San Ysidro (Spanish pronunciation: [san iˈsiðɾo]) is a community in the southern section of San Diego. It is located in the southernmost part of San Diego County, immediately north of the U.S.-Mexico border. It neighbors Otay Mesa West to the north, Otay Mesa to the east, and Nestor and the Tijuana River Valley to the west. Major thoroughfares include Beyer Boulevard and San Ysidro Boulevard.
San Ysidro is home to the world’s busiest land border crossing, where U.S. Interstate 5 crosses into Mexico at Tijuana. In the 2005 U.S. fiscal year, more than 17 million vehicles and 50 million people entered the United States at theSan Ysidro Port of Entry. The great majority of these are workers (both of Mexican and U.S. nationality) commuting from Tijuana to jobs in the greater San Diego area and throughout southern California. There is also reverse traffic, both of workers traveling to maquiladoras in Mexico and those purchasing services or seeking entertainment in Tijuana.
The San Diego Public Library operates the San Ysidro Branch Library. Parks in San Ysidro include Howard Lane Park, Vista Terrace Park, and San Ysidro Community Park. Churches include Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church.
One of the biggest attractions in San Ysidro is the Las Americas Outlet stores. Only 1000 feet from the International border crossing, shoppers come from both sides of the border to find bargains at big name stores from Ann Taylor to Ralph Lauren. Las Americas Premium Outlets is the area’s largest outlet center. With 125 stores featuring Adidas, Banana Republic, BCBG Max Azria, Bebe, Calvin Klein, Coach, Gap Outlet, Guess, J.Crew, Kenneth Cole, Neiman Marcus Last Call, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and more plus an excellent choice of eateries and restaurants. Guests may stroll through the center’s beautiful courtyards with fountains, statues and elegant architecture and enjoy savings of 25% to 65% every day.
