3 hours later I crossed the border. In Mexicali I have never waited more than 25 minutes in the Sentri line and that was on a holiday. Normally, it takes about 10 to 15 minutes and I love it when it works like that. Hope you have better luck than I did and the suggests here should help but don't take the wrong turn or the overpass to hell will get you!!!!!! bajafun777

bajaguy - 7-7-2007 at 06:06 PM

I don't think there are SENTRI signs either to or from the Otay crossing, have not seen any on Industrial Blvd. The only signs are just over the little road by the car wash. Once you are on the bridge, if you don't make that right turn, you are toast!!! I have never seen a backed up line at the Otay SENTRI lane

[Edited on 7-8-2007 by bajaguy]

bajamigo - 7-7-2007 at 06:41 PM

I think once at the SENTRI lane at Otay we had two (2, dos) cars ahead of us, even at 9:00 a.m.Usually we sail through. But you're right, bg, you must turn at the car wash. Otherwise, make sure you brought along enough Sudoku to kill a couple of horas.

tunaeater - 7-7-2007 at 10:14 PM

Thanks for all the help. I'll let you know how it goes when I get back tomorrow.

tunaeater - 7-8-2007 at 09:16 PM

No problem with finding the Sentri in Otay. There is a sign before the bridge with the Sentri hours then another sign where you enter the Sentri lane. Also found the car wash. Wait was 20 minutes at 10:15am..

Thanks for the google map and all the directions..