jbass

Help -- it's been 15 years since I lived in San Diego. Visiting in March and want to take a quick day trip to Tijuana -- getting mixed input on (1) safety and (2)length of time for return border crossing. Your opinions please -- I am female and would be traveling alone. Thanks.

NYGirl

Oh Jeez jbass,
when I read the beginning of this, I thought, gee, it has been a long time since I lived in San Diego and it was pretty icky in Tijuana then! but now I know you are a lady going alone!! I really would not waste the time (which will be spent at the border) and the energy making sure that you and your car make it back safely. As I understand it, US car insurance does not cover Mexico and especially Tijuana!!
Good luck whatever you decide to do.

Deborah

You know, I've never been a big fan of Tijuana. I wouldn't want to go by myself, although I have a friend that does go alone and she likes it there. I live in LA and I've heard the lines getting back across can take a couple of hours since 911. I would never take my car over there. I don't think the "bargains" are what they used to be, so I don't bother going down there. Good luck whatever you decide.

DavidDJ

Your best bet is to take the trolley to Tijuana. I would not recommend driving there.

Bird

I feel safer in Tijauna than I do in parts of San Diego. There's always lots of police. I take the light rail to the border and then catch a cab to Revolution. I wouldn't drive, and I wouldn't be there alone at night.

I've heard different stories about coming back across the border - some say they breezed through while others have had to wait a couple of hours and had their bags searched.

Use common sense and I'm sure you'll be fine.

dwooddon

I agree about taking the trolley (San Diego light rail system) to the border. Instead of a cab, there is a bus line that leaves from directly across the street from the San Ysidro trolley stop and delivers you into the heart of the tourist area of Tijuana. Coming back, the same bus will deliver you directly to the entrance of the US Customs/Border Patrol checkpoint. I've never had to wait in line more than 5-10 minutes. The trolley is cheap from downtown San Diego and the bus is cheaper.

CF

Third vote for the trolly. It's easy and cheap.

As far as US car insurance goes, Nationwide is good for 50 miles into Mexico. I called my insurance man last week about this because we're thinking about driving across in Brownsville. I definitely would check with your own company tho.

MelissaHI

What time does the last trolley depart from Tijuana? I'll be in San Diego next week and am thinking of a little excursion with some friends.

JACKIE118

What type ID do you need to cross the boarder?

jaydreb5

We drove to the border, parked on the U.S. side, walked across and took a cab to La Revolution. Worked pretty well. Return through the border went quickly. Waited on line for about 15 minutes or so, showed our U.S. driver's licenses, and were on our way. Weren't really impressed with Tijuana however.

Loki

Just so you know, driver's license may not be accepted readily. You really need to convince the border patrol you are a US citizen. This would be Birth Certificate showing that you were born in the US and photo I.D. to show that it's YOUR birth certificate, OR a US passport. I know a lot of times they take drivers license but I go to Canada a lot and it can be hit or miss. Also depends who you are with and what you look like. I came back from Canada once with some friends 1 chinese guy, 1 Vietnamese, 1 Indian, 2 white guys (all Americans). We had to present all documents but that's expected and I'm glad to see them on their toes...

I would bring Birth Cert to be safe.

Lola

If crossing the border into and out of Mexico is anything like Canada, you will need a form of ID, with photo that proves you are a citizen. Drivers license does not count, non-citizens can get one. Passport or Birth Certificate is best.

crazyman

During our last vacation to San Diego we took a day trip to Ensenada. We used a local San Diego tour company....Contactours. They picked us up at our hotel and we drove into Mexico in a large modern bus. Some of our passengers were taking the Tijuana day trip tour and they got off the bus in Tijuana. The bus driver gave us all advice and instructions about spending our day in Mexico. He made sure we all understood where it was safe to shop and eat, how much money we should spend for various items, exactly what we were allowed to bring across the border, how to conduct ourselves while crossing the border. When we returned from Ensenada to Tijuana we stopped and picked up our Tijuana people. When we reached the border we all crossed as a group with our bus driver escorting us across the border. It was a wonderful trip. The next day we took one of their San Diego city tours. Here is the web link to the tour company.....http://www.contactours.com/sightsofsandiego.html

Have fun

Alice

Crossing into Mexico is no where near the security as into Canada. A drivers license if plenty to get in and back, unless you look very young or very Mexican (sorry but it does make a difference). It is definitely safer during the day and I would second the trolley to the border and walk over, taxi to Revolucion. Only drive if you want to go further south (Rosarito, Ensenada) and then get Mexican insurance (many places at the last exit before Mexico to buy this, or I think it's also available at AAA offices?)

J_Correa

I have heard from many people that if you are white, then a drivers license will do for getting back into the US. If you are hispanic, then you better have proof that you are a US citizen or otherwise legal resident of the US.