BajaNomad

Otay crossing...the good and bad of it....

surfer jim - 7-27-2009 at 03:11 PM

Coming back home Saturday and was going to hit border northbound around 3 PM so I decided to finally try OTAY. I had maps, directions from here from 3 different people, another driver so I could read maps/signs turns.....yes , I was ready.

Got off toll road, made the turn to BLVD. 2000...free and open road , (no headless bodies ect.:lol:)...it's going good...when you get to the northern end and start hitting traffic and looking for signs it starts getting confusing but we did OK....somehow ended up on INDUSTRIAL BLVD Ok but NEVER saw signs for the border crossing after what seemed like a long drive....one sign facing wrong way shows border but road is blocked off....kept going and hit airport and thought we passed turnoff.....all directions/maps have run out of info and we are own our own....:O....

Finally look up and see sign on another road saying 905...able to make u-turn and got on it..wow stressed out now but feeling better....it was ok after that.... 45 minute line....not cutting across traffic....no beggers.....few salesmen...relaxing compared to TJ....20 minutes in secondary to ask if we have any PORK in the camper:mad:....

To sum it up.....better crossing than TJ .....but getting there was a mess even with maps/directions.....would never attemp at night...still not sure if it was worth it:?:

woody with a view - 7-27-2009 at 03:36 PM

we crossed tj sunday about 1:30pm after 60 minute wait....

we don't like the whole process of crossing at otay either.

OLIGUACOMOLE - 7-27-2009 at 03:39 PM

After two or three times you will be a pro! No signs is what keeps it a secret......kind of.

Missed Turn.....

bajaguy - 7-27-2009 at 03:46 PM

If you have a SENTRI card:

After you cross under the "Panasonic" footbridge on Industrial, make a right turn at the first stoplight. This "should" be Jose Lopez Portillo Oriente. proceed about 4 blocks until you get to Bella Artes (big street with stoplight). Turn left onto Bella Artes and move into the right lane.....follow until you get to a stoplight intersection (Macedonio Alcala, I believe)....the VERY NEXT STREET has a car wash on the corner.....turn right on this street (Josefa Rendon Ibarra, I believe)....this will set you up for the SENTRI lane.

Without SENTRI card:

Continue west on Industrial, up and over the new overpass. Just past the McDonalds on your right is a stoplight intersection. There is a tire shop on that corner......turn right and this is Blvd Garita de Otay...will take you to the US Border

Udo - 7-27-2009 at 06:07 PM

SEE!


Now you know why we always cross at Tecate. However, bajaguy does have it wired @ Otay!

tjBill - 7-28-2009 at 09:45 AM

The Sentri lane at Otay is usually longer at peak times. And entering Mexico at Otay is usually longer at peak times.

Cyanide41 - 7-28-2009 at 10:27 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by tjBill
The Sentri lane at Otay is usually longer at peak times. And entering Mexico at Otay is usually longer at peak times.


I am not sure that is the case these days. Last Friday it took me an hour to cross at SY. Had I not already passed the 905 I would have gone over to Otay. Camino del la Plaza is always insane now too so I didn't want to try to get off and then go north on 805 to 905.

[Edited on 7-28-2009 by Cyanide41]

Bajahowodd - 7-28-2009 at 11:26 AM

Bajaguy- A few weeks ago, the road past the McDonald's and the tire shop was blocked for construction. They're repaving the border approach. We had to go past there to the next street and turn right. I have no idea as to the current state of construction, but as of three weeks ago, it was quite a mess. I'm not talking SENTRI.

bajaguy - 7-28-2009 at 09:53 PM

Odd.....don't know as we usually take SENTRI.

Crossed S/B at Otay about 3 weeks ago on a Friday afternoon, no traffic in front of me, and no US CBP checkpoint.

Return trip on a Monday morning crossed N/B SENTRI using the above directions, no problems.

To avoid the McDonalds area construction problems refer to the SENTRI directions (above).....BUT...instead of turning just before the car wash to position for SENTRI, go just past the car wash and take the ramp to your right (just before you go under the overpass) this will put you on Garita de Otay in line for the US CPB crossing.

David K - 7-28-2009 at 10:00 PM

Jim, why suffer with TJ or Otay? At the north end of Blvd. 2000, drive the 25 miles east to Tecate (80 peso toll) instead of the 5 miles west to Otay. Last Saturday we got in line about 7 pm and were in after 37 minutes, no secondary... nice!

