General Reports

[KC Questor]

I will be arriving at the border on a Friday for an overnight stay in Tijuana. I was planning to park my car on the US side and take a taxi to a hotel (Cascadas or Ticuan, probably) and then taxi back the next morning. However I was thinking about visiting Ensenada on Saturday afternoon. I know there is reliable bus service, but I would love to be able to stop along the way to look at the view or have a snack. Which of these options would you suggest?

1) Drive into Mexico, find a secure place to park in Tijuana Friday night, then continue on to Ensenada in the morning, returning to Tijuana in the evening, driving back across the border Saturday night. (easiest, but least secure?)

2) Park in the US, taxi to zona on Friday, taxi back to border on Saturday morning to get car, then drive to Ensenada, driving back across the border Saturday night. (pain to have to cross the border multiple times)

3) Forget about driving in Mexico. Taxi to zona, taxi to bus terminal, take the bus to Ensenada in the morning and back in the evening, then walk across the border Saturday night. (I'd feel stranded without my car).

If it matters, my car is pretty old, but would be full of luggage and some electronics that I need for a trade show in San Diego the next week. It won't be conspicuous, but it would suck to lose it.

[BionicMan]

there must have been a system glitch. i e-mailed jackson. what was the name of this board before? i can not remember.

same happeened a couple of weeks ago on many other boards, taking the name of the last post title. and screwing up the individual member post count.

[Joe Arturo]

There must have been a system glitch. I e-mailed Jackson. What was the name of this board before? I can not remember.

Tijuana Reports

[AmanteDeLatina]

There must have been a system glitch. I e-mailed Jackson. What was the name of this board before? I can not remember.

Weird looking change.

[Keg]

Who changed the name of this board (now Hotels) and of the Hong Kong board (now Discounts)?

Weird looking change.

[Joe Arturo]

Who changed the name of this board (now Hotels) and of the Hong Kong board (now Discounts)?

[Joe Arturo]

Ahhh Roxette. I gave her a CD of tunes with the Police song, Roxanne, so then she used to play that alot for one of her stage songs. Anyway, the last time I saw her was in Ensenada where she worked at Paris de Noche. Attached is a photo of her and friends from June 2006. And yes, I do remember Excalibar, the place close to Guau Guau and next to Mercado de Pasteles. This girl, Ambar, liked to bring me there for after hour recreation. I don't party much in Mexicali anymore because that's where my novia lives.

But let me know next time you plan to head down to Chicago Club. I'd be happy to buy you a drink.

The gal on the right in the picture is Laura. She works at Chicago Club from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM just about every day. She has aged a lot since the picture. I asked her today about Roxette and she said that Roxette got married and moved back to her home town.

[Joe Arturo]

Now wait a god damn minute! I thought I was the only old fart in the Zona!

I should have said to look for the oldest fart.

[Joe Arturo]

In the past I have mongered in Nogales, Los Algodones and Mexicali and enjoyed it. I have became pretty knowledgeable in those areas. I have never been though to probably the most famous Mexican place of all for mongering, Tijuana. This is because I live in Phoenix, Arizona and Tijuana is a bit further of drive than those other cities I mentioned (from what I understand another 3 hours beyond Mexicali). I have also of course heard a lot about the drug cartel violence situation there and it has made me reluctant to go there in the past and of course we have all heard the stories of how Tijuana has the most crooked, corrupt police force anywhere on the border. I still have heard a lot of good things though about Tijuana especially Adelita's and Hong Kong so I am seriously thinking about trying it once. On the last week of July I am going to have some time off of work so I am thinking about making a trip to Tijuana.

My first question to all of you Tijuana pros is if anyone is familiar with the San Diego public transportation system? I am debating if I should drive or if I should fly if I find some good deal on airfare from Phoenix to San Diego. Does San Diego have good, reliable public transportation to get one from the San Diego airport to the Tijuana border? Do they have regulary scheduled bus / subway / light rail routes that can get you there and back? I have never even been to San Diego let alone Tijuana so this is completely new to me.

Second question is about hotel / motels. Does anyone know of some cheap but respectable hotels near Adelita's that you can rent for the night? I know that Adelita's has a hotel attached to it but I am looking for a place that rents for the night, not by the hour. I am looking to spend the night near Adelita's (unless you people who know the place well would say that that is not advisable). Is it safe for a gringo that speaks no Spanish to spend the night in that area of Tijuana? I am not looking for a 5 star motel. I would be quite happy with something the equivalent of a motel 6 in the USA I am used to being able to go to a respectable motel in Mexicali for 250 pesos (approx 20 dollars) a night. Will I find that in Tijuana or is that a pipe dream? In Tijuana is it better for a person to spend the night north of the border?

