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08/23/10 |
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As this page is quite lengthy covering the trip through San Diego and into Tijuana including some background information as we go along, I have subdivided this page for easy navigating. You can either read this page all the way through or jump to a specific section of this page.
On this page: The start from Los Angeles on Interstate 405 south The link up to Interstate 5 south from Interstate 405 south The approach on Interstate 5 south to the Mexican border and Tijuana Perspective of the Mexican border approaching on Interstate 805 south The walk into Tijuana and the return to San Ysidro The return trip on Interstate 5 north to Los Angeles Day Two, Sunday, 2 September 2007 Today was a great day to do some serious freeway and historical exploration, this time to two cities that I could not accomplish during my trip to Los Angeles in 2003: San Diego and Tijuana. After checking my emails and listening on my laptop to the Polka Party Express from WMNF on the Web for an hour (after all, when the polka show starts at 2 PM back home it's 11 AM in Los Angeles due to the time difference) I collected my trusty new digital camera and set out southbound on Interstate 405. About 45 minutes to an hour later I was on Interstate 5 south towards San Diego. The San Diego area is no stranger to me. Back in 1978 my older brother was in the Navy and stationed at Camp Pendleton and one evening my mother got the telephone call stating that my older brother fell ill and we needed to be out there. After some careful deliberation we packed up the station wagon - an Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser - and drove out three days across the country via Interstates 75, 10 and 8 to San Diego and the short trip on Interstate 5 north to Camp Pendleton. We ended up staying on base at a guest house for about three months before my older brother was discharged from the Navy due to his condition. The fact that we temporarily lived on base at Camp Pendleton didn't deter us from enjoying everything the San Diego area had to offer. A memoir of this three-month odyssey in 1978 is still at my home to this day in the form of a decorative plaster elephant that we purchased in Tijuana. Actually we purchased two of these plaster elephants but one of them unfortunately broke after so many years. During the three-month stay at Camp Pendleton my sister, my grandmother and myself ended up returning to St. Petersburg briefly by way of a Greyhound Bus, primarily for me to catch up on schoolwork among other things. However, when we got home from the bus my house was broken into and items were taken; the items were eventually returned and the perpetrators who did this were caught, thanks to the good work of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. Driving on Interstate 5 south as I passed through Oceanside (the beach community that's just outside Camp Pendleton) really brought back the memories of 1978. After I passed the Oceanside Harbor Drive exit all of the town names - Encinitas, Leucadia, Escondido and Vista just to name a few - I was able to instantly recall as things were basically the same as it looked back then in 1978. Further south a bypass of Interstate 5 as it passes through the San Diego area, Interstate 805, splits off to the east. However, I stayed on Interstate 5 south to check out the downtown San Diego area as I passed through. After passing Interstate 8 (which is a two-state east-west highway akin to Florida's Interstate 4 ending near Casa Grande, Arizona with a connection to transcontinental Interstate 10 and points east) and downtown San Diego I was on my way towards the international border with Mexico and Tijuana. Once you get there at the international border you will encounter the community of San Ysidro, which is definitely an international community lined with plenty just before you go over the border into Tijuana. As I had a rental car and Alamo's rental contract prohibits taking the rental car into Mexico for any reason I had to park my car in one of the parking lots that line Camino de la Plaza, one of the main streets in San Ysidro. After parking my car I walked down the pedestrian walkway and then through one of the turnstile-style gates designed to deter any illegal entry into the United States. After that, the monument that delineates the boundary between the United States and Mexico and - two footsteps later - for the first time since 1988 when I took a trip outside the country to Cancun I was officially on Mexican soil. Finally, I pass through a Mexican checkpoint and I was officially in Tijuana! I stayed in Tijuana for about an hour, looking around the border area and the endless mercados that Tijuana has to offer. However, in the interest of safety (and to promise my sister) I did not venture far from the border. I crossed the bridge to get onto the other side of the street so that I can return to the United States via one of the world's busiest border crossings, the United States Port of Entry at San Ysidro. But before I crossed the border I browsed through some more stores including a duty free shop as well as took a peek at one of these Mexican farmacias happening to offer prescription medications at a fraction of what we pay back in the good old US of A. After all, prescription medicine is expensive, so expensive that people who require prescription medication on a regular basis sometimes have to make a trip into either Mexico or Canada depending on where you live. (Believe me? I would recommend watching the latest Michael Moore movie, SiCKO, now on DVD). After passing the last store on the right I crossed over the border and - an hour later - I was back on American soil once more. Now that I am back onto American soil, unlike Mexico I was required like everyone else to