San Diego to Mexico

Has anyone gone over to Mexico from San Diego and if so is it easy to do?

Thanks

Miopyk

[Nottingham Nick]

We did it last year.. it is VERY easy to do. Is it worth it?... another debate entirely

We got the tram from the centre of San Diego to San Ysisdro and got off at the border. You then simply walk into Mexico through a one way revolving gate similar to those in football grounds,with no checks whatsoever.

Tijuana is a smelly, dirty tourist trap IMHO, but we had been warned about this and knew what to expect. We wandered round for a while, went to the Avenue of the Revolution and had a brief look round the shops and then walked back.

There was about a 10 minute queue to get back into the US, we just flashed our passports, assured the border guards that we hadn't bought anything in Mexico - so he just pointed us in the direction of the trolley stop, and we got straight on and back to San Diego.

I am glad we did it, but it wasn't the cultural experience it is sometimes billed as. [8D]

Nick

If you do go into the Baja dont stay in TJ (well the dog track is fun). Its not something to do in a day as has been noted. Take a few days and hit Rosarito, La Paz or go across the Sea of cortez and hit Mazatlan or Manzanillo.

Mexico is a blast but no it isnt California...but its still an adventure.

[Scrooge]

As above,very easy to do,however the border towns are pretty much toilet's.

How much time do you have and how much do you want to spend on a trip?

There are a couple of good hotels in TJ one being the Grand.

Getting across the border back into the states can be hit or miss,at time's it's been a one minute thing other's i've just given up and gone back to the hotel for the night.

If you like taco's there are some great taco stands down there.

Nice timing!
Had a similar thread I was going to post re: walking the border (albeit im looking at crossing from El Paso to Juarez!)

There is an interesting appeal in being able to walk from one country to another & whilst possible in pretty much every country, its something that you rarely have the opportunity to do (although Ive done it a couple of times in european border towns, its not quite the same thing when you dont have to flash your passport!)

Presumably this is subject to the same import guidlines etc as if flying/driving into the US, or are there differing limitations if crossing from Mexico to US than say flying there from UK ?

We're staying in San Diego for a few days in August and thought it might be a worth doing as a day trip just to have a look.

But if it's going to be a lot of hassle crossing the border we wouldn't bother. I don't think we would take the car over as I don't think the hire company let you do this. So I think the trolly would be the best option as suggested.

Thanks for your advice though.

Miopyk

[Nottingham Nick]

You are right.. you can't take rental cars across the border, and the vehicle queues in both directions looked to be horrendous, as we walked over the bridge.

San Diego is a great city.. make sure you do the zoo and Balboa Park. We didn't have long enough there, and are look forward to going back.

Nick

Thanks Nick although I thnk I'm getting a bit of deja vu:)

Miopyk

[Nottingham Nick]

Originally posted by miopyk
I thnk I'm getting a bit of deja vu:)

LOL [:I] It is sorted now.

Nick

[Scrooge]

If I remember rightly Budget will let you take a car into Mexico.You would need to get insurance at the border though.

We caught the tram in the centre of old town, which took us all the way the boarder at Tijuana. I must say, we only stayed for a couple of hours, the place as far as I could see was not very pleasant. Still worth a look though

We thought about it, but it all seemed like too much aggro - I think Myopik mentioned problems with taking a rental car across - so we didn't bother. It did all look rather tacky though, even from across the border.