BajaNomad

labor day and border crossings

Bob and jane - 8-22-2016 at 01:33 PM

Ready to get home to Loreto. Hoping to cross the border Thurs. Sept 1. Are we cutting it too close to the Labor Day holiday? We'll probably be crossing at Mexicali and going down the "back way." Will the border be a zoo of people trying to get an early start on the holiday weekend? Will the hotels in San Felipe be booked up (I know, I'll do a search right away)? OR would we be better off waiting until after the holiday weekend? If we have to wait we'll be crossing at San Diego. Is the detour still in place when you get through the border?
We are sooooo ready to be home but don't want to deal with chaos. Thanks for your help.

SFandH - 8-22-2016 at 01:48 PM

I cross several times a month, every month at San Ysidro. My opinion is crossing southbound on Thursday before the Labor Day weekend will be pretty much like any other Thursday.

Don't know about hotels in San Felipe.

There's no detour at San Ysidro now but that may change any day. The construction project that previously caused the detour is not finished. The detour is easy if it's in effect.

David K - 8-22-2016 at 02:18 PM

Labor Day being a U.S. holiday, and with it the hottest weekend of the year (maybe?), and still few Americans able or willing to go to Baja easily, I would say you don't have a lot to worry about as far as border traffic or hotels in San Felipe (there are so many now). This is purely an estimate on my part, as we sometimes camp that weekend in Baja, and just south of San Felipe... if it isn't raining!

Here are a couple of Labor Day San Felipe trip photo pages I made...

2014: http://vivabaja.com/914/
2008: http://vivabaja.com/908/

SFandH - 8-22-2016 at 02:57 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  

and still few Americans able or willing to go to Baja easily


Rosarito has been seeing record holiday crowds this summer and Cabo San Lucas added 6 new hotels last year.

[Edited on 8-22-2016 by SFandH]

sancho - 8-22-2016 at 08:10 PM

Quote: Originally posted by SFandH  

Rosarito has been seeing record holiday crowds this summer and Cabo San Lucas added 6 new hotels last year.

[Edited on 8-22-2016 by SFandH]





Cabo and the rest of fly in resorts, Vallarta, etc. are viewed in
different light than driving into Baja. US Gringo tourists, at least
the one's I know, are still apprehensive about driving into
Baja, which I think DK was reffering too, but they will fly
down without hesitation. I understand someone's reluctance about driving down though, not due
to any safety concerns, but having to pay $90 dlls or more
for a $30
room, another $$ for insurance, the misconseption one has
to have a passport. and at the end, waiting in the vehicle line
at TJ for 3 hrs/ 4hrs

rts551 - 8-22-2016 at 08:19 PM

Quote: Originally posted by sancho  
Quote: Originally posted by SFandH  

Rosarito has been seeing record holiday crowds this summer and Cabo San Lucas added 6 new hotels last year.

[Edited on 8-22-2016 by SFandH]





Cabo and the rest of fly in resorts, Vallarta, etc. are viewed in
different light than driving into Baja. US Gringo tourists, at least
the one's I know, are still apprehensive about driving into
Baja, which I think DK was reffering too, but they will fly
down without hesitation. I understand someone's reluctance about driving down though, not due
to any safety concerns, but having to pay $90 dlls or more
for a $30
room, another $$ for insurance, the misconseption one has
to have a passport. and at the end, waiting in the vehicle line
at TJ for 3 hrs/ 4hrs

What DK was eluding to is he thinks the economy in the USA is hurting tourism in Mexico. I have posted where tourism is up in both Baja and Baja Sur...but he does not believe the numbers.

That said....crossing at Mexicali on the 1rst should not be too bad...but by the 2nd and 3rd traditionally more tourists...the last holiday before school starts (for those that do not have year around school). I would make reservations just in case.....where do you usually stay when in San Felipe?

mtgoat666 - 8-22-2016 at 09:25 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Labor Day being a U.S. holiday, and with it the hottest weekend of the year (maybe?), and still few Americans able or willing to go to Baja easily, I would say you don't have a lot to worry about as far as border traffic or...


Dk,
The USA economy is doing fine. Tourism is steady and growing. Get a job and you'll have less time to be brainwashed by AM talk radio and right wing nuts on fox...
If you would get a job, you would have more money for Baja travel! :bounce::bounce::bounce:

The jobs are out there. Seek and ye shall find!

P.s. Traffic coming north on Monday night will be heavier than normal, but not too bad.




[Edited on 8-23-2016 by mtgoat666]

Bob and jane - 8-23-2016 at 07:16 AM

Haven't stayed in San Felipe in 20 years.............. and then we were camping. Any suggestions on hotels would be much appreciated.
No worries about our return. Hopefully we won't be back across into the US until next July.

MICK - 8-23-2016 at 07:53 AM

Either crossing in Mexicali should be fine if you get there before 3-3:30.p.m.
After that I have seen more worker traffic tourist traffic will be later and Friday.
Mick

MICK - 8-23-2016 at 07:56 AM

Either crossing in Mexicali should be fine if you get there before 3-3:30.p.m.
After that I have seen more worker traffic tourist traffic will be later and Friday.
Mick

rts551 - 8-23-2016 at 08:05 AM

Pet friendly?

Bob and jane - 8-23-2016 at 09:33 AM

no pets in our life at this time. Pet friendly not necessary.

David K - 8-23-2016 at 09:37 AM

The El Cortez Hotel is often mentioned... on the beach in town, to the right (one way street) at the end of the divided entrance road, one block before the malecon (which is one way to the left).

Ken Cooke has fondly recommended one of the motels north of town, past the Rockadile sign, on the right.

TW likes the El Capitan (I think)... it is before the El Cortez, on the right, on the one way street.

There are several.

Some more: http://businesspages.sanfelipe.com.mx/ad-category/accomodati...

[Edited on 8-23-2016 by David K]

Bob and jane - 8-23-2016 at 01:18 PM

thanks, everyone.

rts551 - 8-23-2016 at 02:05 PM

Stayed at El Cortez one time. $85 for the night and somewhat rundown. Geared more for the tourist than the overnighter.

Try Kiki's. nicer and cheaper.

durrelllrobert - 8-23-2016 at 03:22 PM

Quote: Originally posted by rts551  
Pet friendly?



Bob and jane - 8-23-2016 at 04:24 PM

we'll check out kiki's. $85 for a place to sleep gives us heartburn.

Bajahowodd - 8-23-2016 at 04:34 PM

We don't camp and we don't RV. We've been to San Felipe three times and it just did not impress us. There is a very good Italian restaurant in the middle of town, but we prefer the Ensenada experience that has far less dust and ATV noise and some very nice hotels. Just my opinion.