BajaNomad

orange county to san quintin?

mandreyka - 1-27-2010 at 09:28 AM

Hi all , new here to the forums.

I plan to do some trips to san quintin this season. What is the best route to take? Through tecate? Or through tj?

I have done this trip a few years ago through tj, but want to find a safer, simpler way. Thanks, Mike

David K - 1-27-2010 at 09:39 AM

Simple? Well, I still think Tijuana to the toll road is the most 'simple' as well as the fastest way south... and you can get your tourist card at that border 24/7 and pay for it, too (for more than a 7 day trip or multiple trips)!

See this web page for photo directions from the border to Rosarito:

http://www.rosaritobeachhotel.com/directions_to_rosarito.php

BajaGringo - 1-27-2010 at 09:51 AM

Tijuana - toll road - Ensenada - Hwy 1 - San Quintin

or

Tecate - Valle de Guadalupe - Ensenada - Hwy 1 - San Quintin

They both work fine but some prefer Tecate based on the news reports of violence and they fear their vehicle will be riddled by bullets from rooftop snipers scattered throughout Tijuana.

I haven't actually seen any news reports of those snipers but lots of people seem to think they exist for some reason and drive through Tijuana like it was Beirut back in the day.

Just do it and have fun...

bajaguy - 1-27-2010 at 09:58 AM

Otay, Blvd 2000, Hwy 1 south

mandreyka - 1-27-2010 at 10:07 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Otay, Blvd 2000, Hwy 1 south


Thanks guys, I was just told about this route from a co worker. Can you buy a tourist card at the border there? Do I need one to go to san quintin for 4 days?

mulegejim - 1-27-2010 at 10:09 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by mandreyka
Hi all , new here to the forums.

I plan to do some trips to san quintin this season. What is the best route to take? Through tecate? Or through tj?

I have done this trip a few years ago through tj, but want to find a safer, simpler way. Thanks, Mike


I travel from San Clemente to Mulege and back several times a year. For me the easiest route seems to be TJ - toll road to Ensenada - Mex-1 on south to Mulege. Going north I like to go back through Tecate using Mex-3, as the border crossing to the USA seems more civilized there to me. Jim

tripledigitken - 1-27-2010 at 10:15 AM

I agree with Jim, South through TJ and return North through Tecate.

OTAY

bajaguy - 1-27-2010 at 10:16 AM

FMT - Yes. just pull into the declare lane, drive past the buildings on your right and park. Walk back to buildings, get FMT, walk across the driveway and pay at bank, go back and get FMT stamped.

Check your U2U, upper right corner of screen.

David K - 1-27-2010 at 12:12 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mandreyka
Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Otay, Blvd 2000, Hwy 1 south


Thanks guys, I was just told about this route from a co worker. Can you buy a tourist card at the border there? Do I need one to go to san quintin for 4 days?


Technically yes on two points:

1) You will be in Mexico for over 72 hours (border region time limit)

2) You will be south of Maneadero (border region territory limit)

Realistically probably no, as there are no migra (INM) checkpoints anywhere in Baja California (norte). As well as various 'officials' have been reported saying things like you can now stay 7 days without an FM-T and/ or that the entire state of Baja California (norte) is in the border zone... for a 3 or 7 day stay.

I can assure you many Nomads have gone to San Quintin or L.A. Bay without a tourist card.

However, some will tell you that your Mexican Auto Insurance will be void if you are an illegal in Mexico... and if involved in a crime, also bad to not have a tourist card!

Good one

wessongroup - 1-27-2010 at 12:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaGringo
Tijuana - toll road - Ensenada - Hwy 1 - San Quintin

or

Tecate - Valle de Guadalupe - Ensenada - Hwy 1 - San Quintin

They both work fine but some prefer Tecate based on the news reports of violence and they fear their vehicle will be riddled by bullets from rooftop snipers scattered throughout Tijuana.

I haven't actually seen any news reports of those snipers but lots of people seem to think they exist for some reason and drive through Tijuana like it was Beirut back in the day.

Just do it and have fun...


Bit surprised no IED's reported yet.. roof top snipers.. :lol::lol::lol:

rts551 - 1-27-2010 at 12:25 PM

while some will tell you to ignore the laws,
get your tourist visas. Its easy and may save you grief later. There is immigration and a bank right there

I think tecate is way out of the way

jgreenlaw1 - 1-27-2010 at 02:01 PM

Ive traveled tecate, going north and south about 3 or 4 years ago and I tought it was way out of the way and the trafic comming north was crazy. Plus you pay some heavy tolls. :(.

Bajahowodd - 1-27-2010 at 02:30 PM

I'll weigh on on doing the San Ysidro entrance Southbound. It usually takes very little time to drive along the border fence and get to the toll road. The set up at immigration there is probably the easiest to navigate. It's also easier to follow than entering at Otay. As for the tourist visa, inasmuch as you are planning more than 72 hours, it is a must. However, as has been discussed on other threads, I do believe that for 72 hours or less, the free zone now extends to San Quintin. I get my visa because it allows flexibility with respect to how long I may stay and whether, on a whim, I might wish to drive farther South.

tripledigitken - 1-27-2010 at 02:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jgreenlaw1
Ive traveled tecate, going north and south about 3 or 4 years ago and I tought it was way out of the way and the trafic comming north was crazy. Plus you pay some heavy tolls. :(.


