Has anyone gone to Tijuana after visiting DL and Seaworld?

[Kris Puyear]

My family of 4 will be going mid June. We will be flying into San Diego Airport, getting a rental car and driving up to Anaheim. We plan on spending 3 days at DL (staying at HOJO), then 1 day at the beach (unsure of which beach) on the way down to San Diego (thinking of staying at the Holiday Inn at Mission Bay??). Then doing 1 day at Legoland, and 1 day at Seaworld.

On our last day in California we were thinking of doing Tijuana. What is everyone's opinion about this. Is it worth it? How much hassle is it since you can't drive the rental car there (without buying Mexican insurance)? Will the kids enjoy it (ages 12 and 8)?

Thanks,
Kris

 

[poohj80]

I used to live in SD and went to TJ a lot. I haven't been in awhile so I can't comment on the current state of the affairs, but it is an experience if you have never been. I would recommend parking at a trolley station and taking the trolley to the border. You get off at the last stop then walk across the border. You will walk past a lot of cabs, but just keep walking and you will walk through a typical strip mall area. You might find some neat things here but you probably won't find the best prices. Walk through this area, over the bridge, and then you will see the real TJ as opposed to the tourist traps. At the bottom of the stairs on the other side of the bridge are tons of booths selling typical Mexican stuff like blankets, pottery, leather, etc. If you keep walking you will get to the city with actual stores and restaurants. We never stayed after dark and always felt safe during the day.

 

[Tink33]

If you want to see Mexico, can I give you an alternate idea?

The last time we parked in the US lot at Border Station Parking. The Mexicoach took us right into TJ. Buses leave about every 20 minutes. I believe it was $4.00 per person RT. You are dropped off at an indoor shopping center in TJ. From here we travelled to Rosarito Beach at an additional cost of $10.00 pp RT. You are taken right into the Rosarito Beach Hotel lot. We rode horses on the beach for $7.00 for a 30 minute ride. They are great about matching the horses for kids. My DD still talks about this beach ride. We had a vendor stop and take a picture of the family on horses for about $5.00. After our beach ride, we went to a local restaurant and ate fresh lobster. We walked around town and did a little shopping. We went back to the Rosarito Beach Hotel and sat in the outdoor lounge drinking our margaritas and mexican beer. (well not the kids) We had a perfect view of the pier and ocean. When it was time to leave, we boarded the bus back to TJ and then the Mexicoach to the border. While there were thousands of people standing in line to get back across the border, we waited in the bus. We had the border vendors approach our bus and some people bought things right on the bus. We also had musicians board the bus and sing for tips. It did take over an hour to get back across the border at about 7:00 pm on a Saturday night.

I prefer Rosarito Beach to TJ with kids.

 

[Stacerita]

I would agree with Tink33 about Rosarito being better than TJ. There are also a few other towns a bit further south that I would consider better than Rosarito too. But to be honest, I wouldn't go at all. Ive spent lots of vacation time all over Mexico and TJ isn't a good choice to spend vacation time in. JMO. I wouldn't make the trip over the boarder if I was you. I would much rather spend my time seeing and doing some of the other things that San Diego has to offer. But once again, JMO.

 

[poohj80]

I would only recommend TJ if you are shopping for Mexican souvenoirs (blankets, Kahlua, leather, etc). It's not for sightseeing especially with younger kids.

 

[paulala]

Do yourself a favor and pass on Tijuana! It is not safe down there, especially for a family of 4 who are not accustomed to the area. I was born in San Diego, have lived here all my life, and even I would not want to take kids down there. Also, the wait at the border is always long to get back into the US, and if you walk across, it is not just a simple stroll, it is a bit of a hike. Under no circumstances should you take a rental car down there, you are not covered by your normal insurance and they drive a little like bumper cars.
Go to the zoo instead, or the Wild Animal Park.
Oh, one tip for the zoo if you do decide to go, The San Diego Zoological Society offers a membership package that is about $84 for a couple but it includes entry into the ZOO and the Wild Animal Park for the whole year, plus you get two free guest passes which you can use imediately for the kids. Also, you get a couple of discounts for the bus tour at the Zoo.
San Diego is so beautiful and there is so much to do. Perhaps you could go to Coronado, to the Landing and rent bikes, such a wonderful place for a bike ride.

 

[BlondEBomBsheLL]

DO NOT go to Tijuana.
I went down there when I was visiting San Diego on and I felt like at any minute somebody would rob me...Its does NOT feel safe, and I felt very scared being down there. Oh, and there are "Strip-Joints" on every corner and they have people standing outside hollering at you to come inside. They tried to drag my 16 Year old son inside one of the filthy places!