want Tijuana shopping advice
Jun 1st, 2003, 12:35 PM
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want Tijuana shopping advice
Hi all,
My husband and I are going to San Diego the first week of August/last couple of days of July.
As a Texan, I love shopping in Mexico. I've been to Ensenada once two---and briefly in Tijuana. I want to spend one day in Tijuana again---at one of their best past-times, shopping.
I'd like to make the most of my time. So I want to find good deals and good quality on the types of things I like to buy, rustic wood furniture, wrought iron drawer pulls, blown glass glassware, & those old looking pots, vases, & boxes. Does anyone have recommendations on the best places to shop in Tijuana for these things?
My husband and I are going to San Diego the first week of August/last couple of days of July.
As a Texan, I love shopping in Mexico. I've been to Ensenada once two---and briefly in Tijuana. I want to spend one day in Tijuana again---at one of their best past-times, shopping.
I'd like to make the most of my time. So I want to find good deals and good quality on the types of things I like to buy, rustic wood furniture, wrought iron drawer pulls, blown glass glassware, & those old looking pots, vases, & boxes. Does anyone have recommendations on the best places to shop in Tijuana for these things?
Jun 4th, 2003, 12:44 PM
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I'll help as much as I can, but I haven't been to TJ for about 5 years even though I live in San Diego. Why not you ask? Well, because TJ is not a particularly nice place to visit.
If you walk over, there is an area of many shack type stalls that have lots of stuff - mainly knick knacks, pottery, blankets, etc. Continuing further into town you'll come across Avenida Revolucion - there are lots of actual stores here with uch more variety. Here (and off of this street) is where you'll find nicer knick knacks, furniture, wrought iron and knock offs of designer labels (mainly purses).
You'll see more walking than by a cab or bus and I wouldn't take either to parts South in Mexico (although there will be better shopping the further out of TJ you get). If you are here during any kind of school vacation or late at night you'll come across many drunk teenagers and young military guys out clubbing, as the drinking age is only 18! Lots of fights and puking. Needless to say, I'd go during the day.
If you walk over, there is an area of many shack type stalls that have lots of stuff - mainly knick knacks, pottery, blankets, etc. Continuing further into town you'll come across Avenida Revolucion - there are lots of actual stores here with uch more variety. Here (and off of this street) is where you'll find nicer knick knacks, furniture, wrought iron and knock offs of designer labels (mainly purses).
You'll see more walking than by a cab or bus and I wouldn't take either to parts South in Mexico (although there will be better shopping the further out of TJ you get). If you are here during any kind of school vacation or late at night you'll come across many drunk teenagers and young military guys out clubbing, as the drinking age is only 18! Lots of fights and puking. Needless to say, I'd go during the day.
Jun 5th, 2003, 06:58 AM
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Thank you. I appreciate your response.
I was there very briefly once on the way to Ensenada, and yes, it was a total zoo. Still, I love the wrought iron stuff and the glassware. I'm wild about Mexico bargains, and bargaining is fun to me. Its a way of experiencing the culture.
I was there very briefly once on the way to Ensenada, and yes, it was a total zoo. Still, I love the wrought iron stuff and the glassware. I'm wild about Mexico bargains, and bargaining is fun to me. Its a way of experiencing the culture.
Jun 9th, 2003, 08:29 AM
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Friends of mine walked cross border and back a few months ago. Just to look around for a few hours.they said it was a "zoo" getting back across the border--long lines, delays while people ahead were separated into "other" lines. Took over 2 hrs...Could have been a time of one of the Orange alerts??? Just something to be aware of...
Jun 9th, 2003, 08:41 AM
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I go to Rosarita (Puerto Nuevo) every time I go to San Diego. We have shopped all over the area and still prefer Avenida Revolucion, where you are likely to see quality merchandise.
If you can, rent a car and take a quick drive down the coast to have an awesome Mexican lobster dinner.
Also, stop by the big grocery store on Avenida Revolucion for great bakery and sweet items. We always stop by and get our favorite Mexican specialties.
The borders are not too bad right now if you go early and return early. We try to leave before 6pm... and have had no significant delays recently.
If you can, rent a car and take a quick drive down the coast to have an awesome Mexican lobster dinner.
Also, stop by the big grocery store on Avenida Revolucion for great bakery and sweet items. We always stop by and get our favorite Mexican specialties.
The borders are not too bad right now if you go early and return early. We try to leave before 6pm... and have had no significant delays recently.
Jun 9th, 2003, 11:02 AM
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Catmomma do you ever go to Juarez? When I was in Juarez I bought some birds made out of tin. They were different sizes and three dimensional instead of flat. Anyway I used them on my Christmas Tree for ornaments and also gave some away as presents. That was my unique find in one of the border towns.
I want to go down to Taxco and Oaxaca to do some silver and pottery shopping.
What have you found in Nuevo Laredo that you loved?
I want to go down to Taxco and Oaxaca to do some silver and pottery shopping.
What have you found in Nuevo Laredo that you loved?
