BajaNomad

sentri line in San Ysidro

rayfornario - 7-11-2009 at 04:56 PM

What is the easiest way to find the Sentri line at the San Ysidro crossing from the toll road from Ensenada. We are going to Ensenada and Rosarito next Thursday and coming back Sunday afternoon.

k-rico - 7-11-2009 at 05:26 PM

There are a couple of routes. Here's the one I use that will probably work on Sunday afternoon. It doesn't work on weekday mornings, it's roped off at a critical point because of the high traffic volume.

Take the highway along the border, exit at the border exit. After you make the left turn at the traffic light, stay just to the left of the concrete dividers and go to Colonia Federal, do not get in the "normal" lines for the border.

You'll come to a traffic circle, don't go into the circle. Stay to left and make U- turn onto a road that parallels the road you came in on, against the flow of traffic in the circle, it's legal. Follow that road and keep to the right. That's important. You'll come to a stop sign with a no left turn sign. Turn left, that's not legal but everyone does it when the cops aren't there. You're now in the Sentri line!!

I don't mean to be glib. The Sentri lanes are the easternmost lanes and when you're coming in from the west there is no easy way to describe how to get to them.

Another route requires you go to the plaza rio area and negotiate several traffic circles. And there is another that puts you westbound on the high speed highway east of the border.

All the routes require a bunch of turns and an approach from the east. Mine is the quickest, when it's not roped off. I've been using it on a regular basis for almost 3 years.


[Edited on 7-12-2009 by k-rico]

rayfornario - 7-11-2009 at 06:42 PM

thanks, I always get " turned around" coming back and now that I have my sentri pass, I wasn't to sure where the exit was!:yes:

Use the Otay Mesa Sentri

estebanis - 7-11-2009 at 10:28 PM

I just take the BLVD 2000 off at Blvd Industrial right to Blvd Artesanias and then take the signed Sentri lane at the car wash. It is the Eastern most lane also...
Esteban

[Edited on 7-12-2009 by estebanis]

Bajahowodd - 7-12-2009 at 12:02 AM

It is easier to hit the Sentri lane at Otay. But, right now there's a major repaving project going on approaching the gates. Looks like they may be closing the right hand lanes to finish the job. I know this isn't much help. But, like I said, it is usually easier. Just maybe not this month.

bajabound2005 - 7-12-2009 at 07:30 AM

the construction from blvd 2000 to Otay seems to be complete...and there was no sign of repaving approaching the SENTRI lane (God knows it needs it!) when we took that route on Wednesday.

rayfornario - 7-12-2009 at 05:05 PM

Thanks for all the help...I generally don't bother driving when I hit TJ just because of the problems finding the Sentri Line...you think they would make it easy or at least put up better signs. i will try TJ and If I should get "turned around"I will head to Otay!

Bajahowodd - 7-12-2009 at 05:46 PM

Wow! Fast construction. We went through the area on Thursday and the usual access was closed, and the right hand lanes of the approach had not been touched. Agree that not having all the pot holes and rolls in the pavement is a bonus.

bajabound2005 - 7-12-2009 at 07:37 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Wow! Fast construction. We went through the area on Thursday and the usual access was closed, and the right hand lanes of the approach had not been touched. Agree that not having all the pot holes and rolls in the pavement is a bonus.


You were using SENTRI????

Bajahowodd - 7-13-2009 at 12:18 AM

My bad. Just assumed they were working from West to East on the project.

BajaGringo - 7-13-2009 at 10:52 AM

These might help...

First you need to figure out how to get to the Via Rapida westbound:
Getting to SENTRI Line from Via Rapida

Stay in the service lanes (frontage road, right of median) and it will lead you directly to the San Ysidro SENTRI line:
SENTRI Line at San Ysidro



[Edited on 7-13-2009 by BajaGringo]

DanO - 7-13-2009 at 11:40 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaGringo
These might help...

First you need to figure out how to get to the Via Rapida westbound:
Getting to SENTRI Line from Via Rapida

Stay in the service lanes (right of median) and it will lead you directly to the San Ysidro SENTRI line:
SENTRI Line at San Ysidro





[Edited on 7-13-2009 by BajaGringo]


BG, that's very cool. That's the route I've been using since they blocked off the SENTRI access from Padre Kino. I agree that the problem with using the free road to Otay is all the construction. However, the next time I call the crossing info line and hear that the SENTRI wait is more than half an hour, I will continue on past the airport and do the Otay SENTRI, approaching from the west.

[Edited on 7-13-2009 by DanO]

Cyanide41 - 7-13-2009 at 12:02 PM

This something I struggled with for some time as well. Let me see if I can help.

When coming back from Ensenada/Rosarito/Playas... the road will split when you get to close to Revolution/centro.... stay to the left for the via rapida (instead of the right which says "san diego")

Then get off at Boulevard Independencia (1st exit) which has you headed south.

When you get to the round about take it all the way so you are headed back north.

After you cross over the brigde there will be yet ANOTHER round about. Take it all the way so now you are headed south again.

DO NOT go back over the Bridge. There will be a small street on the right and you can take that to the westbound via rapida.

I don't even get on the via rapida I just stay on the frontage road. There will be a bunch of signs for the senti lanes and it is easy to follow from that point.