BajaNomad

MOTEL NEAR tECATE

cftlet - 10-19-2013 at 08:10 AM

We are going to be cossing at Tecate (finally) early thurs morning and would like to find a decent motel to stay in. We have always had a camper or trailer an stayed at Portrero. Does anyone out there in nomad land know of a decent (dog friendly) motel near the border?

EnsenadaDr - 10-19-2013 at 08:17 AM

I wouldn't waste my time in Tecate. What you get for the price is not worth it. First of all and generally speaking, early morning arrivals are usually out for most hotels. Check in is generally after 12. Take the Ruta del Vino ride for another hour and 20 minutes and check out the very comfortable and clean Motel Sena across from Hotel Coral on the Carretera in Ensenada and right next door to the Soriana complex. It has air conditioning, wifi and clean and pleasant accommodations for $300 pesos and a drive in garage with an electric door opener that closes behind you. You can check in at anytime.

[Edited on 10-19-2013 by EnsenadaDr]

cftlet - 10-19-2013 at 08:21 AM

We like to cross the border about 6 in the morning and would like to find a motel on the U.S. side.

EnsenadaDr - 10-19-2013 at 08:32 AM

Are you coming from Oregon? If so stop in El Cajon at the Motel 6. You might want to call to see if they are pet friendly. If not the Vagabond in Mission Valley in San Diego is. It is 30 something miles from there to the Tecate crossing. I haven't seen anything resembling a hotel in Potrero or any of those outer rural communities.

bajaguy - 10-19-2013 at 08:32 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by cftlet
We like to cross the border about 6 in the morning and would like to find a motel on the U.S. side.





Ahhhhhh, I don't think there is a motel on the US side in Tecate. In fact, there isn't much on the US side in Tecate.

Although there are a few places on MX Hwy 3 in Tecate, I second the Doc's comment......either stay in Guadalupe Valley or Ensenada. Don't know if the motels in Tecate are dog/pet friendly.

EnsenadaDr - 10-19-2013 at 08:37 AM

If you are coming from the East, stay in El Centro and take the next exit after the Jacumba exit on Interstate 8 west (given these directions by a highway patrol officer as the quickest route to the Tecate border crossing) and take the 94 west. From El Centro to the Tecate crossing on I-8 to the 94 and then south to the Tecate border is 78 miles as opposed to going to El Cajon which is 109 miles to El Centro and then southeast to Tecate which is another 33 miles or so.

[Edited on 10-19-2013 by EnsenadaDr]

rts551 - 10-19-2013 at 08:41 AM

There is a Motel at the I8 Boulevard (signed for Campo). Have not stayed there for years ut it used to be pet friendly.It is the Approx 18 miles to Tecate. No motels (yet)on the US side of Tecate. There are a couple on the Mexico side.

DENNIS - 10-19-2013 at 08:54 AM

If you have a camper and can continue through Tecate toward Ensenada, Sordo Mudo RV park is just before you pull into the town of Guadalupe.
I've never head a complaint about the place.

Be advised....there are a couple of delays on the 94, east of Jamul. They're resurfacing the road and bringing through only one lane at a time. Just turn off the engine and pop open a cold one.

There's also a half mile [or so] of road work on that same road around two miles north of the RV park. Go slow through there.

EnsenadaDr - 10-19-2013 at 09:02 AM

Yes that is true, I did stay there many years ago as well but doing a preliminary search on the Internet I don't see it listed and haven't seen the sign or motel on my recent trips past there. I will check it out further when I go down that way in the next few weeks.

Marla Daily - 10-19-2013 at 06:59 PM

Heritage Inn in La Mesa is dog friendly and is the closest hotel to the Tecate Border crossing we have ever been able to find. It is two star—nothing to write home about. $60/night. There is space to park with a trailer, but be aware the entrance to get in to the hotel is somewhat convoluted to find. We always request the handicap room on the ground floor; we bring our dog beds.

The drive to Tecate takes about an hour—about 35 miles away through the mountains.

We book all our hotels through hotels.com because they have a nice policy for a free hotel after every 10 hotel stays booked through them.

rts551 - 10-19-2013 at 07:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Marla Daily
Heritage Inn in La Mesa is dog friendly and is the closest hotel to the Tecate Border crossing we have ever been able to find. It is two star—nothing to write home about. $60/night. There is space to park with a trailer, but be aware the entrance to get in to the hotel is somewhat convoluted to find. We always request the handicap room on the ground floor; we bring our dog beds.

The drive to Tecate takes about an hour—about 35 miles away through the mountains.

We book all our hotels through hotels.com because they have a nice policy for a free hotel after every 10 hotel stays booked through them.


Need to qualify your recommendation.

