BajaNomad

Lodging prior to crossing at San Ysidro

DK - 3-19-2009 at 01:51 PM

Any recommendations on a place to stay on the California side of the border prior to crossing at San Ysidro? I'm looking for something clean, reasonably priced, not too noisy, and safe to park a motorcycle.

Thanks

Dudley

bajabound2005 - 3-19-2009 at 02:47 PM

lots from our area stay at the Vagabond in Chula Vista. tell them you're from Baja & you get a discount. I think it's about $39.

The Vagabond Inn

bill erhardt - 3-19-2009 at 02:56 PM

DK........The Vagabond Inn (230 Broadway - Chula Vista, Ca. 91910 - ph: 619 422-8305) in Chula Vista caters to folks with a Baja connection and offers a good discount, from around $80 to under $50 plus tax. Off Rt. 5 take the E Street exit into CV, west on E Street to Broadway (about a mile). Right on Broadway and the VI is in the first block on the right. There is a lot of parking, where I have stashed my boat on many occasions with no security issues, and the rooms have refrigerators and microwaves. I stay there on my annual trips north, as do many other Baja denizens. In addition to the discount for those with a Baja connection, If you stay there 10 nights, the 10th night is free. Actually, it is the free night that gets the rate down under $50. When you depart the VI in the morning you can be at the border about 10 minutes after you leave the parking lot.

Bajahowodd - 3-19-2009 at 03:20 PM

Just curious, but why would anyone wish to stay in Chula Vista for 10 nights, especially, if they are traveling through?

bill erhardt - 3-19-2009 at 05:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Just curious, but why would anyone wish to stay in Chula Vista for 10 nights, especially, if they are traveling through?


Odd.......The Vagabond Inn cares not a whit why it is that one may wish to stay in Chula Vista, or whether or not he/she is just passing through, but if he/she does, and decides to stay at the Vagabond Inn, and asserts a Baja connection, and spends a total of ten days at the Vagabond Inn, then the tenth day and each successive tenth day at the Inn will be free.

bajabound2005 - 3-19-2009 at 07:38 PM

It's not 10 nights consecutively...it's 10 nights. And for those of us that LIVE in Baja and travel to the SD area, 10 nights accumulate over one year if you go once a month.

Rates quoted (Other than what I said) are HIGH. If that's the case, go to Hotel Circle. Since the downturn in the economy, the rates have DROPPED. We stay at Mission Valley Resort on Hotel Circle. Pretty nice: pool, hot tub, wireless, endless ice, comfy. We were paying $80, now it's $55 (plus tax). Great location.

Bajahowodd - 3-19-2009 at 07:52 PM

OK. That makes sense. I DID think it was 10 consecutive days. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

tjBill - 3-20-2009 at 09:52 AM

Motel 6 San Ysidro has special rates for online reservatons.

DENNIS - 3-20-2009 at 12:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajabound2005
lots from our area stay at the Vagabond in Chula Vista. tell them you're from Baja & you get a discount. I think it's about $39.


I thought the discount brought the price down to 50+-. They discount the same for AAA, old age and, I think Veterans.
Anyway, it's a nice place in the middle of most everything. bad part about the Chula Vista Vagabond is that they won't allow pets whereas the Vagabond in Mission Valley does. Add 20 bucks for your dog but, what do you do when Fido is with you.

DENNIS - 3-20-2009 at 12:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajabound2005
We were paying $80, now it's $55 (plus tax). Great location.


Two weeks back, I paid 114 bucks, two people and one dog, mid week for the same thing, same place. The Town and Country across the freeway has frequent trade shows and the prices at the Vagabond go up with the demand. we stay there often and the price is always different for one reason or another. Get the price in advance.

Leo - 3-20-2009 at 12:27 PM

I liked La Quinta, 6 minutes to the border and safe and clean
price is in the upper 80 I believe

DENNIS - 3-20-2009 at 12:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Leo
I liked La Quinta, 6 minutes to the border and safe and clean
price is in the upper 80 I believe


Where is that, Leo? And if you know, do they allow pets?

bajabound2005 - 3-20-2009 at 05:54 PM

Pets add to the tab. We stayed at Mission Valley Resort on Mar 3, it was $55. Have a resv for next month, it's $55. Also stayed a night in Feb and it was $55. This is a NICE place for that rate! Must book online to get it though.
try www.sandiegohotels.com

schwlind - 3-21-2009 at 01:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by tjBill
Motel 6 San Ysidro has special rates for online reservatons.


Is this the one on Calle Primera?

If so, we've stayed there numerous times going to and coming from Baja because they accept animals for no additional charge and you can park your car right outside your room, which is convenient for loading and unloading.

Certainly nothing special, but usually clean and rates Sunday through Thursday have always been less than Fri and Sat night stays... during the week anywhere from about 39.99 to 44.95. They say they have wireless internet, (not free... you have to purchase an "access card"), but we've never found it to work.

It's only about 2 minutes from the border, once you're on 5 and very convenient to the 805/Palm Avenue Vons, Walmart and Home Depot.

Linda

bajaguy - 3-21-2009 at 01:41 PM

What about the Holiday Inn Express at Otay Mesa???? Anybodt ever stay there????

bent-rim - 3-21-2009 at 01:46 PM

South of the boder in Ensenada is the Bahia Hotel that has seen better days, but it will give you a taste of what you're in for. It has a great location, a guarded parking lot and I always get a room on the ground floor outside the courtyard where you locate your bike just outside the room. By staying there you'll get a head start on the traffic you'll encounter going south. My best advice is when you're at a red light and it turns green be sure to look for red light runners, usually 5-6 vehicles. You'll have a great trip. I've ridden my BMW GS several times to the tip and back.

How about Otay Mesa?

Howard - 3-22-2009 at 09:09 AM

I have some business to conduct at RJ Donovan Sate Prison near Otay Mesa and who can give some advise on where to stay near the prison? I would like to stay near the prison so I can just leave the hotel/motel and have a very short drive.

I mention the business at the prison so it will give "you people" something to talk about and make fun of as it really is not business that is going to be conducted!! It will give you something to do on a Sunday! Trust me, it is a 100% business sales call. I don't think I have ever been so close to the border without going into Baja, but that will have to wait until the end of April when I will make my 2 week pilgrimage to Loreto and the East Cape.

Anyway, any suggestions where to stay near the prison?

Holiday Inn Express

bajaguy - 3-22-2009 at 09:23 AM

Just down the road from the Prison:

https://secure.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/1/en/hotel/sanom?sec...;DPSLogout=true

wakemall - 3-23-2009 at 06:42 PM

How about the Walmart Parking Lot Resort in San Ysidro??? Rather peaceful and dirt cheap!