BajaNomad

San Diego / Chula Vista Area Which COSTCO Is "Best"?

DavidE - 10-21-2012 at 10:05 AM

Some warehouses are hideous for parking. The others are worse.

Some warehouses have an hour wait for an electric cart for use by the disabled. Others have no problems with carts; none of them work.

Some warehouses are better run. Better stocked.

Some warehouses cater to cross border shoppers. If I wanted COSTCO Tijuana I would shop there.

How many of this area's Costco warehouses have integral Casa de Cambios? All?

Compared to ATM plus bank fees, how does the exchange rate compare?

Which one would YOU choose?

DianaT - 10-21-2012 at 10:23 AM

We use the one on Broadway --- many of the shoppers are from south of the border as things are cheaper on the US side.

Casa de Cambio we find to be fair--- not much difference from other places and convenient. We exchange there for our trip south and then use the ATM in Vizcaino if we need more. It is an Express Pawn and you can find the current rate on line to compare with other places. Also, they do close for a couple of hours for lunch.

As I am on crutches right now, last week we were offered a cart as we entered---didn't use it, but it was available.

It is well stocked, usually, and stocked for their customers. We go to one in San Diego for brown rice and for a while, the one on Broadway stopped carrying maple syrup, but it is back now.

[Edited on 10-21-2012 by DianaT]

COSTCO Chula Vista

bajaguy - 10-21-2012 at 10:51 AM

895 East H Street
Chula Vista, CA 91910-7807
located east of the 805 Fwy

Also close to the shopping stores (Trader Joes, Henrys, Target, Home Depot, Vons) along Eastlake Parkway, just east of the 125 Fwy.

No problem with parking. Don't know about electric carts.......stay away from any COSTCO within 15 miles of the border on Sundays.

DENNIS - 10-21-2012 at 11:05 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
895 East H Street
Chula Vista, CA 91910-7807
located east of the 805 Fwy

Also close to the shopping stores (Trader Joes, Henrys, Target, Home Depot, Vons) along Eastlake Parkway, just east of the 125 Fwy.

No problem with parking. Don't know about electric carts.......stay away from any COSTCO within 15 miles of the border on Sundays.


By far my choice as well. The one on Broadway is a Mexican magnet. Doesn't make it bad.....just crowded with shoppers stocking up for their SOB tienda.

captain4tuna - 10-21-2012 at 11:09 AM

Mission Valley's the best I think....It's off of Friar's Road.....

Cisco - 10-21-2012 at 11:14 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DavidE
Some warehouses are hideous for parking. The others are worse.

Some warehouses have an hour wait for an electric cart for use by the disabled. Others have no problems with carts; none of them work.

Some warehouses are better run. Better stocked.

Some warehouses cater to cross border shoppers. If I wanted COSTCO Tijuana I would shop there.

How many of this area's Costco warehouses have integral Casa de Cambios? All?

Compared to ATM plus bank fees, how does the exchange rate compare?

Which one would YOU choose?


Believe the south Chula Vista store is the only one to offer a money exchange.

Might dial-up on Google for services offered. I refuse to shop at Costco.

captain4tuna - 10-21-2012 at 11:16 AM

Money exchange only in Chula Vista......

DianaT - 10-21-2012 at 11:20 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by captain4tuna
Mission Valley's the best I think....It's off of Friar's Road.....


It is where we go for the brown rice -- fortunately, 10 pounds lasts a while.

If you go to the Broadway store, go early. The afternoon, especially after school is out, is very busy. Avoid Mondays. Even on the weekend, if we are there when it opens, it is OK -- and as Dennis said, lots of people buying for their tiendas and restaurants south of the border. It is interesting to see the big carts --- easy to determine, restaurant or tienda. :biggrin:

[Edited on 10-21-2012 by DianaT]

Kalypso - 10-21-2012 at 12:25 PM

Costco Mission Valley has easy parking, but the parking lot at Fenton Parkway (in general) can be chaotic due to it's layout. Speedy cashiers at check out, tho'.

