To be honest, I had never crossed the border by car before, so I thought it was going to be a whole experience of sitting in the car for hours, border patrol checking all of our bags in our car. But to my surprise, it was smooth sailing. The border patrol on the way into Mexico asked what we were doing down there and just asked some normal questions, and we were on our way. I think the total time we spent crossing the border both ways was no more than an hour. read more

I have never been so anxious and confused in my life before. My passport hadn't been used in several years and I though since I was in San Diego, why not make a trip across the border and get myself a new stamp...spoiler alert, I didn't get a stamp :( So I guess this will be a two part review as it gives the aspect of enter Mexico and entering the US. Each side is different and each side has it's own set of rules. Some good, some give you pause, and the agents might want to loosen up a bit when someone is new to this. As you can tell it was my first time crossing the border to Mexico. Each country you visit is a bit different and this wasn't any different in that aspect. After making the long walk from the transit station we were finally inside and approaching the gates. When we approached we were given our forms to fill out and bring to the desk once we completed them. The agents on the Mexico side were stern but understanding when we had questions on what was needed on the form. Once I had mine completed, I was onto the agent, where he looked it over, signed off on it, gave me a slip of paper and with no stamp, I was onto the next section. Security. Much like security at an airport you need to have you bags and items scanned and then make your way to the exit. Being that I was waiting for the rest of my group to clear security I stood around and took it in. Not much in aspect of to see, bathroom for use if you paid, and then you kind of shuffle out the exit down into Tijuana. To note, do not take a picture in here or video. You will get hit with a hefty fine. Once through the checkpoint you are free to explore. My god is it a chaotic mess when you finally walk down to street level. Tons of street vendors with souvenirs and food and taxis all trying to get you to take their vehicle in hopes of being able to get back here for the next fare. When you get to see the border for vehicles when making your way back, wow. It is out of this world and kind of mind boggling to see that many vehicles backed up for a checkpoint. Then you make your way back through a long walkway with shops along it. Your last chance to get items duty free before going to the US. Now, the US portion of the border is just as chaotic, but everything in here feels brighter. But brighter doesn't always translate to quicker. I was just as confused and anxious here as I was going across. It is crazy to figure out which line is going to be you quickest way to get outside. I entered a line that I thought was going to be great. No one was in the line. When I approached the gate/desk, I walked up to it and thought I'd get right through. As I started to walk I was told to go back and wait, so I did. Then I see the agent wave for someone to walked up. Seeing that I was the only one standing there and no other lines directly next to me I approach again, only to be told to go back. I do again. Then he waves yet again and I approach. This time the agent, on the verge of yelling, tells me to go back. Basically making me think that I should have been able to read his mind that he was calling someone from a few lines over to come to him. How am I supposed to know that. I was ready to go through, no one near me, waving to move forward. Thank god that another agent at the desk/gate across from him waved me over. Yes, he actually waved me over. This agent was much nicer and a delight to deal with. We made idle chitchat about why was over in Mexico (to be nosy), why I was in San Diego (for work), what I did for work (come to find out that what I do for work impacts him). He was much more kind and gentler in his approach to the situation. After that debacle was over, back through security and you walk out to the plaza in hopes that the transit train is there waiting for you. read more

An outlet mall close to the San Diego border? fun! If we had our passports on us we may have driven into Tijuana on a whim cuz it's been decades since we visited. We were so busy going on rides two days straight. This is the first time we didn't go to Downtown Disney. With the heat that tires you out I stayed by the Little Mermaid ride while Doc and hubs went back to shop at Main Street in Disneyland. I was content to wait until our World of Color dessert party. Usually we're dragging big bags of gifts to take home for the kiddies. This time, nada. Last resort, Doc drove us to the Disney Store here which carries current Disney merchandise as well as last season's mark downs. It saved me from being a bad grandma. Found current beach towels and Disney thermoses for both kiddies. Serendipitous find. Hubs decided to hold the Disney items we purchased while Doc and I went exploring. We found a Karl Lagerfield store/ oh my stars!!! My latest bag and luggage obsession. I browsed each section of the shop and treated myself to a wide brim hat and a tiny purse that has credit card slots & a cell phone can fit in it. Love the creepy cat and man design/ weird but it's my buying sensation. Okay that was enough for me and we left the mall as a happy camper. read more