report to United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) - one of the departments under the Department of Homeland Security - for an inspection of my identity and what I had on me. While I was in line waiting to be examined I noticed that those without passports were being scrutinized thoroughly which is why I believe the line was running a little slow. (After all, come 2008 you will need a passport to enter the United States when you return from Canada or Mexico on the land border just like if you were arriving by air). When it was my turn I presented my passport to the CBP officer and I was asked how long I was in Tijuana for; the inspection was quick and painless and the CBP officer waved me on my way. Finally, another glass door and I was officially back in the United States. That's right, the land of the Interstate Highway System. After Customs I went to grab me a late lunch, as it was getting late and I had a considerable drive back to Los Angeles. However, on Camino de la Plaza as I was walking back to the parking lot (and my rental Chevrolet Cobalt) I witnessed the most horrible account of road rage I have ever seen, California style just like one of these reality TV shows: Someone driving a white Lexus SUV eastbound on Camino de la Plaza stopped in the middle of the road and went after a pedestrian who stepped into the roadway. In Florida, pedestrians who step out into the road and drivers who have to avoid them are the norm and are aggravating. However, this isn't Florida here; this is California on a minor highway crossing Interstate 5 being the last one seen before leaving the United States. The worst case of road rage was being played right before my eyes: The driver of the Lexus SUV was physically beating the pedestrian right on the street! As I did not have my cell phone with me, I alerted other drivers in the vicinity to call 911. Fearing for my own safety, I walked away and headed back to the parking lot and to my rental car. At last, after navigating the streets of San Ysidro being careful not to enter the Interstate 5 ramp that would take me into Mexico (and violate my rental car contract with Alamo), I gassed up the rental Chevrolet Cobalt and got back onto Interstate 5 north. I took a side trip on the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge which looks almost like the Sunshine Skyway Bridge but no support cables. However, the height of the Bay Bridge reminded me of the Sunshine Skyway but it provides a breathtaking view of downtown San Diego especially as you head east. When I headed west on the Bay Bridge I saw a toll plaza still intact from when I visited back in 1978 but no tolls were being collected; in fact, the toll booths have been removed but traffic must slow to a reasonable speed. Andy Field has a great page on CA 75 including facts and figures on the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge plus more photos of the Bay Bridge as well. You can access Andy's page simply by clicking on this link. After the side trip across the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge it was time to get back onto Interstate 5 north and back to Los Angeles, as it was getting late in the evening. Being exhausted from a tiring day I took the short cut via CA 73 (which is the San Joaquin hills toll road) to Interstate 405 and then north on Interstate 405 to LAX and the Hilton for the night. There were some more pictures I wanted to get but it got too late and I wanted to get them before I leave for Tampa in a couple of days... Pictures from Day Two The start from Los Angeles on Interstate 405 south Exit for Inglewood Avenue and upcoming exit for CA 107, Hawthorne Blvd on Interstate 405 south Exit for Western Avenue and upcoming exit for Normandie Avenue on Interstate 405 south Last chance to exit Interstate 405 south at Normandie Avenue and Interstate 110 to San Pedro and Los Angeles is just around the corner. Notice the control city for Interstate 405 being Long Beach. Vermont Avenue exit on Interstate 405 south and Interstate 110 - known as the Harbor Freeway - is coming up, just like the announcers say. Next up on Interstate 405 south: Interstate 710 to Long Beach and Pasadena. Not South Pasadena of the Florida kind, that is. The control city for Interstate 405 south finally changes to San Diego. Last chance for Interstate 710 to Long Beach or Pasadena on Interstate 405 south Exit for Pacific Avenue on Interstate 405 south Exit for southbound CA 19, Lakewood Blvd., which is just around the corner. Notice the dedicated exit only lane. As you can see, the exit for CA 19 from Interstate 405 south turns out to be a collector-distributor road for southbound as well as northbound CA 19 traffic. Northbound on CA 19 will take you to the Long Beach Airport. A similar setup can be found on Interstate 4 westbound at Exit 19, FL 39 to Plant City and Zephyrhills. Exit for Studebaker Road and advance signage for Exit 24A, Interstate 605 north Last chance for Interstate 605 north while eastbound CA 22 joins us along with southbound Interstate 405. Westbound CA 22 is 7th Street and takes motorists to Long Beach. Last chance for Exit 23, westbound CA 22 to Long Beach. Also notice that we crossed into Orange County (California, that is and not the sanitized Florida version which is the home of mandated happiness thanks to Mickey Mouse) from Los Angeles County. Eastbound CA 22 leaves us so that it can become the Garden Grove Freeway on its way to Garden Grove. Meanwhile, San Diego bound motorists remain on Interstate 405 south. More signage for eastbound CA 22 and southbound Interstate 405. Notice that trucks are OK in one lane while if you violate the carpool lane there is a minimum fine of $341. You got that right, $341 minimum which is enough for one car loan payment. The next time you are in a hurry and the carpool lane interests you and you don't qualify, think