Cross the border or...

[ebutte]

My DD whos 13 has never been out of the country and we were thinking maybe take her cross the border in Mexico, but i've heard some scary stories. So what do you all think? I know we would only go in daylight hours but is it safe? Also do i need ID for a 13yr? And is a drivers licence good enough for DD whos 23 and Me and DH? Thanks Lisa

 

[LeftCoaster]

Originally posted by ebutte
My DD whos 13 has never been out of the country and we were thinking maybe take her cross the border in Mexico, but i've heard some scary stories. So what do you all think? I know we would only go in daylight hours but is it safe? Also do i need ID for a 13yr? And is a drivers licence good enough for DD whos 23 and Me and DH? Thanks Lisa

I guess it would be relatively safe but, just how depressed do you want to get? I'm assuming you'd just be going to Tijuana and the level of poverty there is pretty depressing. Plus, you're gonn ahave to deal with the wait getting back into the country. If you're going to be in the San Diego area, your time would be better spent enjoying San Diego.

 

[ilovemky]

please spend your time in San Diego or other areas north of the border--there is absolutely no redeeming value of going to TJ--your time and money will be much better spent in the US

 

[Peter Pan Fan]

I have to agree w/the other posters. It is EXTREMELY dirty and depressing. The poverty and amount of poor, dirty women and children on the streets is overwhelming & very sad. They surround you, asking you for money, to buy gum from them, etc.

While I visited a lot during college and never had anything bad happen to me, you ARE in another country w/very different laws, customs, etc. I would for certain never bring a child there. Just my opinion...but I would echo the previous posters' comments that there is so much more to do in SD than go to Tijuana.

If you want to cross the border plan a trip to lovely Vancouver

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>I have to agree with the others. The border towns are not a good representative of the beauty that exists in Mexico, and you'd be hard-pressed to see beyond the poor children begging in the streets and the blatant poverty that exists there.

I would recommend visiting the missions, La Brea Tar Pits, and other many areas of interest located here in Southern California, and save your international travel for a time when you can get a real taste of a foreign country.

 

[ebutte]

Thank you so much, i let my DD whos 13 read all your responces to and we have decided either Catalina Island or Sea world. I guess we were just thinking across the borderr would be like an open air market or such. I really appreciate the responce thanks.

Lisa

 

[ilovemky]

these are two totally different destinations. sea world is in san diego and catalina island is 26 miles by boat from long beach (in los angeles county). catalina is basically a beach town surrounded by water and is mostly shopping or playing on the beach. no real activities for a 13 old to do--there is a very old mini golf place there and you can take a driving tour of the island but that is about it. the boat ride over is fun if you don't get seasick.

if you go to sea world, you get the animal shows and can also "dine with shamu"--a great experience.

I would recommend sea world unless you just want a nice quiet day of shopping and relaxing, then go to catalina.

 

[MateasMom]

What other things are you planning while you are in SoCal? If I were 13 I would MUCH rather see Melrose, Sunset, and Venice than visit Sea World.

 

[year2late]

I am another for leaving TJ out of your trip with a kid.

You will probably not have time to go far enough in to escape the poverty (and the 10000 pharmacies).


Getting into town is not a problem, but if you are depressed and wanna come back, coming back in could take a LONG time.

 

[Uncle Buck]

You might want to take a look at Olvera Street. It probably has a little of what you intitally thought find in Tijuana (shops, hand-crafted items, food, etc). There's tons of history here.

http://www.olvera-street.com/

You can take the train from Anaheim to Union Station in Los Angeles and avoid the freeways. Olvera Street is short walk from the station.

 

[ilovemky]

and you can catch the train in Anaheim and walk across the street and THERE YOU ARE! Union Station is also beautiful--it is seen in alot of movies and TV shows that have old train stations--very ornate and nostalgic

 

[ebutte]

Thanks so much for rulling out Catalina Island the AAA tour books sometimes lead me to think more of somthing than it actually is. I really appreciate all you guys advice, esp since we dont gst to Cal much. Only once in last say 8 years and that was last August for a real quick trip(3day) At least this trip well be for 2 weeks. But we are driving because we are picking up oldest DD's new dog on way back. Yikes a newfoundland puppy, anyway DD are into Disney thrill rides not so much musiums and stuff. Oh do they have anything like Discovery cove in Cal. ? They loved it in Florida in fact we have been 3 times. My 13 DD also adores stingrays, she wants to be a marine vet thats this year anyhow. Is there and out in the wild place to swim with stingrays? Thanks guys agin i appreciate it soo much.

