San Clemente Border Patrol Checkpoint

Hello, I'm planning to go to Laguna Beach and Dana Point. I am not a DACA eligible. Has anyone know if it's near the San Clemente checkpoint or any checkpoint around that area? Am I safe to drive there from L.A? Thank you in advance.

I drive from LA to San Diego on I-5 every week for work and I never got pulled over or rolled my windows down to answer the questions.

Checkpoint usually just waive people depending on various factors: car types (sedan, pickup, van, truck), ethnicity of the driver, facial expression of the driver and etc...

If they find you suspicious, they will ask you some questions and you will have to show them some ID eventually.

You should avoid speeding near the checkpoint, I would say 10-15 miles radius from the checkpoint.

It's not like Highway Patrol is shooting the speed gun, it's actually Border Patrol agents are shooting the speed gun, not like normal Highway Patrol. So try not to speed while down south.

Checkpoint is on the way from San Diego to LA and I usually check Google Map for traffic before I depart from San Diego area. If there are some traffics near the checkpoint I would wait til see some green light.

If I see no traffic on Google Map before I depart, I start my trip but I check frequently before I reaches the last exit before the checkpoint. (Rest Area)

I would not go to any border patrol checkpoints.

I drive from San Diego to LA a lot and the checkpoint in San Clemente is rarely open, specially during the day time. The one time I’ve seen it open is passed midnight, and they just waived me through. I’d still be careful though.

I'm from San Diego and you should avoid it, it is not safe despite people saying they have never been stopped.

I have gone through the checkpoint many times and I have seen it open and asking people questions.

Avoid it, don't take the risk, especially without DACA.

Dana Point is well before the checkpoint. You should be ok. I drove by for pleasure a few weeks back. No problem. Just don't go any farther south than that.

I second the pinguin right above me. Dana Point is well before the checkpoint. Also, even if you drive further south, you will fine since they don’t check southbound. Northbound, you could go through the mountains by Pala to avoid checkpoints. Why don’t you have DACA? Are you one of the people that John Kelly once talked about?

My question to you is WHY? That must be an insane drive every single day. I can only imagine going back. You must not have a lot of other things in your life.

It’s called visiting family? Please tell me you’re smart enough to understand that you can be productive while also having a life.

OP Laguna Beach and Dana Point are safe but I wouldn’t recommend going any further down if not necessary. Going to SD isn’t bad but I personally wouldn’t risk it without DACA. I’ve never been stopped but I know people who have. Then again I’m usually with my kids so don’t know if that’s a factor.