Hotel(s) near the Tijuana Border (San Diego, Chula Vista: car insurance, hotels, neighborhood)

[El_Waiboi]

Next month I have to be in Tijuana at 8am, and I am traveling there from Phoenix, AZ. My idea is to get a cheap hotel/motel room the night before somewhere near the border (US side), the just drive across to TJ in the morning. Any ideas on a halfway decent hotel/motel? I am not familiar at all with the area, and that being said, I was considering the Motel 6 in San Ysidro. Any help from the natives? Thanks in advance.

[echo42]

I am intimately familiar with this area and I would say you should be fine. I wouldn't have said that 15 years ago. Key word in my response is "should". Although the general border area in San Ysidro has greatly improved in the last years, there is still a lingering risk with staying down there. There is criminal activity operating out of some of the hotels/motels but it is usually clandestine in nature and won't draw much attention. They (criminals) won't mess with you or your car. The last thing they want is police showing up there.

If I were in your shoes, I would stay at the Ramada or La Quinta Inn off the 805 on E Street in Chula Vista. It is about 8 miles north of the San Ysidro port of entry. I takes about ten minutes to get to the border from there, almost the same as San Ysidro hotels due to horrendous traffic on the surface streets.

Stay away from hotels on the I-5 corridor from National City to the border. Mainly prostitution and other vice.

[El_Waiboi]

Originally Posted by echo42

I am intimately familiar with this area and I would say you should be fine. I wouldn't have said that 15 years ago. Key word in my response is "should". Although the general border area in San Ysidro has greatly improved in the last years, there is still a lingering risk with staying down there. There is criminal activity operating out of some of the hotels/motels but it is usually clandestine in nature and won't draw much attention. They (criminals) won't mess with you or your car. The last thing they want is police showing up there.

If I were in your shoes, I would stay at the Ramada or La Quinta Inn off the 805 on E Street in Chula Vista. It is about 8 miles north of the San Ysidro port of entry. I takes about ten minutes to get to the border from there, almost the same as San Ysidro hotels due to horrendous traffic on the surface streets.

Stay away from hotels on the I-5 corridor from National City to the border. Mainly prostitution and other vice.

I greatly appreciate that advice! I checked and La Quinta is $125, but the Ramada is only $60. I will probably stay at the Ramada, $60 is a decent price.

So just to clarify, is that area of Chula Vista a much better area than San Ysidro?

[mongozx]

Originally Posted by El_Waiboi

I greatly appreciate that advice! I checked and La Quinta is $125, but the Ramada is only $60. I will probably stay at the Ramada, $60 is a decent price.

So just to clarify, is that area of Chula Vista a much better area than San Ysidro?

Yes Chula Vista is a better area than San ysidro. But that's not to say San Ysidro is dangerous or anything. It's not a ghetto or a slum. It's just an older part of San Diego with a lower income mainly latino neighborhood. Just like any place in any part of the US, just be cautious.

Chula Vista is still a 7-10 minute freeway commute to the border, or 15-20 minute trolley ride which takes you right to the border crossing. If you want to be within walking distance there's many motels nearby (i forgot the name of the streets in the area) and there is a pretty large and popular outlet center with views of . . .the border! Pretty decent place IMO coming from a guy who hates malls.

[oddstray]

Oh, and there's a thing ... If you drive over, you *must* get Mexican car insurance. And you'll have to line up in the long queue to drive back into the 'states. To dodge that issue, can you get by with taking the trolley to the border and walking across, and using a cab in Tijuana?

[tonyinsd]

Yeah, my recommendation would be to take the trolley to the border and have a cab take you around in TJ. That opens everything that is near the trolley to you for lodging.

[El_Waiboi]

You guys have provided me with a lot of good information! I am currently exploring my options as I have a couple weeks before I head out. Thanks for the help!

[echo42]

Originally Posted by El_Waiboi

I greatly appreciate that advice! I checked and La Quinta is $125, but the Ramada is only $60. I will probably stay at the Ramada, $60 is a decent price.

So just to clarify, is that area of Chula Vista a much better area than San Ysidro?

Yes that area is a lot better. Ramada is fine. There is a Denny's across the street and a Mexican restaurant right next to it-Los Arcos. On the other side of 805 is the Plaza Bonita mall if you need anything.

[Clevelandgal]

^Los Arco's has very good Baja style seafood. Hope I didnt go off track...

[El_Waiboi]

Brief Update - I did end up staying at the Ramada on 91 East Bonita Road in Chula Vista. It was perfect for my needs. Nothing fancy, just a place to crash and very quick and easy to cross the border in the morning. The hotel was clean and the staff were friendly. It only cost me $68.85 out the door with taxes and everything. So to anyone else who is looking for lodging in that area, I can personally vouch for this hotel.

A big thanks to echo42 and everyone else who left the helpful comments!