What tolls are you referring too? I haven't experienced heavy traffic on route 3 either.

As far a mileage is concerned I haven't checked it but i'd guess it isn't more than 40 miles more (getting back to the San Diego area for routes north). The tolls you save going on route 3 should offset the extra gas costs.

However, the wait at Tecate currently is seldom over 30 minutes, while Tijuana can be upwards of 1 1/2 to 3 hours. I'd prefer the extra drive and not have to hassle the San Ysidro crossing.

Ken

Bajahowodd - 1-27-2010 at 02:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by tripledigitken
Quote:
Originally posted by jgreenlaw1
Ive traveled tecate, going north and south about 3 or 4 years ago and I tought it was way out of the way and the trafic comming north was crazy. Plus you pay some heavy tolls. :(.


What tolls are you referring too? I haven't experienced heavy traffic on route 3 either.

As far a mileage is concerned I haven't checked it but i'd guess it isn't more than 40 miles more (getting back to the San Diego area for routes north). The tolls you save going on route 3 should offset the extra gas costs.

However, the wait at Tecate currently is seldom over 30 minutes, while Tijuana can be upwards of 1 1/2 to 3 hours. I'd prefer the extra drive and not have to hassle the San Ysidro crossing.

Ken


Glad you chimed in on this, Ken. I just figured that jgreenlaw was confusing the routes. At first I thought the reference might have been to taking the toll road as far as Blvd 2000, but then realized that it was not an option 3-4 years ago.

Although I tend to use Otay going North, I have to say that doing so through Tecate is a much more pleasant experience.

David K - 1-27-2010 at 03:25 PM

Tecate NORTHBOUND wins, hands down... worth the extra hour drive time... unless you enjoy sitting in line for an hour or two, instead of driving!

Pick and arrow to follow for the many PAVED routes to Tecate from Ensenada...

This was originally drawn to show ways to avoid the Mex. 3 construction in the wine growing area south of Guadalupe:

David K - 1-27-2010 at 03:30 PM

Oh, that divided highway with the arrow south of Rosarito towards Tecate and Otay borders (BLVD. 2000/ BC 201) does NOT connect to the toll highway as shown... not yet, anyway. Only access is from the free road along the coast, just south of Popotla... Use the free road all the way from Ensenada (it's really nice) or exit the toll highway at CANTAMAR and join the free road north.

jgreenlaw1 - 2-3-2010 at 09:19 PM

Sorry it was not route 3,what happened was when I got to sanysidro the boarder crossing was worse that usual so I then went to tecate. Looking at the map, maybe it was
rout 2. I remember 1 or 2 tolls, I forget exactly what you payed but I think it was about $8.00. Isnt rout 3 north to tecate that 2 lane windy road. When I got to tecate it was a long time to cross, about 2 hours. That was what I meant by traffic. Then when you cross the boarder I had to travel that long 2 lane road back west to san diego. Its tough no mater where you cross.

Quote:
Originally posted by tripledigitken
Quote:
Originally posted by jgreenlaw1
Ive traveled tecate, going north and south about 3 or 4 years ago and I tought it was way out of the way and the trafic comming north was crazy. Plus you pay some heavy tolls. :(.


What tolls are you referring too? I haven't experienced heavy traffic on route 3 either.

As far a mileage is concerned I haven't checked it but i'd guess it isn't more than 40 miles more (getting back to the San Diego area for routes north). The tolls you save going on route 3 should offset the extra gas costs.

However, the wait at Tecate currently is seldom over 30 minutes, while Tijuana can be upwards of 1 1/2 to 3 hours. I'd prefer the extra drive and not have to hassle the San Ysidro crossing.

Ken


[Edited on 2-4-2010 by jgreenlaw1]

BajaGringo - 2-4-2010 at 09:57 AM

Which day and what time you cross will greatly affect your wait time at the border, be it Tecate, Otay or San Ysidro...

mandreyka - 2-5-2010 at 06:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaGringo
Which day and what time you cross will greatly affect your wait time at the border, be it Tecate, Otay or San Ysidro...


So what is the best day/ time to cross back over?

woody with a view - 2-5-2010 at 07:06 PM

some secrets are "secret!"

torch - 2-5-2010 at 08:24 PM

hey woody isnt that one of the reasons we read and post here , to help other nomads? monday at 1 pm is usually ok at S.Y. about 45 min. tues or wens is better but usually I'm in baja from fri. am to mon or tues pm . but woody if you want to surf around cuatros I'll gladly share a few secret surf spots

woody with a view - 2-5-2010 at 08:40 PM

okay, no more secrets. the best time to cross is when you get there.... i just hope it ain't at 6am!