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DENNIS
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Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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That's the one, Bob. I think the off-ramp is Puerto Nuevo. Get off there and turn north on the free road....through a Military checkpoint and
another short distance to the Blvd. 2000 entrance.
Up the 2000 for I forget how many miles, 25 or so,
but the first of two large signs will direct you to Tecate. That's the free road and there's nothing wrong with that.
Another half dozen miles up 2000 and you'll see the second sign directing you to Tecate. That's the Toll Road. It's pricey by comparison....almost
90 Ps for sixteen miles, but it's a nice drive and much less crowded.
I don't remember too many signs in town directing you to the gate, but it's Tecate. How lost can one get? There must be signs, but I just don't look
for them.
By the way....yesterday was really warm out there. Be prepared.
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Bob H
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Posts: 5867
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
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Thanks a million DENNIS!
The SAME boiling water that softens the potato hardens the egg. It's about what you are made of NOT the circumstance.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64855
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Having taken both routes to Tecate, I recommend the Free Road (Mex. 2), as it is all 4 lanes wide to Tecate, and shorter distance.... Hey, and you
will drive right by the huge Toyota factory where my Tacoma was built!
Going to the toll road is several miles longer, plus very expensive for such a short run.
I documented the route in my Sept., 2010 trip report... photos of the signs, etc.
Here, I extracted that part of the report for you, Bob:
We took the free road north for Ensenada, and as before, it was in great shape and very little traffic. At Popotla, we hopped onto the Corredor 2000
for 18 miles to the free Tecate highway (Mex. 2) which is 4 lanes wide all the way... only a couple of traffic lights until Tecate, as well. Popotla
to the Tecate Border was 38 miles.
Mexican Independence day was Sept. 16, and many flags were flying, including this nice display at the Pemex station in El Florido.
The Toyota Tacoma Factory is passed along Highway 2... this is where my truck was made! 'Built in Baja for the Baja!'
No place to pull over, so a bit blurred!
Here are some of the signs as you drive through Tecate showing you the way to the U.S. border:
We were in line for 20 minutes, around 6:30 pm Sunday... easy!
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Bob H
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Wow, thanks David K...... good stuff there.
The SAME boiling water that softens the potato hardens the egg. It's about what you are made of NOT the circumstance.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64855
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob H
Wow, thanks David K...... good stuff there. |
You are welcome... that was posted here almost a year ago...
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Udo
I crossed this past Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
HORRIBLE! one hour twenty minutes!
Tecate is not what it used to be! |
Only going to get worse, since they have so few lanes to cross through.
Have to admit that I thought the construction would be done by now. We went that way last October; haven't been on that road since. Frankly, )Tecate
has been a seldom used route for us, simply because, a someone who really needs to go North on I-5, there's just way too much two lane mountain
driving once the border has been crossed). But, except for a short area at the summit that really hadn't been touched, it sure looke to me like it was
going to finished soon.
That said, once it is all four lane, and well-engineered, it's only going to atract more crossers to the Tecate garita.
Seems that while there's a long term project to expand San Ysidro, Tecate will only become worse over time.
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Bajahowodd
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"For restaurant dinning in the Punta Banda area, Sharky's has survived the good and bad seasons. They are open every day."
Off the web page. So, Dennis, do you do your dinning there, too?
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
"For restaurant dinning in the Punta Banda area, Sharky's has survived the good and bad seasons. They are open every day."
Off the web page. So, Dennis, do you do your dinning there, too?
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Occasionally, yes. Baja Mama's has taken over the operations there. Her kitchen puts out comfort food and the wine comes out of a fine quality box.
It's all right down my cholesterol loving alley. [not really....I try to eat right, but I did have my days]
Anyway....yes I sometimes eat there.
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J.P.
Super Nomad
Posts: 1673
Registered: 7-8-2010
Location: Punta Banda
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Mood: Easy Does It
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
| Quote: | Originally posted by Udo
I crossed this past Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
HORRIBLE! one hour twenty minutes!
Tecate is not what it used to be! |
Only going to get worse, since they have so few lanes to cross through.
