For San Diego County Clients

Getting to SMP Tijuana from San Diego

A practical guide to the border crossing, parking, rideshare, and what to bring — for clients from Chula Vista, San Diego, El Cajon, Carlsbad, Escondido, and throughout the county.

Important: Border crossing times, requirements, and procedures change and can vary significantly by day, time, and current conditions. Always check official CBP wait times at cbp.gov before your trip. The information on this page is provided as general guidance only and may not reflect current conditions.

Clinic Location

New City Medical Plaza
Paseo del Centenario 9580, Interior 708, Piso 7
Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico 22010

The clinic is approximately 5 minutes by car or rideshare from the San Ysidro Port of Entry — the busiest land border crossing in the Western Hemisphere.

Get Directions to the Clinic

Step-by-Step: How to Get There

1

Check border wait times

Before you leave home, check current pedestrian or vehicle wait times at cbp.gov/wait-times or the CBP One app. Wait times fluctuate throughout the day — early morning and mid-week crossings are typically faster than weekend afternoons.

2

Drive to San Ysidro

Take I-5 South to the San Ysidro exit. If you plan to walk across, park on the US side — there are several paid lots and structures within a few blocks of the pedestrian crossing. Rates vary; arrive early to find convenient parking.

3

Cross into Mexico

Entering Mexico at San Ysidro is generally quick — foot traffic crosses in a few minutes. Follow signs for the pedestrian crossing (El Chaparral / PedWest). No paperwork is required to enter Mexico for a short visit.

4

Rideshare to the clinic

Once across, open Uber or a local rideshare app. The ride to New City Medical Plaza is approximately 5 minutes and costs roughly $3–5 USD (prices fluctuate). You can also walk to the clinic — it's under a mile from the crossing, though the route crosses a busy boulevard.

5

Return crossing

Returning to the US takes longer. Vehicle crossing can take 45–90 minutes or more at peak times; pedestrian crossing typically takes 20–40 minutes. Factor this into your schedule, especially for your first visit. Your SMP session is 2–4 hours, so plan for a half-day trip.

What to Bring

Note on REAL ID and enhanced licenses: A REAL ID-compliant driver's license is sufficient for domestic US travel but is not sufficient to re-enter the US from Mexico by land. You need a valid US passport book or passport card. Check cbp.gov for current accepted documents.

Clients We See From

Chula VistaClosest — 15 min total
National CityQuick day trip
San Diego~25 min to clinic
El CajonEasy highway drive
La MesaUnder 30 min
Imperial BeachVery close to border
EscondidoNorth county clients
CarlsbadUnder 1 hour drive

Drive times are approximate and do not include border crossing wait time, which varies. Check CBP wait times before you leave.

Questions? Message Us First

We'll confirm your appointment, send the exact clinic address, and answer any logistical questions before you make the trip.

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