Lisa

 

[Grog]

You can take the train from Anaheim to Union Station in Los Angeles and avoid the freeways.

We had talked about going to Tijuana as well on our next trip (the tour company that took us to USH goes to TJ as well) but after reading this thread I think we might give it a miss. Olvera Street sounds so much nicer. How far is the Anaheim train station from DLR?

 

[Uncle Buck]

The nearest station is just under two miles to the east on Katella, near Edison International Field (Angels Baseball) and the Arrowhead Pond (Mighty Ducks Hockey).

http://www.amtrak.com/stations/ana.html

Travel time from Anaheim to Los Angeles Union Station is approximately 45 minutes. Sure beats the freeway!

 

[Grog]

Thanks! I've been past EIF a couple of times so I know roughly where you are talking about. Much appreciated

 

[Darian]

I've got to agree with the other posters about avoiding TJ. Unless you looking for drugs (land of 10,000 pharmacies), booze or prostitutes I would avoid going south. Two close friends of mine used to love to go south and have fun on the beach at Ensenada, but I'm afraid the rumors of some bad police folks are quite true. My friends were very mistreated, subjected to body cavity searches and sexually assaulted. She has not been the same since coming back.

Please understand there are lots of wonderful, decent, hardworking people south of the border who are just as troubled by this sort of thing as we are. Even so, these sorts of things happen all the time. Don't go to TJ. Sounds like you DD would like Sea World much better.

Darian

 

[ilovemky]

there is really no place like discovery cove here i am afraid there is a program at sea world but i do not know how easy it is to get in--i have heard it is usually booked up but here is the info and phone number

Sea World Trainer for a Day

Experience one of the most exciting careers in the world. Be a SeaWorld Trainer for a Day! You'll spend a day with the SeaWorld San Diego animal staff and discover the daily efforts involved in caring for and training marine mammals.

You'll start with orientation and then get dressed for a day at the SeaWorld office. Then it's off to meet the star of the park-Shamu and many of his friends. You'll do everything from helping with food preparation and area clean-up to learning training techniques and interacting with whales and dolphins. And you'll get to enjoy lunch at our newest restaurant, Shipwreck Reef Cafe.

Because this program is an up-close, intimate experience, space is limited. Participants must be at least 13 years old and be in good physical condition.

Participant - $395.00
Observer - $125.00

For more information and to make your reservation, please call (877) 436-5746

Only 1 observer allowed per Participant

Program Fees for the Participant include:
· 7-hour program
· SeaWorld Admission
· Souvenir T-shirt
· Lunch

Program Fees for the Observer include:
· Observation of 7-hour program
· SeaWorld Admission
· Lunch


I also found this at Sea World also

Dolphin Interaction Program

Enter the watery world of dolphins in SeaWorld's Dolphin Interaction Program (DIP). Your splashy DIP will begin with a special session that introduces you to dolphins. You'll learn about bottlenose dolphin anatomy, physiology, natural history, dolphin husbandry, and animal training at SeaWorld. Then, you'll get to wear a wetsuit and booties, enter the water, and meet the dolphins.

$140.00 per person*

Silver, Gold and Platinum Passport Members!** Sign up and participate in your Dolphin Interaction Program before April 30, 2003, and pay the limited time rate of $90.00 per person! Beginning May 1, 2003, Silver, Gold and Platinum Passport member rate is $105.00 per person.

Gift Certificates Available! Please call (877) 436-5746 for more information.

* Park admission is required and not included in DIP price
**Discounted rate available only to Silver, Gold or Platinum Passport members.
Participants must be at least 6 years old and at least 44" tall. The entire program lasts 90 minutes. Locker rooms and showers are available for your convenience.