twice. Last chance to exit Interstate 405 south at Exit 21, CA 22 to Garden Grove Next we come onto Exit 19, Springdale Street and Westminster Avenue while Garden West Street and Bolsa Avenue is 1-1/2 miles away Advance signage for Exit 16, CA 39 (also known as Beach Blvd.) to Huntington Beach from Interstate 405 south Final opportunity to exit Interstate 405 south at Harbor Blvd. From here you have two ways to get to Interstate 5 and San Diego: Either by way of the free Interstate 405 south or the CA 73 toll road. Exit 9A, CA 55 north, is just around the corner on Interstate 405 south. Notice that those in the carpool lane have an opportunity to exit onto CA 55 north as well. Last chance to exit Interstate 405 south at Exit 9A, CA 55 north. Here Interstate 405 south is five through lanes wide. Exit for McArthur Blvd. coming up on Interstate 405 south. McArthur Blvd. takes motorists to the John Wayne Airport, which is one of several airports that serve the greater Los Angeles area. Check out the Florida-esque lane striping on Interstate 405 with the addition of California-mandated Botts Dots that delineate all freeway and highway lane markings in the state. Does this give you an Interstate 275 Florida back home feel? The link up to Interstate 5 south from Interstate 405 south We're now officially off of Interstate 405 and we have joined up with Interstate 5 south for the trip to San Diego and Tijuana. Here is the exit onto El Toro Road which is just around the corner. Next three exits on Interstate 5 south: Junipero Serra Road is coming up in 1 mile while CA 74 is 2-1/2 miles ahead and Camino Capistrano is 3-1/2 miles away. We have entered the lovely city of San Juan Capistrano as evidenced by the city limit sign to the far right. Exit 82, CA 74/Ortega Highway, is just around the corner. Even Interstate 5 is not immune from its share of traffic backups due to accidents or broken down vehicles; backups like this are common on Interstate 275 in the Tampa Bay area as well. Another set of the next three exits on Interstate 5 south: CA 74 is only 1/4 mile ahead while Camino Capistrano is 1-1/4 miles ahead and the famous Pacific Coast Highway (CA 1) and Camino Las Ramblas is 3 miles away. San Clemente is only 5 miles ahead while Oceanside is 27 miles ahead and San Diego is only 64 miles away on Interstate 5 south. The most scenic drive of Interstate 5 is just around the bend right after San Clemente. Final opportunity to exit Interstate 5 at Exit 79, Pacific Coast Highway/CA 1 as well as Camino Las Ramblas. Looks like the overhead sign gantry was there from day one when this section of Interstate 5 was opened long ago. Exit for Avenida Calafia and advance signage for Cristianitos Road on Interstate 5 south Exit for Cristianitos Road and advance signage for Basilone Road and San Onofre on Interstate 5 south. Once you pass the Cristianitos Road exit we bid adieu to Orange County and we cross into San Diego County, much like County Line Road on Interstate 4 near Lakeland which divides Hillsborough and Polk counties back home. Final opportunity for Exit 71, Basilone Road leading to San Onofre. From here the Camp Pendleton Marine Base will be joining us to the left of Interstate 5 until we get to Oceanside. Oceanside is 16 miles ahead while we have 53 more miles to go until we reach San Diego To the right the section of Interstate 5 offers a splendid view of the Pacific Ocean from San Onofre to Oceanside. However, all trucks must be in the right lane to prepare for the upcoming weigh station which is just ahead. Per the California Vehicle Code, rental and delivery trucks have to go through the weigh station when it is open for business. Advance signage for the weigh station just around the corner. Notice that California, like Florida, uses PrePass where trucks that have a transponder may bypass the scales upon signal. Exit for the weigh station on Interstate 5 south. In California, the California Highway Patrol operates their weigh stations while in Florida the Florida DOT's Motor Carrier Compliance unit is responsible for Florida's weigh stations. Typical California weigh station, which reminds me of the weigh station in Florida on Interstate 75 just north of the Sumter-Marion County line. Las Pulgas Road coming up in one mile. Las Pulgas Road is one of the access roads into the Camp Pendleton Marine Base. Final opportunity to exit at Exit 62, Las Pulgas Road. Only those vehicles with the proper decal and ID are allowed onto Camp Pendleton; for all other vehicles Las Pulgas Road is basically a legal turnaround interchange on Interstate 5. After about 20 miles of the Pacific Ocean on the right and Camp Pendleton on the left, we are beginning to reenter civilization once again as we approach Oceanside. There is a California Welcome Center two miles ahead at Oceanside Harbor Drive; California strategically places its welcome centers in various locations throughout the state rather than at the state line unlike Florida. Further proof that civilization is just around the corner on Interstate 5 south: Oceanside Harbor Drive is only 1/2 mile ahead while Coast Highway is one mile ahead and CA 76 east is 1-1/4 miles away. And we are back into civilization once again on Interstate 5 south! Here is Exit 54C, Oceanside Harbor Drive which takes motorists to Oceanside as well as the main gate into Camp Pendleton, while Exit 54B, Coast Highway, is coming up in 1/2 mile. Next is Exit 54B, Coast Highway and advance signage for Exit 54A, CA 76 east coming up in 1/4 mile. Carlsbad is only two miles ahead, while Leucadia is eight miles ahead and San Diego is 35 miles away on Interstate 5 south. Next is Exit 51B, CA 78 to Escondido as well as Vista Way. CA 78 is a freeway standard highway to Escondido which connects with Interstate 15. Next three exits on Interstate 5 south: CA 78 is only 1/4 mile ahead while Las Flores Drive is 1/2 mile