"If you are coming from the west!"

mtnpop - 10-19-2013 at 07:12 PM

FYI,,, okie dokie,, we are at this site tonight for the 2nd year .
The hotel is still on the internet as the LUX INN.. but the sign says Back Country Inn... Its at exit 65 on I8... all remodeled and pretty clean and nice.
rooms run 69.99 week nights and 79.99 weekends.. plus $10 for the pet.. but a 10% disc with a AARP card..
It is about 20 or so miles from Tecate.. you can go down hwy 94 or jump back up on I8 and go to exit 51 and go south to Campo and 94 we like this way..
The Golden Acorn Indian casino is about 5 miles west on I8.
Also a great little Italian cafe/pizza place about a mile south of the hotel good beer, wine and food.. Manzanita Diner that will also deliver to the hotel..
Back Country Inn 619-766-9005 or backcountryinn@yahoo.com
don't think you would ever need reservations but you can if you want.
we are the only ones here tonight at 7 pm
he has wifi tv etc so good for us
any more info send me a message.... a little more than we like to pay but for location and cleanliness we are ok with it and about 30 minutes to hit the border early in the morning
this owner has only had the hotel about a year or so....he also has one in Pine Valley about 20 miles west....

rts551 - 10-19-2013 at 07:26 PM

good info Mtnpop. and glad there was some renovation

DianaT - 10-19-2013 at 07:37 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by rts551
good info Mtnpop. and glad there was some renovation


Yes, excellent information --- we really appreciate it. We will check it out!

Our neighbors left today for their home in Chivato and will cross in Tecate, but they stay in El Cajon and a pet is not an issue.

windgrrl - 10-19-2013 at 07:50 PM

Thanks for the directions. Looks exactly like what we're looking for, too.

rts551 - 10-19-2013 at 07:54 PM

Diana

We used to stay there a number of years ago. Its an older hotel similar in style to the old Motel 6 (in fact I think many years ago thats what it was). It was getting pretty run down. We may try it again and break up our trip a little more.

mtnpop - 10-19-2013 at 08:07 PM

Its been totally remodeled in the last year,.. I think this is a new owner for about that time... Its not 5 star by any means.. but we think as good as the Days Inn we stayed at in Flagstaff last night..
Don't look for a lot of amenities... just the basics clean, good beds, air etc.. what else do you need for one night... might not satisfy all travelers but we and the pooch are good with it...
Will be in Mulege monday and also Chivato..
The Italian diner is a big plus also....
happy trails....

EnsenadaDr - 10-19-2013 at 08:14 PM

I'd rather stay in El Cajon and pay $50. Motel 6 is clean and modern and has all conveniences.
Quote:
Originally posted by mtnpop
FYI,,, okie dokie,, we are at this site tonight for the 2nd year .
The hotel is still on the internet as the LUX INN.. but the sign says Back Country Inn... Its at exit 65 on I8... all remodeled and pretty clean and nice.
rooms run 69.99 week nights and 79.99 weekends.. plus $10 for the pet.. but a 10% disc with a AARP card..
It is about 20 or so miles from Tecate.. you can go down hwy 94 or jump back up on I8 and go to exit 51 and go south to Campo and 94 we like this way..
The Golden Acorn Indian casino is about 5 miles west on I8.
Also a great little Italian cafe/pizza place about a mile south of the hotel good beer, wine and food.. Manzanita Diner that will also deliver to the hotel..
Back Country Inn 619-766-9005 or backcountryinn@yahoo.com
don't think you would ever need reservations but you can if you want.
we are the only ones here tonight at 7 pm
he has wifi tv etc so good for us
any more info send me a message.... a little more than we like to pay but for location and cleanliness we are ok with it and about 30 minutes to hit the border early in the morning
this owner has only had the hotel about a year or so....he also has one in Pine Valley about 20 miles west....

captain4tuna - 10-20-2013 at 08:25 PM

You can also try the Pio Pico preserve off of Otay Lakes Rd, in Jamul....not far from Tecate and they rent cabins for about 70/ night..if you get there, look us up.....E44....

14615 Otay Lakes Rd Jamul, CA 91935
(619) 421-0104

Feathers - 10-20-2013 at 09:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
Are you coming from Oregon? If so stop in El Cajon at the Motel 6. You might want to call to see if they are pet friendly. If not the Vagabond in Mission Valley in San Diego is. It is 30 something miles from there to the Tecate crossing. I haven't seen anything resembling a hotel in Potrero or any of those outer rural communities.


This Motel 6 IS pet-friendly. :)

EnsenadaDr - 10-20-2013 at 10:17 PM

That's good to know. I don't know what it is about Tecate, but it is a very nice little town and would be a great stopover but their hotels are high priced and for the most part, dumpy. I have stayed in the Motel 6 in El Cajon and it is very nice and right off the freeway. I wouldn't go to that Heritage Inn in La Mesa it is higher priced and not as nice and farther away. Motel 6 is the best deal here.

Marla Daily - 10-21-2013 at 07:50 AM

The operant factor is the acceptance of dogs. Heritage Inn allows dogs. I called Motel 6 in El Cajon and am happy to learn they too accept dogs. We will try it next drive down in December.

windgrrl - 11-10-2013 at 05:45 PM

Will give the Lux Inn a pass next time and camp at Potrero unless it is raining. It is convenient, quiet, dog friendly, with good wifi, TV and microwave, but the place was not clean and the sheets were dirty. Most expensive and least attractive place we stopped at this trip. We had supper or breakfast and a great room for half their room price a few times (in Baja, of course).

