lots of So Cal people here might be able to tell me the best way to go about something i need help with. we are going to San Diego, and a friend will be visiting us there, but she is coming from Mexico. she is not familiar with TJ. she will be flying into TJ airport, and we are trying to figure on the best way to pick her up. i'm thinking she should cab to border, and walk across where we can meet at a prearranged spot. where should she tell the TJ cab to take her? any special instructions to tell her about where to cross? what US side meeting spot makes sense if either of us have to wait a bit? (we'll prob have a couple kids with us too) thx.
i've been to Tijuana twice , i believe there is only one border crossing. you don't want to drive into Mexico unless you buy insurance i'm sure others on here will know more
i would have her take a cab to the border (san isidro) we call it la linea!it will cost 15.00 if i remember correctly! they will drop here of right at the walk thru to u.s.a.. there is a mcdonalds right when you get to this side of the border that could be your meeting place! another thing you could do is cross the border take a taxi to the airport wait for here and take a taxi back to the border with her. that would probably be safer!
another thing you could do is cross the border take a taxi to the airport wait for here and take a taxi back to the border with her. that would probably be safer![/quote] good idea and good advice- I have been going down there for 20 years to surf, i stopped a couple of years ago- it has become very unsafe-major kidnapping and extorsion going on- error on the side of caution.
i haven't been down there for a while, but if you drive across the border, won't you get stuck in that long line of cars coming back across?
what chicano kustoms said...but i'd recommend skipping the part about meeting her over there. really no use in the added h***le of heading over there as you'll just end up waiting in customs with her. have her take a cab to the border - no real issue here. they'll drop her near about 100,000 vendors (good chance to grab some mexican blankets - no joke), she'll follow the direction of the long line of cars to the US office entrance. depending on which day/time she's coming back she'll either be straight through, or could possibly get stuck in a VERY long line of pedestrians. this is the unknown. this can be 10 minutes to several hours depending on foot traffic that day - or even a customs procedural change. make absolutely sure she has a valid US driver's license or ID card. if she's coming from someplace deeper in mexico, she should be well-prepared to detail everything she's bringing back and clearly declare her citizenship. cell phone service is touch and go around the border - but it may begin to work for her as she nears the US. there is indeed a mcdonalds just outside and may make for a good meeting point - but be warned this area is busy as hell. and maybe not the happiest place on earth. i'd say patience is your best bet on this day. hope that helps.
like everyone said, mcdonalds is a good spot. i would have her take the taxi and wait on the U.S. side. dont forget your p***port, ID and driver license doesnt do you any good now
Is a US bound plane out of the question? That would make it vastly easier with much less waiting around.
also, as 55oldsrocket said - make sure she's got a p***port or birth certificate - they've just upgraded requirements for ID.
As stated in above. 1st choice would have her fly into the US which would be the safest and most expensive. But with over 170 killings this year and the stated kidnappings and extortion attempts do not drive or go into TJ yourself. It's like a battle zone. It's questionable that a taxi from the TJ airport is safe, there are thousands of desperate people trying to subsist in that town and any travelers whether Mexican or American are fair game. Even groups of travelers are targeted and individuals are prime crime victims. There is no 100% safe way for your friend to arrive in the US, but flying into San Diego is the safest. I sincerely hope she arrives safely in the US however method is used. The FOGGER
Thx for the information. If I can arrive early enough, I'll drop my family off in SD and go in and get her from the TJ airport like Snake Plissken. Too bad it has become so gnarly. I used to go in late 70's through 80's and it wasn't that bad. Thanks for the reminder on the blankets.
update....... This mornings LA Times front page has a major article on the war going on down there.......... Its a dam war zone in TJ now..................stay out !!!
wow. I never knew it was getting that bad down there..i remember in 06 and 07 some incidents..but it seems lately its much worse than that. so much for their tourisum dollars eh? *******s..they just dont realize they are cutting off the hands that feed them. than it all gets out of hand..weak govenment and corruption brings this **** on..hope it dont spill over too far here...ooppps too late
Just went down this morning, and dropped off some interior pieces. Breakfast was great, people were friendly, and the border wait was nothing. Diddnt see a warzone, must have missed it.