ahead and Carlsbad Village Drive is 1-1/2 miles away. Last chance for Exit 51B, CA 78 east to Escondido and Vista Way while Exit 51A, Las Flores Drive, is just 1/4 mile ahead. As mentioned earlier CA 78 east is freeway standard to Escondido while Vista Way is a side street to the west of Interstate 5. Exit 50, Carlsbad Village Drive is coming up in 1/2 mile Exit 47, Palomar Airport Road. Notice the use of a "butterfly" style gantry instead of a regular half gantry. Exit for Manchester Avenue and advance signage for Lomas Santa Fe Drive coming up in one mile. We now get our first indication that Mexico is on the horizon: San Diego is 18 miles ahead while Chula Vista is 28 miles ahead and the international border is 36 miles away. Another set of next three exits on Interstate 5 south: CA 56 east is coming up in one mile while the Carmel Valley Road Local Bypass is 1-1/4 miles ahead and Interstate 805 is 3-1/4 miles away. Those headed to Tijuana and other points in Baja California (as well as elsewhere in Mexico) who don't want to deal with downtown San Diego traffic can use Interstate 805 which takes motorists around the downtown core and right to Camino de la Plaza and the international border. Exit 33, CA 56 east (known as Carmel Valley Road) is just around the corner on Interstate 5 south. Notice the newer sign gantries just like that on the Suncoast Parkway (FL Toll 589) sans the brown paint. Exit for the Carmel Valley Road Local Bypass. Interstate 5 widens up to a comfortable seven lanes southbound, with four lanes for Interstate 805 and two lanes (which will eventually become three) for Interstate 5. Remain in the left lanes for Interstate 805 south with direct access to the international border and Tijuana or the right lanes for Interstate 5 south towards downtown San Diego. Interstate 805 is San Diego's version of Interstate 275 with one difference: The main route (Interstate 5) goes through the downtown area of San Diego while the bypass route (Interstate 805) goes around the city. By comparison, Interstate 275 goes through the downtown areas of Tampa and St. Petersburg while Interstate 75 is the bypass route. Exit 22, Clairemont Drive and East Mission Bay Drive. Exit 21, Sea World Drive and Tecolote Road is coming up in 1-1/4 miles while Interstate 8 is coming up in two miles on Interstate 5 south. Did I mention Sea World? Are we in Orlando rather than San Diego? Don't worry, this is not Interstate 4 in Orlando; Sea World is located at three locations, Orlando, San Antonio as well as San Diego. Last chance to exit Interstate 5 at Sea World Drive/Tecolote Road. Notice the dedicated exit only lane. Exit 20, which is Interstate 8 as well as Rosecrans Street, is just around the corner. Interstate 8 runs east not only to El Centro but across the extreme southern part of California and crosses the Colorado River into Arizona at Yuma. Past Yuma Interstate 8 makes its eastward trek to connect with Interstate 10 in Casa Grande. Remain in the right lanes for Interstate 8 or Rosecrans Street. Final opportunity to exit Interstate 5 at Interstate 8 or Rosecrans Street. Notice that the Interstate 5 South sign does not have a control city listed (downtown San Diego is just ahead and the international border is 20 miles away); perhaps either San Ysidro or Tijuana could be listed as the next control city on Interstate 5 after San Diego. The interchange of Interstate 5 and Interstate 8 looking south on Interstate 5. Reminds you of Interstate 275 and Interstate 4 in Tampa before the reconstruction of Malfunction Junction? Exit for Washington Street and advance signage for Sassafras Street. Use Sassafras Street to reach the San Diego International Airport. Kettner Blvd. and Laurel Street are just around the corner. Getting closer to downtown San Diego: Front Street and the Civic Center are just around the corner. The skyline of downtown San Diego seen on Interstate 5 south. Exit 16, 10th Street and CA 163 north is coming up in 1/4 mile. Next two interchanges on Interstate 5 south are Pershing Drive/B Street in 3/4 mile and CA 94 east (Martin Luther King Jr Freeway) in one mile. Use the right lanes for 10th Street or CA 163 north. CA 163 is another freeway-standard highway that runs northward to Escondido connecting with Interstate 15. Last chance for 10th Street or CA 163 and advance signage for Pershing Drive/B Street and CA 94. As we passed downtown San Diego, notice that there are no further control city designations for Interstate 5 until we reach San Ysidro and the international border. Be in the right lane for Pershing Drive/B Street and CA 94. Notice the right lane exit drop for CA 94. Last chance for Pershing Drive/B Street or CA 94. More proof that Mexico is on the horizon: 15 miles to the international border but we have to go through National City (5 miles) and Chula Vista (8 miles) yet. Another set of three exits coming up on Interstate 5 south: Imperial Avenue is 1/2 mile ahead while Cesar Chavez Parkway is 3/4 mile ahead and CA 75 (which leads across the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge into Coronado) is one mile away. Speaking of the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge, we'll check this bridge out later on our way back on Interstate 5 north. National Avenue and 28th Street (not the St. Petersburg street, or we would be on Interstate 275 at Exit 21) is up ahead, while CA 15 north is one mile away. Last chance to exit Interstate 5 south at National Avenue and 28th Street. A major CalTrans goof on Interstate 5 south: Exit 13A is signed as Interstate 15 north, not CA 15. Interstate 15 does not begin until Interstate 8; the segment from Interstate 8 to Interstate 5 is signed as CA 15. This is worthy for the Edward Ringwald Sign Goofs Page! CA 15 is just 1/2 mile ahead while Main Street and National City Blvd. is only 3/4 mile away. Last chance to exit Interstate 5 at