The Best Western in Blythe was good, maybe a bit far from Tecate. Checked out the cabins at Las Canada's near Maneadero. A bit pricey, but you can't beat the valley view from the deck. One could drive Blythe to Las Canada's easily if coming from the east. Decent last minute supplies shopping in El Centro.

EnsenadaDr - 11-10-2013 at 06:13 PM

i have been researching the Tecate hotels and found one that many liked, the Estancia Inn. But all of them for the money you can't beat the Motel 6 or the Super 8 on the US side of the border. Of course the nicest resort in Mexico is the Rancho La Puerta in Tecate but at $500 a night and a minimum of 7 days stay, it might be out of range for some of the Nomads.

Potrero

captkw - 11-10-2013 at 06:36 PM

2 years ago I and Ligui met ther within 2/3 minutes of each other !! him driving from Colorado and me from centrail ca.. Fat chance of that happening..We Both agreed it was the worst camp spot EVER !!...Some knukle head took are money and gave camp spots next to each other..so the sun almost gone and were eating and having a beer...this idiot (ranger ) pulls up and ask "were are your tents?" we both look at each other ,,sorta shocked and replyed its blowing 25+ plus out here and we are both sleeping in are vehicles..impossiple, to set a tent in this.... I will never forget" well you caNT SLEEP IN YOUR VEHICLE !! IT'S against the rules...We looked at each and said ok ,,as pretended to open are trunks for gear...NOT !!..we finished some more beers..made sure he was gone for the night.. and crawed in a warm,safe,comfy,car for me and his truck for himself..sheez...warning to all nomads..Pass on that park !!

Lee - 11-11-2013 at 09:52 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by captkw
2 years ago I and Ligui met ther within 2/3 minutes of each other !! him driving from Colorado and me from centrail ca.. Fat chance of that happening..We Both agreed it was the worst camp spot EVER !!...Some knukle head took are money and gave camp spots next to each other..so the sun almost gone and were eating and having a beer...this idiot (ranger ) pulls up and ask "were are your tents?" we both look at each other ,,sorta shocked and replyed its blowing 25+ plus out here and we are both sleeping in are vehicles..impossiple, to set a tent in this.... I will never forget" well you caNT SLEEP IN YOUR VEHICLE !! IT'S against the rules...We looked at each and said ok ,,as pretended to open are trunks for gear...NOT !!..we finished some more beers..made sure he was gone for the night.. and crawed in a warm,safe,comfy,car for me and his truck for himself..sheez...warning to all nomads..Pass on that park !!


This review makes no sense at all. The Ranger is a knucklehead and idiot because he's enforcing the Park Rules? Sounds like the beer talking with some immaturity thrown in.

I don't understand the Rules around sleeping in a vehicle and don't see any harm in it. Potrero is a campground.

Potrero is a great park, feels like it's miles from no where, rolling hills and never crowded (when I'm there), minutes from the Tecate crossing and ideal for those going North or South.

Is there another post I'm missing?

LEE

captkw - 11-11-2013 at 10:08 AM

Hola,,OK...LETS make it simple...a guy/girl is drowning at the lake.............What would you do...(a) hold up the sign that says "no swimming"......(b) scream at them.'The rules'........(c)..watch and say "Oh they broke the rules".......(d) jump in the water and save them....hope ya get my point....anyway...john (Ligui) tells me that everytime he had been there it was a blowin....And NO,,Just with a badge pinned to a shirt dosnt make me......................p.s. BTW......WE WERE THE ONLY FOLKS THERE AT THAT TIME !!!

[Edited on 11-11-2013 by captkw]

[Edited on 11-11-2013 by captkw]

DavidE - 11-11-2013 at 04:01 PM

For a fact señor Lee, the regs state (as posted in the office) no sleeping in a car. When I pulled up in a cab over camper several years ago the individual who issued permits asked me "Going to set up a tent?" I replied "No i am going to stay in the camper". At the time I thought nothing of the question. I have no idea if they would allow sleeping in a windowless van. But it is a pretty and well operated park as far as facilities are concerned.

Tent

captkw - 11-11-2013 at 04:18 PM

The night I was there it was BLowing a solid 25 mph and cold !! the camp itself was so,so imo nothing to write home about.....some rule's are to be broken !!

2quirky - 11-11-2013 at 05:06 PM

Motel 6 San Diego - El Cajon #1044 - I stayed here early October - with my AARP card paid $45 and got free wifi - dog friendly - brand new remodeled rooms - in a cul-de-sac - easy on and off freeway

Justbozo - 12-11-2013 at 09:24 PM

Spent Sat. night at the Backcountry Motel. Great staging for an early Tecate crossing. Not fancy but fresh complete rebiuld including new bath. Far more than just a coat of paint. As for the price, it's a bit high but I don't see anybody else dumping money into the Boulevard CA motel business to rent a couple of rooms a night.
It was 35deg and blowing rain when I was there. The room was toasty warm and I did not venture out to eat. No coffe pot in the room, but free coffee in the office.
"I normally stay at Holiday Inn Express, but when I'm in Boulevard I stay at the Backcountry Motel".

http://www.backcountrymotel.com
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