Best kept Costco secret is their relatively new Business Center store on Convoy (old Home Depot Expo). Super easy parking and almost never very crowded. This store caters to the (resto) trade, meaning no diapers, no lawn chairs, no clothing, books, pharmacy, etc. But it does have restaurant quality pots, pans and utensils at rock bottom prices. The meat counter is pretty good with even better prices than their regular stores and if you can shop on a Monday, they mark down their weekend meat specials to move 'em out...often to about $1.00/lb +/-. Down side is you've got to hit it right for the meat bargains, and a lot of it is whole muscle meat that needs to be further broken down. But if one is stocking a freezer or throwing a party, getting beef tenderloin for $1.50 a pound is worth having to trim and cut. (Mesa College Dr. off the 163 or 805, W to Linda Vista Rd, right, a mile or two, on the east side of Convoy)

There is also a Costco in Southeast SD in the Gateway Center on Market, a few block east off the I-15. Alledgedly sells Mexican wine

Money exchange, as has been noted, only at Broadway Costco. Easiest time to exchange is midweek when the store is less busy

Avoid the La Mesa Costco at all costs, impossible parking, depressing store, rude employees.

Santee has good parking, generally not terribly busy and good selection.

[Edited on 10-21-2012 by Kalypso]

DENNIS - 10-21-2012 at 12:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DianaT
It is where we go for the brown rice -- fortunately, 10 pounds lasts a while.



How can you bypass Boney's/Henry's/Whatever the name is now on 3rd in Chula Vista for a Costco? They have all the bulk grains etc.

DianaT - 10-21-2012 at 01:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by DianaT
It is where we go for the brown rice -- fortunately, 10 pounds lasts a while.



How can you bypass Boney's/Henry's/Whatever the name is now on 3rd in Chula Vista for a Costco? They have all the bulk grains etc.


It is now Sprouts --- I guess they merged with Henry's. We do shop there, especially on fruit and veggie sale day --- talk about a parking nightmare!

But for travel to Baja the large bag of Lundberg's Organic Brown Rice from Costco is easier and it is good.

scouse - 10-21-2012 at 01:10 PM

Best view in the world from Costco Cabo parking lot. Take your Polish dogs and drink to the east side and see the arches at Lands end.....:)

One would pay a fortune anywhere else.

DENNIS - 10-21-2012 at 01:23 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DianaT
It is now Sprouts --- I guess they merged with Henry's. We do shop there, especially on fruit and veggie sale day --- talk about a parking nightmare!



You're supposed to park across the street at Albertson's and walk over. :bounce:

David K - 10-21-2012 at 01:24 PM

Is the Broadway Chula Vista Costco the only one with money exchange?

DENNIS - 10-21-2012 at 01:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Is the Broadway Chula Vista Costco the only one with money exchange?


That's what some here are saying. I've given up on Cambios for ATMs.

Maybe You're Right Dennis

DavidE - 10-21-2012 at 06:17 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Is the Broadway Chula Vista Costco the only one with money exchange?


That's what some here are saying. I've given up on Cambios for ATMs.


Cross the border with real money, pesos, then use my VISA everywhere, then recross, and get gasoline. Hey! Where's that invisible "line" hugging the border where Magna and Premium prices are way higher? All of Tijuana? Rosarito has normal prices?

Anything new to watch for on the Tecate hwy? It's been more than 10 years! I am going to stop and score Olive Oil, no, not Popeye's girlfriend either. A gallon otter doer. Are there signs for the near blind in Tecate centro leading to the border?

How about a place to get a ventless LPG "Blue Flame" heater?

Then it's down 94 to Otay Lakes rd. Then drizzle on over to E Street.

Worth the trip? Yeah, I guess. $1,400 worth of medicines. $900 worth of BiPAP supplies. And maybe hit some better class garage sales. Ideas about which areas would be best? I want to score a bunch of obsolete 30 lb. LPG tanks but haha I'll bet they flapped their way southbound when the OPD tanks were mandated.

Thanks for the tip for COSTCO restaurant supply. Mexican cookware ranks right down there with Mexican light bulbs.

DENNIS - 10-21-2012 at 06:25 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DavidE
Anything new to watch for on the Tecate hwy?



Just did it the other day and the road is in great shape. About a half mile [or less] of roadwork going on, but thats it.
There's a new Pemex station up near the top of the road just before you begin down Stopsign Avenue to Centro. Easy access from all directions.
Drive slow and make full stops. The cops are active on that road.