Jun 9th, 2003, 07:08 PM
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Catmomma,
Apparently I'm the only one that noticed in your initial post that you were interested in rustic furniture, etc. That's why I recommended the old 1 from Rosarito on south. If you're looking for velvet Elvis paintings or bart simpson pinatas, than go with revolucion. someone posted that most car rental agencies won't let you take a car over, but i disagree. you will definitely have to pony of the seperate mexinsurance for probably close to 20 bones for the dia. good luck and enjoy tj and baja for what it is (and stay away from advice from posters who claim to be sdiegans but don't go to tj becuase it's 'an unpleasant place')
Apparently I'm the only one that noticed in your initial post that you were interested in rustic furniture, etc. That's why I recommended the old 1 from Rosarito on south. If you're looking for velvet Elvis paintings or bart simpson pinatas, than go with revolucion. someone posted that most car rental agencies won't let you take a car over, but i disagree. you will definitely have to pony of the seperate mexinsurance for probably close to 20 bones for the dia. good luck and enjoy tj and baja for what it is (and stay away from advice from posters who claim to be sdiegans but don't go to tj becuase it's 'an unpleasant place')
Jun 10th, 2003, 09:02 AM
#13
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Is it adviseable or feasible to take a bus to Rosarito? I love Mexico, but having driven there before I'm not keen on driving in Mexico.
I have not been to Juarez since I was little. We live in Austin, and Nuevo Laredo is much closer to us than Juarez.
As for Nuevo Laredo, I've had a great time shopping there.
It has been a while since I've been. If I remember correctly, I-35 takes you into Mexico. If you are standing on the Texas side facing the border, parking is over to the left right by the Rio Grande.
Ignoring the guys who ask you whether you want to go to the doctor you walk straight in on I-35. If you keep going straight you hit the mercado area with merchants.
However, if glassware is your thing, that's not the best place to shop. There is a small square or park on your left shortly after you cross. If you turn left right after that, you will shortly hit Los Arcos. If you don't see it right away, anyone there can tell you how to get there. There are several merchants there who have a large selection of blown glass for a good price.
I've never found much in the way of furniture in Nuevo Laredo. On the main road, there is a large Department store type place to your right that has some really nice furniture. But it is still pretty high priced. There is a huge rustic furniture outlet off of I-35 before you hit Laredo that has a wider selection---and better prices. But the prices are not as good as you would surely find elsewhere in Mexico.
The previously mention Department store like place also has a lot of clothes, dishes, and glassware---but again it is still not that inexpensive.
At the mercado, I've gotten some silver jewelry that I like and seen a lot of cute pewter trays & the like.
Just about everywhere you go there you see patio art, windchimes, etc made out of that sort of rustic fauz antique looking pottery.
Of course, there is the usual other stuff as well--your name on a piece of rice, Amaretto, Tequila, hammocks, sunglasses, Bart Simpson pinatas, booby glasses, etc. all around in the market area.
If you take a car down the main road to the end of town, there is a great terra cotta pottery place with tons of plant pots. They are priced well---and they are willing to bargain.
As for wrought iron, you see candle holders etc. both at the market & Los Arcos. There is a guy who manufacturers some wrought iron furniture in Nuevo Laredo. I ordered a custom table from him once, but now I can't remember his name for the life of me---Carlos something. I don't know whether he is still there. He's not at the market though.
We usually eat at Victoria's when we go. It is a very nice restaurant not too far from the border.
As for drinking, there are a couple of little margarita stops around the market area. I usually don't partake while I'm there.
I have not been to Juarez since I was little. We live in Austin, and Nuevo Laredo is much closer to us than Juarez.
As for Nuevo Laredo, I've had a great time shopping there.
It has been a while since I've been. If I remember correctly, I-35 takes you into Mexico. If you are standing on the Texas side facing the border, parking is over to the left right by the Rio Grande.
Ignoring the guys who ask you whether you want to go to the doctor you walk straight in on I-35. If you keep going straight you hit the mercado area with merchants.
However, if glassware is your thing, that's not the best place to shop. There is a small square or park on your left shortly after you cross. If you turn left right after that, you will shortly hit Los Arcos. If you don't see it right away, anyone there can tell you how to get there. There are several merchants there who have a large selection of blown glass for a good price.
I've never found much in the way of furniture in Nuevo Laredo. On the main road, there is a large Department store type place to your right that has some really nice furniture. But it is still pretty high priced. There is a huge rustic furniture outlet off of I-35 before you hit Laredo that has a wider selection---and better prices. But the prices are not as good as you would surely find elsewhere in Mexico.
The previously mention Department store like place also has a lot of clothes, dishes, and glassware---but again it is still not that inexpensive.
At the mercado, I've gotten some silver jewelry that I like and seen a lot of cute pewter trays & the like.
Just about everywhere you go there you see patio art, windchimes, etc made out of that sort of rustic fauz antique looking pottery.
Of course, there is the usual other stuff as well--your name on a piece of rice, Amaretto, Tequila, hammocks, sunglasses, Bart Simpson pinatas, booby glasses, etc. all around in the market area.
If you take a car down the main road to the end of town, there is a great terra cotta pottery place with tons of plant pots. They are priced well---and they are willing to bargain.
As for wrought iron, you see candle holders etc. both at the market & Los Arcos. There is a guy who manufacturers some wrought iron furniture in Nuevo Laredo. I ordered a custom table from him once, but now I can't remember his name for the life of me---Carlos something. I don't know whether he is still there. He's not at the market though.
We usually eat at Victoria's when we go. It is a very nice restaurant not too far from the border.
As for drinking, there are a couple of little margarita stops around the market area. I usually don't partake while I'm there.
Jun 13th, 2003, 08:07 AM
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I'm still wondering about the mechanics of getting to Rosarita. I'd still love to hear about any favorite shops in Tijuana too.
I'm not as interested in rustic furniture as I was originally---b/c I'm being laid off & need to conserve money a little (fortunately don't need to conserve too much).
I'm not as interested in rustic furniture as I was originally---b/c I'm being laid off & need to conserve money a little (fortunately don't need to conserve too much).
