About to head back north and looking for some advice about crossing at SY on a Friday evening.
For years I have been crossing back NB through Tecate because I prefer at least moving rather than sitting in line for hours. This time north I have
been considering crossing at San Ysidro because I have heard the new lanes have significantly reduced wait times.
My problem now is one of scheduling. For reasons beyond my control it will be necessary to cross sometime Friday evening. Should I still try SY or
head to Tecate.DENNIS - 4-30-2015 at 11:17 AM
I'd try SY. Most of the heavy traffic on Friday is work traffic coming south...home.
But....as you know, there is no real secret to the border.sancho - 4-30-2015 at 11:29 AM
Don't know how accurate the CBP crossing time site is, but
even on Sun. afternoon SY will show 1 3/4 hr. Can't imagine
Fri nite is over 45 min., seems to take me to long thru Tecate
back to San Diego nandopedal - 4-30-2015 at 11:36 AM
I cross at SY northbound every Friday anywhere from around 4:30PM to 7:30PM, in the last 6 months + or - is been no more than 30 minute wait.Bob and Susan - 4-30-2015 at 11:57 AM
Wednesday last week wait was 30 minutes at 5pm...
SY is very fast right now
edit: wrong day
[Edited on 4-30-2015 by Bob and Susan]DENNIS - 4-30-2015 at 11:59 AM
I cross at SY northbound every Friday anywhere from around 4:30PM to 7:30PM, in the last 6 months + or - is been no more than 30 minute wait.
There ya go. A voice of experience.
By the way...the CBP site is notorious for being wrong. Trouble is, many of the other sources get there info from CBP too.
I always figured CBP just doesn't want the bad guys to develop patterns of behavior at the line.
Add to that...CBP is not customer service oriented......not your friend, in other words. DENNIS - 4-30-2015 at 12:02 PM
We went through SENTRI at 10:00 AM Monday....first time for Joni and I......less than one minute.
My entire world has improved.
.
[Edited on 4-30-2015 by DENNIS]theotherone - 4-30-2015 at 12:53 PM
The average crossing time for me, on a Friday evening, has been about 30 minutes to 1 hour, of course I'm using the RFID-enabled "Ready Lanes".
On a busy Sunday night and/or holiday weekend, the RFID-enabled "Ready Lanes" takes me about 2 hours.DENNIS - 4-30-2015 at 01:44 PM
stop in TJ, park at the Ticuan, eat dinner at Tupidos (yellow awnings just past Sanborns on 8th and Revo), walk down Revo, enjoy Rodriguez Alley, have
a great coffee and cheesecake at Prago. Then cross just a little bit later Friday night say around 9 PM and have no worries or wait.
Or stop in Playas (where I live) and enjoy the malecon, eat at Ruben and Charlies (mariscos), have your coffee at Ukulele Café, then hit Ave
International and hence the border.Cliffy - 5-1-2015 at 09:34 AM
As you walk around TJ on Sunday night aren't you just another moving target in the shooting gallery? :-)
Com'on, smile, I'm just kidding!SlyOnce - 5-1-2015 at 10:03 AM
Revo has changed. There are lots of trendy cafes and artsy places now. There are posters on every lamppost to call 078 Tourist Police if you have
any issues at all. Its well patrolled. Revo itself will most likely be closed on a Friday night to car traffic. I've never had anything but a good
time there with my MX novia. DENNIS - 5-1-2015 at 10:36 AM
You have to wonder....where do they get their info? I doubt they have a man on the street. Alan - 5-1-2015 at 03:48 PM
SY it is!! Thank you every one for all the updated info. SlyOnce, thank you for the tips on TJ. To be honest I haven't been to Revo since the
mid-60's (yes I AM OLD) but right now I'm just ready to get home.BajaBlanca - 5-1-2015 at 04:30 PM
be sure to let us know how it goes! safe travels.Alan - 5-1-2015 at 06:19 PM
Gracias mi amiga. Can you PM me. My wife is still
interested in a sponsorship for one of your students but hadn't heard from you.Alan - 5-18-2015 at 07:59 AM
Well I must say "That totally sucked"!
A lot of changes since I last crossed northbound through SY! Dropped down the big hill from the Playas in the far left lane ready to make the U-turn
at the bottom back to the Zona Rio and "lo and behold" it is now a loop to the right. Quickly shot across 4 lanes and just made the turn. Came down
Zona Rio and once again I'm in the wrong lane and no way to make the turn. Now, "How to get back there"? Terrible signage in the typical mexican
manner. One can never be sure exactly where to turn. Do you turn as soon as you can see the sign? Turn right at the sign? or is it the next
intersection coming up just past the sign. For years La Paz had a sign to Cabo San Lucas, unfortunately the sign was installed 5 years "BEFORE" the
road was built! After driving all over TJ I finally just headed east to Otay. Once again the signs got me totally twisted around. Finally on the
3rd attempt I stopped and asked a churro vendor who graciously directed me to the right path to take. So now after an hour exploring TJ I find myself
with over a two hour wait. Oh well, I'm home now and it was a beautiful drive.
Note to self "Check Google Earth before attempting again!"
Otay
bajaguy - 5-18-2015 at 08:12 AM
Cross at Otay Mesa....only need to make 3 simple turns from either the toll road or the free road in Popotla........so easy, even a tourist can do it.
Now that the 905 is complete it's easy and quick to get to the 805 or the 5