Kalypso - 10-21-2012 at 06:32 PM

David

I came up through the Valle de Guadalupe about 3 weeks ago to cross at Tecate. It is fairly well marked, but not US style marked. As you come down the hill there are what seem like 110 stopsigns, when you get to the stoplight at the big intersection by the stadium there is a sign for the San Diego crossing. You turn right and go 2 or 3 blocks. This is where it's not particularly well marked. We were doing this at night and one of my passengers caught the little sign with an arrow for San Diego. I think we went left for a block and then right and then there was a big sign to turn left for the line. This takes you up a hill and then in back of Asao and down. All the side streets feeding into the road have been blocked off so people can't jump the line. I think in the daylight it's probably reasonably well marked. We found it in the dark with no difficulty, should be a lot easier during the day

Do check out the Costco Business Center, lots of good buys and if I was furnishing a house in Baja it would be on my list of places to go to get decent kitchenware at a reasonable cost.

[Edited on 10-22-2012 by Kalypso]

LP Heaters

bajaguy - 10-21-2012 at 06:40 PM

Your best bet for roll around room size ventless LP heaters is Home Depot in Ensenada. I think it's against the law in California to sell them.

When will you be passing through Ensenada????.....I have your Crock-Pot.

BajaNomad - 10-21-2012 at 06:46 PM

I concur on the suggestion of the Costco Business Center on Convoy for restaurant supplies. Very impressive. Make sure to check hours/days of business though... as they're not consistent with other Costcos.

Morena Blvd location is the original Price Club location (which Costco modeled - and then bought out btw). Kudos to Sol Price.

As far as Henry's/Boney's/Sprouts merger... it's an interesting family affair... worth a read if you have any interest:

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2011/feb/27/merger-henrys-spr...

For brown rice, I recommend Trader Joe's Jasmine rice when price/quality are both concerned. Price is no factor? Try the Brown Basmati Rice then.

And, unless someone else notes the Chula Vista H St location as having a money exchange, I believe there's only one at the Broadway location. As far as exchange rate at the Broadway store, it's been noted to be good (and a secure location for large transactions), but not necessarily the very best rate that can be found if that's what you want.

Bajaboy - 10-21-2012 at 06:49 PM

I like the Mission Valley store for a few reasons. It does not have a casa de cambio...but I felt like I got robbed after using the one in Chula. The exchange rate, if memory is correct, was about a half a point difference than what I got at the ATM. So I guess it depends on how much you are exchanging.

Honestly, the Mission Valley store has an incredible selection of beer (lots of local San Diego). I know you don't drink so this might not matter much. The store is fairly large but can get busy at times. There is an IKEA and Lowes next door, too.

DavidE - 10-21-2012 at 08:18 PM

Don't know my exact schedule, I have some personal bills to pay first. But crock pot hero (hey! That didn't come out right!) Bajaguy is way at the top of the list. Wonder if Casimiro Cordoba is still around? I've got a coa stashed that is about 100 years old. He said he would like to stick it up on the wall of ETdH. Jeez has it been 12-years?

Costco's tire prices are pretty high. Eighty dollars each for 195X70X14" el cheapo's and they'll only mount 2 or 4. Need some 40,000 mile rags. Got any ideas? How about a gallon of white etching primer for the car?

Then I have to deal with the eye doctors. The Cataracts are getting worse, the Lincolns ain't looking too good either. Cardiologist. Finding a drive through CVS pharmacy.

FARTINAWHIRLWIND. I'm going to look stupider than a 3-day time share whiteskin in San Lucas.

Cisco - 10-21-2012 at 10:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajaboy
I like the Mission Valley store for a few reasons. It does not have a casa de cambio...but I felt like I got robbed after using the one in Chula. The exchange rate, if memory is correct, was about a half a point difference than what I got at the ATM. So I guess it depends on how much you are exchanging.

Honestly, the Mission Valley store has an incredible selection of beer (lots of local San Diego). I know you don't drink so this might not matter much. The store is fairly large but can get busy at times. There is an IKEA and Lowes next door, too.


$500 exchange would have cost me $17 at costco, $13 at the San Ysidro insurance complex and $11 at the little sidewalk kiosk in San Ysidro.

Exchange at Costco has always been the most expensive in my transactions but parking, safety...has a price on it also and it was convenient for me.

I spoke with the manager after getting kicked-out for going in the out and going to the cambio which I have been doing for years and she said I needed to be a member for $50 or whatever. I explained I use none of their services except the exchange and she verified that that was the only exchange in the Costco system and is not owned by Costco, it is a leaseholder arrangement and then kicked me out.

