BajaNomad - Avoid Otay crossing!!!!!!!!

Avoid Otay crossing!!!!!!!!

fishbuck - 8-4-2009 at 12:05 PM

Muchos road work going on.
The entrance next to the carwash is closed and the bridge is closed to 1 lane and is backed up all the way to the other side.
San Ysidro was all backed up too.
I thought about drivng to Tecate but I don't know how to get there. So I toughed it out at Otay.
It sucked!!!

MikeLikeBaja - 8-4-2009 at 12:34 PM

Any idea if the Sentri lane was affected at Otey?

fishbuck - 8-4-2009 at 12:37 PM

Sentri was good! Wish I had the decal or what ever it is.

MikeLikeBaja - 8-4-2009 at 12:40 PM

Very helpful information! thank you. The sentri pass is like 100 bucks for 5 years and its a real easy process. Its worth the time even if you only occasionally pass through.

bigmike - 8-4-2009 at 01:31 PM

My wife went thru Otay this morning at quarter to ten, Sentri, one car in front of her. I was suprised when she called me so early. :bounce:

DENNIS - 8-4-2009 at 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bigmike
My wife went thru Otay this morning at quarter to ten, Sentri, one car in front of her. I was suprised when she called me so early. :bounce:

Thrilled as well, I'm sure. [she doesn't read this stuff, does she?]

bigmike - 8-4-2009 at 01:53 PM

LMAO No she doesn't Dennis, by the way was just reading about you and Kathleen and Mindy, my God some peoples minds are blown from to many drugs!!

Bajahowodd - 8-4-2009 at 01:58 PM

The construction at Otay has been posted on Nomad for weeks. Except for Sentri, it has been on and off problematic.

BajaBruno - 8-4-2009 at 02:01 PM

Well, we crossed San Ysidro yesterday and it was no picnic, either. Same reasons: road construction and traffic diversions. About 1 1/2 hours to get through on a Tuesday at 3PM.

MikeLikeBaja - 8-4-2009 at 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
The construction at Otay has been posted on Nomad for weeks. Except for Sentri, it has been on and off problematic.

And since it is on and off, I want to keep hearing about it. thanks

Bajahowodd - 8-4-2009 at 03:24 PM

On and off as to the volume of trafffic. They started with the Western-most lanes and are working East. Replacing the asphalt with concrete. There is some trafffic control, espcially if you enter from by the airport. And by the way, they did a really nice remodel on the McDonalds.

David K - 8-4-2009 at 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishbuck
Muchos road work going on.
The entrance next to the carwash is closed and the bridge is closed to 1 lane and is backed up all the way to the other side.
San Ysidro was all backed up too.
I thought about drivng to Tecate but I don't know how to get there. So I toughed it out at Otay.
It sucked!!!

Okay Mike, time to have some adventure!

To get to the US border at Tecate:

From Hwy. 2 (free road from Tijuana) follow signs.. Garita, USA, I-5/ 94)... cross town, driving straight, don't need to take any other street... on the east side is a tree filled traffic circle... border entrance road is just beyone, well signed.

From 2-D Tijuana toll road: Exit Tecate Central/ Ensenada off ramp... head north... fork right on blvd. next to train tracks, before McDonald's... go to traffic circle mentioned above, see above.

From 2-D Mexicali toll road, exit first Tecate exit, puts you on free road, continue on free road until the well signed border access road turns right...

From Ensenada (Mex. 3): head north under toll highway bridge... See Tijuana toll directions, above.

fishbuck - 8-4-2009 at 10:26 PM

I might need to try it next time! I started in that direction but turned back after a few blocks realizing I didn't know how to get there.

dtbushpilot - 8-4-2009 at 10:39 PM

Dk, too much info......maybe be OK if sober.....will go to Tecate from Ensenada when we return North.....hopefully I will be sober then.......dt

MikeLikeBaja - 8-5-2009 at 04:13 PM

sentri lane was no problem this morning. no construction yet on that street

Bajahowodd - 8-5-2009 at 05:06 PM

Wait until the communists take charge! :lol:

BajaGringo - 8-5-2009 at 05:08 PM

I thought they already did???

:lol:

Bajahowodd - 8-5-2009 at 05:09 PM

High five.

dianaji - 8-5-2009 at 05:44 PM

i'll be coming down on thursday and return to the states some time friday. can someone tell me the best time and best way? or would saturday morning be better?

