BajaNomad

Mexicali Sentri crossing

bigboy - 10-24-2007 at 07:36 PM

My wife and I are heading down to San Felipe with another couple next month. We have Sentri passes but the other couple doesn't. Where can they access the pedestrian crossing?
I know that the Sentri lane is to the far left, but there must be a safe pedestrian drop off for such situations.

[Edited on 10-25-2007 by bigboy]

Mango - 10-25-2007 at 09:28 AM

If you are crossing at the west (main) gate the pedestrian crossing is accessed just west of Hotel Del Norte..

Look for a flight of stairs leading down located just east of the southbound vehicle entrance into Mexico. They will need to walk down those stairs, then east for about 100 yards under the northbound vehicle lanes though a little strip of stores, etc.. then north up a flight of stairs to US customs.

If you are dropping them off, you could pull over near Hotel Del Norte; they would have to walk back (under an awning over the sidewalk) to the west to find the stairs down. You could then drive east for a few blocks before being able to turn left twice to join the SENTRI lane.

You might check out google earth and look for the white awning running East/West above the sidewalk. I tried to post a link; but, it was being extra pesky. The stairs are at the west end of the awning.

Make sure you cross during the day, as there have been a few robberies in the tunnel area in off hours. I wouldn't want to cross at night, lets just put it that way. :lol:

bigboy - 10-25-2007 at 10:14 AM

Thanks Mango......very detailed description for the pedestrian crossing. I used Google Earth, per you instructions, and can clearly see the east west covered sidewalk as well as the hotel drop off point.

Bajafun777 - 10-25-2007 at 09:12 PM

I just drive to the edge of the park before the far left lane changes into two lanes with one going back into Mexicali and the other becomes the sole Sentri lane. I let the people off when I make a quick stop and have them cross in front of my truck to make sure they get to the sidewalk ok. I get some honking of horns at times but when in Mexico everyone honks, right. They have to walk about a block and a half then under to tunnel, down the stairs then back up the stairs to U.S. You are right Mango about the night time have heard some stories. I have walked in and out at night but 4 or 5 men being loud, half buzzed, and in no mood for nonesense are just not good targets:biggrin:. Later, bajafun777

Mango - 10-26-2007 at 06:05 AM

Yeah, that whole area near the border crossing is pretty sketchy. It's too bad; because, it has potential. I think it is just a matter of time until it gets some serious redevelopment. I rarely go down there.

To be honest, I haven't crossed the border on foot there since 1996. But, I've been right around the corner of the ped crossing to renew my FMT many times.

Have you seen the new bus terminal they built just south of the border crossing? Looks pretty nice, and I hope it will help rejuvenate the area. I'm still not sure why they needed another bus station. It seems like mostly first class/primera buses running out of there.