Cisco - 10-21-2012 at 10:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaNomad
I concur on the suggestion of the Costco Business Center on Convoy for restaurant supplies. Very impressive. Make sure to check hours/days of business though... as they're not consistent with other Costcos.

Morena Blvd location is the original Price Club location (which Costco modeled - and then bought out btw). Kudos to Sol Price.

As far as Henry's/Boney's/Sprouts merger... it's an interesting family affair... worth a read if you have any interest:

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2011/feb/27/merger-henrys-spr...

For brown rice, I recommend Trader Joe's Jasmine rice when price/quality are both concerned. Price is no factor? Try the Brown Basmati Rice then.

And, unless someone else notes the Chula Vista H St location as having a money exchange, I believe there's only one at the Broadway location. As far as exchange rate at the Broadway store, it's been noted to be good (and a secure location for large transactions), but not necessarily the very best rate that can be found if that's what you want.


Did not read the article.

In Pacific Beach when Henry's went to Sprouts quality of produce went down, pricing went up on many items and WAAY up on others and they eliminated many of the barrels of load your own items (beans, oatmeal...) and pre-package the product with different pricing. I have given up on them and use Trader Joe's across the street for some items and am going to famers markets and peoples stores for others. A practice I did not do when Henry's was extant.

David K - 10-22-2012 at 08:54 AM

Dah-veed, you asked about where the border region for Pemex prices was... and it is 20 km. south from the border line (not just border crossing)... ie. La Rumorosa is in the higher price zone, even though it is a long ways from the legal crossings of Tecate or Mexicali. However, I noted the price differences in Tecate vs. the rest of Baja, last July... and it was tiny... like $3.05 vs. $2.95 per gallon... See my July trip report of the exact numbers. Gas in San Diego County has dropped a lot the past few days, and is $4.37/ gallon at the cheaper places around here (Costco/ ARCO).

[Edited on 10-22-2012 by David K]

Cisco - 10-22-2012 at 10:02 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Dah-veed, you asked about where the border region for Pemex prices was... and it is 20 km. south from the border line (not just border crossing)... ie. La Rumorosa is in the higher price zone, even though it is a long ways from the legal crossings of Tecate or Mexicali. However, I noted the price differences in Tecate vs. the rest of Baja, last July... and it was tiny... like $3.05 vs. $2.95 per gallon... See my July trip report of the exact numbers. Gas in San Diego County has dropped a lot the past few days, and is $4.37/ gallon at the cheaper places around here (Costco/ ARCO).

[Edited on 10-22-2012 by David K]


David. Click and clack provide a list of what they call, I believe, "Top-Tier" gasoline. Chevron, Shell.... First thing a good smog check person will ask in California is what brand of gas you use and Arco/Costco...is crap gas by comparison and in some cases costs more in the long run due to equipment failure/engine damage.

Don't know if you use it but a lot of folks do as the price differential makes them feel it is worthwhile and "gas is gas" which is not the case.

David K - 10-22-2012 at 10:27 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Cisco
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Dah-veed, you asked about where the border region for Pemex prices was... and it is 20 km. south from the border line (not just border crossing)... ie. La Rumorosa is in the higher price zone, even though it is a long ways from the legal crossings of Tecate or Mexicali. However, I noted the price differences in Tecate vs. the rest of Baja, last July... and it was tiny... like $3.05 vs. $2.95 per gallon... See my July trip report of the exact numbers. Gas in San Diego County has dropped a lot the past few days, and is $4.37/ gallon at the cheaper places around here (Costco/ ARCO).

[Edited on 10-22-2012 by David K]


David. Click and clack provide a list of what they call, I believe, "Top-Tier" gasoline. Chevron, Shell.... First thing a good smog check person will ask in California is what brand of gas you use and Arco/Costco...is crap gas by comparison and in some cases costs more in the long run due to equipment failure/engine damage.

Don't know if you use it but a lot of folks do as the price differential makes them feel it is worthwhile and "gas is gas" which is not the case.


I agree, and it does seem that Costco and ARCO has less real gasoline per gallon (ie. more ethynol), and thus your mileage goes down. It is the lowest prices, and Dah-veed (DavidE) is a well known thrifty buyer... his handle once was El Codo :yes: , that I noted... but not the best gasoline, perhaps.