Tijuana - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Free Ben Hur! · 04-08-2013, 02:41 PM

Thinking about a San Diego / Tijuana trip. There's a short thread here about San Diego but not a great deal about Tijuana. Is it a hassle getting across the border? Things to do? Places to eat? My Dad was living in Cali and he said there were thousands of Americans streaming across to see doctors and get cheap prescriptions. And that it was pretty much a tourist trap. Is a day enough to see what you need to see? Any point venturing outside of Tijuana if you have a rental car? Is it better to bus to the border and walk across or take a rental car? Any comments / thoughts would be appreciated.

TurnedTheCorner · 04-08-2013, 02:43 PM

When I went on my west coast road trip last year I asked people from the SoCal/San Diego area about perhaps taking a day to go to Tijuana, and they all responded that the hassle and risk wasn't worth it. I never went further into the logistics than that.

troutman · 04-08-2013, 02:45 PM

Hey Amigo! Club Bambi. Take a chance, Amigo!

tete · 04-08-2013, 02:52 PM

I'd recommend a bullet proof vest.

Seriously, though, with all of the gang warfare that is going on, I wouldn't venture down to TJ these days. My husband and I were down there in 2008 just before things started to ramp up (we were there visiting friends who were missionaries working in an orphanage) and while we didn't feel threatened, it's not a place I'd go now that things have gotten worse. We had a good time there because of the mission work we participated in, but honestly, I don't see the attraction to it on a tourist basis.

If you do cross, if it's the same as 2008, it's a simple drive across the border, no questions asked. To get back into the USA via car, get comfy, it'll be a minimum of an hour and a half, upwards of 3.

Phanuthier · 04-08-2013, 02:56 PM

Gone a few times but the last time was 2011, never had a problem getting in and out. I took the train to the end and walked across the border.... when you do that, you'll see why you wouldn't want to drive. At the main square by the RLD, I eat there once and it was pretty good. I think I got something like a bucket of dozen Coronas for $10, it was pretty sweet.

macker · 04-08-2013, 03:53 PM

Going in is easy and traffic just flows with little if any stopping but comming back is a boring 3-4 hour wait at the border. I was more impressed with what Chula Vista had to offer than TJ. The wait to get back into the States is like a mobile Mexican market with vendors comming right up to you and kids with the gum and people missing legs or arms crawling around in between vehicles. It was a sight I will never forget and I was glad to cross back over. Without a doubt it was the worst side of Mexico that I have ever been exposed to. My childhood memories of going to TJ were much better and it was a safer and more appealing place to go 20+ years ago.

blankall · 04-08-2013, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tete

I'd recommend a bullet proof vest.

Seriously, though, with all of the gang warfare that is going on, I wouldn't venture down to TJ these days. My husband and I were down there in 2008 just before things started to ramp up (we were there visiting friends who were missionaries working in an orphanage) and while we didn't feel threatened, it's not a place I'd go now that things have gotten worse. We had a good time there because of the mission work we participated in, but honestly, I don't see the attraction to it on a tourist basis.

If you do cross, if it's the same as 2008, it's a simple drive across the border, no questions asked. To get back into the USA via car, get comfy, it'll be a minimum of an hour and a half, upwards of 3.

I don't think that Tijuana is meant to appeal to the missionary crowd.....

_Q_ · 04-08-2013, 04:08 PM

Was in San Diego a couple of months ago. My friends and I contemplated going down to Tijuana and decided against it because there is just so much to do in Southern California that we didn't want to waste a day in Mexico. The safety of going down also played a huge part in our decision.

From what I heard though, it's a 30 minute LRT ride down to the outlet mall on the border and then a short walk across. Don't attempt to drive as the hassle is probably not worth it.

Personally, I would scrap the Tijuana idea if you're not staying there for too long.

Displaced Flames fan · 04-08-2013, 04:12 PM

Tijuana is not what it was 20 years ago.

Pretty dangerous place. It's not Juarez, but it isn't Disneyland either.

darklord700 · 04-08-2013, 04:27 PM

Done a day trip to TJ but mainly stayed there for less than 3 hours. Going there was easy, coming back was about 90 minutes wait at the border on foot. I probably won't recommend it as there really was nothing to see.

nik- · 04-08-2013, 05:33 PM

I think the depravity that made Tijuana legend is pretty much extinct, replaced by the Cartel.

Bring_Back_Shantz · 04-09-2013, 08:19 AM

Tijuana is a crap hole.
San Diego is one of the greatest cities I've ever been in.
If you really want to leave SD and go to Tijuana, have at 'er, but I wouldn't recommend it.

Misterpants · 04-09-2013, 08:55 AM

They have a great selection of wrestling masks, crappy silver chotchkes and lame leather vests/belts. Also they provide free shots of tequila with their nachos. There is way too much to do in San Diego to have to go to a seedier version of the Stampede Midway.

Sliver · 04-09-2013, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Misterpants

They have a great selection of wrestling masks, crappy silver chotchkes and lame leather vests/belts. Also they provide free shots of tequila with their nachos. There is way too much to do in San Diego to have to go to a seedier version of the Stampede Midway.

I came in to post a buddy brought me back a wrestling mask from there. That buddy was Misterpants. Thanks again dude, I love it.

M*A*S*H 4077 · 04-09-2013, 12:25 PM

San Diego is amazing, one of my favorite cities. Been to Tijuana a few times (maybe the more accurate term is I've driven through it).

Getting into Mexico is no problem, they basically just wave you through. Getting back into the States can be a very long wait (especially on the 4th of July

). Make sure you have nothing important to get to right away as you're trying to get back into California

Puppet Guy · 04-09-2013, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

Tijuana is a crap hole.
San Diego is one of the greatest cities I've ever been in.
If you really want to leave SD and go to Tijuana, have at 'er, but I wouldn't recommend it.

but...but Krusty called it "the happiest place on Earth"!

Misterpants · 04-09-2013, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sliver

I came in to post a buddy brought me back a wrestling mask from there. That buddy was Misterpants. Thanks again dude, I love it.

Haha, no probs! I'm just glad you and the family get so much use out of them!

TheyCallMeBruce · 04-09-2013, 01:29 PM

Tijuana die? don't go!

macker · 04-09-2013, 01:47 PM

I never knew that a kid like me
Could take his mic around the world and flash the big S.D.
And rock the masses, from Madrid to Calabassas
Tijuana, Mexico, bootleg demos in Tokyo

Misterpants · 04-09-2013, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macker

I never knew that a kid like me
Could take his mic around the world and flash the big S.D.
And rock the masses, from Madrid to Calabassas
Tijuana, Mexico, bootleg demos in Tokyo

Now you hold on a minute, that's Troutman's gig, bucko. Find your own shtick!