The next question is about safety. I know of course we have all heard the stories on the news about drug cartel violence and crooked police in Tijuana. I have also read though that this occurs only in certain areas of Tijuana and that some areas are just as safe if not safer than any major city in the USA Is the area of Adelita's and Hong Kong a safe area? As long as I am not blatantly stupid like walking around in a drunken stupor, causing fights or taking pictures of ladies am I safe from crooked cops in that area? I realize that being safe if relative. Incidents occur here in Phoenix and other major USA cities too but is it relatively safe? Also, I would like to walk through the zona norte if it is advisable. I do not want to pick up any of those ladies as I do not like to do street girls be it in Nogales, Los Algodones, Mexicali or for that matter here in Phoenix. They are just not my thing. Too unpredictable. Sometimes you get a gem and sometimes you get mugged. I do however know that the zona norte is probably the most famous and largest area in the world for street workers and I would personally just like to see it. I would like maybe just to walk through it never conversing with any of the ladies. Is it safe just to walk through the zona norte?

Anyone's experience and advice would be greatly appreciated. If you have other advice on issues that I did not mention that you think a Tijuana first timer should know I woud appreciate hearing that too. If you ever need to go to Nogales (hopefully not, that place is a shit hole. LOL) , Los Algodones or Mexicali contact me and I can tell you whatever you would like to know. Also, if you need advice on the local Phoenix, Arizona scene let me know and I can help you with that. Thanks for your help in advance!

Jon

Hi Jon. If you like Mexicali like I do. You are going to love Tijuana. It is a whole different game here. My advice to you is to read the postings on this forum. Answers to all your questions are contained here. PM me with the dates and times you will be here (I am in Tijuana right now) and maybe we can finally hook up. I can probably be your tour guide as I wanted to in Mexicali. It seems that we never could hook up in Mexicali. Good luck and safe hunting!

[Once Sailor]

The hotel Cascades, the one that is used by the girls in Hong Club club, rents by the day too. You can check out there web site. (Do Google search for Hotel Cascades Tijuana.) If you are staying there get a high floor, since the music is pretty loud. A lot of others prefer the Hotel Ticuan, it's close to the zone and pretty nice. (Same google search for it.)

[Ath Trainer]

Take a bus and the trolley to, and from SAN airport to the border. There IS a Motel 6 at the border, if you want to stay stateside. There are hotels in Tijuana that are safe, decent, and cheap. Other mongers can help you with that. As far as safety, you hit it right on the nose. Be smart, and you will have no problem. Don't get drunk, don't talk to strangers, and no drugs. Stay in the zona, until you get comfortable and learn a little Spanish.

[TomJackin]

I will be at Chicago Club at about 10:00 or 10:30 tonight. I will be the old fart. My name is Mike

Now wait a god damn minute! I thought I was the only old fart in the Zona!

[Joe Arturo]

Ahhh Roxette. I gave her a CD of tunes with the Police song, Roxanne, so then she used to play that alot for one of her stage songs. Anyway, the last time I saw her was in Ensenada where she worked at Paris de Noche. Attached is a photo of her and friends from June 2006. And yes, I do remember Excalibar, the place close to Guau Guau and next to Mercado de Pasteles. This girl, Ambar, liked to bring me there for after hour recreation. I don't party much in Mexicali anymore because that's where my novia lives.

But let me know next time you plan to head down to Chicago Club. I'd be happy to buy you a drink.

I will be at Chicago Club at about 10:00 or 10:30 tonight. I will be the old fart. My name is Mike

[Hargow20]

SD does have public transportation. Getting around is not to much of a hassle if you are staying near the trolley lines in down town or Mission Valley. Personally I think driving is the best option if time is not a big factor. I would not drive a car into Tijuana. Tijuana is fairly safe during the day time. Personally I avoid Tijuana at night there this to many shadows for the bandit's to hide. There is cops all around and they will not bother you so long as you obey the laws and mind your manners. I always look around to see who is behind me

[SeanBig]

Thanks Guitar,

She actually seems like a decent human being but from her stories with clients she is all business.

Ie. If you ain't going upstairs stop wasting my time.

It's weird. Now when I talk to her on the phone. I think of everything the posters are saying.

It's just when she reminisces of when we first met in the club it sounds oddly romantic and really really fcuked up.