TJ isn't as bad as some make it out to be, I feel less save in certain parts of L.A. Just be nice and remember as an American you are a guest in Mexico, and don't act like you own the place, like I've seen some Gringos do. I never had a problem. Oh, update: The warzone and kidnappings are now scheduled only between 2pm and 5pm, the rest of the day is save
Ok...woh guys. I was just there this weekend, for a gig at the Grand Hotel with a drummer and a car packed full of bags and music gear and nobody looked twice at me. I was there a month ago drove the toll road to Ensenda and back through TJ and nobody bothered me. It's mostly unsafe if you are a police officer or public official, or you are stupid enough to drive your race trailer back home at 4am on the toll road or venture into unsafe areas at night. Have the cabby take her to the Otay Mesa crossing, which is just five minutes from the airport and meet her there on the US side. Yes, Mexico can be dangerous, but it depends on where you go and when. Just last month I was on the blue line to the Long Beach grand prix...(thinking oh this looks safe during the day)in Compton in broad daylight and just blocks away and an hour later somebody was pushing his buddy in a wheelchair and both were shot and killed. Nowhere is safe. The governor of Baja Calif was standing two feet in front of me where he was at a convention in the hotel and I saw no security. The numbers are in your favor that you will be safe. They are cracking down on attacks on tourists, the Baja 500 just went off with no security issues. John
I spent every weekend of my life there until i was 17 years old. I feel safe there and as long as you USE COMMON SENSE you should be also. Did I mention USE COMMON SENSE?
Pedestian crossing is permitted at Otay. Here's a link with some info. http://math.ucr.edu/ftm/bajaPages/BajaRoadPages/General/CrossingTheBorder.html There is a lot **** going on but like mentioned above it's mostly beteen the cartel, the cops and public officials. Rich nationals are being kidnapped as well so don't look rich. If you are respectful and have common sense you will be as safe as you are in San Ysidro. There's always the chance of getting caught in a crossfire but that could happen anywhere.
going in to tj thursday with our club and one member from the lifters for some tj tuck and roll on a 54 caddy...no h***le just good times.go there all the time.we will post photos of the day in tj on the hamb
Not so sure it's THAT bad...see what the Marine Corp says: http://www.pendleton.usmc.mil/scout/articles/feb%2015/caution.asp and the Navy: http://www.facsfacsd.navy.mil/Off Limit Areas.doc
That thing still for sale.. damn. Out in Portaville isnt it ?? Lived in San Dog for years and during 911. Was a little hecktic after 911, but its almost back to normal. Biggest thing common sence, keep your head on a swivel..meaning be aware of your surroundings, and stay out of the spot light...meaning dont go faulting your money or who you are... just go in keep to your self and be respectful.
you guys are a riot. you act like Mexico is full of hungry cannibals. you'll be fine, mind your own business, don't act like your en***led, YOU are the foreigner. US tourism is TJ's #1 money maker, they are not going to mess that up by chasing you away.
make light all ya want............... 190 killed so far this year in TJ I am a combat vet, and wouldnt go to TJ right now cause i dont want to be 191. Just to say you got your uphols in TJ in light of everything to me is stupid. and the Drug Lords could care less if your a tourista.........
so cruzr,your saying 190 tourists were killed,gee must have been well covered up,i live 25 mins form the border never heard that before,i go there all the time,nothing..EVER has happened to me or my friends,wether it be 10 in the morning or 3 in the morning,nothing...just good times...where in tj is the warzone? do you know tj at all,when were you there last?
never said tourists, just number of folks killed and yea ive been to TJ many times over the years,probably was there before you were born even. was there as a teen in the late 50's early 60's, was there when i as in USMC , was there later in life many times, have been to the bullfights both in town ring and the newer one out of town. Probably been in every sleasy bar at one time or another. Had several cars upholstered there. The tourist trade is really hurting there now whether you want to admit it or not. there is an old saying "discretion is the better part of valor" . lets not create the illusion that TJ is as safe as it once was and going there is a walk in the park. Try reading the newspapers ,or are they making all this stuff up???
just go threw the mesa otay border,google the map if you cant find it.the airport is close and you and her can drive across, if not tell her to get a cab,that border is closer than then the main border.wouldnt want her to get kidnapped lol. i was born and still visit tj, ensenada often,my parents go every other weekend to there beach house and we have never seen any war zone.yeah newspapers and the goverment always tell the truth lol.they got crime just like every other city does.
The Jalopy Journal
