Advice for Quick Visit -- Stay in CHULA VISTA
[quote]i have a free 36 hours in san diego next month. i need a hotel for saturday night out of my own pocket. i am concerned about the safety of my belongings. [/quote]i recommend staying on the u.s. side and "commuting" to tj.
as noted elsewhere in this thread if you enter the united states with a laptop the authorities reserve the right to confirep001e it for "examination." if it's a company computer you're going to have a hard time explaining that to the boss. even if it's a personal machine, do you really want the federal government making a copy of your hard drive?
moreover, the original poster is concerned about having his laptop or other valuables stolen out of his hotel. if he stays in tijuana he faces a hobson's choice. he can pay big money to stay in a four star place like the hotel real del rio where he knows his stuff will be safe. or he can stay in the more modestly priced digs and worry that his things will get stolen. if he stays in the united states he can find a decent room at a good price for one night where his valuables will be secure.
finally i surmise from his low post count that the original poster is a novice when it comes to the tijuana scene. he's just trying to squeeze in a little fun on a business trip by getting laid in the zona norte. he doesn't need the hassle of lugging all of his things across the border and back in a 36 hour time frame, or dealing with some dodgy hotel. he's not trying out to be the next host of globe trekker.
my advice would be to stay in chula vista. more specifically i would recommend one of the hotels on e street near interstate 5. if he's on a tight budget the motel 6 is perfectly serviceable. if he's willing to spend a little more the days inn and the best western south bay are a step up. (at least if you get a king room at the best western. the queen rooms, especially those in the buildings toward the rear of the property, are pretty much the same as the rooms at the motel 6.) and if he can afford $90+ per night the newly-renovated comfort inn & suites has very nice king rooms and king suites.
if he's got a car he can hop on the freeway and be at the border in ten minutes. if he'd prefer to use public transit the trolley stop is a five minute stroll from any of those hotels. there are all kinds of restaurants there, plus a grocery story, laundromat, etc. etc. etc. driving up to los angeles on a sunday night should take about two-and-a-half hours, traffic permitting.
finally, the original poster should read the brockton o'toole tijuana guide, which can be found on this site. it is simply invaluable for the zona norte novice.
bunky
A good, secure place for valuables
If you are from out of town a good place to store your valuables is at the downtown Greyhound station. Usually you need a ticket to get to the lobby but if you tell the guard you will be traveling "tomorrow" he will let you by and you can use their storage lockers. Very secure, you get a code and pay when you pick up your belongings (all electronic). I am from the midwest and fly frequently to S. D. When I hit the zona I just leave all my work stuff at the Greyhound station.
Aztk420
Ps. The station is closed the trolley that takes you to San Ysidro.
Thanks again for the update...
bunky,
you somewhat hit the nail on the head. i am on business, with 36 hours to kill on either side of a trip to la. i am a novice in that i have been to tijuana only 5 times (live on the east coast).
i have been to boys town a few times back in 96 and 97 but not since. back then i would drive from dallas and drive over to boys town, but that was before.
i ended up getting a priceline 4star hotel for $55 for the upcomming trip next to san airport. i do like my comfort when traveling so a dodgy hotel is out of the question as long as price line can hook me up.
yes i have a rental from fox rental $10 a day for a mid sized. and yes, i will be staying on the u. s. side and "commuting" to tijuana.
thanks again.
mm
[quote=bunky]i recommend staying on the u.s. side and "commuting" to tj.
as noted elsewhere in this thread if you enter the united states with a laptop the authorities reserve the right to confirep001e it for "examination." if it's a company computer you're going to have a hard time explaining that to the boss. even if it's a personal machine, do you really want the federal government making a copy of your hard drive?
moreover, the original poster is concerned about having his laptop or other valuables stolen out of his hotel. if he stays in tijuana he faces a hobson's choice. he can pay big money to stay in a four star place like the hotel real del rio where he knows his stuff will be safe. or he can stay in the more modestly priced digs and worry that his things will get stolen. if he stays in the united states he can find a decent room at a good price for one night where his valuables will be secure.
finally i surmise from his low post count that the original poster is a novice when it comes to the tijuana scene. he's just trying to squeeze in a little fun on a business trip by getting laid in the zona norte. he doesn't need the hassle of lugging all of his things across the border and back in a 36 hour time frame, or dealing with some dodgy hotel. he's not trying out to be the next host of globe trekker.
my advice would be to stay in chula vista. more specifically i would recommend one of the hotels on e street near interstate 5. if he's on a tight budget the motel 6 is perfectly serviceable. if he's willing to spend a little more the days inn and the best western south bay are a step up. (at least if you get a king room at the best western. the queen rooms, especially those in the buildings toward the rear of the property, are pretty much the same as the rooms at the motel 6.) and if he can afford $90+ per night the newly-renovated comfort inn & suites has very nice king rooms and king suites.
if he's got a car he can hop on the freeway and be at the border in ten minutes. if he'd prefer to use public transit the trolley stop is a five minute stroll from any of those hotels. there are all kinds of restaurants there, plus a grocery story, laundromat, etc. etc. etc. driving up to los angeles on a sunday night should take about two-and-a-half hours, traffic permitting.
finally, the original poster should read the brockton o'toole tijuana guide, which can be found on this site. it is simply invaluable for the zona norte novice.
bunky[/quote]
Where can I get info on the trolly?
Several of you nicer mongers :) have mentioned a trolly.
I checked for a map online but came up blank.
Does the trolly go near the airport, the one that stops at the entrance to TJ?
Thanks a million.
MM