Have to admit that I thought the construction would be done by now. We went that way last October; haven't been on that road since. Frankly, )Tecate
has been a seldom used route for us, simply because, a someone who really needs to go North on I-5, there's just way too much two lane mountain
driving once the border has been crossed). But, except for a short area at the summit that really hadn't been touched, it sure looke to me like it was
going to finished soon.
That said, once it is all four lane, and well-engineered, it's only going to atract more crossers to the Tecate garita.
Seems that while there's a long term project to expand San Ysidro, Tecate will only become worse over time. |
Dont think it will ever be 4 lane but the parts that are finished are a shure nice two lane with wide sholders. makes getting around the trucks easy
.
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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Huh?
| Quote: | Originally posted by J.P.
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
| Quote: | Originally posted by Udo
I crossed this past Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
HORRIBLE! one hour twenty minutes!
Tecate is not what it used to be! |
Only going to get worse, since they have so few lanes to cross through.
Have to admit that I thought the construction would be done by now. We went that way last October; haven't been on that road since. Frankly, )Tecate
has been a seldom used route for us, simply because, a someone who really needs to go North on I-5, there's just way too much two lane mountain
driving once the border has been crossed). But, except for a short area at the summit that really hadn't been touched, it sure looke to me like it was
going to finished soon.
That said, once it is all four lane, and well-engineered, it's only going to atract more crossers to the Tecate garita.
Seems that while there's a long term project to expand San Ysidro, Tecate will only become worse over time. |
Dont think it will ever be 4 lane but the parts that are finished are a shure nice two lane with wide sholders. makes getting around the trucks easy
.
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Been through there lately? If it's not going to be a fourlane all the way, then why are those construction crews wasting their time?
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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Por Favor
| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
"For restaurant dinning in the Punta Banda area, Sharky's has survived the good and bad seasons. They are open every day."
Off the web page. So, Dennis, do you do your dinning there, too?
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Occasionally, yes. Baja Mama's has taken over the operations there. Her kitchen puts out comfort food and the wine comes out of a fine quality box.
It's all right down my cholesterol loving alley. [not really....I try to eat right, but I did have my days]
Anyway....yes I sometimes eat there. |
And I know you hate the term, but, is not Baja Mama's that restaurant on the beginning of the spit, just before one gets to all those unfortunate
houses?
Is it not run by gringos? Just wondering if that's what I'm thinking about, since we found the folks there to be extremely nice.
That said, maybe I missed something, but didn't Sharkey's change ownership into the hands of a local Mexican family? And if so, are you saying they
are contracting with the folks at Baja Mama's??
[Edited on 8-26-2011 by Bajahowodd]
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Gypsy Jan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4275
Registered: 1-27-2004
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Mood: Depends on which way the wind is blowing
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Blvd. 2000 is Dangerous After Dark
The TJ police do not patrol there and there are many dead areas for cell phone connection, and then there are the people who dump dead bodies there.
The Free Road, Highway 1, through Tijuana metro area is safe and well-supervised by police, emergency and road travel services.
The only drawback is that it is a slower drive with several traffic signals.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness.”
—Mark Twain
\"La vida es dura, el corazon es puro, y cantamos hasta la madrugada.” (Life is hard, the heart is pure and we sing until dawn.)
—Kirsty MacColl, Mambo de la Luna
\"Alea iacta est.\"
—Julius Caesar
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
And I know you hate the term, but, is not Baja Mama's that restaurant on the beginning of the spit, just before one gets to all those unfortunate
houses?
Is it not run by gringos? Just wondering if that's what I'm thinking about, since we found the folks there to be extremely nice.
That said, maybe I missed something, but didn't Sharkey's change ownership into the hands of a local Mexican family? And if so, are you saying they
are contracting with the folks at Baja Mama's??
[Edited on 8-26-2011 by Bajahowodd] |
Baja Mama's used to be out on the spit close to the old hotel, in one of those expropriated houses. That's why I refused to go there. They closed a
while back.....maybe a year.
Sharky's has changed managers a number of times, but owners only once. The present owner [he's had it for a maybe five years] is a roofing contractor
in California and has had to rely on others to handle his investment. I think this time, it may work for him. It's the same group of nice folks you
evidently have met.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64855
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
The TJ police do not patrol there and there are many dead areas for cell phone connection, and then there are the people who dump dead bodies there.
