TO RANCHO LA PUERTA
The highway from San Diego that takes you to the Tecate turnoff is CA-94, one of the most scenic country drives in California. In the San Diego metropolitan area, CA-94 runs east-west and roughly parallels Interstate 8, which is farther north. Consequently, the city's main north-south highways (I-5, 163, 15, 805 and 125) all intersect CA-94. East of San Diego, CA-94 turns southeast, toward Mexico.
It is much easier to go to Tecate via CA-94 than to cross into Mexico south of San Diego at San Ysidro or Otay Mesa (you want to avoid threading your way through Tijuana). We also recommend obtaining additional insurance coverage for driving in Mexico, as most US policies do not cover driving south of the border.
To determine your most efficient way to connect with CA-94, go to Mapquest or Yahoo! maps. Type in your home address, with "Tecate, CA" as your destination. This will give you step-by-step directions, the distance in miles from your home, and estimate your driving time. See below for driving directions to the Ranch once you cross the border.
Have fun! The drive is easy...especially if you watch for CA-94 signs all the way. This highway has a few splits and turns that drivers occasionally miss. For example, if you are coming from San Diego, be sure to stay on 94 EAST where the highway splits near Lemon Grove. You will leave Highway 94 where it connects with Tecate Road (Highway 188), two miles north of the border.
From Interstate 5 and downtown San Diego/airport vicinity
1. Take Interstate 5 south to the Highway 94 turnoff. Go EAST 13.3 miles.
2. Turn RIGHT onto CAMPO RD / CA-94. Continue to follow CA-94 for 23.6 miles.
3. Bear RIGHT to go onto CA-188 / TECATE RD for 2 miles, to the border.
From north of La Jolla, via I-5 South to I-805
1. Merge onto I-805 South via the exit on the LEFT. Go 14.7 miles.
2. Merge onto CA-94 East. Go 11.2 miles.
3. Turn RIGHT onto CAMPO RD / CA-94. Continue to follow CA-94 for 23.6 miles.
4. Bear RIGHT to go onto CA-188 / TECATE RD for 2 miles to the border.
Via Interstate 8 from Arizona
1. Near the summit after the climb on I-8 out of the desert into San Diego County’s mountains, take the CA-94 exit toward Boulevard/Manzanita.
2. Turn LEFT onto CA-94/Ribbonwood Road. Continue to follow CA-94 0.6 miles.
3. Turn RIGHT onto CA-94/Old Highway 80. Continue to follow CA-94 25.6 miles.
4. Turn LEFT onto CA-188/Tecate Road. Go 2 miles to the border gate.
PASSPORTS AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR CROSSING THE BORDER
Due to heightened US/Mexico Border security, bring TWO important documents with you: (1) your passport OR a certified copy of your birth certificate AND (2) a government-issued picture ID, such as a driver's license. This applies whether you arrive by private car, taxi or the Ranch's motor coach service from the San Diego airport.
If you do not have a passport, or cannot obtain one in time for your Ranch visit, don’t panic. The certified copy of your birth certificate will prove your citizenship, and a government-issued driver’s license will satisfy the picture ID requirement. (You may wish to visit CBP.gov for updates on travel documents and details.)
As of December, 2007, here’s the latest:
“Returning U.S. citizens crossing the land border currently are not required by statute to have entry documents for inspection. However, they must prove their citizenship to the satisfaction of the inspecting CBP officer. CBP officials highly recommend that returning U.S. citizens travel with a passport or other documents that establish citizenship and residency such as government-issued birth records and photo identification.”
This will change on January 31, 2008, when, according to CBP, “U.S. and Canadian citizens 19 years and older who enter the U.S. at land and sea ports of entry from within the Western Hemisphere will need to present government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license as proof of identity, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate, or a passport. Children age 18 and under will be able to enter with proof of citizenship. Verbal claims of citizenship and identity alone will not be sufficient to establish identity and citizenship for entry into the United States.”
So, until further notice, if you do not have a U.S. passport, you MUST bring both a government-issued picture ID, such as a driver’s license, AND a certified copy of your birth certificate.
Visitors from countries other than the US or Canada MUST bring a passport. Also, they should check with their country's Mexican Consulate to obtain a visa or to find out if citizens qualify under a visa waiver.
ONCE YOU CROSS THE BORDER
Ask border patrol officers where to park to purchase a tourist visa. The cost is $25 to $30 in US dollars (depending on the exchange rate). The visa office is open 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. If you arrive outside these hours, you can return to the visa office the next day (Rancho La Puerta personnel will help you).
DRIVING FROM THE BORDER TO RANCHO LA PUERTA
1. Proceed STRAIGHT three blocks, to the second stoplight. You'll see the town's tree-shaded plaza ahead on your left.
2. Turn RIGHT on Juarez (Tecate's main street) and go WEST 3 miles.
3. Turn RIGHT into entrance to Rancho La Puerta. Note: Past the downtown district, the road appears to fork; on the right, up the hill, is a residential area. Stay left to continue on Juarez, which becomes a divided four-lane road. Watch for easy-to-miss stop signs at cross streets, and topas (speed bumps). If you cross a small bridge over a river, you've gone too far.
BORDER HOURS
The border is open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
RETURNING TO THE U.S. FROM RANCHO LA PUERTA
Visit the Front Desk or Concierge near the end of your stay for driving directions and information about crossing at Tecate’s garita (border gate).
