If you’re planning a visit to San Diego, you may be surprised to learn that the city is just minutes away from the Mexico border. San Ysidro, a San Diego district, is a short drive from Tijuana, Mexico, that includes a stop at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. You can easily cross the border on your motorcycle — if you prepare correctly.
Read on to learn more about taking a San Ysidro to Tijuana motorcycle crossing trip on your bike. Then contact our Law Tigers team for assistance.
San Ysidro, San Diego, California
San Ysidro is a community within San Diego that is immediately north of the Mexico border. The district has a population of just over 28,000 and is home to the fourth busiest land-border crossing in the world, allowing visitors to cross from the U.S. to Mexico and vice-versa.
More than 15 million vehicles enter the U.S. at the San Ysidro Port of Entry each year. The San Ysidro-Tijuana metropolitan region also has two other ports of entry and several pedestrian crossing points.
San Ysidro is about 20 minutes from downtown San Diego, where you will find numerous attractions to add to your motorcycle trip. While you’re in the area, you can check out:
- The San Diego Zoo
- Balboa Park
- The USS Midway Museum
- Seaworld San Diego
- The Cabrillo National Monument
- La Jolla Cove
San Diego is located along the Pacific Ocean, making it an easy stop if you are traveling the Pacific Coast Highway. Once you’re ready, you can make your way to a port of entry in San Ysidro and complete the process of crossing into Mexico.
Tijuana, Mexico
Tijuana, also known as T.J., is a Mexican city along the Pacific Coast. This bustling town includes plenty to do and see during a short trip across the border.
Soon after you cross into Tijuana, you’ll come across the city’s main street, Avenida Revolución. This busy street is lined with bars, restaurants, and souvenir shops that provide a taste of Mexican urban life. You can also visit cultural landmarks in the area, such as the Jai Alai Frontón palace or the Centro Cultural Tijuana cultural complex.
Crossing Into Mexico: What You Need to Know
As we mentioned, the San Ysidro Port of Entry sees over 15 million cars yearly. The average wait time at this port is anywhere from one to three hours, depending on the time of day you approach. You can view the current wait on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website. If you want to avoid a long wait, we recommend visiting earlier in the morning, between 7:00 a.m. and noon.
You will need to bring a few documents to gain entry to Tijuana, including a valid passport, passport card, Trusted Traveler Program card, or Enhanced Driver’s License.
If you have a passport from one of the countries on Mexico’s no-visa-required list, which includes the U.S., you do not need to apply for a formal visa. However, you will need to complete a Mexico Visitor’s Permit, which is free if your trip is seven days or fewer. You can complete the form online ahead of your trip.
If you plan to travel more than 22 miles into Mexico, you’ll need to pay a $22 fee. The documentation you fill out at the border should be enough for your return to the U.S.
Taking a San Ysidro to Tijuana motorcycle crossing trip is an excellent way to experience a different culture and lifestyle for a day. However, you should be sure to review Mexico’s motorcycle laws before entering.
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