CA 15 north. CA 15 is actually a continuation of Interstate 15, only this segment of Interstate 15 is not officially signed. This would be the southern national terminus of Interstate 15, which is a transcontinental north-south interstate highway starting in San Diego and makes its way through the Golden State passing by Riverside, San Bernardino and Barstow. Leaving the Golden State Interstate 15 passes through Nevada (Las Vegas), a small section of Arizona, Utah (Cove Fort (Interstate 70's western terminus) and Salt Lake City), Idaho (Pocatello), and Montana (Butte and Helena) before meeting its northern terminus at the Canadian international border at the small Montana town of Sweetgrass. Andy Field has a well written page on Interstate 15 including history and photographs well worth checking out. Final opportunity to exit Interstate 5 at Main Street/National City Blvd. Exit for Mile of Cars Way and Bay Marina Drive and advance signage for Exit 9, CA 54 east. Final opportunity to exit Interstate 5 at Exit 9, CA 54 east as well as advance signage for Exit 8B, E Street The approach on Interstate 5 south to the Mexican border and Tijuana Final opportunity to exit Interstate 5 at Exit 8B, E Street. We're 8 more miles away from the Mexican border and Tijuana. Exit 8A, H Street and advance signage for Exit 7B, J Street/Marina Parkway. Next three exits on Interstate 5 south as we progress towards the Mexican border: J Street/Marina Parkway is just 1/4 mile ahead while L Street is 3/4 mile ahead and Palomar Street is 1-1/2 miles away. Trucks bound for Mexico must use CA 905 east to cross the border at Otay Mesa. Trucks are banned from crossing the border at San Ysidro in either direction, especially due to the heavy traffic. Exit 5A, CA 75/Palm Avenue, is only 1/2 mile ahead on Interstate 5 south. This I believe is the southern terminus of CA 75 (the northern terminus of CA 75 is at the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge). Final opportunity to exit Interstate 5 at CA 75/Palm Avenue as well as advance signage for Exit 4, Coronado Avenue, coming up in 3/4 mile. Next three exits on Interstate 5 south as we close in on the Mexican border and Tijuana: Coronado Avenue is just 1/4 mile ahead while CA 905 east is 1-1/4 miles ahead and Dairy Mart Road is two miles away. Final opportunity to exit Interstate 5 at Exit 4, Coronado Avenue and advance signage for Exit 3, CA 905 east/Tocayo Avenue. Another round of the next three exits on Interstate 5 south: CA 905 east is coming up in 1/2 mile while Dairy Mart Road is 1-1/2 miles ahead and Via de San Ysidro is just 2-3/4 miles away. Intermediate signage for Exit 3, CA 905 east/Tocayo Avenue. Notice the dedicated exit only lane. Final opportunity to exit Interstate 5 at Exit 3, CA 905 east/Tocayo Avenue and advance signage for Dairy Mart Road coming up in one mile. All Mexico bound trucks must exit here. According to Andy Field's site CA 905 is slated to become Interstate 905 when the highway is upgraded to interstate standards, which will make it better for the Mexico-bound truckers. The Mexican international border is just three miles away, while Tijuana is four miles away and the Mexican seaside town of Ensenada is 79 miles ahead via the Mexico 1D toll road. This is your first warning before you enter Mexico: Guns are illegal period. We're counting down the final two miles to the Mexican border with Exit 1B, Via de San Ysidro, which is 3/4 mile ahead. A reminder from the State Department: Permits are required to export any firearms from the United States pursuant to Title 22, Section 2278 of the United States Code. That law is there for a good reason. Via de San Ysidro is only 1/2 mile ahead while the final USA exit on Interstate 5, Camino de la Plaza, is 3/4 miles away. You have been warned before and the Mexican government warns you again in the form of a sign made by CalTrans: Weapons (including guns) and ammunition are illegal. Period. The penalties are very harsh: Jail time in a Mexican prison. Several people have been arrested and detained for even having a single bullet in their possession and neither the United States consulate in Tijuana nor the United States Embassy in Mexico City won't be able to help you get out of jail! The fact that you are an American citizen is no valid excuse - when you visit Mexico or any other foreign country you are subject to its laws. Final opportunity for Exit 1B,, Via de San Ysidro and Exit 1A, Camino de la Plaza and the last American exit before Mexico is 1/4 mile. The actual International Border - Frontera Internacional en espanol or Mednarodna Meja v slovenscini - no matter how you say it in English, Spanish or Slovenian - is 1-1/4 miles or 2 kilometers ahead. Notice the English and Spanish signage for the upcoming international border. Interstate 5 south is about to come to an end in 3/4 mile at the Mexican border and you should be prepared to stop at the Mexican customs and immigration checkpoint if you are driving into Mexico. In the foreground is a typical motorist aid call box found on all California freeways. The final opportunity to exit Interstate 5 on American soil is here. This is it! The last exit of Interstate 5 - both in the State of California and the United States of America - is here at Exit 1A, Camino de la Plaza. From here on forward Interstate 5 continues through to the Mexican border with no further exits other than an American turnaround in the left lane just before the border. Drivers of rental cars must exit here or turn around at the U-turn on the American side at the border, as practically no rental car company (especially Alamo) allows cars rented in the United States to be driven into Mexico under any circumstances. Signage on the Interstate 5 mainline reminding motorists headed into Mexico to use the right lane if there are items that need to be declared to Mexican customs. Notice the