Crossing from Mexico into California: Border Cities, Not Water

Contrary to a common misconception, Mexico and California share a land border of about 140 miles. You do not cross the Gulf of California to enter the state.

The first Californian cities you reach depend on your crossing point:

• San Ysidro / San Diego (the world's busiest land border crossing, from Tijuana)
• Otay Mesa (also serving the San Diego/Tijuana metro area)
• Calexico (from Mexicali, leading into Imperial County)
• Andrade (a smaller crossing near Winterhaven, from Los Algodones)

All are connected to Interstate 8 or I-5, funneling traffic north into the state's interior.