California - Runnin' for the border:- evening trip from SD to Mexico?

Have an upcoming conference in SD and was pondering a quick border trip, seeing that the blue line heads straight to the border crossing.

No real plan in mind, and fully aware that this isn't going to show me the real Mexico, but as a Brit abroad I thought it might be fun simply to head southwards about 5pm, hop across the border for a couple of hours for dinner then head back. But I wondered:

- Am I right in thinking that my VWP entry into the US permits me to hop into Mexico and back for the evening? And do I need any other paperwork with me other than just my passport? (eg ESTA etc?) Any Brits done this recently who can comment?

- What to do when across the border? Where to head to for an evening to get some food and watch the world go by?

- Is it worth it for a couple of hours?

- Any other advice on things to do?

All thoughts welcome!

It's been a while since I've been in Tijuana, but I never found much there to be worthwhile since back in my college student days, when there were certain, uh, floor shows and ancillary services that just weren't available in California. That's changed, California is now a full service state.

I am no expert on the Mexican cartels, but for some reason I recall that there has been cartel violence in TJ. Maybe someone can correct me if I am wrong.

The wait to cross back over can be over an hour in the pedestrian lines, so factor that in.

Thanks all; I'd been led to believe that the pedestrian wait lines were pretty short (ie about 5 mins), compared to the vehicle lines. I'll bear his in mind; perhaps not looking the best way to spend an evening.....

With all of the things to do in the San Diego area there's no reason to waste several hours of your life going to TJ.

With all of the things to do in the San Diego area there's no reason to waste several hours of your life going to TJ.

Agreed. Unless you're looking to tick the box of having been to Mexico, or wish to indulge in some form of iniquity that's too expensive in California, stay in San Diego and enjoy your evening there.

Thanks all; I'd been led to believe that the pedestrian wait lines were pretty short (ie about 5 mins), compared to the vehicle lines. I'll bear his in mind; perhaps not looking the best way to spend an evening.....

You can check this site for wait times- as of half an hour ago the pedestrian line was 30 minutes, when I checked the other night it was 60 minutes. I myself have waited over an hour int he pedestrian line.

http://apps.cbp.gov/bwt/

Thanks all; I'd been led to believe that the pedestrian wait lines were pretty short (ie about 5 mins), compared to the vehicle lines. I'll bear his in mind; perhaps not looking the best way to spend an evening.....

Nope, recently, at any times other than, say 3 AM on a weekday, the lines are running between 40 minutes and an hour and a half. And sometimes longer during busy stretches, like weekend nights or weekday mornings.

Agreed. Unless you're looking to tick the box of having been to Mexico,

I think actually that's exactly my reasoning; I have a few evenings after the conference and, having visited the Gaslamp District and Balboa Park etc on a previous trip to La Jolla, I thought it migt be something else to do, simply because it was there to be done......

It's an easy trip, and I can see why you'd want to do it for a different experience. I haven't gone for years, but here is how I did it when going as a pedestrian.

Get off the trolley and follow the signs to cross the border.

There should be a bus waiting that you can take to Revelucion, the touristic heart of the city.

Walk around, see the tourist tat, eat a meal. Go to the Jai Alai Palace and see if they are playing. If so, watch a half hour or so. Tillys (http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/Mexico/Estado_de_Baja_California_Norte/Tijuana-923759/Restaurants-Tijuana-Tia_Juana_Tillys_La_Terraza_Grill-BR-1.html) next to the Jai Alai Palace used to be a decent place to eat. I've no idea if it is now.

Here's some suggestions:

http://gocalifornia.about.com/cs/sandiego/a/tijuana.htm

Frommers Tijuana/ (http://www.frommers.com/destinations/tijuana)

And perhaps the most helpful of all is this New York Times article (http://travel.nytimes.com/2006/08/25/travel/escapes/25tijuana.html?pagewanted=all).

We used to cross the border now and again to eat at some restaurants or go to Porto Nuevo for Mexican lobster or go to a day spa to go to Rosarito to the Titanic Museum or to see the beautiful scenery on the drive south. We aren't willing to take our car anymore, even with Mexican insurance.

I am surprised that nobody has mentioned the crime in Tijuana, because I would not want to go at this time. Take a look at this U.S. State Department report https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportPDF.aspx?cid=10747 :td:

I am surprised that nobody has mentioned the crime in Tijuana, because I would not want to go at this time. Take a look at this U.S. State Department report https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportPDF.aspx?cid=10747 :td:

I guess this is official confirmation of my comment in the early part of this thread about thinking there had been drug-related violence in TJ. Thanks.

The chances of running into any real trouble in TJ are negligible unless one overindulges. As a chance to say "I've been to Mexico," sure, why not, you can get a decent meal and a beer or two, and a few trinkets to take home. For quality time in the San Diego area, there are a lot of nicer places to go. (Chatting with the pretty girls in Pacific Beach comes to mind. But then, I just got back from a few days surfing down there.)

Old Town San Diego is another nice place to spend an evening, as is the Little Italy area near downtown.

I think Caesar Cardini's restaurant may still be operating. He originated the Caesar Salad (really), though not sure if that is at all meaningful only to Americans (plus I probably wouldn't order a meal using raw eggs in many places, and certainly not TJ). I think you may be disappointed in TJ, but if yo do with a "what the heck, why not" attitude, you may be appreciate being able to check off another country (technically).

The main considerations in going to TJ should be your patience for waiting in a line of unknown length and the fact that the infamous old TJ for american tourists is much in decline. The only crime you should be a tiny bit worried about is the same gringo ripoff stuff (overcharges, pickpocket, police payoff) that has been a part of TJ since the first american went down there- not cartel stuff.

If you have time and patience to deal with the line on the way back, I'd suggest dinner in a well regarded place that serves locals more than tourists. I've never had a problem with taking cabs to/from the stand after the crossing, but I've heard that prices rather variable. Get a price before you start. English is very widely spoken.

You'll have to research the restaurant yourself, however- While I've had some good dinners down there years back, I've not been down in a while because of my impatience with the border line and other personal reasons.

Don't forget your passport.

Don't forget your passport.

Hehehe....excellent advice!

A related question; upon arrival in SD, can I get a 4-day transit pass at the airport for the busses and trolley? I assume there'll be a vending machine there somewhere? Also, do the macines take cards, or are they cash only?

That would be Caesar's Restaurante y Bar, 1059 Av. Revolución in Zona Centro, near the Hotel (both refurbished recently). (A trivia note - he went by Cesare, Caesar and César at different points in his life.)



I think Caesar Cardini's restaurant may still be operating. He originated the Caesar Salad (really), though not sure if that is at all meaningful only to Americans (plus I probably wouldn't order a meal using raw eggs in many places, and certainly not TJ). I think you may be disappointed in TJ, but if yo do with a "what the heck, why not" attitude, you may be appreciate being able to check off another country (technically).

A related question; upon arrival in SD, can I get a 4-day transit pass at the airport for the busses and trolley? I assume there'll be a vending machine there somewhere? Also, do the macines take cards, or are they cash only?

I'm not sure about such machines at the airport....but most major trolley stations have them, and they do take credit cards (check that foreign cards will work in the US however, not all do). Alternatively, any bus driver can sell you a one-day pass for cash.