BajaNomad

Parking in TJ

Jay - 4-19-2018 at 05:49 PM

Best way to pick someone up at the Otay Mesa walk in border. My son will fly into San Diego. I was thinking about having him Uber to the border and walk across as I will already in Mexico. I was hoping to find a safe place to park near by and meet him as he comes across.

aguachico - 4-19-2018 at 06:33 PM

depends on whether you want to go to otay or Sy? SY is still the best crossing despite all the gringo chatter. You just have to know the area.the trolley stops there, so you boy can catch the trolley to SY and meet you there. If $$$ is not an issue and you like Otay, then uber

K7BVT - 4-19-2018 at 11:32 PM

The TJ COSTCO parking lot worked very well for us last November.

Paco Facullo - 4-20-2018 at 04:41 AM

I second the Costco idea.

Simply have your son walk into Mexico at the San Ysidro port of entry and grab a Taxi Libra ( white and orange ) to Costco for about $5.00

For you to drive and try to find parking close to the boarder is about impossible and it is a maze of streets.

mtgoat666 - 4-20-2018 at 05:57 AM

Dont be a lazy dad! Pick your son up at the san diego airport!

John Harper - 4-20-2018 at 01:18 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Dont be a cheap dad! Pick your son up at the san diego airport!


+1

John

[Edited on 4-20-2018 by John Harper]

Paco Facullo - 4-20-2018 at 01:44 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Dont be a lazy dad! Pick your son up at the san diego airport!

Unless Dad has Sentri it's a whole lot more hassle than the Son catching the trolley to the boarder , walk across and catching a cab to Costco.....

The Son would also have a little adventure in doing so .

John Harper - 4-20-2018 at 02:02 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Paco Facullo  
Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Dont be a lazy dad! Pick your son up at the san diego airport!

Unless Dad has Sentri it's a whole lot more hassle than the Son catching the trolley to the boarder , walk across and catching a cab to Costco.....

The Son would also have a little adventure in doing so .


I got through in the regular lanes in about 45 minutes last Wednesday AM. By the time he parks at Costco, waits for his son's plane, waits for son to get a bus to trolley station, waits for trolley to the border, crosses the border, then takes a cab to find dad, dad could easily just drive to the airport and pick his son up.

What are parents for?

John



[Edited on 4-20-2018 by John Harper]

elgatoloco - 4-20-2018 at 04:24 PM

Sons need to learn independence. At least Dad is taking him to Baja. Are the hot dogs at Costco TJ bacon wrapped? That would really seal the deal. :lol:

Alm - 4-21-2018 at 06:38 PM

Quote: Originally posted by elgatoloco  
Sons need to learn independence.

Quite and easy and safe way to learn it, too.
San Ysidro is more pedestrian-friendly than Otay.

Unless son has health issues, there is no problem taking trolley to the border.
Bus 992 from airport to America Plaza Station leaves every 10 minutes and is usually empty mid-day. Then - trolley to the border. Easy ride slightly over an hour total.
Or Uber from airport to SY crossing.
Or a shuttle from airport taxi stand to SY about $50, if there are no takers at Uber.

Can't say which ped crossing is now better - old "East" or new "West". East is closer to trolley. I usually take a Greyhound to TJ bus depot, my destination is far from the border.

The only conscious effort with ped crossing is getting FMM card. But he'll have to do it anyway, if you are waiting for him on the Mex side.
Quote: Originally posted by John Harper  
By the time he parks at Costco, waits for his son's plane, waits for son to get a bus to trolley station, waits for trolley to the border, crosses the border, ...

Be at Costco 1.5-2 hours AFTER arrival of son's flight. Without checked luggage it takes 1.5 hour from exiting the plane to SY, then another 40-50 minutes to get to Costco, including FMM delay. Dad can confirm exact flight arrival time on smart phone.

[Edited on 4-22-2018 by Alm]