CaboRon - 7-29-2009 at 05:29 AM

Has anyone used GPS raster maps to approach the crossing ?

MitchMan - 7-29-2009 at 09:19 AM

I hope this doesn't constitute hijacking this thread, but I have question.

Is there a service whereby an American can park their car in a safe overnight parking lot on the American side of the border at Otay and get shuttled across the border and driven to the TJ airport? There used to be this service for years, but that one park n' ride business recently shut down. Anyone know of any currently existing similar service at Otay?

DENNIS - 7-29-2009 at 09:41 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Jim, why suffer with TJ or Otay? At the north end of Blvd. 2000, drive the 25 miles east to Tecate (80 peso toll) instead of the 5 miles west to Otay.



When I clocked it, it was 16 miles but, I won't argue the point with you, David.
Going inland on 2000, you'll come to the free road long before the toll road and it's an easy, high quality ride to Tecate. It's the first sign on 2000 that says, "Tecate." Imagine that.

Bajahowodd - 7-29-2009 at 12:25 PM

Since I believe David lives in Vista, it seems to make more sense to go through Tecate than if one was heading up I-5. I've gone through at all three. Just seems to me that I drive alot more miles by using Tecate, so the time savings at the border makes it a wash.

preston - 7-29-2009 at 01:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by MitchMan
I hope this doesn't constitute hijacking this thread, but I have question.

Is there a service whereby an American can park their car in a safe overnight parking lot on the American side of the border at Otay and get shuttled across the border and driven to the TJ airport? There used to be this service for years, but that one park n' ride business recently shut down. Anyone know of any currently existing similar service at Otay?


I do this frequently. I park at the gas station (shell or chevron) parking lot ($5 or $6 per day) at the "top of the hill" (next to the McDonalds). Their lot has a chain link fence and is watched from the gas station (you pay in the gas station). I walk down the hill (300 yards) to the border crossing and walk across and hop into a taxi ($12 to the airport). From parking lot to check-in counter is about 15 minutes.

Let me know if you have any questions.

MitchMan - 7-29-2009 at 06:10 PM

Thanks, Preston.

Udo - 7-29-2009 at 06:32 PM

I second David K's and Dennis' travels to Tecate. It seems out of the way, but counting the hassles getting to Otay Mesa crossing. It's worth it!
However...I have taken the free road and the toll road (the 80 pesos is not worth it), the free road is faster.
One major caveat: the signs on Blvd 2000 are backwards on the designation of which lane to travel to go to Otay or Tecate. Just stay on the right hand lane, and take a right on the first MAJOR right hand exit. It's a very scenic drive that takes you along dairy farms, rock and clay quarries, as well a numerous clay, rock, and cement table manufaturing facilities. The cement tables are less expensive than the ones on the free road to Ensenada.
Once in Tecate, there are numerous signs designating the GARITA to the U.S.
Before crossing, though, stop at the main bakery in town across from the park and pick up some pastries, bread, or tortillas (made with lard!).

DENNIS - 7-29-2009 at 06:38 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by udowinkler
tortillas (made with lard!).

Are those flour, Udo? I'd like to try a corn tortilla made with lard. Never have seen one.

David K - 7-29-2009 at 06:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Jim, why suffer with TJ or Otay? At the north end of Blvd. 2000, drive the 25 miles east to Tecate (80 peso toll) instead of the 5 miles west to Otay.



When I clocked it, it was 16 miles but, I won't argue the point with you, David.
Going inland on 2000, you'll come to the free road long before the toll road and it's an easy, high quality ride to Tecate. It's the first sign on 2000 that says, "Tecate." Imagine that.


No worries... I rechecked and I got 20 miles to Tecate from the north end of 2000, not 25... closer to your 16.

The overall mileage from the start of Blvd. 2000 at Popotla to the U.S. border at Tecate was 45. The portion of that 45 that was Blvd. 2000 and not 2-D was 25... and that matches with my road log from 2007:

MEXICO at Otay Border: Mile 0.0, Time 0:0

Head straight south, staying in left lanes. Follow signs for TECATE.

LEFT TURN at signal, slight curve to left just before signal: Mile 1.1, Time 0:03

Heading east on Blvd. Industrial... soon becomes divided highway!

