Cliffy
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Parking in Tecate
OK I've read previous threads and I'm looking at Google Earth.
I'm towing a 22 ft travel trailer. I need to park before the crossing to walk across and get my FMMs. I can seethat once I'm "in the curve" before
the crossing I'm SOL for parking with the rig AND I hear it's a"no parking" area anyway. I can see "Thing Road" by turning left just before the curve
and there is a dirt area just down the street that I think I can get into and out of. Also I see a wide area on 188 on the left side going in just
before the curve that I think I can get turned around on to park on the north side of 183.
Anyone know if either of these are an option for parking while I walk to the border?
My wife is with me so she would want to walk with me to get the FMMs.
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EnsenadaDr
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There is a parking lot right on the US side before you go into Tecate on the right hand side that has a Payless Shoe store and a subway store. It
should be big enough but there are also parking lots you can pay to put your truck but I don't see any reason why you can't park it there. It is a
very short walking distance as well as the parking lot is a close distance to walk to the border.
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Bob and Susan
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omg don't do that...payless=private property=tow
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windgrrl
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Buy visas on-line at Discover Baja. Yes it is more expensive, but one less thing to worry about when you have an RV. RV parking is tricky and scarce
in the borderland area and at the crossing. Do not try to park in the Payless parking Lot. It would only work for trailer-less vehicles. Same
situation at the mall with the gas station. The visa process can take up to 45 minutes unless you Are first one there bright and early in the morning.
Option 1. Unhook and camp overnight at Potrero County Park and use this as a staging day. Quick 10 minute drive over to Tecate. Park in one of the
paid parking lots. You could try and park where the semis park as it is often not occupied, but....not sure of the monitoring or outcome if this is
not allowed. I can't imagine trying to park a trailer in one of the pay-to-park lots, but I have not scoped the area out completely. Both walk over to
immigration, get processed, then cross the street, walk through US Customs and tell them you went over to have your Mexican visa processed. If you
have time after getting visas processed, drive to Rancho San Diego, stock up, have a nice meal and gas up. Next day, drive straight through to the
crossing. Of course, if you are not going too far south in Baja, this might not make sense, but it is a pleasant option.
Option 2. Arrive very early, e.g. when the crossing opens. Drive across the border. Park on the street immediately after crossing. Yup, it's possible.
Block 'er up and both walk back to Mexican immigration.
Option 3. Flip a u-turn where the road widens before the border and head back towards San Diego. Park in from of the Broker past the bus stop below
the mini-mall. Leave one person with your rig in case you are asked to move it. Plead ignorance if you need to as this is a no-parking area and I
don't know of any other options. This takes the most time and legalities are uncertain!
Have a safe trip,
W
When the way comes to an end, then change. Having changed, you pass through.
~ I-Ching
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Cliffy
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Buying on line makes sense except I hear you have to still stop and get them stamped if so then I still have the same problem.
Rancho San Diego? OK I'll go there but where is there? :-)
Over night at Portero might be the best solution.
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Bob and Susan
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cross at san diego...way more trailer friendly
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bajaguy
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Yup, might as well take care of the whole thing at INM.....start your Baja experience off on the right foot
| Quote: | Originally posted by Cliffy
Buying on line makes sense except I hear you have to still stop and get them stamped if so then I still have the same problem.
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windgrrl
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Cliffy
Buying on line makes sense except I hear you have to still stop and get them stamped if so then I still have the same problem.
Rancho San Diego? OK I'll go there but where is there? :-)
Over night at Portero might be the best solution. |
You have to get the visa stamped no matter how you choose to buy it. If you buy on-line, you save a few steps and time because the paper work and
payment are done in advance.
If it's your first time pulling an RV through and your grasp of Spanish is minimal, U2U me if you like for more ideas.
When the way comes to an end, then change. Having changed, you pass through.
~ I-Ching
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Cliffy
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I did a MH 30 years ago through San Diego Can't go that way now as I'm living in N Arizona so I'm using Tecate. Towing the trailer it's easy to get
trapped and not be able to turn around. Depending on what time I get there, I will look at the area to see what I can accomplish otherwise I'll stay
over night at Portero. If in the afternoon, I might go through and stop at the blind school in the vineyards for the night.
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windgrrl
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Past 4 years we have come down through Vegas, then Blythe, then over to El Centro. We have towed a 24, 26 and 28 foot RV.
2.5 hours to Tecate: You can stock up at El Centro (e.g. Von's, COSTCO) with easy navigation and parking.