The Free Road, Highway 1, through Tijuana metro area is safe and well-supervised by police, emergency and road travel services.
The only drawback is that it is a slower drive with several traffic signals. |
While this was perhaps true back in 2006-7 when that highway opened, do you think it is still a valid concern with so much more traffic using it now?
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Gypsy Jan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4275
Registered: 1-27-2004
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I Am Sorry to Deliver Bad News
But yes. our local friends still say, "Don't drive Blvd. 2000 at night."
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness.”
—Mark Twain
\"La vida es dura, el corazon es puro, y cantamos hasta la madrugada.” (Life is hard, the heart is pure and we sing until dawn.)
—Kirsty MacColl, Mambo de la Luna
\"Alea iacta est.\"
—Julius Caesar
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64855
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Online
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Of course, don't we recommend no night driving anywhere in Baja... specially near Tijuana!
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J.P.
Super Nomad
Posts: 1673
Registered: 7-8-2010
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
Mood: Easy Does It
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
| Quote: | Originally posted by J.P.
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
| Quote: | Originally posted by Udo
I crossed this past Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
HORRIBLE! one hour twenty minutes!
Tecate is not what it used to be! |
Only going to get worse, since they have so few lanes to cross through.
Have to admit that I thought the construction would be done by now. We went that way last October; haven't been on that road since. Frankly, )Tecate
has been a seldom used route for us, simply because, a someone who really needs to go North on I-5, there's just way too much two lane mountain
driving once the border has been crossed). But, except for a short area at the summit that really hadn't been touched, it sure looke to me like it was
going to finished soon.
That said, once it is all four lane, and well-engineered, it's only going to atract more crossers to the Tecate garita.
Seems that while there's a long term project to expand San Ysidro, Tecate will only become worse over time. |
Dont think it will ever be 4 lane but the parts that are finished are a shure nice two lane with wide sholders. makes getting around the trucks easy
.
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Been through there lately? If it's not going to be a fourlane all the way, then why are those construction crews wasting their time?
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Yes we were through there this past monday . we go that way at least once a momth. The part from Ensenada out for 15 0r 20 miles is 4 lane the part up
the mountain to Tecate is finished and is a really nice wide 2 lane with sholders . they are working on the middle part and taking out the bad curves
looks like two lane to me.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64855
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Yes... new 2 lane between Tecate and Ensenada and south of Maneadero too... all that work is just to make a wider TWO lane road... with wide 'bike
lanes' (shoulders) on each side! Still will be slow and dangerous if you are behind semi-trucks... unless they drive partly in the 'bike lanes'!
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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Thanks
| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
And I know you hate the term, but, is not Baja Mama's that restaurant on the beginning of the spit, just before one gets to all those unfortunate
houses?
Is it not run by gringos? Just wondering if that's what I'm thinking about, since we found the folks there to be extremely nice.
That said, maybe I missed something, but didn't Sharkey's change ownership into the hands of a local Mexican family? And if so, are you saying they
are contracting with the folks at Baja Mama's??
[Edited on 8-26-2011 by Bajahowodd] |
Baja Mama's used to be out on the spit close to the old hotel, in one of those expropriated houses. That's why I refused to go there. They closed a
while back.....maybe a year.
Sharky's has changed managers a number of times, but owners only once. The present owner [he's had it for a maybe five years] is a roofing contractor
in California and has had to rely on others to handle his investment. I think this time, it may work for him. It's the same group of nice folks you
evidently have met. |
No doubt that the Sharkey's location has way more visibility and easier access. Kinda seemed to me that in the old location, most, if not all of their
bidness came from the folks on the spit, who were mostly vacation renters.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Kinda seemed to me that in the old location, most, if not all of their bidness came from the folks on the spit, who were mostly vacation renters.
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Not at all. There haven't been a lot of vacation renters.
The clientele is local expats who have adopted this place as a center of attention and a family oriented dining experience with friends. If someone
doesn't like what they've been served.........well, they can throw their plate full of food against the wall and leave. It's OK.
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