Getting to the Ranch - Rancho La Puerta
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We provide scheduled, complimentary ground transportation for your Saturday arrival and departure to and from San Diego International Airport. We also provide transportation to and from the Tecate border. Arrival and Departure plans must be submitted no later than two weeks prior to your arrival. Any additions or changes beyond this date are subject to availability.

Schedule Your Saturday Arrival/Departure Transportation Here

Keep in mind we are located in Mexico and a valid passport is mandatory for international travel.

Airport Arrivals

On Saturdays our charter buses depart Terminal 1 at:

  • 8:00 a.m.
  • 10:00 a.m.
  • 12:15 p.m.
  • 2:45 p.m.

Travel time to the Ranch is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

Meeting Place: A Ranch representative will be waiting inside Terminal 1 directly in front of Pacifica Breeze Café. View the Terminal 1 Map for more details.

Please note:

  • The airport has two terminals. Our shuttle only meets at Terminal 1. If you arrive at Terminal 2, please claim your luggage and head to our meeting place.
  • Our staff cannot seek you out in the terminal, and we do not pick up luggage from baggage claim carousels.
  • Buses leave on time and cannot be held for late-comers.
  • If you need to speak to the airport representative on Saturday, call (858) 925-1214.

Scheduled transportation to and from The Ranch is available on Saturdays. If you are arriving midweek or late on Saturday you may arrange a ride through the Orange Cab Company (619) 291-3333. Expect to pay an average fare to the border of approximately $120 to $150. Orange Cab rate flier.

If you plan to drive to the Tecate border, please refer to the Driving to The Ranch tab on this page for instructions.

A Ranch Driver can meet you at the drop-off location at these times. Your pick-up must be scheduled in advance of your arrival by calling the front desk at 858-925-1214:

  • 8:30 a.m.
  • 9:30 a.m.
  • 11:30 a.m.
  • 1:45 p.m.
  • 3:15 p.m.
  • 4:30 p.m.

Please note that shuttles depart promptly at the above times.

Departures

Arrangements for return transportation to the airport must be made two weeks in advance.

Please connect with the front desk staff or the concierge while at The Ranch to obtain the appropriate color-coded luggage tags which will help determine which terminal your luggage will be delivered to.

Buses depart Rancho La Puerta for the airport at:

  • 7:30 a.m.
  • 10:00 a.m.
  • 12:15 p.m.
  • 2:30 p.m.

Allow 3 hours of travel time due to the varying time it can take to cross the border back to the U.S., plus additional time for check-in at the airport. Return flights should not be scheduled before 11:30 a.m.

Please note: Actual driving times from the Ranch back to the airport are only about 1.5 hours, but we recommend an additional 1.5 hours for possible delays.

Driving Directions to the Tecate border

Driving to the Tecate border crossing is easy and peaceful. Highway CA-94 is one of the most scenic country drives in California. Keep in mind the highway has a few splits and turns that drivers occasionally miss.

A Ranch Driver can meet you at the Baja Duty Free store at these times. Your pick-up must be scheduled in advance of your arrival by calling the front desk at 858-925-1214:

  • 8:30 a.m.
  • 9:30 a.m.
  • 11:30 a.m.
  • 1:45 p.m.
  • 3:15 p.m.
  • 4:30 p.m.

Please note that shuttles depart promptly at the above times.

Map Link to Recommended Driving Route

  • Take Interstate 5 south to the Highway 94 turnoff.
  • Go EAST 13.3 miles.
  • Turn RIGHT onto CAMPO RD / CA-94. Continue to follow CA-94 for 23.6 miles.
  • Bear RIGHT to go onto CA-188 / TECATE RD for 2 miles, to the Tecate border.
  • From north of La Jolla, via I-5 South to I-805
.
  • Merge onto I-805 South via the exit on the LEFT. Go 14.7 miles.
  • Merge onto CA-94 East. Go 11.2 miles.
  • Turn RIGHT onto CAMPO RD / CA-94. Continue to follow CA-94 for 23.6 miles.
  • Bear RIGHT to go onto CA-188 / TECATE RD for 2 miles to the Tecate border.
  • 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.
  • Turn LEFT onto CA-94/Ribbonwood Road. Continue to follow CA-94 0.6 miles.
  • Turn RIGHT onto CA-94/Old Highway 80. Continue to follow CA-94 25.6 miles.
  • Turn LEFT onto CA-188/Tecate Road. Go 2 miles to the border gate.

You may opt to leave your car on the U.S. side in Tecate, California, just north of the border crossing. We will send a Ranch van and driver to pick you up and escort you through the simple visa process, and on to the Ranch! Please keep in mind the Tecate border crossing is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The lot where you leave your car is one we use frequently and typically costs about $10-25 cash per day.

Please inform the front desk (858-925-1214) of your intended arrival time and a Ranch driver will be able to meet you at the Baja Duty Free store at these scheduled pick up times:

  • 6:30 a.m.
  • 8:30 a.m.
  • 9:30 a.m.
  • 11:30 a.m.
  • 1:45 p.m.

(Due to tourist traffic between the Mexico and US border we strongly advise you to leave your car on the US side of the border. Parking is easy and secure, and we provide shuttles to The Ranch from the border. Be advised that if you chose to drive across, border wait times on Saturday are typically between three and five hours long.)

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 topes (speed bumps). If you cross a small bridge over a river, you’ve gone too far.

Tecate Border Hours
The border is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Returning To The US

If you drove your own car to the Ranch, please note that the return drive to the border crossing is not quite the same. 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).

We recommend obtaining additional insurance coverage for driving in Mexico. Check with your current insurance provider as some US insurance companies cover a short distance across the international border (we are 4.4 miles across). Another option would be AAA. As a last resort, just before crossing the border, there is a small store to purchase Mexican Auto Insurance.

Extra Night in San Diego

The Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina (1380 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego 92101) offers Ranch guests an exclusive 20% discount (on a space available basis) from the best available rate, per night (valid on stays through December 31, 2024). Located across from San Diego Airport on San Diego Bay’s Harbor Island, the Sheraton provides complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport (a 5-minute trip), making it easy for you to link with Rancho La Puerta’s shuttle bus service on Saturdays.

Reservations can be made by visiting the Sheraton website and referencing Special Rates tab, Corp/Promo Code: 86W

Note: Any applicable Resort Fees are not included in rate. Contact Sheraton for details on the cost and what it entails. Questions call The Sheraton at 1-888-544-2523.