Mexicali is very different than most Mexican cities, as it is laid out very similar to a city located in the United States.  If you're a seasoned traveler to Mexico, you've probably noticed that most Mexican cities are very "compact" compared to Canadian or U.S. cities.  Why is that you ask?  I don't have a clue.  Anyway, Mexicali was surveyed by Americans and that gives me a clue as why the city is laid out similar to a city north of the border.  As I eluded to in the opening chapter of this article, Mexicali is very similar to my home town of Fresno, California.

 

Left:  U.S. Customs is in the left, and you can't help but to notice the large green sign that directs you towards Tijuana, Tecate and beyone.  You're on Calzada Lopez Mateos.  Right:  Mexicali city buses wait at the corner of Mateos and Zorilla.

After you've crossed the border into Mexico, you'll notice a very prominent street; that's Calzada Lopez Mateos, which is the major north-south artery in Mexicali, although it does take a bend to the east a mile or so south of the border and then heads to the south-south east.  Just south of the border, as you look to your left, you'll see Av. Francisco Madero, which along with the parallel street of Av. Reforma, forms the major downtown, commercial area of Mexicali.  Not surprisingly, this is where most norteamericanos who visit Mexicali shop.  In addition to stores, tourist souvenir stands, puestos, taquerias and Chinese restaurants, there are a couple of honky-tonks and strip clubs to satisfy the "Zona Norte" urge in many gringos.

 

Left:  Looking south on Calzada Lopez Mateos.  Right:  One of the first things you'll notice after you cross the border is the Hotel Del Norte, at Av. Francisco Madero and Calzada Mateos, as it is located in El Centro, at the heart of downtown Mexicali.

If you're not driving and you want to head south, taxis wait in droves at the junction of Ca. Lopez Mateos and Av. Madero. Taxis are generally not my calling, as I prefer to walk or ride a city bus, as you get a better picture of the area that way.  

 

Left:  Just from crossing the border, you're looking at Hotel Del Norte, looking south on Calazda Mateos.  Right: Looking east on Av. Madero.

Like the larger city of Tijuana, 120 miles to the west, traffic is a problem in downtown Mexicali.  The streets are fairly narrow, the infrastructure is overloaded and outdated, and the drivers are impatient.  If you like the horn honking in Tijuana, you'll find yourself quite at home in Mexicali, as the drivers seem to be very impatient and horns are in use at all times.  However to put things in proper prospective, travel to San Francisco or Vancouver if you like to listen to the sound of horns; Mexicali is no worse than any congested American or Canadian city.

 

Photos:  Just after crossint the border into Mexico, this sight greets you, at the corner of CalzadaLopez Mateos and Av. Alvarado Obregon.

One of the first things you'll see as you cross the border is the Hotel del Norte, on Av. Madero, just off Ca. Mateos.  It has a rather impressive facade, but it really isn't as good as it looks.  Way back in the early 1970's, when I was just out of college and in my "honky-tokin'" days, I had the opportunity to stay at the 'del Norte, as it was quite close to a certain strip club that I was visiting to sample the local cusine.  As I remember then, it was a dive; you know no private bathrooms, narrow corridors, small rooms, walls so you could-hear-what-your-neighbors-are-doing, faded carpet; you know what I mean.  So on my last trip to Mexicali, in April of 2005, I just had to see what 'del Norte looked like.  So I walked into the lobby, and looked around the registration desk, talked to the clerk,  and, BINGO!, nothing had changed.   The woodwork was still faded, dead flies adorned the windows, the ceiling was still falling down, and the carpet was still olive drab, worn and faded.  When I pulled out my camera to take some photos, all I heard was a very loud "No, senor, No fotos, por favor"  from the clerk.  Darn!

 

Left:  Av. Obregon, just south of Calzada Lopez Mateos.  If you're looking to escape traffic, don't look to Mexicali, as the city has it's share of traffic woes.  Right:  Crossing into the U.S. can be a pain from Mexicali.  Here traffic is backed-up waiting to cross into the U.S.

Downtown Mexicali is a real downtown, and it's "el centro"  of a real city, that doesn't base its economy on tourists. It's a fun place to visit, people-watch, eat and shop.  You can't lose when you pay it a visit.