Baja California

Unless otherwise noted, all photographs taken by Alex Nitzman and Andy Field. Thanks to Don Hagstrom and Kevin Trinkle for making this trip possible.

 

Note that none of these images or descriptions are mine! I retrieved these off an old version of AARoads (westcoastroads, a branch of the website at the time), updated on July 23, 2002.

 

 

Mexico 1 and Mexico 1-D 

Northbound Mexico 1-D entering the City of Tijuana. 

 

The tan building in the United States is a wastewater treatment plant. The city of Tijuana, meanwhile, sprawls all the way to the border fence, offering a major contrast between the United States and Mexico at this point along the border. 

 

At this point, Mexico 1-D is no longer a toll road, and it rapidly transfers onto Tijuana city streets. The connection from here to the border crossing and Interstate 5 is a bit convoluted, as one must navigate city streets to reach the border. There was a proposal to construct a new border crossing at approximately this location into the United States, but the environmental sensitivity of the Tijuana River Valley and Border Field State Park have prevented such a route from being constructed. However, if such a border crossing were built, it would connect with an extended California 905 freeway in the United States. This freeway extension, from Interstate 5 southwest to the border, is still on the Caltrans planning maps. Photo taken 5/01. 

 

Southbound Mexico 1-D approaching Mexico 2 to Tecate. 

 

This is a very old sign and a very old interchange. 

 

Taking this exit indeed leads to Tecate and avoids most of downtown Tijuana, but there are other ways to reach Mexico 2 from Mexico 1-D. Mexico 1-D is signed from here leading south to the beaches and to Ensenada. 

 

Southbound Mexico 1-D immediately after the Mexico 2 interchange.

 

The signage to the left is a rarity: the use of highway gothic font (lowercase) on a sign in Mexico. Most are uppercase, narrow font. 

 

Note how "Scenic Road" is used as a control city for Mexico 1-D. Occasionally, it is the only designation used for Mexico 1-D on some trailblazer signs, especially in Tijuana. 

  

Mexico 1-D certainly does live up to its name as a scenic road!

 

 

 

 

Welcome to the Scenic Highway...

 

This marks the beginning of the toll road, which continues south to Ensenada, passing by Rosarito Beach.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

View of the Pacific Ocean as seen from the southbound lanes of Mexico 1-D.    
 

 

 

 

 

 

A freeway bridge along Mexico 1-D. 

 

 A typical kilometer post along Southbound Mexico 1-D. This one is at Kilometer Post 17 just north of Real Del Mar. Since kilometers increase from north to south along Mexico 1-D, this post is 17 kilometers south of Tijuana. The Zero Kilometer Post is the near the interchange with Mexico 2. 

 

 

Generally speaking, there are not many reassurance shields, so the kilometer post acts as a reassurance marker, even though the marker is rather small.

  

 

Southbound Mexico 1-D at the main exit to Rosarito Beach. 

 

Rosarito Beach is popular for its playas (beaches) and its resorts. It is also home to a vibrant night club scene, and it is a popular weekend destination for Americans. 

Photo taken 5/01.

 

Mexico 2 and Mexico 2-D 

Faded Tijuana sign on westbound Mexico 2 in San Luis Colorado, Sonora. Photo taken 5/01. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Westbound Mexico 2-D leaving the state of Sonora, entering Baja California. 

 

This colorful sign thanks the visitors of San Luis Colorado and wishes them a good journey. 

 

A distance sign is provided to the right of the sign, pointing to Mexicali, Tijuana, and Ensenada.  

 

 

 

 

Westbound Mexico 2 approaching the inspection station.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mexicali Blues

 

Westbound Mexico 2 entering the city of Mexicali. 

 

The large sign greeting visitors welcomes motorists to Mexicali ("Bienvenidos a Mexicali")!
 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Northbound Mexico 5 and Westbound "Bypass" Mexico 2 approaching Junction "Business" Mexico 2 in Mexicali. The bypass and business designations are not used here, but this helps to clarify since there are two routings of Mexico 2 here. 
 

The Zero Kilometer Post of Mexico 5 is located at this upcoming intersection, although signage for Mexico 5 may be found near the border crossing. 

 

Photo taken 5/01.

Tijuana

 

 

Welcome to Tijuana (Worldwide Capital of the Television) along westbound Mexico 2-D. 

 

 

This marks the western terminus of Mexico 2-D. There are occasional signs of Mexico 2 and Mexico 2-D, but most signage will point to the border, downtown ("centro"), or Mexico 1-D. 

 

 

 

This section of Tijuana is a major manufacturing location, home to several "maquiladoras," which are generally manufacturing facilities for foreign companies. As evidenced in the sign, most televisions in the world are manufactured in Tijuana!

 

Westbound Mexico 2 approaching Baja California Route 1. Photo taken 5/01.

Miscellaneous 

 

Choices for Interstate 5 and the Tijuana International Airport along westbound Mexico 2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All photographs taken by Alex Nitzman and Andy Field!