Andres took us on a fun half-day walking tour around downtown TJ, showing us the sights and features of local significance. This is definitely the way to see the town, as you’d have a hard time doing it on your own. As other reviewers have said, there were no safety issues. Highlights were the sidewalk taco stand (crowded with locals getting their goatmeat tacos, which were delicious), and the museum featuring TJ based collectibles and an extensive Lucha Libre exhibit. This was amazing: it’s new and only open on weeends but our guide got us in on a weekday for a personal tour by one of the directors. Odd but really interesting in a town where there’s not much in the way of big attractions. The municipal History of TJ Museum was small but well done (though the displays are in Spanish only). You visit a couple of souvenir shops but that was OK too. Andres, our guide, was a young, friendly and helpful fellow who grew up in the area.
Tour goes in the afternoon from 2-6pm and uses public transit. One tip is to take the San Diego tram down to the border. There is parking for your car at the border but the tram makes it a lot simpler.