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This review is for the US-Mexico border at San Ysidro. This place has undergone a huge renovation in the past two decades. Back in the late-90s and early-2000s, getting to TJ was a simple drive or walk across the international boundary. No questions asked. Now it's different. If you're driving across, you're going to make a sharp right turn, where you'll go through a check point on the US side. It is rarely manned, but they do take a photo of your car with an x-ray camera to make sure you're not hauling anything interesting. Once across the international line, there is a check point on the Mexican side. Secondary here is not too bad. The folks manning the place are pretty nice. Just don't give them attitude. The traffic heading into Mexico is intense on Friday nights, FYI. From there, you take exits to Zona Rio (the nice part of TJ), Zona Centro (Ave. Revolucion), or Via Rapida (the road that takes you to Rosarito and Ensenada). The road back into the US will give a varied experience. The general line (passport booklets and RVs) has the longest wait, with the month of December being the most notorious for having a 3-6 hour wait. I've had the displeasure of waiting this long to cross, back when I didn't have the passport card nor Sentri. The Ready Lane (passport card) has a 1-3 hour wait, although sometimes the wait was is shorter. The Sentri lane is the fastest. I've waited in this lane for 30 minutes max, with 15 minutes being the average wait. You can apply for Sentri at the website for the Dept. of State's Preferred Travel Programs. I recommend Global Entry. It's $100, and it takes 6-8 months for the background and interview, and you get the same speedy entry at airport AND on land border crossings. San Ysidro is one of the busiest land border crossings to the US, so plan accordingly. It may behoove you to park at the border and walk across to a taxi. I've done it many times, and I've experienced no problems. Lately, however, I found it favorable to drive across. I make sure to get insurance, as the standard run-of-the-mill insurance policy won't cover car damage in Mexico. If you're exchanging US dollars for Mexican pesos, the exchange houses on the US side actually give better rates. The ones found throughout the city of Tijuana are mid-range as far as their exchange rates. And the worst exchange rates are in airports throughout Mexico. That just about sums it all up. Anything else is common sense: don't carry drugs (not even marijuana), weapons, ammo, plants with seeds, or anything that can be deemed "illicit" by either country. I've crossed through San Ysidro many many times in the past 12 years. I've never had issues. Granted, I keep my nose clean and I don't mess with the wrong crowd. If you're the same, then you'll be fine. Cheers! read more

Zero line to get into Mexico, literally just drive thru. Its the coming back to the US that is a pain. It took us about an hour to get thru. Tons of vendors selling, aguas frescas, churros, blankets ect. Tons of kids asking for money (sad part) 1) make sure you have a full tank of gas before you enter that line 2) make sure you go to the bathroom before you get in line 3) when approaching the border patrol officers have your passport ready 4) as of 7/12/20 you can cross into the US with a US ID and birth certificate/passport not needed (however passport is best) read more

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While our stay in LA we've decided to make a trip to San Diego and see Mexico. We've read a lot in internet "how to travel to Mexico". It's possible to go by bus or by feet. So we've decided walking across the border and having authentic dinner. Got into Mexico was super easy and felt safe this side. Unfortunately it got dark early and recommend to go earlier across the border. Way back we were waiting about 2 hours to enter the US border control. I was really happy when we arrived the border area because some places felt us super insecure (as European). We had to walk trough some dark spots which we can't avoid. I will never miss this experience and is a lifetime story to tell. Please be careful. Border control on both sides where super friendly to us. read more