Take new highway south, signed for Rosarito, Popotla, Ensenada (toll highway 2-D to Tecate curves to left, see toll gate, Big Horn Sheep monument almost unseen heading south): Mile 6.0, Time 0:13

Free Hwy. 2 (TECATE) interchange, continue south then southwest: Mile 13.0, Time 0:22

Cross the Rodriguez/ Tijuana reservoir and head into the hills...

Pass under the toll highway (Mex. 1-D) and come to the free highway (Mex. 1)... Mile 31.3, Time 0:38.

They will have it connected to the toll highway, but that work seems stalled. Too bad, but until then go a few miles on the free road to almost Puerto Nuevo where you can hop on the toll road for free.

Fox Baja Studio entrance is just to your right, Puerto Nuevo and access onto the toll highway is about 6 miles to your left.

David K - 7-29-2009 at 06:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Since I believe David lives in Vista, it seems to make more sense to go through Tecate than if one was heading up I-5. I've gone through at all three. Just seems to me that I drive alot more miles by using Tecate, so the time savings at the border makes it a wash.


I live in the valley near Mission San Luis Rey, Oceanside... but that is closer to the Vista border than to the ocean!

I do head op I-5 usually... it is a bit faster than I-15.

Yes, it is out-of-the-way to drive through Tecate... but I would rather be driving than ideling in line.

DENNIS - 7-29-2009 at 06:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
No worries... I rechecked and I got 20 miles to Tecate from the north end of 2000, not 25... closer to your 16.




Maybe it was the free road that was 16. Doesn't matter. It's a nice drive....especially after a little rain.

Udo - 7-29-2009 at 06:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by udowinkler
tortillas (made with lard!).

Are those flour, Udo? I'd like to try a corn tortilla made with lard. Never have seen one.


Quote:
I don't know, Dennis, if the corn tortillas are made with lard, I just know that they are the best tasting corn and flour tortillas, with the exception of the little tortilleria at the plaza in San Ignacio...those are the best in Baja!

David K - 7-29-2009 at 09:25 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
No worries... I rechecked and I got 20 miles to Tecate from the north end of 2000, not 25... closer to your 16.




Maybe it was the free road that was 16. Doesn't matter. It's a nice drive....especially after a little rain.


Yah Dennis, very well could be 4 miles shorter! The rest of 2000 after the free road to Tecate does bend more west...

How is that free road for truck traffic, passing, etc.? The toll road is sure pricey at 80 pesos for just the short run up to Tecate!

DENNIS - 7-29-2009 at 09:30 PM

Free road is fine. Plenty of room for slower traffic...two lanes each direction. It's a really good choice for getting over to Tecate.
I like the toll road as well 'cause there's zero traffic.

surfer jim - 7-31-2009 at 11:34 AM

For me TECATE is just too far out of the way and after crossing you still have the long twisty drive back to the usual roads......even the OTAY crossing is a bunch of extra miles.....mostly a choice of sitting in the line or driving in traffic....

When you are in line you would rather be moving and when driving in traffic after a long drive the traffic wait seems better....take your pick...

Phil S - 7-31-2009 at 12:22 PM

RATTTSSSSSS!!!!!! There goes my quiet easy drive to Ensenada route. (Tecate) Is the road finished now entering Ensenada coming from Tecate?

Bajahowodd - 7-31-2009 at 11:29 PM

No one has mentioned it lately, but you can cross at Otay without driving BLVD 2000. It's not very far from San Ysidro. there are several options from the toll road, that amount to many fewer miles traveled v 2000.

surfer jim - 8-1-2009 at 08:18 AM

Tell us what you got :rolleyes:......might just be a better idea....:yes:

mulegemichael - 8-1-2009 at 08:51 AM

Tecate all the way!!...the road between ensenada and tecate was great when we drove it last month.

DENNIS - 8-1-2009 at 08:59 AM

I don't know what's up with all this. Seems we can't avoid being in a hurry. None of the crossings are predictable. Just when you think you have it all figuered out, you drive into a ninety minute wait.
Condition your mind to accept it as it is without preconceived results and it'll be a lot more comfortable.
Slow down....enjoy the trip....avoid peak hour traffic.... stop to take a leak before you get in line.
Everything will be allright.

mulegemichael - 8-1-2009 at 09:01 AM

Great advise, dennis...you captured the essence of baja!....slow down...take it easy..chill..

David K - 8-1-2009 at 11:26 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by mulegemichael
Great advise, dennis...you captured the essence of baja!....slow down...take it easy..chill..


DITTO