English and Spanish translation: Declare items keep right / Para Declarar carril derecho. Also use the right lane if you need to obtain a Mexican tourist card (Form FM-T) if you are headed further south. On the off ramp from Interstate 5 south onto Camino de la Plaza. Parking is plentiful in the lots surrounding Camino de la Plaza and in San Ysidro. Perspective of the Mexican border approaching on Interstate 805 south San Ysidro Blvd. is coming up in 3/4 mile. Mileage sign for the International Border coming up in two miles as well as Tijuana being three miles and Ensenada 78 miles away (via the Mexico 1D toll road). The last two exits on Interstate 805 before leaving the United States: San Ysidro Blvd. coming up in 1/4 mile and Camino de la Plaza in one mile. The end of Interstate 805 - along with its parent Interstate 5 - is coming up at the Mexican border in 1-1/2 miles. Final opportunity to exit Interstate 805 at San Ysidro Blvd. The last American exit for Interstate 805 - Camino de la Plaza - is just around the corner; you want to remain in your right lane. Notice the yellow blinkers on the right sign and the bilingual International Border sign on the left. Like Interstate 5, the freeway will end and prepare to stop at the Mexican checkpoint in 1/2 mile. Camino de la Plaza is just around the corner on Interstate 805 south. The through lanes do not carry an Interstate 5 south designation despite the southern terminus of Interstate 805; instead all through traffic is defaulted into Mexico and motorists are advised to watch for stopped vehicles at the Mexican customs and immigration checkpoint ahead. Again Interstate 5 terminates in 1/4 mile and be prepared to stop at the Mexican customs and immigration checkpoint ahead if you do not exit at Camino de la Plaza. This is it for Interstate 805! Like its Interstate 5 counterpart, this is the final opportunity to exit Interstate 805 while you are on American soil. If you miss this exit, you can use the turnaround or you will have to proceed into Mexico. Another reminder from United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP): If you are leaving the United States with more than $10,000 cash you must report it or face stiff penalties. Mexico has a similar requirement when you take the currency in. By the way, the sign reads along with its Spanish counterpart: Currency or negotiable instruments over $10,000 US Dollars must be declared to US Customs. Six views of signage at the intersection of Camino de la Plaza and Caminones Way: View 1, View 2, View 3, View 4, View 5 and View 6. Enter this on ramp to Interstate 5 south and you must go into Mexico; there is no turnaround from this point, not even to go back into the USA. In fact, there is no further Interstate 5 south signage from Camino de la Plaza. The walk into Tijuana and the return to San Ysidro Looking south into Mexico on the last leg of Interstate 5 south. Notice that there are five lanes for automobiles only and the far right lane is for buses as well as for anyone who needs to declare items to Mexican customs. Here is a closeup of the signage separating the automobiles from the buses and declaration lane. You will not see any trucks here as they are prohibited from using this border crossing; trucks must use the Otay Mesa border crossing east of San Ysidro reachable from Interstates 5 and 805 on CA 905 south. Here is another closeup of the one way pedestrian gate designed to deter anyone from crossing into the United States illegally, as well as the Mexican customs and immigration checkpoint as seen on the United States side. Mexican customs and immigration checkpoints operate like the red light/green light system found in airports throughout Mexico as well as most other countries. Mexico calls their system the fiscal traffic signal consisting of a red light and a green light and here's how it works in a nutshell: You drive up to the checkpoint and to the gate with a stop bar. Once there a computer makes a random selection as to whether you get a green light or a red light. If you get a green light you will not be subject to further examination and be permitted to drive on your way to Tijuana; on the other hand, if you get a red light you will be directed by a Mexican customs officer to an area where you will await an inspection of your vehicle. From what I understand if you are in the far right lane because you need to declare items to Mexican customs you will always be subjected to inspection; this is true especially if you intend to head to Ensenada or points further south and you need to get your Mexican tourist card (Form FM-T) and your Mexican vehicle permit to allow the temporary use of your vehicle in Mexico other than Baja California (currently Baja California is considered by the Mexican government to be a vehicle permit free zone but things change; checking current permit requirements is a must if you intend to drive your car into Mexico). At the marker where the United States of America and the United Mexican States come together. By the way, United Mexican States is Mexico's formal name, recognized by its Spanish name Estados Unidos Mexicanos. Also notice that the United States-Mexico border is administered by the binational International Boundary and Water Commission and the border is 1,951 miles long from the Pacific coast south of San Diego to the mouth of the Rio Grande at the Gulf of Mexico near Brownsville, Texas. Unlike the United States-Canada border, the United States-Mexico border is marked by barrier walls and fences to deter illegal entry into the United States. Standing with my two feet on the border, my left foot on Mexicanos, al grito de guerra and my right foot on o'er say can you see? For the first time since 1988 when I took a trip to Cancun I am officially outside the United States and onto Mexican soil. This is looking at one of the plazas in Tijuana; however, for safety and security reasons I did not venture further south as it was getting later in the day and I would never walk the streets of Tijuana at night. Even when I was in Cancun my mother, my grandmother and I stayed in the hotel zone at night. Typical Mexican directional signage found in Tijuana and in most cities throughout Mexico. Bear to the right to return to Colonial Federal or bear to the left to reach downtown Tijuana and its Avenida Revolucion district. Downtowns in Mexico are marked as Centro, by the way. Signage for downtown Tijuana via 3rd Street and Avenida Revolucion or 7th Street and the River Zone (Zona Rio) as well as through signage for the Mexico 1-D toll road to Rosarito and Ensenada, marked as the Scenic Road. Notice the California standard sign gantry used and also the "down" arrows; the arrows on the left and center signs are Mexican SCT (Secretaria de Comunicaciones y Transportes, or the Ministry of Communications and Transportation, which is Mexico's equivalent of the U.S. DOT and the FCC as this is a combined agency) standard while the arrow on the right sign is American DOT MUTCD standard. Typical Mexican stop sign with the Spanish word alto used. Typical Mexican no parking sign, the letter E enclosed in a red circle with a red slash like all prohibitory signs in the United States. Do you know what the E means? It is the Spanish word for parking, which is Estacionmiento. So, in Mexico, the meaning of No Parking is Sin Estacionmiento. Two views of traffic headed north towards the United States border checkpoint in San Ysidro: View 1 and View 2. Notice the enormous traffic backups into Mexico of motorists headed for the United States; after 9/11 border security as we see it is as tight as it can be. Well, it's time we made our way back across the border into the United States and California as it was getting late in the day. And here we are, officially back on American soil once more in San Ysidro after clearing United States Customs and Border Protection. The wait for pedestrians wasn't as bad compared to the wait for vehicles as mentioned in the previous two photographs. The CBP folks ask you how long you were in Tijuana for and if you have anything to declare and it's a straightforward process (provided you obey the laws, of course). Also worth mentioning is that a passport speeds things up much better than a birth certificate and a driver's license; by 2008 a passport to enter Mexico or Canada and return to the United States will be an absolute must. I'd thought I bring you a railroad crossing signal for your viewing enjoyment, as this is the trolley that runs from downtown San Diego to San Ysidro. The front of the San Diego Trolley headed for San Diego's Old Town District. I didn't have time to explore as it was getting late and I had a drive back to Los Angeles and Interstate 5. Closeup view of Tijuana taken from San Ysidro on a side street south of Camino de la Plaza. Notice the numerous radio and TV transmitter towers on the hills in the background which reminds me of the TV antenna farm back in Riverview (Riverview, by the way, is the transmitter home of most of the Tampa Bay area's TV stations) and also the large Mexican flag flying proudly which firmly declares Tijuana is Mexican territory. The apparent location of the Mexican flag is probably on Avenida Revolucion but I am not sure as I did not venture further south into Tijuana. Closeup views of the signage for Interstates 5 and 805 north: View 1 (signs mounted on bridge), View 2 and View 3. This was taken from the parking lot on Camino de la Plaza. Trailblazer for both Interstates 5 and 805 north on Camino de la Plaza. Just before we leave San Ysidro, I'd thought I give you a tour of the actual end of Interstate 5 at the border. This signage on the Camino de la Plaza overpass reminds motorists that the United Mexican States is only 500 feet away as well as the American national termination of Interstate 5 which runs from here northward to San Diego and Los Angeles and through the heart of California (passing through Sacramento on the way) and into the mountains of Oregon and Washington, going through Tacoma and Seattle before terminating at the Canadian border near Blaine, Washington. The lane we are in is the U turn lane which will enable me to remain on American soil without crossing into Mexico (and violating my rental car agreement with Alamo!). This is it on Interstate 5 south: The U turn to America without crossing into Mexico. You stop at the stop sign and the friendly Customs and Border Protection officer waves you through. Then you pass a series of barriers and what not and you are on Interstate 5 north. And here we are back on Interstate 5 north and the first American and California exit, Exit 1A, Interstate 805 north. We'll stay on Interstate 5 north on our way through San Diego to Los Angeles. Sorry rental car! Alamo won't let you go into Mexico so I have to park you in a parking lot off of Camino de la Plaza and Interstate 5 so that I can explore Tijuana. The return trip on Interstate 5 north to Los Angeles Couldn't resist checking out part of Interstate 805, San Diego's version of Interstate 275 only it bypasses downtown San Diego. Here's CA 905, the highway truckers must use to enter Mexico at Otay Mesa. Another image of Interstate 805 north with the exit for Palm Avenue and advance signage for Main Street/Auto Park Drive coming up in one mile. It's back to Interstate 5 and the final split for Interstate 805 north. In the background on the left shoulder of Interstate 5 is an unusual warning sign warning motorists of pedestrians that may be crossing the freeway where they should not be. Exit 1B, Via de San Ysidro is coming up in 1/4 mile. In the background on the right is a Welcome to California sign, seen at all entrances to the state. Exit 3, CA 905 east and Tocayo Avenue. This is the beginning of the highway that trucks must use to enter and exit Mexico as described earlier. Exit 4, Coronado Avenue and advance signage for Exit 5A, CA 75/Palm Avenue coming up in 1/2 mile. Notice the lack of a cardinal direction for Interstate 5 north to San Diego; signage like this is common throughout California but Florida has been experimenting with this in a few locations (one being Exit 23, Interstate 375 east from Interstate 275 north). Exit 7A, L Street and advance signage for Exit 7B, J Street/Marina Parkway. Exit 9, CA 54 east, is just around the corner on Interstate 5 north. Notice the dedicated exit only lane. Final opportunity to exit at CA 54 east and advance signage for Mile of Cars Way/Bay Marina Drive. Exit 11A, Harbor Drive/Civic Center Drive and advance signage for Exit 11B, Plaza Blvd. and Exit 12, Main Street/Division Street. Final opportunity to exit at Main Street/Division Street and advance signage for CA 15 north to Riverside (which actually becomes Interstate 15 north of Interstate 8). Notice the San Diego city limit sign to the right. Final opportunity to exit Interstate 5 north at CA 15 and advance signage for 28th Street/National Avenue. The exit onto CA 15 is the start of a continuous interstate highway from here to the Canadian border at Sweetgrass, Montana. The section of CA 15 from here to Interstate 8 is slated to become Interstate 15 as soon as parts of CA 15 are brought up to interstate standards. We're going to make a side trip onto the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge by exiting at Exit 14A, CA 75 to Coronado. For those continuing on Interstate 5 north the next exit, Exit 14B/Cesar Chavez Parkway, is just around the corner. We're now on the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge headed west to Coronado. As the sign indicates, one of the lanes is reversible depending on the time of day and westbound motorists are informed how may lanes are available. Ascending westward on the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge. Sure reminds me of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge only there is no cables. At the west end of the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge and the toll booth, or what used to be. The bridge is now free as I believe the bonds used to finance construction in the late 1960's were paid off a couple of years ago and the tolls were lifted. Back in 1978 when I visited there was indeed a toll. This is the toll plaza minus the toll booths when the tolls were lifted. The right lane would have made a good lane for a California FasTrak lane (or a Florida SunPass lane). We're now headed eastbound on CA 75 and this is the eastbound entrance to the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge. From this point you would be slowing down to pay your toll but there is no toll - the bridge is free. Another view of the toll plaza minus the toll booths. However, the gator heads (components that protect a toll booth from vehicular impact) have been removed on the eastbound side as opposed to the westbound side. By comparison, when the new Treasure Island Causeway opened recently the toll booth was demolished as federal funding for its replacement called for the tolls to be lifted. Ascending the San Diego-Coronado Bay bridge eastbound. Here's the bridge as we make our curve towards Interstate 5. Notice the center Jersey barrier which is movable to meet traffic demands during the day. Ascending to the top of the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge. Again it reminds me of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge minus the cables that run in the middle. Now we'll start our way down towards Interstate 5. Here's another view. And we made it back to Interstate 5! We'll stay in the left lanes to head back to Los Angeles. Final opportunity to decide on northbound or southbound Interstate 5. Notice the reduced speed for the ramps. We're back again on Interstate 5! Here is signage for Exit 15B, B Street/Pershing Drive and advance signage for the CA 163 freeway north to Escondido. Intermediate signage for the CA 163 freeway to Escondido. Final opportunity to exit Interstate 5 north at CA 163 as well as advance signage for 6th Avenue and downtown San Diego. CA 163 as mentioned earlier is a freeway that runs to Escondido and merges into Interstate 15. Exit for Old Town Avenue and advance signage for Interstate 8 to El Centro and the beaches. We're making our way north to Los Angeles on Interstate 5 north. After Interstate 8 comes Exit 21, Sea World Drive/Tecolote Road. Don't worry, this is not Interstate 4 and Orlando! Exit for Claremont Drive and Mission Bay Drive. Final opportunity for Exit 22, Claremont Drive/Mission Bay Drive and advance signage for Exit 23A, Grand Avenue and Garnet Avenue. Exit 26A takes motorists on La Jolla Parkway west while Exit 26B takes motorists onto CA 52 east. Exit 28B, La Jolla Village Drive and advance signage for Exit 29, Genesee Avenue. Exit 30, Sorrento Valley Road and advance signage for the local bypass to Jct CA 56 east. Notice how the overhead signs are mounted just like the Suncoast Parkway minus the brown paint as we seen earlier headed south. Final opportunity to exit Interstate 5 at the local bypass for CA 56. This is the interchange for Interstate 805 as seen on Interstate 5 north. While there is no direct access to Interstate 805 south from Interstate 5 north (like the northern terminus of Interstate 275 at Interstate 75 north of Tampa), traffic from Interstate 805 north will join us for the remainder of the trip to Los Angeles. From this point onward it was getting too late in the evening for more pictures on Interstate 5 from this point northward but I managed to get some more pictures by making a second trip to northern San Diego County, as you will see on Day 3, which is Monday, 3 September 2007. |
This site was last updated 12/07/08