1996 Map of Otay Mesa

About this map

The international boundary between California and Baja California bisects this landscape, revealing a stark contrast in development patterns during the mid-1990s. To the north, the Otay Mesa plateau is characterized by large-scale infrastructure and industrial facilities, including the RJ Donovan Correctional Facility and the Brown Field Municipal Airport. The northeastern corner is dominated by the steep slopes of the San Ysidro Mountains and the protected lands of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge. South of the border, the urban density of Tijuana spreads across the valley floor and into neighborhoods such as Chilpancingo and Murua. This map documents a critical period of binational growth, showing the Tijuana International Airport situated directly against the fence line, just south of the US Customs and Commercial Vehicle Inspection Facility that manage the region's cross-border commerce.