Tijuana, no seriously

[scottmandue]

It is a few hours drive down to San Diego from where I live.

Trying to think of new/fun/interesting things to do with my wife.

San Diego is a fun town in its own right, lots to do and see.

But what about catching the trolley down to the boarder and walking into Mexico/Tijuana? Crazy?

I don't have my heart set on this idea, as I say plenty to do in SD.

Just curious what the PPOT brain trust thinks of the idea, has anyone done this?

As a kid we would drive down grab a case or two of mescal and smuggle it back home... but that was a million years and a lifetime ago.

TIA

[look 171]

One of my workmen was just there two weeks ago and tole me that its safe as any other place. Just dirty. I haven't been there in over 20+years. I do want to drive down there to get my r12 fix for my truck. Walk across, because driving back will be a hell of a long wait. I can ask him and report back later tonight.

[sammyg2]

I used to visit Mexico from time to time.

Never again.

[azasadny]

Dirty, hot and nothing worth seeing. Go to Ensenada instead...

[126coupe]

You will get harassed by vendors, restaurant people, the stuff they sell is crap, some federally may shake you down, and yes it smells. **** mexico. Friend of a friend got gang raped while the husband watched. My .02

[craigster59]

Until Mexico cleans up it's act, they will get none of my tourist dollars.

[126coupe]

Originally Posted by georgeinhere

Where are you people hanging out? Mexico does not smell unless you're in a ghetto and all ghettos smell. Try going to a nice place. I haven't been to Encenada since college but it used to be a place where you went to get drunk on the cheap.

No wonder everyone hates Americans.

He is talking about walking across the border, I have been probably 50 times, it stinks.
Corruption Galore, keep your $$ in the US.

[Hard-Deck]

PM me and I'll send an UNCLASS Military report. You will not want to go after reading it.

[daepp]

We go several times a year, with our kids, but in a convoy. Our HS supports a local mission there. Never had a problem, but on high alert nonetheless.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by azasadny

Dirty, hot and nothing worth seeing. Go to Ensenada instead...

Don't want to drive, see above comment about waiting hours to get across boarder... Ensenada was our go to place back in the day... never stopped in Tijuana, well... did once to throw up on the way back to the home... good times... good times...

I have been to Mexico and know all about the pushy vendors, low quality goods, and sanitary issues, not going to go shopping... just grab some food and a couple beers... and the geewizz of crossing the boarder.

I presume I will need a passport?

I was born and live in Los Angeles so I am good at being aware of my surroundings.

I just figure tourism is their bread and butter so they might keep that place (Tijuana) relatively safe.

Also thought most of the really bad stuff (narco violence) happened much further south.

[matthew-s]

Old HS buddy of mine is now a DHS agent - the kind that runs around the desert all night with night vision gear trying to find folks smuggling people and drugs.

I asked nearly the same question a week ago: "Would you go there on vacation?". He said nah, why bother? You are *probably* safe in the big resort areas, but even then, it does not mean someone won't roll a bag of decapitated heads into the club you are hanging out in to make a statement.

Too many other places to go, too little time.

[KaptKaos]

No. Seriously

[Porsche-O-Phile]

It's a crap-hole. At least it was a few years ago when I went. The cultural center was actually kind of neat but you need to go through a couple miles of sleaze to get to that part of town.

The funniest thing was coming back up to the border crossing walking past all the seedy clubs / a haggard looking guy came running out of one with a panicked expression on his face shouting "they're dudes! They're dudes!". Lol!

[scottmandue]

Don't know if any of you have seen Rick Bayless on PBS... he is a chef and a big fan of Mexico. Apparently they have some high end restaurants and good wine down there.

Being a SoCal boy I have heard many stories of drugs and hookers in Tijuana... but every city has it's dark side. Rape, murder, drug deals happen every day in the good old US of A.

[HardDrive]

Get two, and you and the wife can match!

[widebody911]

Nope, ain't catching me down there.

[vash]

no way.

the cartels are trying to make a statement. i am not playing a part in the fiasco.

i used to walk across the el paso - juarez border every weekend. i could drink at 18 years old. some of the funnest memories in my brain.

now? no effen way. my brother is a policeman in el paso. he sees (and shows me some) photographs of what happens to tourist when they are used as a statement. no thank you. any two-bit crook can rob, rape, kill you. they only need to make it HUGE and DRAMATIC and the authorities will not investigate it thinking the cartels did the deed. i saw a photo of a face removed and put on a soccer ball. a human skin laid out on a sidewalk. brutal. the major of juarez lives in el paso.

i dont know about TJ..maybe it is like juarez-lite. i aint taking chances.

i was in ensenada several years ago..so much fun. sad i am scared of mexico. i love that place..

[scottmandue]

Well, wife is probably a no go anyway (Tijuana? Are you out of your mind?!?)... if I got good reports I would try to talk her into just walking over there for the afternoon.

But sounds like it is not worth the risk at this point.

Thanks for the input.

[azasadny]

There are many, many , many better things to do in San Diego than visit Tijuana... Have fun!

[azasadny]

We used to visit an orphanage near Ensenada and LaBufadora. We would drive down from Fallbrook, CA and eat fantastic fish tacos and crab and lobster burritos in town (take your Cipro 1st!) and we always had a good and safe time, but that was way back in 1988-1990. I would not travel there today...