Mexico Border - Travel Services Near Me

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Ay ya ya ya....Mexico! Border...it is a love and hate. I love the goodies along the way....Mexican candy, razoados (shaved ice), fruit, candy...oh and candy. Dislike....long lines, what the French...why so long sometimes? EH, it is what it is. What I recommend...have a DD, a flask and some awesome people to play games with in the car. That is key to making time fly. Well I am sure you get the point...can take long so cross between 2-5pm or check the radio stations for "approximate time." Have fun! read more

Mexico Border - México line - Travel Services Near Me

Came to the US-Mexico border near San Yisdro for my I-94 renewal. The whole process is fairly straight forward with a little bit of wait time. If you have a VALID US VISA on your passport and need renewal of your I-94 then it's a convenient location to get it done. I came here for my I-94 renewal because: 1. I got an I-94 expiry date upon arrival in San Francisco as per my passport expiry date though I had a VISA expiry date 3 years later than the passport expiry date. 2. I renewed my passport in US and needed an extension of I-94 as per my VISA expiry date. For I-94 renewal: 1. Go to San Diego, drive near the US-Mexico border near San Yisdro. You can take I5 or take an earlier exit 'Dairy Mart Road' and then take a left turn on 'Camino De La Plaza'. This will take you near the international border. 2. DO NOT enter to Mexico with your car. Park your car on the US side. There are 2-3 parking lots offering 12 hrs parking for 10-15$. 3. Go near the 'New Pedestrian Path to Mexico' and keep following the entry to Mexico signs. Go through the revolving gates and enter Mexico. You do not need a Mexico VISA if you are going to stay for less than 72 hours in Mexico. 4. Once you step into the Mexican side take a U-Turn and go near the gate for entering into US. It has signboards as 'SENTRI' / 'I-94 permits'. There is a separate queue for people who need I-94 renewal. You can ask the CBP officers at the gate and they will point you the right queue if you can't find the right one. 5. Take the above queue and enter the CBP office. You need to pay $6/person for the renewal of I-94. 6. The whole process of entering into Mexico and coming back to the US side takes around 2-3 hours depending upon the number of people in queue. read more

Mexico Border - Pedestrian Entry to Mexico at San Yisdro, CA - Travel Services Near Me

Oopsies! we ended up here on foot taking the light rail to nowhere haha just adventuring we made it through and back safe. Got some treats for way cheap! It was the first time my wife had fresas con crema so why not have some from Mexico! Crazy seeing all the traffic and venders right outside of the border. Had a fun two hours. My question is...why the hell doesn't Canada have a huge fence and security like the border between US and Mexico does?!?! read more

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Go to otay border everyday and its a pain waiting the long lines. Good grief.

Going into mexico wasn't so bad and surprisingly everything was pretty organized. Not sure if it was because i was in a bus or not.

I recommend the Otay border. It's always faster than San Ysidro. If you don't want to wait in line for hours get there by 6am and your out within 30min. to an hour. read more

Have been there for i94 renewal. If you want to renew your i94. Just go to this location . It was very convenient. Go to San Diego, and drive till mexico border. Don't enter mexico border with your car. Park your car in US side of parking lot. There are many border parking station available which charge $10 or more for full day parking. Walk across the border to enter mexico. There is a separate pedestrian way to enter mexico. Once you enter Mexico, for i94 renewal, you can take a U turn. There is a separate queue for just i94 renewal. You may not find a separate queue. There is a sign board mentioning queue for i94 renewal. Take that lane and enter the CBP office. You may request them to renew the i94. They charge $6 and then will renew it. Does not take much time if you join the right queue. read more

dang! a lot has changed here!! when I was younger I remember seeing little kids trying to get some of your spare change by juggling or selling you chiclets. Now they mean o' hustle you for whatever you got by getting in between cars so you can cut through the line. OUTRAGEOUS! and when you don't pay them enough, they screw you over by letting the next car cut in front of you! read more