We will spend a week in San Diego just before Christmas. This is a repeat visit and we are really looking forward to being there again. We enjoy a day down south and I have read in this forum about Rosarita Beach. We plan to walk across the border. Is it safe to take a taxi to Rosarita Beach? Is it worth the drive? What would it cost? We are not shopping for anything in particular, just looking for a change of pace with an accent for a day and have seen the touristy part of Tijuana.

Thanks for any suggestions.

If my memory serves me correctly, Rosarita is a good 30 minutes from Tijuana. A travel agency may be able to tell you the best bet for going down to that area without a car.

I can't help with information about taxis as I have only driven to Rosarito. This web site may give you some help:

http://www.rosarito.org/area/tips.htm

There is also a web site for Tijuana:

www.tijuana.com

Good luck.

don't know what a taxi would cost but there are also public buses that go down there pretty frequently during the day. rosarita is a nice place to go for a day.

Taking a taxi to Raosarita is something I have not done and I am not sure that I would recommend it. Each taxi trip is usually pre-negotiated so you could get a decent deal going down there but coming back could be a diffrent story.

Driving in Mexico is not bad at all. after you cross the borer, the toll road is safe, very well maintained and well traveled. The total cost in tolls will probably be about $6-$8 (you can use U.S. currency). If you have a rental car, you will need to check with the rental agency and also obtain Mexican Insurance. Check this out:
http://www.baja-web.com/rosarito/

If you do not want to drive, you should probably should check with your travel agent and/or the hotel where are are staying and inquire about day tours.

No problema!
Park your rental in the lots just N of the border, walk X, and if you speak any Spanish at all, just walk up and down the lines of taxis - bargain like a devil and eventually, you'll get a cab to Rosarito for $15. - 20. USD for as many as three or four.
We did just that in May.
You might prefer Ensenada, but Baja is not my fav.
M (from San Miguel de Allende, MX)

mikemo's response sounds about right. I've been going to TJ and Rosarito for 30 years but it's probably been almost since high school that I took a cab down to and from Rosarito. Back then I recall it costing about $20 and it doesn't surprise me that it's still the going rate.

I thought Rosarito's beach was stinky and vile.
Just south is an interesting place that was dubbed Lobster town. Lots of cheap lobster dinners in many restaurnats, although I'd have to say they weren't that good. Still fun anyway.

I checked the Rosarito web sites and found that Mexicoach provides service from the car park at the border to central Tijuana and then Rosarito. I sent them an e-mail and received a prompt and polite reply that they have frequent service daily. I think we will try Mexicoach. The last time we walked over the border but Mom at 82 is not as spry as in years past and the bus service sounds like a good alternative. Thanks for your suggestions.

The bus is fine, but you'll have to change which is very time consuming.
The walk X is not really that demanding.
The return wait at the border to reenter the US is very long.
M