BajaNomad

Crossing North at Tijuana map?

Bomberro - 1-10-2010 at 07:24 PM

Last time we tried to cross North into San Diego at Tijuana we came down the road that follows the border just like always and came to the stop signal where we used to make a left and immediate right to get into the crossing lanes and it was walled off, concrete barrier blocking the ramp, we had to pass it and found we were on a major highway going East! How does one cross from the Mexican side? Any help would be most appreciated as we are driving up and will cross on Wednesday.

BooJumMan - 1-11-2010 at 09:56 AM

Ok, I just went through there last week:

When your driving on that road along the border, about 1 mile before you would make the left at the stop light, look for a sign that says (USA/San Diego). It will be up on a bridge, partially blocked by trees...

It tells you to make a RIGHT, about 1/2 to a mile BEFORE the old left, you make a right, and drive down that road about a hundred yards or so, and make your first left (which is a street light). That left will get you on the road which goes directly into the border crossing lanes, and which you used to make the left directly on. Its just a small little bypass. You are essentially doing the same thing, they just make you loop around a little bit.

surfer jim - 1-11-2010 at 09:59 AM

Got lost there myself last trip just as it go dark. The end of the border road is different. It seems like it has been moved "back" a ways to help traffic at that first intersection with the stop light. We got that part O.K. but made a left turn for the border on the WRONG side of some yellow tape ( not marked :mad:) and headed into downtown , lost at dark. It was a mess.

k-rico - 1-11-2010 at 10:26 AM

The simplest way to get to the border from the coast is after the toll road ends and you are driving east, just stay on that road. It's actually Second Street and goes straight to the border. Much of it has been recently repaved (with concrete).

I live in playas and always use Second Street to get to the border. I don't like the highway along the border (high speed, pot holes, sewer slums, lowest spot in the city) and during real busy times it can be tough to get into the border crossing lanes. And when gridlock is occurring in town because of way too many cars at the border, you will be diverted to the east side and you'll need to double back.

Second Street is always a sure bet.

You will be driving through TJ and there are some stop lights, but it's a main thoroughfare, the lights are usually green and the red lights are short. It turns into a one-way, eastbound street in town. Stay in the middle or left lanes to avoid city buses/taxis.

I listen to 104.5, "Siempre Joven, Siempre Fina, Radio Latina." Frequent border traffic reports, in rapid fire Spanish, but understandable with a bit of practice. If there are over 200 cars in line, stay away it will be jammed everywhere, over 300 cars, gridlock, you will probably be diverted away from the border. 400 cars, get a hotel.

I think the best time to cross the border is 5 to 6 AM on Sunday morning. I crossed at 5:30 AM yesterday using the Sentri lane but I could see the regular lanes, maybe 20 cars in line.

[Edited on 1-11-2010 by k-rico]

wessongroup - 1-11-2010 at 11:16 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by k-rico
The simplest way to get to the border from the coast is after the toll road ends and you are driving east, just stay on that road. It's actually Second Street and goes straight to the border. Much of it has been recently repaved (with concrete).

I live in playas and always use Second Street to get to the border. I don't like the highway along the border (high speed, pot holes, sewer slums, lowest spot in the city) and during real busy times it can be tough to get into the border crossing lanes. And when gridlock is occurring in town because of way too many cars at the border, you will be diverted to the east side and you'll need to double back.

Second Street is always a sure bet.

You will be driving through TJ and there are some stop lights, but it's a main thoroughfare, the lights are usually green and the red lights are short. It turns into a one-way, eastbound street in town. Stay in the middle or left lanes to avoid city buses/taxis.

I listen to 104.5, "Siempre Joven, Siempre Fina, Radio Latina." Frequent border traffic reports, in rapid fire Spanish, but understandable with a bit of practice. If there are over 200 cars in line, stay away it will be jammed everywhere, over 300 cars, gridlock, you will probably be diverted away from the border. 400 cars, get a hotel.

I think the best time to cross the border is 5 to 6 AM on Sunday morning. I crossed at 5:30 AM yesterday using the Sentri lane but I could see the regular lanes, maybe 20 cars in line.

[Edited on 1-11-2010 by k-rico]


thanks, will add to my routes back... where do you catch Second Street when your coming from Playas ? and/or the toll road ?

[Edited on 1-11-2010 by wessongroup]

k-rico - 1-11-2010 at 11:25 AM

You are on Second Street after the toll road ends. You don't need to "catch it", you're on it, no choice about it, just keep going east.

Follow "Segunda" (Benito Juarez) on this map.

Google Map


[Edited on 1-11-2010 by k-rico]

wessongroup - 1-11-2010 at 11:43 AM

Got it... thanks

Bajahowodd - 1-11-2010 at 11:46 AM

How simple is that? Thanks for the tip. For some strange reason, I always thought going straight was going to end me up somewhere I didn't want to be.