July 5 Tijuana

Question

I'm planning on doing a day trip to Tijuana. My main concern is crossing back over. Will July 4th holiday weekend make it busier? If the wait is more than 2hrs, I would probably decide to spend extra time in SD. I don't have global entry.

The walking tour said the average wait has been around 45 minutes? I'm not planning on taking the tour.

Any preference of taking uber vs taxi from the border?

My plan, walking around tourist areas, lunch, return early evening.

Ave. Revolución

Mercado Hidalgo

Plaza del Zapato

Arch

Answer

Planning a day trip to Tijuana from San Diego can be a fun experience, but crossing back into the U.S. is something to plan carefully, especially around a holiday weekend like July 4th. Historically, holiday weekends significantly increase pedestrian and vehicle traffic at the border, which can lead to longer wait times.

Border Crossing Considerations:

Without Global Entry or SENTRI, pedestrian wait times at the San Ysidro border crossing can range widely. While your walking tour reference says 45 minutes on average, on a holiday weekend, it’s not uncommon for waits to exceed 1–2 hours, particularly in the late afternoon or early evening.
Morning crossings tend to be faster. If you plan to return early evening, you may encounter peak traffic as many U.S. residents also return from day trips in Mexico.
Monitoring real-time border wait times can help. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection website provides live updates for pedestrian and vehicle lanes at San Ysidro.

Getting Around Tijuana:

Uber and local taxis are both viable options. Uber may be slightly more reliable in terms of pricing and safety, but you need to arrange pick-up points carefully as Ubers cannot always enter certain border zones directly. Check the Uber app for exact pick-up locations.
Traditional taxis are plentiful, but always confirm the fare before departure. Many locals and tourists use taxis without issue, but negotiating a flat rate for longer distances is recommended.
Walking between major tourist areas is feasible. Ave. Revolución, Mercado Hidalgo, Plaza del Zapato, and the Arch are all relatively close in downtown Tijuana.

Suggested Strategy for Your Trip:

Consider crossing into Tijuana in the morning to maximize sightseeing and minimize re-entry wait times.
Limit your tour to a few key areas like Ave. Revolución and Mercado Hidalgo to keep the day manageable and avoid rushing.
Have a flexible exit plan: if pedestrian wait exceeds 2 hours, you can return via a different crossing point, such as PedWest (if available), or spend extra time exploring San Diego instead.
Carry identification (passport) and be prepared for security checks at the border.

Overall, your plan is realistic, but the key variables are timing and border wait. Early morning entry and aiming to leave Tijuana by mid-afternoon will improve your odds of a smooth return.

July 5 Tijuana

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