Whale-ista
Super Nomad
Posts: 2009
Registered: 2-18-2013
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Sunny with chance of whales
|
|
Advice for best crossing to get from San Diego to Ensendada
I'm planning to cross early (6 am-ish) Tue March 5, to drive from San Diego to Ensenada to avoid traffic, have breakfast before continuing south.
I've heard the new road from Otay xing to Popotla is good, and free (?) and crossing at Otay can be much easier vs San Ysidro.
Anyone do that Otay/Popotla trip recently? Is their visa office open early for the paperwork routine?
Any tricks to finding the route to Popotla?
Tecate is easy (I'll go there on way north) but road south is windy/longer (tho lovely!) and not sure when visa office opens since biz is so slow
there esp southbound during week.
Helpful recommendations/suggestions welcome! thank you in advance.
Lori
\"Probably the airplanes will bring week-enders from Los Angeles before long, and the beautiful poor bedraggled old town will bloom with a
Floridian ugliness.\" (John Steinbeck, 1940, discussing the future of La Paz, BCS, Mexico)
|
|
|
woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
Member Is Offline
Mood: Everchangin'
|
|
just get on I5 and drive south until you hit Ensenada.
it don't get any easier!
|
|
|
Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Full Time Residents
|
|
yes don't over think this...cross at tj and drive south
oh yea bring $7 for tolls
|
|
|
SFandH
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7215
Registered: 8-5-2011
Member Is Offline
|
|
Exactly. No reason not to use San Ysidro at 6 AM.
|
|
|
Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6364
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
Member Is Offline
Mood: TEQUILA!
|
|
Otay is the one I use regularly to cross when I stay in La Mision (POCO CIELO).
After crossing, turn left at the traffic light. Go about fi miles, and just before you start going through the toll road to Tecate, make a right.
Word of caution...
When heading North on Corridor 2000, the last 10 miles is pretty torn up, and the detour is the center divider.
The trip South is not affected.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65106
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
Right, as Woody says... it is well signed... the border is open 24/7, and you don't need an FMM if you are not staying over 72 hours in Ensenada or go
south of Maneadero.
I-5 or I-805 south to Mexico, Then take Mex. 1-D (Scenic Road/ Toll Road) to Ensenada.
To go to the Otay crossing will involve a little city traffic, not much: Cross south... follow signs for Tecate Cuota & Mexicali Cuota (Toll),
Mex. 2-D... you will turn left (east) about a mile south of the border on Blvd. Industrial. You go about 5 miles east (for Corredor 2000) and turn
south before the first toll gate... signed for Portola, Rosarito, etc. This is the Corredor 2000, a free highway to the coast... takes you to the free
Ensenada highway (Mex. 1). You can get on the toll highway a few miles south or just stay on the free road for a nice drive.
[Edited on 3-3-2013 by David K]
|
|
|
bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
|
|
Otay
Have been crossing at Otay and taking Corridor (Blvd) 2000 for at least 8 years now. To me it is easier that Chapparal/San Ysidro. and I have had no
problems, day or night. You only have to make three well signed turns once you clear Mexican Customs to get on the toll road to Ensenada, plus,
southbound it saves you $6.00 in tolls.
|
|
|
willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Right, as Woody says... it is well signed... the border is open 24/7, and you don't need an FMM if you are not staying over 72 hours in Ensenada or go
south of Maneadero.
I-5 or I-805 south to Mexico, Then take Mex. 1-D (Scenic Road/ Toll Road) to Ensenada.
To go to the Otay crossing will involve a little city traffic, not much: Cross south... follow signs for Tecate Cuota & Mexicali Cuota (Toll),
Mex. 2-D... you will turn left (east) about a mile south of the border on Blvd. Industrial. You go about 5 miles east (for Corredor 2000) and turn
south before the first toll gate... signed for Portola, Rosarito, etc. This is the Corredor 2000, a free highway to the coast... takes you to the free
Ensenada highway (Mex. 1). You can get on the toll highway a few miles south or just stay on the free road for a nice drive.
[Edited on 3-3-2013 by David K] |
david, did you see ateo,s post on his last crossing?
Went across tonight. The immigration agent said no more tourist zone (Ensenada/75 miles). He said, "you come across for 2 hours - you need a tourist
card."
Just wanted to add some more confusion. That's what he said with a straight face. No chit.
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65106
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
That would be that EVERY non-Mexican car crossing the border would be going to INM... The line would back up to San Clemente if that happened!
|
|
|
Whale-ista
Super Nomad
Posts: 2009
Registered: 2-18-2013
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Sunny with chance of whales
|
|
thanks all! I appreciate your help. So, Otay office is open 7/24, and I can pay at the same office or need to walk to bank?
Still a bit unsure of hours at Otay, and if I pay at same office or need to possibly wait for a bank to open up...
I'm leaning towards Otay, with Popotla route to save a few $$ and avoid the traffic. And I'm staying a week, and plan more trips soon, so want the 180
day card.
Re: "take the 5...", thanks, I do remember the basics.  just sounds like a few
logistics have changed at the crossings.
When I had a house in San MIguel I used to be able to make the drive from (work) home in San Diego to (less work) home in Ensenada in 90 minutes on a
good night. But this time I'm in a truck w/camper so want to avoid city traffic.
Again, thanks for help.
\"Probably the airplanes will bring week-enders from Los Angeles before long, and the beautiful poor bedraggled old town will bloom with a
Floridian ugliness.\" (John Steinbeck, 1940, discussing the future of La Paz, BCS, Mexico)
|
|
|
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