2 hours to Tecate: Just past El Centro, there is a very good and popular RV park called the Sunbeam Lake RV Resort. It was $25/night 2 years ago with
no fuel or shopping nearby. Early arrival is required as they close the office at 4 p.m. sharp. They have a website.
1 hour to Tecate: There is a steep grade up the mountains as you leave Ocotillo. Once you are heading to the turn off towards Boulevard, there is a
small motel called the back County Inn with RV parking. It was $85/night in Nov. 2013 with no fuel or shopping nearby.
Between Boulevard and Campo, there is a Subway and Chevron with space to get a trailer in and out. There is a small store at Campo before the turn off
to the Potrero County Park campground that would not accommodate a trailer. I think the park camping fee was $20 last year. Very rustic facilities,
but beautiful and quiet and 10 minutes from the border. The road is slow and serpentine...slow down to make the left across traffic towards Tecate.
If you want to camp just south of Ensenada, there is a place just after Maneadero called las Canadas Camapmento. It has a good entry parking lot for
an RV and for a rest stop with a convenience store and washrooms. We had a tour of the facilities and RV sites thanks to the friendly staff.
At San Quintin, Los Olivos campground beside Jardine's is secure and about $25/night. If it has been raining, the road can be gumbo mud. Either way,
watch those drop offs when leaving pavement!
A GPS was a big help to anticipate turn-offs and avoid having to look for a place to turn the trailer around. We have some stories to tell about those
adventures.
Enjoy the trip!
When the way comes to an end, then change. Having changed, you pass through.
~ I-Ching
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Cliffy
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windgrrl
I have copied your comments to my Word doc travel notes (5 pages) Thanks
Used to live in Las Vegas now Page AZ Lk Powell
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dasubergeek
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If you're coming from AZ why not use Mexicali? They're done with Hwy. 3, so you can go south to San Felipe and turn right on Hwy. 3 to Ensenada if you
want to head south on the Transpeninsular. (Hwy. 2 west to Tecate involves climbing La Rumorosa, hence the 5->3 suggestion.)
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Cliffy
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I've looked at going to San Felipe but it looks like I'd be doubling back 3 times going that route in a big S curve. Being a pilot I hate to backtrack
at any time.
I also thought that going through the "wine country" south of Tecate might be interesting but I am open to other ideas if that is not the best option.
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EnsenadaDr
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The wine country is beautiful. I went that way today and the highway is in good condition, the truckers defer to the smaller vehicles, and the
scenery spectacular. You may even see a mountain lion along the way.
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unbob
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Golden Acorn Casino
Not mentioned earlier as a (free) overnight parking spot before/after crossing at Tecate is the Golden Acorn Casino at exit 62 (Crestwood Rd) on I-8.
This is an option for those traveling to/from the east on I-8.
Huge parking area with the usual casino amenities. However, it's located at about 4,000 ft elevation so it can be very cold and windy in winter/early
spring months.
There's also a gas station and convenience store (not cheap).
Best route (about 34 miles) to Tecate from Golden Acorn:
1) West on I-8 to exit 51 ( Buckman Springs Rd/hwy S1).
2) South to hwy 94
3) West on hwy 94 to hwy 188 - then south on hwy 188 to Tecate crossing.
"I'm too young to be this old!"
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dasubergeek
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The road has recently been upgraded from Tecate to Ensenada. You should have no trouble at all. Just be very, very careful in Tecate as the police are
complete p@#%@&s and will follow you just looking for a reason to stop you.
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Udo
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Parking at Tecate US side is really no problem at all.
There are two pay parking areas before you cross the border. The first on generally has some 18 wheelers and trailer rigs parked in it. Use that one
and walk the 300 feet to the INM office.
The second parking area is closer by 100 feet but it is generally used by cars.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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Pompano
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What Udo said.
I've parked a pickup, 34ft fifth wheel, with 19ft boat behind fiver at the large truck fee parking lot on the west side of the highway ...within easy
walking distance of the border and entry offices.
It was fairly reasonable as I recall...and had security.
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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DavidE
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Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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I used to do this driving a fifty foot long combination. PULL OVER INTO Mexican ADUANA SECONDARY. Get out, shake hands gently. Greet Buenas dias or
tardes. Ask some inane questions. Pulling into secondary DOES NOT MEAN AN AUTOMATIC INSPECTION..............PERIOD.
Is canned food, bicycles, our medicine, legal? Stupid questions. They are used to them. When they declare (quickly) "All is OK no problemo" ask for
time pinch thumb and forefinger close together DIEZ MINUTOS to dash to the immigration office and get your FMM's. Your rig will be in a guarded
installation until you get back.
A Lot To See And A Lot To Do
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Cliffy
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More good info from this site
THANKS!
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