LisaR. - 8-5-2009 at 06:17 PM

Diana, there are tons of Nomads out there who are probably better qualified to answer than me, but I vote for Saturday morning. We came out Tecate at about 9:00 on a Sunday morning a week and a half ago, and there were TWO cars ahead of us. Saturday mornings should be roughly the same. I was watching the "border cam" station from the hotel TV before we left, and it said that the wait time at Tecate was 5 minutes, San Ysidro was 25 minutes, 20 minutes at Otay Mesa, and 0 minutes for the SENTRI lanes at both YS and OM. I have to say, though, the live camera on San Ysidro sure looked like more that 25 minutes worth of cars, and the cam on Otay wasn't working. The cam on Tecate showed NO cars in line (which was accurate).

SENTRI

bajaguy - 8-5-2009 at 06:51 PM

Get enrolled in the SENTRI program and cross at OTAY!!!

bajabound2005 - 8-6-2009 at 07:49 AM

We made the round trip from Ensenada to San Diego and back yesterday.

Otay: The ramp from Bellas Artes is in fact blocked off to the regular lanes. SENTRI, wide open, but man, I wish they'd fill in some of those pot holes on that approach! The regular lanes - they have to 2 far right ones all torn up which is why the ramp is closed. Once you get up closer to the border you can move over to the right lanes...so all lanes are open at the border. Once you get cross, you have to get through the new maze they set up on the US side. RVs not recommended. They have jersey barriers set up, zigzagged, so you are constantly cranking the steering wheel right and left to get around them. Then at the very end, there is a huge pothole filled with water because of all the leaky sprinklers. It's a jungle out there!

Crossed back into Mexico at San Ysidro around 2:30. All lanes open, except for the far left one. No back up. The CBP was on the US side, a couple of agents in each lane. They had "stop sticks" and were randomly stopping cars. Did not create any backup, though.

dianaji - 8-6-2009 at 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
Get enrolled in the SENTRI program and cross at OTAY!!!

I enrolled online...now the wait...so guess i can't use it this time.

bajaguy - 8-6-2009 at 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dianaji

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
Get enrolled in the SENTRI program and cross at OTAY!!!

I enrolled online...now the wait...so guess i can't use it this time.

Go on-line often and check your account. Be looking for the approval

dianaji - 8-9-2009 at 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy

Quote:

Originally posted by dianaji

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
Get enrolled in the SENTRI program and cross at OTAY!!!

I enrolled online...now the wait...so guess i can't use it this time.

Go on-line often and check your account. Be looking for the approval

i got my approval and have an appt. on sept. 8.

now how do i get on the sentri ramp?

also, i left la mision about 7:30 a.m., and had a line that lasted 1 hour, so early sat. morning is not always good.

bajaguy - 8-9-2009 at 08:59 AM

Check your u2u

Bajahowodd - 8-9-2009 at 10:39 AM

When I encountered that "obstacle course" North of the gates at Otay, my first thought was what took them so long? It certainly serves to drastically slow anyone who may have run the gate.

bajaguy - 8-9-2009 at 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
When I encountered that "obstacle course" North of the gates at Otay, my first thought was what took them so long? It certainly serves to drastically slow anyone who may have run the gate.

Perfect opportunity to stop at Eric's Deli

dianaji - 8-9-2009 at 11:21 AM

Quote:

Perfect opportunity to stop at Eric's Deli

What about eric's deli? what's so goodaboutit?

bajamigo - 8-9-2009 at 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dianaji
Perfect opportunity to stop at Eric's Deli

What about eric's deli? what's so goodaboutit?

Just the food and the prices. Try the Greek quesadilla.

dianaji - 8-9-2009 at 11:37 AM

Quote:

Just the food and the prices. Try the Greek quesadilla.

is it easy to find? if not, directions?

from foodie, diana

bajaguy - 8-9-2009 at 11:38 AM

And clean bathrooms!!!!!!

BAJACAT - 8-9-2009 at 09:37 PM

Got throght it saturday at 8:00 pm, 25 minutes later I was across, no problem. There is two lanes coming from the main rd, and about 100 ft it opens to about eight lanes.it looks the work will be completed this week..

San Ysidro I-94 immigration form

aldosalato - 8-10-2009 at 09:16 AM

I crossed by car with family last week in San Ysidro. Since they are remodelling the station they could not issue the I-94 Visa so the only solution I had to park the car in parking spot (and pay for it) and walk back to Mexico and reenter by foot to get the I-94 Visa.
Lovely 4 hours time to cross an international border (twice) with kids.............tourists are not that welcomed into the US!!

