BajaNomad

directions to tecate border north

absinvestor - 2-4-2011 at 09:14 PM

I am meeting a friend at Potrero State park. He is returning to the US on Mexico 3 (Ruta de Vino.) He is pulling a 35 ft 5th wheel and a boat so missing a turn creates a problem for him. Last year I returned to the US on that road but as I recall it wasn't that well marked. Can someone give me street by street directions from the McDonalds on Hwy 3 in Tecate to the Tecate border crossing heading North into the US so that I can pass them along to my friend. Thanks Ron

David K - 2-4-2011 at 09:33 PM

No matter which way you come into Tecate, the U.S. border access road is on the east side of town off the free Mexicali highway.. well signed:



===========================================
Coming north from Ensenada or Hwy. 2-D central Tecate exit... Fork to right, on blvd. along train tracks... big McDonalds is across the blvd. ahead if you went straight.

If you miss this turn, continue ahead to the town plaza/ park and turn right at the far corner (free Mexicali highway)!



Fork left here, driving away from the train tracks (San Diego & Arizona Eastern Railroad, originally):



"Trafic Circle" with trees and stop signs (be sure to make a full stop, police may be watching). Go to right, east from circle:



Turn left a short distance east of traffic circle for U.S. Border:



A look west along the border:



Remember, Tecate border is not open 24 hours! 5am to 11 pm, last I recall.

David K - 2-4-2011 at 09:35 PM

Here are some of the signs as you drive through Tecate showing you the way to the U.S. border:





absinvestor - 2-4-2011 at 10:02 PM

Thanks David. I appreciate the info and attachments. Ron

toneart - 2-4-2011 at 10:32 PM

DavidK,

Your maps are detailed, but I find them confusing, and I know the route well. Here is what bothers me, and also, my suggested correction:

In the first map photo, at the first yellow pin, turn right. You can clearly see the big stadium (marked "Valencia" on your map) on your right, at the rounded corner. (McDonalds is across the intersection.)That is the road on which the railroad tracks parallel. You are rounding he corner with the stadium on your right.

After that, follow the clear signage, as you show. Continue past the treed traffic circle and look for the sign to turn left...and then you turn left again where it dead ends, onto the border road with the solid yellow line at the top of the map.

What was confusing for me is that the solid yellow line you show only runs at the top of the maps.That is the straight road that heads west to the U.S. border. I think it would be helpful if you showed the yellow line all along the route.

You are always helpful and it is not my purpose to criticize. I only want to make it easier. What do you think?

For those who first crossed the border at Tecate, going south into Mexico, it is a lot simpler. You go through the border check area and continue straight to the plaza. Turn left and go to the corner of the plaza and turn right. You are now on the road that leads up to the highway.

It would seem logical to retrace that route to the border going north...Wrong! You have to turn at the stadium, according to the map, and go east for several blocks...then left, then left again and then head west (the opposite direction).

Tony

David K - 2-5-2011 at 09:47 AM

Hi Tony, YES you are exactly correct! Thank you for adding the info. The yellow line is not mine, but Google Earth's line to show the U.S. border (not the road).

Every turn from either Ensenada, Tijuana or Mexicali to the U.S. border entrance is signed...

I welcome any improved maps to show the route, as well as clarifications like what Tony has added!

absinvestor - 2-5-2011 at 11:41 AM

To both Tony and David- Thanks a million. These will make it easy for my friend to get to the border. To Tony: your directions on going south are perfect. On our last trip South I parked on the US side and walked to Hwy 3 just to be sure of the route and was amazed at how easy it was. On the other hand, on our return I found the route North to be a little confusing. Thanks again. Ron

absinvestor - 2-5-2011 at 11:51 AM

I forgot to mention that on my last trip North what confused me was the sign that David shows saying San Diego-Border Crossing. When I go to San Diego I go thru Tijuana and when I saw the sign I thought that they were taking me back West to Tijuana. Now that I see the sign on paper I see it clearly says California 94. Thanks again- Ron

David K - 2-5-2011 at 02:16 PM

Yah, its like what else is in the U.S. but San Diego if you read that sign for what it says!

U.S.A. or as Mexico calls it: EE.UU. would be more accurate on the sign! They go use 'GARITA' a lot (for border crossing).

[Edited on 2-5-2011 by David K]

bajalou - 2-5-2011 at 02:23 PM

This is only for me - applies to no one else.

I find it difficult to orient myself if N is not up - top of the map.

And the angle views distort things for me also. I can get a lot out of a map if it is straight down and North at top of the map.

The angle views from all sides are great for looking at a feature on the map, but not for navigation.

Keep up the good work on mapping.

David K - 2-5-2011 at 02:28 PM

Yes, I am the same way Lou...

However, a lot would rather see the view as it looks from their car, driving... so, that is the direction of view (the small compass in the top right on Google Earth shows you which way is north).

I can do a series with north at top, if anyone would like to see it that way!

bajalou - 2-5-2011 at 02:51 PM

Maybe one shot, flat N up of the entire area?

David K - 2-5-2011 at 03:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajalou
Maybe one shot, flat N up of the entire area?



Other than being 'flat'...
that's how I started showing them, above... or do you mean something different than this one?:




[Edited on 2-5-2011 by David K]

David K - 2-5-2011 at 03:42 PM

I will add a flat (straight overhead) one... but to fill it all in, it may be a bit high? I will do it next time I log onto Google Earth...

Here it is... above Tecate, north at top

David K - 2-5-2011 at 07:09 PM

bajalou - 2-5-2011 at 08:01 PM

Good work David.

absinvestor - 10-14-2011 at 11:31 AM

Just wanted to thank David K and Toneart again. I crossed at Tecate on October 10th. Great directions. I crossed around noon and there were only three cars ahead of me!! (Less than a 5 minute wait.) 32' motorhome with tow car easily made the entrance at the border exit. The directions worked perfectly!! Ron

David K - 10-14-2011 at 03:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by absinvestor
Just wanted to thank David K and Toneart again. I crossed at Tecate on October 10th. Great directions. I crossed around noon and there were only three cars ahead of me!! (Less than a 5 minute wait.) 32' motorhome with tow car easily made the entrance at the border exit. The directions worked perfectly!! Ron


Wonderful! :bounce:

bajaboolie - 10-16-2011 at 01:02 PM

With all the fabulous maps, (thanks David K!) I would like to add some peace of mind. We drove through to the Tecate border on Saturday for the first time at David K's suggestion a couple of weeks ago. If you've ever gone through Tijuana, you will find this completely refreshing. Yes, the road signs are clear, but more important to me was that if you happened to miss one, it is very easy (not confusing or stressful) to turn around and pick right back up (unlike Tijuana). We had one car in front of us at the border.

Thanks again, David K. We'll never go north through Tijuana again. :bounce:

David K - 10-16-2011 at 05:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaboolie
With all the fabulous maps, (thanks David K!) I would like to add some peace of mind. We drove through to the Tecate border on Saturday for the first time at David K's suggestion a couple of weeks ago. If you've ever gone through Tijuana, you will find this completely refreshing. Yes, the road signs are clear, but more important to me was that if you happened to miss one, it is very easy (not confusing or stressful) to turn around and pick right back up (unlike Tijuana). We had one car in front of us at the border.

Thanks again, David K. We'll never go north through Tijuana again. :bounce:


You are very welcome!! :bounce::bounce::cool: