Puerto Palomas, Chihuahua, Mexico is a good place. The traffic is usually very light, and it's quick to cross there. Or, if you walk across there, which is easy, there's a parking lot right at the border on the US side, you can eat a nice lunch ...
An easy and convenient way to travel to the region is the Cross Border Xpress CBX) pedestrian bridge connecting the Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) to San Diego.
Federal agents, just like local law enforcement officers, must meet certain legal thresholds in order to carry out certain activities in the furtherance of their mission. For Border Patrol, that mission is to apprehend violators of federal immigration law. Federal agents need reasonable suspicion to: Pull a driver over.
The best time to cross from Tijuana to San Diego is the early morning 4:am to 6:am. If you're the early bird, you'll get the worm, or the tacos in this case. Try to get to San Ysidro at 4 a.m. to begin the process. The other times to avoid, if possible, would be weekends and holidays.
The traditional San Ysidro crossing is the larger and busier of the two - on Sunday afternoons and on holidays expect at least a one hour wait at the crossing (it could be shorter or longer). While Otay Mesa is quicker to cross, it is more difficult to reach on the Tijuana side.
Before crossing the bridge, passengers must scan their CBX ticket and boarding pass (if not already linked to the CBX ticket) at the electronic gates. Once scanned, the doors will open, allowing travelers to begin their journey across the bridge.
How to Cross the Border From San Diego to Tijuana, Mexico How to Get From San Diego to Tijuana Time Best For Car 30 minutes Itinerary flexibility Trolley & Pedestrian Bridge 50 minutes Budget-conscious, eco-conscious Bus 1 hour, 10 minutes Budget-minded people and those who can't walk across bridges easily1 more row •
U.S. citizens must present a valid U.S. passport book or card, and an entry permit issued by Instituto Nacional de Migración. Enter Mexico with valid proof of automobile registration, even if remaining in the border zone.
Passport valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements). Each individual who needs a visa must submit a separate application, including any family members listed in your passport.
Documents You Will Need All U.S. citizens need U.S. passport books if re-entering by air. Land and sea border crossings accept additional travel documents, such as U.S. Passport cards and Trusted Traveler cards.