Bajahowodd - 8-10-2009 at 11:29 AM

I believe Bajaguy is referring to Erik's Deli & Grill. Google Erik's Deli and Grill Otay Mesa West, to get a map.

dianaji - 8-10-2009 at 11:50 AM

huh??? it's in san diego?

Bajahowodd - 8-10-2009 at 01:12 PM

Just NOB.

bajaguy - 8-10-2009 at 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
I believe Bajaguy is referring to Erik's Deli & Grill. Google Erik's Deli and Grill Otay Mesa West, to get a map.

Yes, I am. It is just north of US CBP in Otay where you get your SENTRI card and vehicle sticker

bajabound2005 - 8-10-2009 at 02:40 PM

Exit Siempre Viva (or Viva Siempre...whichever, I can never remember) which in the last exit southbound off the 905 before you enter Mexico, or the first exit immediately after crossing into the US. If you were headed into Mexico, take a left on Viva Siempre, if traveling north, turn right. Go to the first right-hand turn (that does NOT put you back on freeway), that is ROLL DRIVE. Turn right onto ROLL. The 2nd "strip mall on your left houses Erik's. If you continue straight on ROLL DRIVE you end up at the SENTRI office.

MikeLikeBaja - 8-10-2009 at 04:28 PM

Remember, just because you have an appointment for Sentri does not mean you can through Sentri. They will turn you back and probably yell at you

bajabound2005 - 8-10-2009 at 04:37 PM

I think she'll be coming from the US side...Something they don't tell you, Diana, at SENTRI. When you drive down ROLL, you'll come to a sign that says ROAD CLOSED. Just drive around it to get to the visitor lot at the CBP SENTRI office.

bajaguy - 8-10-2009 at 04:48 PM

Be pleasant, smile and mind your P's and Q's during the interview. Try and have your car "reasonablly" cleaned, and don't have your dog in it.

Have your US drivers license, your passport, vehicle registration and insurance when you go to the counter and check in.

during the interview, tell them you have a "vacation" house in Baja

Don't forget to comb your hair for the photo!!!!!!

Bring a book or newspsper to read while waiting for your number to be called.

[Edited on 8-10-2009 by bajaguy]

dianaji - 8-10-2009 at 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dianaji

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
Be pleasant, smile and mind your P's and Q's during the interview. Try and have your car "reasonablly" cleaned, and don't have your dog in it.

Have your US drivers license, your passport, vehicle registration and insurance when you go to the counter and check in.

during the interview, tell them you have a "vacation" house in Baja

Don't forget to comb your hair for the photo!!!!!!

Bring a book or newspsper to read while waiting for your number to be called.

[Edited on 8-10-2009 by bajaguy]

"reasonably clean"...? i usually have my car full of stuff to bring to my "vacation" house in baja. not a good idea this time?

bajamigo - 8-10-2009 at 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy

Bring a book or newspsper to read while waiting for your number to be called.

[Edited on 8-10-2009 by bajaguy]

I'd suggest the Sunday NY Times andthe Brothers Karamazov. Sometimes the wait gets a little long, and you have to remind them you're still there.

DENNIS - 8-10-2009 at 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dianaji
"reasonably clean"...? i usually have my car full of stuff to bring to my "vacation" house in baja. not a good idea this time?

Just make sure you get rid of all the empty beer cans that roll around the floorboards.

bajaguy - 8-10-2009 at 05:14 PM

Regarding the car....we had ours packed with "stuff" for the house.....and our Lab.......fortunately, the inspector was a female and after a few doggie kisses, we got our car sticker....the inspector didn't even look at the car. :lol:

Regarding the wait......we had about a 10 minute wait....was interesting "people watching" and listening to the comments made by the CBP people when talking to each other!!!! :lol:

bajabound2005 - 8-13-2009 at 06:08 PM

Crossed at Otay this AM (on what turned out to be a pointless trip)...looks like the regular lanes have opened up on the overpass, but the ramp from Bellas Artes is still closed. And while I zipped through via SENTRI, I was remiss in looking over at the regular lanes to see if they were already repaved!

I went up to get our new tires (they are a bastard size and have to be special ordered - can't get 'em SOB) at Costco. Called them yesterday and they double checked that they would indeed be delivered to the store today at 5:00 a.m. So I left here at 7:30 to arrive at opening time....just before I'm about to cross the border, hubby calls on my cell -- Costco just called: tires not there. They attached the wrong trailer to the right truck. This means yet another round trip from Ensenada...Another update next week!