Getting to Rosarito is part of the enjoyment of visiting this Baja California resort, and it's really easy.

Coming from the US, You'll first need to get to southern California and the city of San Diego. There are many ways to do that of course.  If you are not driving, you could take the "Tijuana Trolley" (rail transportation) to the border, then the Shuttle Bus Service, otherwise you will have to take a bus, or taxi to Tijuana and then catch a cab to Rosarito.

Okay, let's go. From San Diego, California, take Interstate Highway 5 or Interstate 805 south. This will take you to the San Ysidro, California border crossing (at Tijuana). There will be various freeway exit signs along the way including one reading "Last U.S. Exit." If you are planning to walk across the border, then you'll leave the freeway at this exit, find a parking lot, and proceed to enter Mexico (Tijuana) on foot. If you continue driving, the Interstate the freeway takes you right into Mexico.

There are two roads that will bring you to Rosarito Beach. The toll road (cuota) and the free (libre) road. The well maintained toll road is faster and easier with beautiful ocean views. The toll highway is also patrolled by the "Green Angels," a mobile mechanic that will assist you in the event you have mechanical problems. There are solar powered call boxes located about every two miles along the toll road. If you need help just pick up the phone and a bilingual operator will provide assistance. The free road is harder to find if you are not familiar with Tijuana, Once you locate it, you will find a modern four-lane highway, but with heavy commercial traffic, many exits, and many people. Not nearly as scenic as the toll route. Our recommendation is to take the toll road.

To get to the toll road from the border, bear to the right just after entering Mexico. As the road begins to split, take the second left where the signs read "Ensenada Cuota via Calle Poniente." That will take you to the road that runs along the international border (Avenida Internacional). You'll see the border fence to your right as you travel west. You'll stay on this road as you climb the first hill. Stay right and keep going straight. As you drop down into the canyon (known as "Smugglers Canyon"), you'll want to take the right turn-off to the road going west. Up another hill and then you'll drop down to Playas de Tijuana intersection.

Just ahead is the toll booth. A toll fee of $2.20 US dollars will take you all the way to Rosarito Beach. The 17 mile scenic trip will take about fifteen minutes. It is a beautiful trip. Some of northern Baja California's most spectacular scenery is along this route that glides along the coast with its unblemished views of the Pacific Ocean. You'll pass a number of real estate developments as well, a testimony to Baja California as a highly desirable location for a vacation or retirement home.

At Rosarito Beach, there are three exits off the toll road. The first exit will take your right into town. You'll drive along Benito Juárez Boulevard (main street).  If you would prefer to avoid city traffic, stay on the toll road and take the third exit.